Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination to serve in the role permanently. NBC News’ Scott Wong and Gabe Gutierrez have details on what senators had to say in support or opposition of the nomination and when it will face a full Senate vote.
This post was originally published on NBC News.
From The Hill
Fox News host Laura Ingraham invited Democratic strategist James Carville to become a part of the GOP on Monday. “The socialists have momentum. It is only a matter of time. The Democrats are going to become a socialist party, and it’s going to happen unless the sensible Democrats do more than appear on podcasts, cable…
From The Hill
The Justice Department (DOJ) on Monday moved to drop its charges against more people accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, shortly after dropping a similar case against a former Olympian canoeist. Prosecutors led by U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro filed a noelle prosequi, meaning they are no longer looking…
Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter Allan Nascimento died on Monday after suffering a heart attack as he slept, the UFC said.
This post was originally published on NBC News.
The bodies – belonging to members of two extended families – have only recently been recovered from under rubble in Gaza City.
Source: BBC.
In 1987, designer Willi Smith drew a series of colorful looks for Spider-Man character Mary Jane Watson in Marvel’s comic books, ranging from a wedding gown to cutout looks for a paper doll of the character. (Smith was even drawn into the comic for a brief cameo in 1987.) Nearly four decades later, Law Roach tapped LaQuan Smith to reimagine that fashion history for Zendaya—bringing one of those illustrated looks to life on the star during her Spider-Man: Brand New Day press tour.
“In 1987 Willi Smith created looks for MJ from the @spiderman comic books. In 2026 almost 40 years later, I asked @laquan_smith to recreate one of those looks for Zendaya. There’s always a second dress,” Roach wrote on Instagram.
For the occasion, LaQuan created a custom gown inspired by a striped look from the original paper doll sketch, transforming the archival reference through his signature lens. The creation has a black-and-white striped design featuring a halter neckline and plunging V-front, while a dramatic red satin hem ruffle adds a bold pop of color and movement. Naturally, Zendaya finished the look with her signature white Christian Louboutin So Kate pumps, proving once again that the smallest styling details can make a major statement.
“A tribute to the past. An homage to Willi Smith. Reimagined through the LaQuan Smith lens,” the designer wrote on Instagram, perfectly capturing the intention behind the look.
Smith, who garnered acclaim in the ’70s and ’80s for his work, was behind WilliWear. It was the first clothing label to design womenswear and menswear together under one name and to make those designs not just chic but affordable. For a man who dressed the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and designed the homecoming court gowns seen in Spike Lee’s School Daze, Smith also brought high fashion to everyday people, offering accessibility at a time when such designs were thought to only be for the elite.
As for Zendaya and Law Roach: They know exactly who to tap when a fashion moment calls for impact. The duo has consistently used the red carpet as a platform to spotlight Black designers and iconic moments in fashion history, and this latest collaboration is no exception. By choosing LaQuan Smith to reinterpret a piece imagined by Willi Smith, they’re not simply referencing the past—they’re continuing a legacy of Black fashion excellence.
Known for his figure-hugging silhouettes and unapologetically sensual designs, LaQuan Smith understands how to make a woman feel powerful in her clothes. Here, he takes a historic reference and makes it unmistakably modern, giving Zendaya a gown that honors where fashion has been while confidently looking toward where it’s going.
More people going to prison, and for longer, is why governments including the current one have had to release prisoners early.
Source: BBC.
More people going to prison, and for longer, is why governments including the current one have had to release prisoners early.
Source: BBC.
The 56-year-old, who shot to prominence in 1991 musical comedy film The Commitments, died in a motorcycle crash last week.
Source: BBC.
As students across New Orleans prepare to head back to the classroom, they’ll be welcomed into the new school year by one of the country’s most recognizable HBCU graduates.
Former Vice President Kamala D. Harris is set to headline InspireNOLA Charter Schools‘ annual Inspire the City Back-to-School Student Rally on Friday, August 7, joining hundreds of students for a celebration focused on education, leadership and service.
The annual rally has become a way for InspireNOLA to usher in the school year with a sense of purpose, bringing together students, educators, parents and community leaders before the first bell rings. This year’s keynote speaker adds another layer of significance.
Her visit arrives at a meaningful moment for New Orleans students. In the years since Hurricane Katrina fundamentally reshaped the city’s public education system, charter schools have become the primary educational model for most public school students. Today, networks like InspireNOLA educate thousands of young people across the city, making back-to-school celebrations like this one an important community gathering as much as an educational milestone.
Long before becoming the first woman, first Black American and first South Asian American elected vice president of the United States, Harris was a student at Howard University, one of the nation’s most storied Historically Black Colleges and Universities. She has often credited her time on Howard’s campus with shaping her approach to leadership and public service, making her appearance at a student-centered event especially fitting as young people begin another academic year.
Founded in 2013, InspireNOLA Charter Schools has grown into Louisiana’s largest charter school network, serving thousands of students across New Orleans. While its campuses focus on academic achievement, the network has also emphasized exposing students to accomplished leaders whose careers can expand how they imagine their own futures.
That mission is reflected in this year’s lineup. Alongside Harris, the program will feature remarks from former Congressman Cedric Richmond, InspireNOLA CEO Jamar McKneely, U.S. Representative Troy Carter, New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno, Orleans Parish Sheriff Michelle Woodfork and Pastor Jonathan Everett.
For many students in attendance, hearing from Harris will mark a rare opportunity to see someone whose educational journey began at an HBCU before leading her to one of the highest offices in the nation. At a time when HBCUs continue to produce an outsized share of Black leaders across business, politics, education and entertainment, her presence also serves as a reminder of the possibilities that can grow from those institutions—and from investing in young people long before they reach college.
The event arrives as schools across Louisiana prepare to welcome students back for the 2026-27 academic year, a season that often brings renewed conversations around academic success, mentorship and creating environments where students feel encouraged to dream beyond the limits of their circumstances.
The Inspire the City Back-to-School Student Rally begins at 10 a.m. Friday. Organizers have not publicly released the venue, noting that location details will be shared with approved members of the media.
For InspireNOLA students, the morning is expected to be more than a ceremonial start to the school year. It’s designed to remind them that education can be a pathway to leadership—and that those who have walked that path before them are willing to come back and encourage the next generation to do the same.
From The Hill
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday advanced the nomination of Todd Blanche to serve as attorney general, clearing the way for a vote on the Senate floor after Blanche reached a deal with two GOP holdouts on the $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who are both exiting Congress…
From The Hill
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sent a “Dear Colleague” letter to Democrats warning that privatizing Social Security or passing the Protecting Retirement Opportunities and Maintaining Income Security for Everyone, or PROMISE Act, would result in a breakdown of trust among Democratic voters during a key midterm election year. When reached for comment, a spokesperson for Sanders…