History, politics, memory, and commentary from a Tejano point of view.
8.14.2026 – News Americans are reading today
August 14, 2026
Israeli settlers besiege Palestinian homes — including a Palestinian American’s — and draw a sharp U.S. rebuke. This is AP’s No. 1 most-read story right now. (apnews.com)
Kennedy Center votes to restore Trump’s name — and plans to close for two years. No. 2 on AP’s Most Read list. The board action also raises a direct conflict with a federal judge’s earlier order removing Trump’s name. (AP News)
A new U.S. aircraft carrier is heading toward the Middle East as problems are reported aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. No. 3 most-read on AP. Senators are also demanding answers about conditions aboard the Lincoln after its exceptionally long deployment. (AP News)
Trump orders the Navy to go back to older aircraft-carrier launch technology. No. 4 most-read on AP. AP says converting future carriers back toward steam catapults could cost billions. (AP News)
Luigi Mangione expected to plead guilty today in the federal UnitedHealthcare CEO murder case. AP has made this the lead story on its U.S. page this morning. (AP News)
Iran/Hormuz crisis gets more dangerous — and oil prices are climbing. The UAE says Iran attacked two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, while the U.S. is threatening an indefinite blockade. Brent was around $88.50 and U.S. crude around $82.81 early Friday. (AP News)
Trump’s Iran war is turning into an economic and political problem. This Reuters piece may be the most consequential political story underneath today’s headlines: nearly six months into the conflict, gasoline and inflation are hurting Trump politically; Reuters/Ipsos found roughly two-thirds of Americans want the war ended, and Democrats have gained an advantage over Republicans on economic stewardship in that poll. (Reuters)
AI investment is starting to raise prices for ordinary consumers. CBS reports that the AI spending boom is contributing to higher prices for smartphones, computers, and other electronics — another piece of the larger story we were discussing about how deeply the economy is becoming dependent on AI investment. (CBS News)
Houston immigration shooting: federal prosecutor says no meth was found in the victim’s van. This one jumped out at me for you. A Texas man was shot and killed by immigration officers; authorities had described suspected drugs, but the U.S. attorney now says testing found no methamphetamine in the van. (AP News)
Midwest flooding — homes submerged, with more storms possible. Flooding in Indiana and Ohio has put water into homes and neighborhoods while additional severe weather threatens the region. (CBS News)
