Columbus, OH

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel on Saturday, the State Department announced Friday, amid urgent efforts to finalize an elusive Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal.

Blinken to travel to Israel in push for Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal

Israeli settlers fired bullets and teargas at residents of the Palestinian town of Jit in the West Bank before setting fires to homes and cars in an attack, killing one Palestinian. A statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack. 

Deadly Israeli settler attack leaves Palestinian West Bank town devastated

Mediators in talks for a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel made a last-ditch effort this week to revive stalled negotiations, with high-stakes discussions wrapping up Friday against a backdrop of tension and desperation in the region.

High-stakes Gaza ceasefire talks have ended. Here’s what to know

Mediators said they presented Israel and Hamas with a “bridging proposal” after high-stakes talks on a ceasefire-for-hostages deal wrapped up in Qatar Friday.

US and allies push for Israel-Hamas ceasefire to be reached next week after presenting fresh proposal to warring sides

The mood in Lebanon’s restive capital has darkened in the two weeks since Israel’s July 30 attack in southern Beirut that killed Iran-backed Hezbollah’s top commander Fu’ad Shukr and four civilians.

Iran’s mixed signals leave some allies in the dark and set region on edge

A seasonal respiratory virus named parvovirus B19 – sometimes also called fifth disease – is increasing in activity, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Tuesday.

Common respiratory virus that dwindled during the pandemic is on the rise, CDC warns, with higher risk for certain groups

The otherworldly wreck of a British warship sat lost on the seabed for more than 100 years after it was sunk by a German U-boat off the coast of Scotland.

Wreck of torpedoed World War I warship found in ‘amazing’ condition

CNN’s Fred Pleitgen reports on new video showing Russian attack gunship firing at Ukrainian forces from the air and what the Kremlin may be trying to show with this footage.

Video shows Russian attack gunship firing at Ukrainian forces from the air

International Justice Mission’s Samson Inocencio speaks about the positive effects the organization’s anti-trafficking program is having in the Philippines.

An innovative approach to fighting slavery

Ocala, FL

A Florida jury will determine whether a 60-year-old White woman was justified when she fired through the door of her central Florida apartment a year ago, killing a Black mother during an ongoing dispute over neighborhood children.

Trial begins in case of White woman who fatally shot Black neighbor during dispute

South Pasadena, CA

Following a happenstance case break, detectives in Southern California found the person responsible for an unsolved 1986 homicide of a 19-year-old woman – a serial killer already on death row, Los Angeles county sheriff’s officials said Tuesday.

California serial killer on death row confessed to 1986 cold case homicide, authorities say

New York City, NY

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been issued a federal grand jury subpoena as part of an investigation into corruption and illegal campaign donations, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams and others subpoenaed in long-standing federal probe

America’s K-12 schools enjoyed a boost of funding from federal pandemic aid packages during the last three school years, but that cash flow is ending in September just as the new one gets underway – forcing some districts to make tough choices about what to cut.

Some US schools are forced to make cuts as pandemic aid ends in September

A reputed Peruvian gang leader suspected in 23 killings in his home country was arrested Wednesday in New York by U.S. immigration authorities.

US arrests reputed Peruvian gang leader wanted for 23 killings in his home country

Illinois State

Springfield, IL

President Joe Biden signed a proclamation Friday designating the site of a 1908 race massacre in Springfield, Illinois, a national monument.

Biden designates the site of 1908 race riot in Springfield, Illinois, a national monument

Two years after President Joe Biden’s landmark climate law was signed, millions of Americans have used it to save millions of dollars on solar panels, appliances and home insulation.

Americans have saved billions with a law they know next to nothing about

It may be time to dust off the face masks and air purifiers.

The US is experiencing its largest summer Covid wave in at least two years

New Hampshire State

If you’re a parent, the conversation with the kids as you head out the door for a car ride probably starts like this: “Did you go to the bathroom?”

A mom with a license plate that reads ‘PB4WEGO’ wins a battle with the state to keep it

Colorado State

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David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

Archaeologists found a 3,500-year-old tablet inscribed with a massive furniture order in cuneiform writing. The artifact surfaced after earthquakes occurred in Turkey.

Archaeologists unearth tiny 3,500-year-old clay tablet following an earthquake

NewsBreak

Hamas-led groups committed ‘numerous war crimes’ on October 7, rights group says

Hamas-led armed groups committed “numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity” against civilians during the October 7 attack in southern Israel, according to a Human Rights Watch (HRW)...

Hamas-led groups committed ‘numerous war crimes’ on October 7, rights group says

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