Latest News Digest - March 7, 2026
- Elisa Ballard
- 12 hours ago
- 5 min read
National News
US and Israel Escalate Strikes on Iran in Operation Epic Fury - The United States and Israel have intensified military operations against Iran, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," following the reported death of Iran's Ayatollah and amid escalating tensions. Strikes have targeted key infrastructure, including Tehran's Mehrabad Airport, with reports of Russian intelligence aiding Iran in potential counterattacks on US positions. President Trump has warned that the campaign will be the "biggest bombing yet," emphasizing US dominance and stating that Iranians opposing the regime should be concerned for their safety. Economic repercussions include surging oil prices above $85 per barrel and a $1 trillion drop in the US stock market due to supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. - whitehouse.gov, foxnews.com, centcom.mil
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid War Widening - President Trump has called for Iran's "unconditional surrender" one week into the joint US-Israeli war, aiming to "Make Iran Great Again" by dismantling its regime. The demand complicates diplomatic efforts, as Iran retaliates against Arab neighbors and launches over 1,600 drone strikes on US allies. Russia is reportedly providing intelligence to Iran, prompting accusations from US officials like Rep. Joe Wilson that Putin is enabling chaos and American deaths. The Treasury Secretary indicated potential easing of Russian oil sanctions to address global shortages, while markets react with sharp declines in stocks and increased pressure on the economy from job losses and higher energy costs. - abcnews.com, usatoday, thehill.com
Medical Schools Will Require Nutrition Education - U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Thursday that 53 medical schools across 31 states have voluntarily committed to requiring at least 40 hours of nutrition education—or a 40-hour competency equivalent—for medical students starting in the fall of 2026. This initiative, part of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda, aims to address longstanding concerns that doctors receive insufficient training in nutrition, with many medical schools currently offering only minimal hours and focusing more on pharmaceutical interventions for chronic diseases rather than preventive dietary approaches. Schools are asked to assess their current curricula, appoint a faculty lead for nutrition education, and publicly outline their plans to meet the requirement, with the goal of placing nutrition "at the heart of patient care" to better combat chronic illnesses through prevention. - HHS official fact sheet and press release; NBC News; The New York Times; The Guardian
President Trump Launches Shield of the Americas - President Donald Trump officially launched the Shield of the Americas initiative on March 7, 2026, during a summit hosted at his golf resort in Doral, Florida, where he gathered leaders from over a dozen Latin American and Caribbean nations, including Argentina's Javier Milei, El Salvador's Nayib Bukele, and others aligned with U.S. priorities. The new security coalition, framed as an "America First" strategy to reassert U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere under the so-called "Donroe Doctrine," focuses on combating drug cartels, transnational crime, narco-terrorism, illegal migration, and countering foreign interference (particularly from China), with commitments to joint military and intelligence operations, counternarcotics efforts, and border security. Trump signed a proclamation establishing the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition as part of the initiative, emphasizing lethal force against criminal networks, while appointing former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as Special Envoy to lead coordination. The summit, attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, marks a significant pivot toward regional partnerships unseen since the Cold War, amid broader global tensions. - U.S. Department of State announcement; Fox News coverage; CBS News reports; Reuters; AP via various outlets; X posts from White House
Jesse Jackson Funeral Attended by Political Figures, Sparks Commentary - The funeral of Rev. Jesse Jackson drew high-profile attendees, including Presidents Trump, Biden, Obama, Clinton, and Vice President Harris. Speeches included Biden's self-praise and Harris's divisive remarks with a notable accent, while Obama criticized the Trump administration. Isaiah Thomas thanked five "US Presidents," including "President Harris," highlighting the event's political undertones amid national divisions. President Trump posted on Truth Social on February 17, discussing his relationship with Jackson, stating “I knew him well, long before becoming president. He was a good man, with lots of personality, grit, and ‘street smarts’. He was very gregarious - Someone who truly loved people! He loved his family greatly, and to them I send my deepest sympathies and condolences. Jesse will be missed!” - gatewaypundit.com, X-Posts summary
California Stories
Voter ID Initiative Advances Towards November Ballot - The California Voter ID Initiative (officially titled the California Voter Identification and Voter List Maintenance Requirements Initiative, #25-0007) is a citizen-led proposed constitutional amendment that has gathered over 1.3 million signatures—well above the 874,641 valid signatures needed—and was submitted to county election officials in early March 2026 for verification, positioning it to likely appear on the November 3, 2026, statewide ballot. Backed by groups like Reform California and proponents including Assemblymember Carl DeMaio and Senator Tony Strickland, the measure would require voters to present government-issued photo ID when voting in person or provide the last four digits of a government-issued ID number with mail-in ballots; it would also mandate that election officials verify U.S. citizenship for all registered voters, maintain accurate voter rolls, provide free voter ID cards upon request, and require annual reporting on citizenship verification percentages by county. Supporters argue it enhances election integrity and restores public trust as a "common sense" reform, while critics contend it could create barriers to voting, particularly for marginalized groups in a state that currently relies on signature matching and affidavit declarations for voter verification. - Reform California official site and announcements; Ballotpedia; KTLA News March 2, 2026; Los Angeles Times March 2, 2026; ABC7 Los Angeles
Spencer Pratt Enters Race for Mayor of Los Angeles - Reality TV star Spencer Pratt, best known from MTV's The Hills, has officially qualified for the ballot in the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral race after filing his candidacy paperwork with the City Clerk's Office in early February 2026, following his initial announcement on January 7, 2026—the one-year anniversary of the devastating Palisades Fire that destroyed his Pacific Palisades home. Running as a nonpartisan candidate (despite his registered Republican affiliation), Pratt is challenging incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the June 2, 2026, primary, framing his campaign as a "mission" to expose corruption, improve disaster response, address homelessness through treatment-first policies, enhance public safety, and restore accountability to city government after criticizing Bass and officials for alleged negligence during the wildfires. His bid has gained traction on social media and in recent internal polling showing him as a leading rival to Bass, with supporters highlighting his outsider status and local ties as strengths in a crowded field. - Ballotpedia candidate profile; ABC7 Los Angeles February 3, 2026; Los Angeles Times January 7, 2026; TMZ and Reality Tea March 2026 polling reports; X posts from @Milajoy confirming qualification on March 5, 2026, and campaign-related updates from @spencerpratt
LA County Sues Southern California Edison Over Deadly Eaton Fire Los Angeles County filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison, alleging the utility's equipment sparked the fatal Eaton Fire amid high winds, prioritizing profits over safety. The blaze caused significant damage and deaths, raising concerns about the state's wildfire liability fund if Edison is found responsible. Investigators have not yet confirmed Edison's liability, but the suit adds to mounting legal pressures on utilities amid California's ongoing wildfire risks. - latimes.com
