July 8, 2025 - As Mendocino County's fair season kicks off, state and local officials are urging caution due to heightened influenza risks from livestock. A statewide prohibition on poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions is already in effect for the 2025 season, a measure taken to combat the ongoing H5N1 avian flu outbreak.

July 7, 2025 - Governor Gavin Newsom announced this week that "Task Force Rattlesnake," a specialized unit of over 300 National Guard members trained to assist the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), is now operating at only 40% of its normal strength. This leaves just six crews available for statewide fire prevention and emergency response, a reduction from nine crews the previous week.

Judges will soon take the bench across 16 states, the Justice Department said. These include courts that saw the biggest losses of judges this year.

Pakistan banned a hard-line Islamist party on Thursday, more than a week after heated clashes with police that left at least five people dead.

The sanctions sharply escalate tensions with the leftist leader of a country that has traditionally been one of the closest U.S. allies in South America.

In Brazil's coffee-producing areas, more than 42,000 square miles of forest have disappeared over about two decades, says Coffee Watch. Deforestation leads to drought, which harms crop yields.

Travis Kelce is teaming up with activist investors in hopes of transforming the embattled theme park operator Six Flags. No word yet on a Taylor Swift-themed rollercoaster.

The federal government shutdown continues. Republicans and Democrats appear no closer to an agreement to end it. Many federal workers are missing full paychecks and don't know when they will resume.