US officials on rare visit to controversial Gaza aid distribution site U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee inspected an aid distribution center operated by the U.S. and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in Rafah. Willem Marx
Stock markets drop as Trump unleashes new round of global tariffs Stocks slumped after Trump announced tariffs on a wide range of countries. A weaker-than-expected jobs report magnified the concerns about how these import taxes would impact the economy. Rafael Nam
Today is the last day for many Education Department workers. Here's what they did Employees across multiple divisions agree: They can't imagine how the department will fulfill its legal obligations with roughly half its staff gone. Cory Turner
The job market is showing signs of weakness as Trump's tariffs take effect U.S. employers added just 73,000 jobs in July, according to a report from the Labor Department Friday, as the unemployment rate inched up to 4.2%. Job gains for May and June were also revised sharply lower. Scott Horsley
To speak or not to speak: Why many aid groups are silent about the Trump cuts Charities usually like to talk to the public about their good works. In the wake of the Trump aid cuts, there's a new approach: "anticipatory silence." It's controversial. Fatma Tanis
Casual Friday with Alex Hudson and Nathalie Graham This week… A new poll says Governor Bob Ferguson is pretty unpopular right now. Sound Transit has gone to the dogs… Furry friends will soon be allowed on Light Rail. And Lake Union is being swarmed by paddleboarders looking to… rave? Transportation expert Alex Hudson and Stranger Reporter Nathalie Graham are here to break down the week. Vaughan Jones
An FDA panel spread misinformation about SSRI use in pregnancy, alarming doctors A panel organized by the FDA cast doubts on the safety of antidepressants during pregnancy — drawing ire from doctors who say SSRIs are a crucial treatment option for women with perinatal depression. Rhitu Chatterjee
France, U.K., others plan to recognize a Palestinian state. What does that change? The recent push by several countries to recognize a state of Palestine is largely symbolic, but it carries diplomatic and potentially legal weight. Scott Neuman
Songs of Love writes personalized music for kids — but can AI carry the tune? For nearly 30 years, the nonprofit Songs of Love Foundation has created custom songs for kids with terminal illnesses. Now it has harnessed AI to expand its services to older adults with memory loss. Chloe Veltman
Morning news brief The White House sets a swath of new tariff rates for dozens of countries, President Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff visits an aid site in Gaza, Jewish leaders from the U.S. sign a letter urging Israel to allow more aid into Gaza. A Martínez