10 Must-Know Updates: US Domestic News Briefs

This summary covers the latest US domestic news, including legal battles over voter registrations in Texas, decisions on Trump’s election case, California’s approach to homeless crisis, federal funds for road safety, Trump’s new economic proposals, upcoming Harris-Trump debate, Hunter Biden’s tax trial, a tragic school shooting in Georgia, a decline in jobless claims, and investments in rural clean energy projects.

Following is a summary of current US domestic news briefs.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Bexar County to stop it from sending out mail-in voter registration forms to unregistered yet eligible residents. The lawsuit alleges that Bexar County does not have the authority to send unsolicited registration applications.

In Washington, District Judge Tanya Chutkan will deliberate on how to proceed with the Trump election case, following the Supreme Court decision that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution. Dueling proposals from special counsel Jack Smith and Trump's legal team are on the table for consideration.

In response to the ongoing homelessness crisis, Palm Springs has expanded police powers to arrest individuals sleeping on public property, indicating a shift even in liberal cities towards stricter measures.

The U.S. Transportation Department announced $1 billion in funding for road safety projects amid rising traffic deaths. An estimated 18,720 people died in traffic crashes in the first half of 2024, a slight decrease from the previous year.

Donald Trump is set to propose the establishment of a government efficiency commission, an idea recommended by Elon Musk, as part of his economic plan. This comes as part of his ongoing campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are preparing for a pivotal debate next week, which could influence the upcoming presidential election. For Harris, the debate is a chance to articulate her priorities and counter Trump's critical remarks.

In Los Angeles, Hunter Biden faces trial for allegedly failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes while living extravagantly. The President's son has pleaded not guilty to these charges.

A 14-year-old student has been apprehended following a deadly shooting at a Georgia high school that resulted in four fatalities and nine injuries. The incident marks the first mass campus shooting of the school year.

The Labor Department reported a drop in new jobless claims, reflecting a resilient labor market. Initial claims for unemployment benefits fell to 227,000 for the week ending Aug. 31.

The Biden administration is allocating $7.3 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act to support rural clean energy initiatives. These projects aim to lower energy costs and improve reliability for rural communities.

(With inputs from agencies.)