Hello! This is August 1, 2025.

Florida Honors Hulk Hogan with Half-Staff Flags and ‘Hulk Hogan Day’

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared August 1st “Hulk Hogan Day” and ordered flags flown at half-staff to honor the wrestling icon, who passed away last week at 71. The Clearwater resident was remembered as a “true Floridian” with a “larger-than-life personality.” President Trump also paid tribute, calling Hogan “MAGA all the way” and praising his RNC speech as a “highlight of the week.” Hogan died after suffering cardiac arrest at his home.

ICE Arrests Over 200 Illegal Immigrants Accused of Child Sex Crimes

ICE agents arrested 214 illegal immigrants in Houston during the first half of 2025, many charged or convicted of sex offenses involving minors. Homeland Security officials said most had deportation orders and over 140 have already been removed. “These aren’t just low-level offenders, they are sickening sexual predators,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. President Trump’s administration pledged continued crackdowns, warning offenders to “LEAVE NOW” or face deportation.

Border Apprehensions Plunge to All-Time Low Under Trump Policies

In July, U.S. border apprehensions dropped to just 4,399, the lowest monthly total ever recorded. This marks the third consecutive month with zero migrant releases. The Biden-era high in December 2023 saw over 249,000 apprehensions. Trump’s renewed enforcement efforts, including shuttering the CBP One asylum app and offering incentives for self-deportation, are credited for the decline. Republicans hail the results as a major success.

Goldman Sachs Picks 4 Safe Dividend Stocks for August

Goldman Sachs has spotlighted four dividend-paying stocks on its August Conviction Buy List, recommending them as stable picks amid recent market volatility. The selections include AT&T (target: $32), Duke Energy (target: $133), Johnson & Johnson (target: $185), and Viper Energy (target: $56). These companies span sectors from telecom to energy and offer yields between 3 and 6.5 percent. Goldman analysts say the picks offer dependable income and growth potential during uncertain market conditions.

Tariffs to Raise Consumer Prices as Trump Trade Strategy Kicks In

President Trump’s new tariffs on imports from over 60 countries are set to raise prices for U.S. consumers. Rates include 40% on goods from Laos and 35% on Canadian imports, with delays for Mexico and China. While some rates were reduced from earlier threats, experts warn that items like appliances, electronics, wine, shoes, and food will likely see cost increases. Retailers and manufacturers say they’ll have to pass on costs as Trump’s trade policy aims to revive U.S. manufacturing and exports.

Weight-Loss Drugs May Ease Arthritis Pain, Doctors Say

Doctors are reporting that GLP-1 weight-loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro may help relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. The drugs, originally designed to manage diabetes and promote weight loss, appear to reduce joint pain and inflammation in some patients — even leading some to stop taking arthritis meds altogether. While the exact mechanism is unclear, doctors suspect that weight loss and reduced fat-linked inflammation play a role. More research is needed, but the unexpected benefit is giving hope to arthritis sufferers.

New Skin Patch May Detect Cancer at Home

Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed a small, painless skin patch that could help people test for melanoma at home. The ExoPatch uses microneedles to collect genetic material from the skin, then shows results on a strip — similar to an at-home COVID test. So far, the patch has successfully identified cancer in mice. If proven effective in humans, it could eliminate the need for frequent biopsies and make skin cancer screening faster and more accessible.