Housing & Economy: Mortgage rates jumped as the U.S.-Israel war in Iran escalated, with the 30-year fixed rate rising to 6.55% (Freddie Mac), while applications fell and homebuyers felt “unease.” Election Administration: The DOJ will send “nonpartisan election monitors” to New Hampshire polling places for the Sept. 8 state primary, after a judge rejected the administration’s push for confidential voter files. Foreign Policy & Security: Trump’s renewed push on F-35 sales to Turkey runs into CAATSA sanctions tied to Turkey’s Russian S-400 purchase, raising stakes for U.S. alliance policy. Middle East Diplomacy: UNIFIL’s Lebanon mandate is set to end after 2026, leaving open questions about who can replace peacekeepers as Israel and Hezbollah tensions persist. Trade & Regional Economies: Latin America’s oil exporters are benefiting from Strait of Hormuz disruptions, even as U.S. tariffs—especially on Brazil—add uncertainty. Local Governance & Public Services: Montgomery County, Texas, is still missing thousands of homes from property tax rolls, and officials say assessor staffing shortages are the bottleneck. Nonprofit & Community Journalism: Georgia’s oldest newspapers, the Macon Telegraph and Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, were sold to a local-news nonprofit to expand coverage. Public Health: A cyclosporiasis outbreak is driving misinformation online; experts stress what’s safe (like frozen/canned produce) and what’s not. Healthcare Structure: Quorum Health will transition its for-profit hospitals to nonprofit status via Healthside Partners, aiming for more philanthropic and tax-exempt support.