U.S. News

Philadelphia's Academy of Natural Sciences Closes Public Museum; Community and Officials Seek to Restore Access

Drexel and the Academy closed the public museum Sept. 30, 2026, citing financial strain; community groups, officials and a foundation are racing to restore public access.

#philadelphia, #museum, #science, #drexel

White House Announces $90 One-Time Payments to Medicare Part B Enrollees; Agencies Have Not Posted Implementation Guidance

White House: Trump will send one-time $90 payments to 20M+ Medicare Part B enrollees, but CMS, HHS and SSA have not published how payments will be carried out.

#medicare, #ssa, #healthcare, #whitehouse

FTC, Utah and Nevada Sue Lens.com Over Hidden 'Taxes & Fees' That Doubled Contact Lens Prices

FTC, Utah and Nevada allege Lens.com advertised low prices then added large hidden "Taxes & fees" at checkout, seeking injunctions and penalties.

#contactlenses, #ftc, #consumerprotection, #hiddenfees

Judge Allows Unions’ Challenge to Alleged Federal Social‑Media Monitoring of Lawful Noncitizens to Proceed

A Manhattan judge denied the government's motion to dismiss, letting unions' First Amendment and APA challenge over alleged social‑media monitoring of lawful noncitizens proceed.

#immigration, #socialmedia, #unions, #firstamendment

Tennessee Pauses Remaining 2026 Executions, Orders Independent Review After Botched Lethal Injection

After an attempted Sept. 30 execution left Christa Pike alive, Tennessee halts remaining 2026 executions and orders an independent review of procedures.

#deathpenalty, #tennessee, #execution, #criminaljustice

EFF, ACLU Say Marin Sheriff Shared License-Plate Data With Out-of-State and Federal Agencies

EFF and ACLU say Marin County shared automated license-plate data with out-of-state and federal agencies in late 2024, possibly breaching California law and a 2022 settlement.

#privacy, #alpr, #marincounty, #flocksafety

Federal Judge Preliminarily Blocks Utah Rule Requiring Sites to Identify Users’ True Location

A federal judge preliminarily enjoined Utah’s ’actual‑location’ provision, saying it demands unattainable geolocation accuracy and likely breaches the Commerce Clause.

#utah, #internetlaw, #ageverification, #commerceclause

San Francisco to Tighten Access to License-Plate Reader Data, Critics Say Changes Don’t Go Far Enough

Mayor Lurie limits vendor access to Flock plate-reader data to 30 days and moves older records to city servers — privacy groups say warrants and firmer deletion are needed.

#sanfrancisco, #privacy, #surveillance, #alpr

AFL-CIO roundup: Unions secure contracts, pay gains and a federal hiring question blocked

An AFL-CIO roundup highlights recent union wins — Forbes’ first contract, nearly 20% raises for San Diego shipbuilders, public-sector pacts and a federal hiring-question block.

#labor, #unions, #contracts, #workplace

1199SEIU files NLRB petition to represent about 190,000 New York personal assistants

1199SEIU filed an NLRB petition to represent about 190,000 New York CDPAP personal assistants paid through PPL, a potential record-size private-sector vote.

#labor, #unions, #healthcare, #newyork

FBI Investigating Claims That fbijobs.gov Recruiting Portal Was Compromised

The FBI says it is probing claims that its fbijobs.gov recruiting portal was breached and that personally identifiable data for employees and applicants may be exposed.

#fbi, #cybersecurity, #data-breach, #shinyhunters

Lake Powell Drops to Record Low, Deepening Colorado River Crisis

Lake Powell fell to a record 3,517 feet, prompting emergency releases and heightening risks to hydropower and downstream water supplies.

#lakepowell, #coloradoriver, #drought, #water

Feds Arrest Two, Charge Third in Los Angeles Homelessness-Fraud Probe Alleging $12M Diversion

Two Los Angeles-area nonprofit workers were arrested and a third charged in a DOJ probe alleging more than $12 million meant for homelessness programs was diverted.

#homelessness, #fraud, #losangeles, #doj

Helicopter Providing NBC4 Coverage Crashes in Chatsworth, Killing Two Aboard and One on Ground

A news helicopter used by NBC4 and Telemundo 52 crashed in Chatsworth Tuesday evening, killing the pilot, an aerial reporter and one person on the ground.

#losangeles, #helicoptercrash, #nbc4, #telemundo

Singaporean Pleads Guilty in $245 Million Crypto Theft Under RICO Charges

A Singaporean pleaded guilty in D.C. to leading a social‑engineering scheme that stole and laundered over $245 million in cryptocurrency.

#cryptocurrency, #cybercrime, #rico