Hello! This is August 12, 2025.

ICE Receives 100K+ Applications After Recruitment Push

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s new hiring campaign has drawn over 100,000 applicants in under two weeks—ten times its goal of 10,000—after introducing incentives like $50K signing bonuses, student loan repayment, and expanded retirement benefits. The agency also lowered its entry age to 18 and removed the upper age limit, with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem urging recruits to help remove “the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.” The drive follows nationwide protests against ICE and a surge of up to 1,000% in assaults on agents. All recruits must pass medical, drug, and fitness screenings.

Rubio Says U.S. Moving to Designate Muslim Brotherhood as Terror Group

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday the U.S. is “in the process” of designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, noting the need to label each branch individually. Speaking on Sid and Friends in the Morning, Rubio confirmed the formal process is lengthy but underway, citing the group as a “grave concern.” The comments follow Sen. Tom Cotton’s call for the IRS to review CAIR’s tax-exempt status, alleging deep ties to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. Rubio said the administration is reviewing multiple groups for possible designation.

Man Killed in DC Hours After Trump Federalizes Police, Deploys National Guard

A man was fatally shot Monday night in Washington, D.C.’s Logan Circle just hours after President Donald Trump announced a federal takeover of the city’s police department and the activation of 800 National Guard troops to restore “law, order and public safety.” The move, authorized under the D.C. Home Rule Act, places the department under Attorney General Pam Bondi for up to 30 days. Mayor Muriel Bowser called the action “unsettling and unprecedented,” while the City Council said it was “unwarranted,” citing record-low violent crime rates. Police say the homicide rate, while down, remains high compared to past decades.

Fed Governor Eyes 3 Rate Cuts; 4 Ultra-High-Yield Stocks to Watch

Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman signaled support for three interest rate cuts in 2025, which could drop the federal funds rate to 3.50%-3.75% and drive investor demand for high-yield dividend plays. 24/7 Wall St. highlighted four top picks for passive-income seekers with higher risk tolerance: FS KKR Capital Corp. (FSK), a BDC focused on middle-market loans; Invesco KBW High Dividend Yield Financial Portfolio ETF (KBWD), yielding 12.91% from financial sector holdings; MidCap Financial Investment Corp. (MFIC), specializing in first-lien loans to U.S. middle-market firms; and Trinity Capital Inc. (TRIN), a venture debt lender to high-growth startups. Three have Buy ratings from Wall Street analysts.

US Deficit Hits $291B in July Despite Tariff Revenue Surge

The U.S. budget deficit rose 19% year-over-year to $291 billion in July, even with a $21 billion boost in customs duties from President Trump’s higher tariffs. Treasury data showed receipts increased 2% to $338 billion, while outlays jumped 10% to a record $630 billion for the month. Adjusted for fewer business days, the deficit would have been about $271 billion. For the first 10 months of FY 2025, the deficit reached $1.63 trillion—up 7% from last year—with record highs in both receipts ($4.35T) and outlays ($5.98T).

Kelly Clarkson’s Ex-Husband Dies from Melanoma: What to Know About the Deadliest Skin Cancer

Brandon Blackstock, ex-husband of singer Kelly Clarkson, died Aug. 7 at age 48 after a private three-year battle with melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer. Melanoma accounts for over 8,400 U.S. deaths annually and spreads more aggressively than other skin cancers, often to the brain and lungs. Risk increases with cancer stage, ranging from under 5% in early stages to up to 70% in advanced cases. Experts say early surgical removal can be curative, and advances in immunotherapy now offer up to 50% cure rates for advanced melanoma. Prevention includes avoiding UV exposure, using SPF 30+ sunscreen, and getting regular skin checks, especially for high-risk individuals. The ABCDE rule—Asymmetry, Borders, Color, Diameter, Evolving—can help detect suspicious moles.

Study Finds HEPA Air Purifiers Can Lower Blood Pressure

New research suggests that using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifier at home may help reduce high blood pressure—even in areas with relatively low pollution. In a randomized study of 154 adults living near highways, participants saw an average 2.8-point drop in systolic blood pressure after one month with a real purifier, compared to a slight increase with a fake device—an overall improvement of 3 points. Experts say cleaner indoor air could support cardiovascular health and recommend public education on air quality’s impact.