USA TODAY is reporting that President Donald Trump expects negotiations with Iran to continue after rejecting a ceasefire proposal to open the Strait of Hormuz. It said a nor'easter battered the East Coast over the weekend, the WNBA playoffs tipped off, and several artists won big at the MTV VMAs.
The outlet said the legal fight over Trump's media ban is entering a critical new phase. After a judge last week halted the ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico and temporarily restored their White House access for 14 days, the outlets must file by Monday to extend that order. The Trump administration's response is due Friday, setting the stage for the battle to continue into next week.
USA TODAY said Lindsay Clancy will return to court Tuesday for the first time since her triple-murder trial ended in a hung jury earlier this month. It said the status and assignment hearing could mark a major turning point in the case, with a judge expected to consider three defense motions, including efforts to dismiss charges and a request for records related to the lone holdout juror.
The outlet reported that roughly 37 million SNAP recipients will see a modest cost-of-living increase in their monthly benefits starting Thursday, but bigger changes could be on the horizon. It said new rules tied to Trump's signature tax and spending law passed last year could tighten eligibility and shift more costs to states, potentially forcing budget cuts and reducing program participation.
USA TODAY said the road to the World Series is officially set. The Brewers, Dodgers, Rays and Guardians have secured first-round byes in their respective leagues, and the other eight teams will open October with the best-of-three wild-card round Tuesday. NBA training camp workouts also begin Tuesday.
The outlet also noted that Republicans are increasingly breaking from Trump ahead of the midterms, with his approval rating at a record low five weeks from the election. It said the Atlantic hurricane season is historically quiet while the Pacific has seen a parade of powerful storms.