Smartwatch leads search-and-rescue crews to site of fatal plane crash in Montana

The White House wants to slash NASA's 2026 budget by almost a quarter—the biggest cut the agency has ever faced. This would gut fundamental science programs, including high-profile projects like the Mars sample return mission and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, even though some funding has already been spent. Scientists fear the cuts could drive top talent away from space research. However, Congress might push back, leaving the final outcome uncertain.

Editor’s Note: If these cuts go through, they won’t just delay missions—they could unravel years of planning and investment, leaving the U.S. playing catch-up in space exploration. It’s not just about telescopes and Mars rocks; it’s about whether America stays at the forefront of scientific discovery or takes a backseat. And with Congress still debating, the fight isn’t over yet.

AstraZeneca is pumping a massive $50 billion into the U.S. by 2030, including a new drug manufacturing plant in Virginia and expanded R&D facilities across the country. This comes as pharmaceutical giants brace for potential tariffs under a possible second Trump presidency, signaling a strategic bet on the U.S. market despite political uncertainty.

Editor’s Note: Big Pharma is hedging its bets—AstraZeneca’s investment shows how companies are navigating global trade tensions by doubling down on the U.S., even as tariffs loom. For Americans, it could mean more jobs and local drug production, but it also highlights how corporate decisions are increasingly shaped by political risk. Not exactly a feel-good story, but a revealing one.

After devastating floods hit Texas over the July Fourth weekend, officials initially reported nearly 160 people missing. But in a huge relief, that number has now dropped to just three—meaning most of those unaccounted for have been found safe.

Editor’s Note: Floods can be terrifying, especially when loved ones go missing. This update brings much-needed hope after a traumatic event, showing how communities and responders pulled together to locate people. It’s also a reminder of how chaotic disaster tracking can be—early numbers often shift dramatically as communication lines are restored.

San Francisco is cracking down on homeless residents living in RVs by imposing a strict two-hour parking limit for large vehicles citywide. The move effectively forces people out of their makeshift homes, pushing the ongoing homelessness crisis back into the spotlight.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about parking rules—it’s another chapter in San Francisco’s struggle to address homelessness. While the city says it’s tackling safety and neighborhood concerns, critics argue it’s just displacing vulnerable people without offering real solutions. For anyone watching how cities handle homelessness, this is a stark example of the tough (and often controversial) choices being made.

The owner of the Los Angeles Times, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, announced plans to take the newspaper public within the next year. During an interview on The Daily Show, he framed the move as a way to "democratize" the paper by letting the public own a stake in it—potentially giving readers and investors a direct role in its future.

Editor’s Note: This could be a big deal for journalism—taking the L.A. Times public might open up new funding avenues and even shift how the paper operates. But it also raises questions: Will public shareholders push for profit over journalism? Or could this actually help keep the paper more accountable to its community? Either way, it's a bold experiment for a major news outlet.