Here are today’s top stories.
Headlines
Grand Conspracy Probe Into Russia Investigation Expands
Federal prosecutors have subpoenaed former CIA Director John Brennan to testify before a grand jury in Florida as part of an investigation into President Trump’s political opponents. Brennan’s attorney said in a sworn statement that his client received the subpoena to appear next month in Fort Pierce. Find out More
The Kennedy Center’s board voted to immediately close the performing arts center for a two-year, $250 million renovation, citing structural and financial concerns just after a federal judge again blocked the board from adding President Trump’s name to the building. Trump said afterward that the renovation itself would not proceed unless the naming dispute is resolved in his favor. Read More
A 21-year-old Pennsylvania man was charged after the FBI said he was plotting an ISIS-inspired attack, having acquired a semiautomatic rifle and roughly 190 rounds of ammunition. Investigators say Jonathan Hunter Kramer had been known to the FBI for years and was arrested at a hotel in Cranberry Township over the weekend. Source
Politics
The Senate voted 74-24 Tuesday to clear a key procedural hurdle on the Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan, NCAA-backed bill setting federal guidelines for name, image and likeness deals, agent fees and transfer rules. The measure, co-sponsored by Sens. Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, still needs a final Senate vote and would then face a narrower path through the House. Backers had pushed for the vote after the bill stalled before the chamber’s August recess. Source
A Trump-backed crypto market bill failed a critical Senate procedural vote Tuesday, falling short 49-50 on the 60 votes needed to advance. Democrats cited unresolved concerns over ethics provisions tied to President Trump’s personal crypto investments, while three Republicans — Susan Collins, Josh Hawley and Jerry Moran — also voted no. The defeat is a major setback for the industry-backed Clarity Act, which had been crypto’s top legislative priority. Read More
The House voted to approve a measure requiring President Trump to end the war with Iran, with seven Republicans crossing party lines in the chamber’s third such rebuke this year. Three new GOP defectors backed the measure this time, including two Iowa lawmakers in competitive districts and a South Carolina Republican who is retiring. Find out More
U.S. News
A helicopter affiliated with NBC’s Los Angeles station crashed while covering a fatal bus collision in the Chatsworth neighborhood Tuesday night, killing the photojournalist and pilot on board, along with one person on the ground. The aircraft went down in a parking lot near a self-storage facility, according to fire officials. Find out More
A fresh wave of bird flu has struck commercial turkey farms across Minnesota and the Dakotas, affecting more than 417,000 birds as the virus resurges with fall migration. Two Minnesota flocks alone account for a combined 62,300 birds, pushing the state’s fall total to more than 92,000. Federal agriculture officials are tracking the outbreak as it hits the nation’s leading turkey-producing region. See Details
The Air Force’s civilian secretary publicly acknowledged for the first time that the U.S. military has already placed weapons in Earth orbit, ending years of official reticence on the subject. Troy Meink made the admission at a major air, space, and cyber conference in Maryland. The disclosure adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate over the “Golden Dome” missile defense concept. Source
Business
U.S. equity futures edged higher early Wednesday ahead of a Federal Reserve interest-rate decision that traders widely expect to mark the start of a new hiking cycle. Futures tied to the S&P 500, Nasdaq-100 and Dow Jones Industrial Average all pointed modestly upward, while Asian markets traded mixed overnight. Futures markets were pricing in a 92% chance of a quarter-point hike, according to the CME FedWatch tool. Source
Gold futures opened at their lowest level in two weeks Tuesday as Treasury yields climbed to their highest point since 2007 ahead of the Fed’s meeting. Recent attacks on a Saudi Arabian oil pipeline have added to Middle East tensions that have pushed oil prices back above $100 a barrel. Rising rate-hike expectations have weighed on the precious metal in recent sessions. Find out More
Novo Nordisk is rebranding its day-to-day name to simply “Novo” and overhauling its corporate culture as it fights to regain ground against rival Eli Lilly in the obesity-drug market. CEO Mike Doustdar said the changes reflect a shift toward a more consumer-driven model as patients move on and off weight-loss treatments more frequently than traditional diabetes patients once did. The company’s shares are down roughly 15% this year despite strong prescription growth for its oral Wegovy pill. Source
World News
Saudi Arabia said it shot down a Houthi drone on the outskirts of Mecca, the first time the rebel group has targeted Islam’s holiest city in nearly a decade. The Houthis denied threatening Mecca, saying their targets were Saudi oil facilities and military bases far from the holy sites. Find out More
New photographs obtained from active-duty service members show extensive damage to U.S. military positions across the Middle East from recent Iranian missile and drone attacks. The images, shared on condition of anonymity because of media restrictions, show destroyed buildings and vehicles at multiple bases. One service member said the damage “hasn’t been communicated to the American public.” Source
Deliberate sabotage disrupted Dutch train services Tuesday, just hours before the ceremonial state opening of parliament in the Netherlands. Rail operator ProRail said pipes had been planted at more than 20 locations along the tracks, mostly in rural areas, prompting it to formally classify the incident as sabotage. King Willem-Alexander proceeded with his budget speech to open the new parliamentary session that afternoon. Source
Entertainment
Singer-songwriter Finneas dropped out of Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour in solidarity with Macklemore, who was dismissed from the tour after voicing support for Palestinians during New Jersey shows. Finneas joins fellow openers Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga in withdrawing, leaving the tour with no remaining supporting acts. He was originally slated to open six South American dates for Sheeran later this year. Source
Apple TV has renewed spy thriller “Slow Horses” for an eighth season following the show’s Emmy win for outstanding directing in a drama series. The six-episode season will adapt “Clown Town,” the ninth novel in Mick Herron’s “Slough House” book series. The show has built a devoted following since its debut. Source
Early reactions to Zach Cregger’s “Resident Evil” adaptation are calling the horror film one of the best video game adaptations ever made. Critics who caught early screenings praised the “Weapons” and “Barbarian” director for bringing his signature scares to Sony’s zombie franchise for the first time. The film marks Cregger’s first foray into studio-owned intellectual property. Read More
Sports
The Los Angeles Dodgers shut out the Cincinnati Reds 4-0, continuing their push toward clinching a playoff spot as the regular season winds down. The win keeps Los Angeles in strong position in the National League standings with just weeks remaining in the schedule. The Dodgers have leaned on strong pitching in recent outings against Cincinnati. Find out More
NFL analysts are sizing up the season’s biggest early surprises after a dominant Kansas City Chiefs win over the Denver Broncos highlighted Monday Night Football in Week 1. Optimism is building around Kansas City’s run game behind Kenneth Walker III, while concerns are mounting over Denver’s offense under Bo Nix. Other early standouts included a high-flying Chicago Bears offense and a surprisingly competent Jets squad. Read More
Texas quarterback Arch Manning apologized to ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe after making an “insensitive comment” about an AI-generated video depicting his coach in an altercation with her. Manning posted the apology to his Instagram story, saying he wanted to specifically address what Rowe “personally had to deal with” because of his remarks. Rowe accepted the apology following a private conversation between the two. Source
Off the Wall
A loose moose brought a Warsaw commuter train station to a standstill after wandering onto the tracks between two stations. Rail operator PLK said service on two platforms was suspended while railway employees and wildlife specialists worked to relocate the animal, which they nicknamed Emil. The moose’s unannounced visit caused delays for evening commuters. Read More
