Good afternoon, everyone. Today has been an incredibly difficult day as we’ve covered the heartbreaking news out of Minnesota. But just moments ago, we received a glimmer of hope: all seventeen victims injured in the school shooting are now expected to survive.
Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., the man who infamously threw a Subway sandwich at federal officers has beaten a felony indictment—an outcome that underscores growing tensions between local residents and the heavy federal presence in the city.
I want to pause here to thank you. None of this reporting—none of this work—would be possible without you. Independent journalism is under relentless attack. Social media giants are silencing voices that refuse to toe the line, hoping to drown us out. But by subscribing today, you’re not just supporting journalism—you’re joining a movement.
Subscribe
Together, we push back. Together, we cut through the noise. And together, we win. With that, here’s the news you missed today:
Minnesota Shooting Update:
Two people were killed, including an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old.
17 people were injured, including 14 children and 3 adults.
All remaining victims are expected to survive, though injuries vary in severity, according to Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara.
The shooter used a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol, all lawfully purchased; authorities believe he acted alone.
The shooter has been identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, who grew up in Richfield, Minnesota; his mother worked at Annunciation School.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned attempts to exploit the school shooting to target the trans community or others, urging unity and compassion: “Kids died today. This needs to be about them … we should be operating out of a place of love for our kids, not hate for anyone.”
Heartbreaking. A 5th grader speaks after today's school shooting.
The FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics, announced Director Kash Patel.
Law enforcement is reviewing a manifesto the shooter intended to post on YouTube, described as containing “disturbing writings”; the content has been taken down with FBI assistance.
Donald Trump has ordered American flags to be flown at half-mast until August 31 in honor of the victims.
General News:
A Washington, D.C., grand jury declined to indict Sean Dunn, a former Justice Department paralegal dubbed “Sandwich Guy,” who threw a salami sub at federal officers during protests on Aug. 10; Dunn, arrested and charged with felony assault, became a viral symbol of resistance as murals and memes spread, while prosecutors may still pursue reduced misdemeanor charges ahead of his Sept. 4 court appearance.
Florida’s controversial immigration facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz” is being vacated in compliance with a federal court order to shut it down, despite Governor Ron DeSantis’s appeal; hundreds of detainees have already been transferred, and officials expect the facility to be empty within days amid lawsuits citing environmental damage, human rights abuses, and inhumane conditions.
The Trump administration announced plans for the Transportation Department to reclaim management of Washington, D.C.’s Union Station from Amtrak, citing crime, disrepair, and homelessness, with officials promising upgrades to security, infrastructure, and passenger services as part of a broader federal push to reshape and “beautify” the capital.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) was repeatedly heckled with chants of “Shame!” during a Route 1 ribbon-cutting ceremony in Searsport, as protesters denounced Medicare cuts, Israeli strikes in Gaza, and Trump’s Supreme Court picks, reflecting growing confrontations lawmakers face at public events.
A new Quinnipiac poll finds 67% of voters disapprove of the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files, while only 19% approve; 73% say the Justice Department has not been transparent in managing the investigation.
The FDA has approved updated Covid-19 vaccines but restricted eligibility to people 65 and older, with younger individuals only allowed if they have underlying conditions; Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr announced Biden-era mandates are rescinded, children’s vaccine access is narrowed, and funding has been cut, sparking criticism from health advocates who warn the policy ignores scientific evidence and leaves vulnerable children at risk.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported that nearly one-third of outpatients treated for wounds in its Gaza hospitals in 2024 were children under 15, with over 90,000 consultations recorded; many injuries were caused by bombs, shelling, and shootings amid Israel’s offensive that has killed more than 62,000 people, mostly women and children, while hospitals face critical shortages of supplies, food rationing, and worsening conditions, prompting MSF to call for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted medical aid access.
Tens of thousands of Israelis staged a “day of disruption” with nationwide protests demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agree to a ceasefire and cancel plans for a Gaza City offensive; relatives of hostages led rallies in Tel Aviv, while mediators await Israel’s response to a deal already accepted by Hamas, as Netanyahu faces pressure from both far-right coalition partners and families accusing him of prolonging the war for political gain.
A U.S.-led coalition of agencies and 12 allied governments revealed that three private Chinese companies aided Beijing’s Ministry of State Security in the sweeping hacking campaign “Salt Typhoon,” which breached global telecoms including AT&T and Verizon, accessed texts and calls from millions (including Trump and Harris campaigns), and infiltrated over 200 companies in 80 countries, giving China the ability to spy on communications and track movements worldwide.
See you in the morning.
— Aaron
