IJR News

Brad Pitt Drinks Moderately After Seven-Year Sobriety

Brad Pitt reveals he is no longer sober after seven years and can have a few glasses of wine but cannot drink in large quantities, describing his current stance as more restrained following his split from Angelina Jolie. He also discusses past suicidal thoughts tied to ‘family stuff’ and the emotional pain from his divorce and children's situation, shared in Esquire interviews.

Angelina Jolie Brad Pitt

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Earthquakes

Colombia Quake Triggers State of Emergency

From Kumamoto to the Andes, a sequence of earthquakes disrupted communities: Kumamoto saw hot, sulfur-smelling water flooding an izakaya after a July quake, while Argentina’s Jujuy and Mendoza regions reported moderate tremors with little to no damage. In Peru’s Junín region, a series of quakes culminated in a 4.4 event with injuries and a later 5.0 that injured four and prompted emergency medical responses and preparedness guidance.

Abelardo de la Espriella

53m

DNC

Wisconsin Dem Primary Too Close to Call; Tiffany Looms

Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial contenders Francesca Hong, David Crowley, Kelda Roys, and Joel Brennan are making closing arguments as they compete to challenge Republican Tom Tiffany, with Crowley riding Gov. Tony Evers’s endorsement and Hong pushing a progressive platform. The race is also being explored in WisPolitics-WisconsinEye interviews with five Democrats and GOP candidate Andrew Manske on key state issues, while campaigns widen across the state amid endorsements and protests.

Tony Evers David Crowley

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Football

Murray Named Vikings Starter; Free-Agency Clause Noted

The Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback competition between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy is a central focus of training camp and the upcoming preseason, with Kyler Murray widely viewed as the early leading candidate and coach Kevin O’Connell highlighting his mental grasp of the offense as the team weighs changes to the scheme. As Minnesota prepares for the Aug. 15 preseason against the Giants, insiders anticipate the competition to be resolved through live-action and multiple checkpoints before a decision is announced later in the summer.

J. J. McCarthy Kyler Murray

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Liberty Island Capsize Tied to Charter Violations

In Florida, a 61-year-old Tampa man died when his boat crashed into a rock jetty near Picnic Island Park, with one other occupant surviving and the investigation led by the FWC. In New York, a 58-year-old man died after his 16-foot Boston Whaler struck docks multiple times and capsized at Captree State Park during launch, with responders from multiple agencies and the incident under investigation.

Florida-Based United States Coast Guard

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Back-To-School Giveaways Expand Across Multiple Cities

Across several states, communities are hosting back-to-school giveaways and resource fairs offering free supplies, meals, and activities for families and educators, from Roselle’s park event to Baltimore-area and local shopping center programs. Partners like IKEA are hosting free educator-focused events and discounts, while city organizations list multiple back-to-school activities and guidance on taking back-to-school photos to capture memories.

Maryland Baltimore

22h

Media

TikTok closes Nashville office, cuts 250 jobs

TikTok USDS Joint Venture is permanently closing its Nashville office on Oct. 5, laying off about 250 workers mainly in content moderation as part of a broader operational consolidation following a 2024 ownership overhaul. The company says the move is to streamline operations and better align teams for long-term growth, with moderation duties redirected to other hubs and automation playing a larger role.

23h

Private Equity

APAC Private Equity Surges in Marketing Sector

Private equity activity remains robust but increasingly selective across regions and sectors, with APAC showing strong deal flow in marketing and tech-enabled services even as overall volumes fall and deal processes lengthen. In the US, PE-backed wealth managers like SEIA are pursuing rapid scale through acquisitions and new tax-focused services, while buyout valuations, governance, and platform strategies evolve for private-equity–driven consolidation in professional services, CPA platforms, and local business communities.

23h

Darnell Smith Returns as Deegan's Chief of Staff

Darnell Smith is returning to Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan’s administration as Chief of Staff, leveraging decades of executive experience from Florida Blue and having previously held the role in 2024. His appointment fills the vacancy created when the prior Chief of Staff moved to CAO, and Deegan has praised him as a steady, capable leader as the city prepares for its budget process, with reported salary around $277,000.

Donna Deegan

1d

Football

Hall of Fame Game Draws 7M Viewers

The Hall of Fame season is underscored by strong NFL momentum, with the Hall of Fame Game delivering notable preseason ratings and signaling broad interest for the coming season, even as debates about snubs and future candidates continue. Odds and coverage across outlets show Rob Gronkowski as the top first-ballot favorite for 2027, with Adrian Peterson and Ben Roethlisberger among other leading contenders, while Roger Craig’s enshrinement and ongoing talk about players like Aidan Hutchinson and Matthew Stafford keep the focus on who belongs in Canton next.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Roger Craig

1d

Mergers and Acquisitions

Barrick, Newmont settle Nevada dispute with $1.95 billion, clearing way for Barrick North America IPO

Barrick and Newmont have resolved all outstanding Nevada Gold Mines disputes with a $1.95 billion cash settlement, incorporating Barrick’s Fourmile and Newmont’s Fiberline and Mike into the JV and clearing the path for Barrick’s planned North American gold assets IPO slated for late 2026. In Q2, Barrick posted adjusted earnings of $0.82 per share, missing consensus due to higher costs and Mali tax penalties, even as gold production beat guidance.

North American Nevada

1d

Florida to Test eVTOLs at SunTrax with FAA

Florida will actively test electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and autonomous vehicles this year at SunTrax in Auburndale, following the facility’s expansion to include two vertiports as part of the state’s push into advanced air mobility and connected transportation. Officials say the program could ease congestion along corridors like Tampa to Orlando, enable new cargo and emergency-use applications, and begin broader eVTOL testing across Central Florida with plans to extend testing through 2026 and beyond.

Ron DeSantis

1d

Sports Figures

Inter Miami falls to Monterrey as Messi mourns father

Rodrigo De Paul scored for Inter Miami against Monterrey and paid an emotional tribute to Lionel Messi by revealing Messi’s No. 10 jersey beneath his own shirt in solidarity after Messi’s father Jorge Messi died. Messi was absent from the match to attend his father’s death, highlighting the deep friendship between the Argentine stars and the personal toll of the loss.

Lionel Messi Rodrigo De Paul

1d

Reporting

Senate Once Again Kicks Funding Can Down The Road

The Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) Friday to fund the government without addressing the national debt.

Continuing resolution

4d

Reporting

Senate To Vote On Massive Package Of Bills Before Heading For Exits

The Senate released a plan Friday to debate and vote on a massive package of bills before exiting for August recess.

4d

Reporting

Connecticut Tried To Punish Florida-Based Gun Company. It Didn’t Go Well.

A Connecticut judge brushed off an attempt by the state to fine a Florida firearms manufacturer nearly $7.7 million for operating a website.

Florida-Based Connecticut

4d

Reporting

Congressional Candidate Claims He’s Used Guns His ‘Whole Life,’ But Doesn’t Know Basics About Shotgun Sport

A congressional candidate in Maine undermined his own claim about firearms knowledge in a video he posted online Thursday.

Maine

4d

Reporting

Senate Passes Lindsey Graham’s Neocon-Backed Bill Targeting Russia

The Senate passed legislation Friday placing strict sanctions on Russia in honor of the late Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Republican-controlled United States Senate

5d

Reporting

Federal Appeals Court Slams Brakes On Trump’s White House Ballroom Construction Blitz

President Donald Trump’s construction blitz seeking to modernize the East Wing of the White House appears to have been handed a major setback after a federal appeals court determined Friday the effort to be illegal.

Donald J. Trump The White House

5d

Reporting

GOP Holdout Who Holds Trump’s AG Nominee’s Fate In His Hands Makes Major Announcement

Republican Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy announced Friday he will vote in favor of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination, moving his confirmation process across the finish line.

Donald J. Trump Republican-controlled

5d

Discussions

Brad Pitt Drinks Moderately After Seven-Year Sobriety

Colombia Quake Triggers State of Emergency

Wisconsin Dem Primary Too Close to Call; Tiffany Looms

Murray Named Vikings Starter; Free-Agency Clause Noted

Liberty Island Capsize Tied to Charter Violations

Back-To-School Giveaways Expand Across Multiple Cities

TikTok closes Nashville office, cuts 250 jobs

APAC Private Equity Surges in Marketing Sector

Darnell Smith Returns as Deegan's Chief of Staff

Hall of Fame Game Draws 7M Viewers

Barrick, Newmont settle Nevada dispute with $1.95 billion, clearing way for Barrick North America IPO

Florida to Test eVTOLs at SunTrax with FAA

Inter Miami falls to Monterrey as Messi mourns father

Senate Once Again Kicks Funding Can Down The Road

Senate To Vote On Massive Package Of Bills Before Heading For Exits

Connecticut Tried To Punish Florida-Based Gun Company. It Didn’t Go Well.

Congressional Candidate Claims He’s Used Guns His ‘Whole Life,’ But Doesn’t Know Basics About Shotgun Sport

Senate Passes Lindsey Graham’s Neocon-Backed Bill Targeting Russia

Federal Appeals Court Slams Brakes On Trump’s White House Ballroom Construction Blitz

GOP Holdout Who Holds Trump’s AG Nominee’s Fate In His Hands Makes Major Announcement

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