Here are today’s top stories.
Headlines
Jury in Lindsay Clancy Murder Trial Remains Deadlocked
The jury in Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial was sent home without a verdict after a fifth day of deliberations, following a rare judicial instruction urging jurors to keep working toward a unanimous decision. Clancy does not dispute killing her three young children but says she was suffering from postpartum psychosis at the time. Find out More
The NBA handed down severe penalties against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday following a nearly year-long investigation into salary cap circumvention involving star Kawhi Leonard, stripping the franchise of five consecutive first-round draft picks and fining the team $30 million. Owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year from all league and team activities, while Leonard was fined $700,000 but avoided a suspension or contract voiding. See Details
The Trump administration threatened to cut federal agencies’ support for the Smithsonian Institution, marking its latest escalation in an ongoing dispute with the museum system. The threat was outlined in a letter from federal officials. See Details
Politics
President Trump pledged to campaign aggressively for Republican candidates ahead of November’s midterms, telling Republican lawmakers at a Rose Garden dinner that they have a winning record to run on despite his sagging approval numbers. He said he plans extensive travel to states with high-stakes races in the final stretch of the campaign. Find out More
The House cleared a stopgap spending bill extending government funding through December 11, averting a shutdown ahead of the November midterms. The measure passed 370-48, with President Trump signing it into law Wednesday. Read More
House Republicans are moving to capitalize on a Supreme Court ruling that freed national party committees to coordinate directly with candidates, reserving nearly $9 million in TV ads across more than 20 races this month. The National Republican Congressional Committee is seeking to exploit a cash advantage over its Democratic counterpart. Find out More
U.S. News
New York City’s public school system is rolling out a policy banning AI use in elementary and middle school classrooms starting this academic year, alongside new screen-time limits. Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the district will study the technology’s effects over the next year before reconsidering. Source
A Bank of America vice president killed in a random knife attack in New York’s Times Square has been identified as 32-year-old Erin Piacenti of Chester, New Jersey. Police say the attacker, who was fatally shot by officers, also wounded a 68-year-old bystander. Read More
Tropical Storm Edouard is bringing heavy rain and flash-flooding concerns to parts of Texas as it moves inland from the Gulf Coast. The system has weakened to a tropical depression, but forecasters warn widespread rainfall remains the greatest threat. See Details
Business
Stocks edged higher Wednesday as Treasury yields paused their recent climb, with the Dow gaining roughly 300 points to snap a three-day losing streak. Elevated oil prices and rising bond yields tied to the U.S.-Iran conflict have weighed on markets in recent sessions. Read More
Investment research firm Yardeni Research says September’s reputation as the toughest month for stocks could set up a buying opportunity ahead of a year-end rally, even as investors remain anxious about global bond yields and elevated oil prices. The firm noted that market weakness this time of year historically precedes gains starting in October. See Details
Uber announced plans to cut 10% of its workforce as part of an effort to simplify operations, though the company did not cite artificial intelligence as a catalyst for the reductions. The move comes amid broader industry debate over AI’s role in reshaping corporate staffing. Read More
World News
Rescue workers in Nepal are using cable cars and ziplines to ferry stranded residents across rivers after last week’s catastrophic floods and mudslides wiped out local bridges. Roughly 75 Americans remain unaccounted for, though no American casualties have been confirmed. See Details
Congo’s Ebola outbreak has killed more than 3,000 people out of over 6,100 confirmed cases, government data showed, as the disease spreads faster than efforts to track and contain it. The World Health Organization says the outbreak remains on pace to exceed the deadliest Ebola epidemic on record. Read More
Fears of renewed Middle East escalation grew after the U.S. and Iran exchanged their largest barrage of strikes in weeks, with Iran accusing Washington of hitting a wedding party and killing several civilians. The U.S. military said it is reviewing the allegation. Read More
Entertainment
Superfans camped out 24 hours ahead of red-carpet arrivals at the Venice Film Festival, hoping for a glimpse of stars attending the Lido event. The festival’s opening days have already featured high-profile premieres drawing major Hollywood names. See Details
“Dancing With the Stars” unveiled its Season 35 cast and celebrity-pro pairings during a “Good Morning America” reveal, with the new ballroom lineup set to hit the dance floor this fall. The announcement generated immediate buzz among fans of the long-running competition series. Find out More
Gal Gadot’s new thriller “The Runner” began streaming on Prime Video, with behind-the-scenes footage showing director Kevin Macdonald and the cast discussing the film’s high-stakes premise. The story follows a lawyer forced to sprint through London after being told her son has been kidnapped. Read More
Sports
College football experts released their season predictions for the College Football Playoff and Heisman race, noting unusual uncertainty about the preseason favorite after six teams received multiple first-place votes in the coaches poll. Defending champion Indiana starts sixth in the poll despite topping the most individual ballots. Find out More
Golf legend Tiger Woods pleaded no contest to reckless driving in his DUI case and had his license suspended for five years, a penalty that in Florida could bar him from even driving a golf cart. A judge warned Woods there would be no exceptions, telling him any violation would send him back to jail immediately. Find out More
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz rallied from a first-set loss to reach the U.S. Open third round, while American Ben Shelton survived a four-set battle with Hubert Hurkacz to advance as well. Alcaraz, playing in his first tournament since a wrist injury, called the early setback a chance for extra match rhythm. See Details
Off the Wall
Burning Man’s Orgy Dome is returning for the 2026 festival after high winds destroyed its previous structure last year, with organizers rebuilding using a geodesic dome and reinforced circus tents designed to better withstand the desert’s unpredictable weather. The camp’s nonprofit operators said they received a donation of 15,000 condoms this year in anticipation of especially high turnout after the closure. See Details
