A fisherman using sonar on the Mississippi River in Minnesota discovered a submerged car, leading to the potential resolution of a nearly 60-year-old missing person case. Upon recovery of the 1960s-era Buick, investigators found human remains inside and identified the vehicle as belonging to Roy Benn, who vanished in 1967. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office believes the remains are those of Benn, based on the car’s VIN and other evidence. The case has been handed over to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, which has notified Benn’s family.
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Swatch has issued an apology and removed an advertisement featuring a model pulling the corners of his eyes, after the image sparked outrage among Chinese social media users. The controversial pose was seen as resembling the racist “slanted eye” gesture historically used to mock Asians. Following the ad’s viral spread, calls for a boycott of Swatch products emerged on Chinese social media platforms. Despite the company’s apology, many critics remain unsatisfied, accusing Swatch of prioritizing profits over genuine remorse.
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Texas Representative Nicole Collier of Fort Worth is still inside the House chamber. She has refused to sign a permission slip for a Texas DPS escort. This escort is required for all House Democrats who broke quorum to ensure their return to the House by 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 20th.
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MSNBC will rebrand as MS Now later this year, marking a significant shift in preparation for its separation from NBCUniversal. This decision, communicated in internal memos, aims to create a clearer distinction between MSNBC and NBC News, as well as allowing the brand to set its own course. Alongside the name change, the network will adopt a new logo, dropping the NBCUniversal peacock. The rebranding coincides with the creation of an independent newsroom, including a new Washington, D.C., bureau, as the company prepares to spin off as a publicly traded entity.
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Iraqi officials have begun excavating a mass grave near Mosul, believed to contain thousands of victims of the Islamic State (ISIS) group. This initial phase focuses on gathering visible remains and preparing for a full exhumation, which will require international assistance. Authorities estimate thousands of bodies may be buried at the site, known as Khasfa, including Iraqi army and police personnel, Yazidis, and other victims. The excavation is a crucial step in identifying victims and bringing closure to families, with DNA collection and database creation as essential first steps to ensure proper identification.
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Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has approved the deployment of approximately 200 Mississippi National Guard soldiers to Washington, D.C. The purpose of the deployment is to support President Trump’s initiative to restore law and order in the nation’s capital. This action follows President Trump’s executive order to federalize local police forces and activate about 800 District of Columbia National Guard members. The governor believes the Mississippi National Guard will effectively enhance public safety and support law enforcement in the city.
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Yosemite National Park fired park ranger Shannon “SJ” Joslin in August for participating in a display of a transgender pride flag on El Capitan in May. Park leadership cited Joslin’s “failure to demonstrate acceptable conduct” by participating in the flag display, which the park considers a demonstration. The National Park Service is pursuing administrative action against multiple employees and possible criminal charges against visitors involved, though specific regulations allegedly violated were not disclosed. Joslin, who had previously worked for the park as a wildlife biologist and has now stated their intention to seek legal counsel and fight the termination.
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A Sudanese human rights group has reported the army is torturing people to death in Khartoum, where the army recently regained control. The Emergency Lawyers group documented hundreds of arrests, with some detainees later found dead with evidence of torture. The group observed a dangerous escalation in violations, with detainees facing inhumane conditions, unfair trials, or release in poor health. Both the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been accused of atrocities during the ongoing civil war, contributing to a severe humanitarian crisis and a cholera outbreak.
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On July 31st, 68-year-old Navy veteran Harold Powell was shot in the chest while busking on Seattle’s waterfront. The assailant, later identified as 32-year-old Gregory Timm, accused Powell of “stolen valor” before shooting him. Though the bullet cracked his ribs, it did not strike any vital organs. Timm was arrested and is being held on bail, while Powell recovers and focuses on his family.
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Hurricane Erin, after undergoing an eyewall replacement cycle, regained Category 4 status Sunday night, boasting winds of 130 to 156 mph. The storm battered the Caribbean, causing power outages and significant impacts in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, with warnings issued for high surf and small crafts. As it progresses, Erin is expected to strengthen over the next couple of days before gradually weakening later in the week. Officials in North Carolina’s Outer Banks declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the storm’s potential threat.
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John Q. Hosedrinker