IJR News

Trump orders warning signs outside Smithsonian amid broader review

President Donald Trump ordered warning signs and temporary exhibits to be installed outside the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, directing visitors to what he calls accurate information and citing a White House report accusing museum leadership of anti-Americanism and extreme activism. Smithsonian officials and historians have pushed back, arguing the White House characterization is unfair and that the museum seeks to present a nuanced history rather than a political narrative.

Donald Trump

Jul 27, 2026

CDC

Measles Surge Tests Elimination Status in 2026

Measles cases in 2026 have surged to 2,318 across about 44–45 jurisdictions, the highest annual total since 1991 and well above 2025, driven largely by numerous outbreaks including multi-state clusters and a large Utah–Arizona spillover. Health officials warn that declining kindergarten vaccination rates and gaps in immunization are fueling the spread, with ongoing debates over leadership and vaccine misinformation complicating efforts to curb the outbreak and restore elimination status.

United States Pennsylvania

Jul 27, 2026

Broad Injunctions Across U.S. Employment Rights

In Michigan, a federal court granted a preliminary injunction to Right to Life of Michigan and a Pregnancy Resource Center, blocking enforcement concerns under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act on expressive-association grounds. In New York, Plug Power won a preliminary injunction against a former senior director over a noncompete, citing irreparable harm from loss of confidential information and customer relationships; in Arizona, a court denied summary judgment on FLSA overtime claims as disputes over whether a lieutenant’s duties were exempt managerial or non-exempt first-responder remain for a jury; in Pakistan, internships at top law firms are scrutinized as widespread unpaid training with weak regulatory protections; in Washington, a wage-and-hour suit against Cornerstone Building Brands survives to proceed, with allegations of unpaid overtime and other violations.

Jul 27, 2026

Airlines

ICE Detains Woman at Denver Airport; More Detainees

Plainclothes ICE agents detained Chantal Alejandra Morales Rojas, an Ecuadorian national with an expired visa, on the jetway at Denver International Airport as she tried to board a Southwest flight to Oakland, with onlookers recording the arrest on the tarmac. DHS confirmed the visa overstay and ICE custody pending removal proceedings, while airlines and airport officials emphasized agency access to passenger information and the incident drew widespread social-media scrutiny over immigration enforcement at airports.

Jul 26, 2026

Scam

Nevada Warns of Surge in Law-Enforcement Scam Calls

Law-enforcement agencies across Las Vegas and neighboring regions warn of a spike in scam calls impersonating police or federal officers, falsely claiming missed court, warrants, or juries to pressure immediate payment. Authorities urge hanging up, not sharing personal or financial information, and verifying claims directly with official numbers, with resources from the U.S. Marshals and local police highlighted for prevention and elder fraud assistance.

Jul 26, 2026

Jewish

EEOC Drops Penn Subpoena in Antisemitism Probe

The EEOC abandoned enforcement of its subpoena for names and personal contact information of Penn's Jewish employees and students, ending that legal push while the broader antisemitism investigation continues, and Penn says no personal data was disclosed and it remains committed to combating discrimination.

Jul 26, 2026

Markets

House Passes Stop Insider Trading Act; Senate Fate Unclear

Lawmakers are pushing the Stop Insider Trading Act to bar members of Congress from buying individual stocks, while allowing investments in funds and requiring 7 to 14 days’ advance notice before selling; the measure aims to curb potential profits from inside information and faces a dim Senate outlook. Public support for restricting congressional stock trading remains high, even as Republicans link the bill to other priorities and campaigns highlight ongoing partisan debate and individual cases.

Jul 26, 2026

Traffic

Virginia Districts Plan Extensive Road Work Across Counties This Week

State and local transportation agencies across Virginia and Arizona released weekly traffic alerts outlining upcoming road work, lane closures, bridge repairs, and detours, with advisories to use 511 real-time information and plan alternate routes to accommodate weather and schedule changes through late 2026. The notices emphasize driver caution in work zones, potential delays, and the need to check for updates as projects shift or extend, including weekend freeway restrictions in Phoenix and multi-county Virginia district projects.

Jul 25, 2026

Airlines

Me@Work Privacy Scrutiny Reaches California

American Airlines’ Me@Work performance tool grades flight attendants using a year’s worth of data, including passenger surveys and operational metrics, and is framed by the airline as an informational self-review system rather than punishment, but unions say it violates California privacy law and lacks data access, correction rights, and transparent scoring. While the company defends the system as a developmental dashboard to identify coaching needs, critics warn that many metrics are influenced by factors beyond individual control and could penalize staff for broader operational issues.

Jul 25, 2026

Marion County Data Center Workshop Led by Carl Zalak Plans Computing Growth

A Marion County workshop examines best practices from existing data-center hubs to guide Florida’s growth, addressing questions, misinformation, laws, and potential bans or moratoriums as it awaits further applications. A parallel data center guide offers actionable strategies to future-proof infrastructure, emphasizing sustainability, high-density compute and AI workloads, and key standards like TIA-942 and GHG Protocol as a baseline for design and operations.

Jul 25, 2026

Theft

Armed Robberies Across Baltimore, Spartanburg, DC

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Jul 25, 2026

Insider Trading

Volkswagen Engineers Charged in Rivian Insider Trading

The U.S. Department of Justice has charged two Volkswagen engineers, Michael Stamp and Marcus Plank, with securities fraud for insider trading tied to Volkswagen and Rivian’s joint venture, alleging they profited over $300,000 by buying Rivian stock and options on information about the project codenamed “Project Climb” before public announcement. Investigations note that Stamp and Plank sought illicit advantage despite knowing it was illegal, with Stamp researching insider-trading statutes days before the deal and a relative of Plank inquiring about punishment, as prosecutors underscore that such actions undermine fair markets and investor trust amid Rivian’s 23% stock rise following the announcement and Volkswagen’s investment plans moving up to $5.8 billion.

United States Department of Justice Rivian Automotive

Jul 24, 2026

Russia-Ukraine War

Russia hits Latvia consulate in Sloviansk; five dead

A Russian airstrike on Sloviansk damaged Latvia’s Honorary Consulate, killing several civilians and injuring multiple residents while Latvia and its partners condemn the attack as deliberate and part of Russia’s aggression; Latvian officials say the consulate staff, including the honorary consul, were not harmed and that Latvia will continue to support Ukraine, with EU and NATO ministers being informed and international condemnation mounting.

Ukraine European Union

Jul 24, 2026

Media

Truth Against The Machine Elevates Independent Journalism

Truth Against The Machine reiterates its commitment to independent journalism, delivering timely reporting, public-interest stories, and in-depth coverage across public policy, community affairs, environmental issues, politics, and social topics to inform civic discourse and accountability. The platform emphasizes transparency, thoughtful reporting, and engagement with local communities to broaden awareness of topics that may receive limited attention.

United States