News

Senate confirms Hamilton to lead FEMA, clears other nominees

National News August 8, 2026

The Senate on Friday confirmed Cameron Hamilton as head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, returning the former Navy SEAL to the embattled agency he led temporarily last year only to be fired after he publicly opposed eliminating it. Hamilton was among a group of 74 nominations approved by the Senate, including President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Transportation Security Administration, David Cummins, and his choice for ambassador to Brazil, Daniel Perez. Upon his swearing in, Hamilton will take over an agency whose future has been uncertain since Trump threatened to ...

More than 50 bodies found decomposing, improperly stored at Chicago funeral home

National News August 8, 2026

CHICAGO — More than 50 bodies were found improperly stored and decomposing Thursday at a Chicago funeral home run by a couple who previously operated a crematory that was similarly shut down because of mishandled remains, authorities said. Illinois state officials, meanwhile, suspended the license of one of the funeral home’s directors, alleging bodies were being kept in an unrefrigerated area in “deplorable conditions.” The discovery came months after neighborhood residents began noticing a “stench” emanating from the funeral home, which led some to complain to the ...

Signs that suggest doors and windows need to be sealed

National News August 8, 2026

When pondering projects around a house, it's easy to overlook small tasks and direct your focus toward more significant undertakings. Small projects might not generate the reactions that larger projects do, but even the simplest tasks can go a long way toward making a home more ...

YSU trustees OK contracts with 2 unions

Local News August 8, 2026

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University’s board of trustees has approved a pair of new three-year contracts for two of the university’s unions. During a special meeting Friday morning in Tod Hall, the board unanimously approved the contracts for YSU’s Ohio Education Association and its Association of Classified Employees unions. The OEA represents the university’s faculty members; the ACE union represents various administrative, maintenance and support staff. The OEA ratified their contract July 17 and ACE just ratified their contract Thursday. The OEA agreement ...

A 2-year-old at the center of Texas brain-death dispute is taken off life support and dies

National News August 8, 2026

HOUSTON (AP) — A 2-year-old girl whose parents sued a Texas hospital to prevent it from testing if she was brain-dead after she drowned in a hotel pool on Memorial Day has been removed from life support and died, her family said this week. Annelise Camp “is now with Jesus,” her parents Johnston and Joy Camp said in a statement, weeks after a judge granted a temporary injunction in their favor. “While our hearts are broken, we trust in His perfect love, His faithfulness, and His promises.” The family had long said she still showed signs of life and wanted more time for her ...

Senate passes sweeping Russia sanctions bill

National News August 8, 2026

WASHINGTON — The Senate overwhelmingly approved a punishing Russian sanctions package Friday, the result of a yearlong campaign by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham to reinforce U.S. support for Ukraine and try to force President Vladimir Putin’s hand as the grinding war drags on. The ...