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Controversy arose after a TikTok video alleged that Shake Shack was applying surcharges to customers who chose not to tip. Shake Shack subsequently issued a statement clarifying that such pricing increases are against their policy and were determined to be a technology error by the kiosk operator, HMSHost. The company confirmed that this issue originated from the third-party kiosk technology at Salt Lake City International Airport and has been resolved.

Scammers are exploiting OnlyFans creators by using deepfake AI tools to impersonate them online, often creating fake accounts on platforms like TikTok and Snapchat. The scammers deceive fans into paying for exclusive content via Cash App before blocking them. The problem of enforcement persists because domestic laws struggle to regulate stolen material hosted on overseas sites.

Randy Travis visited cancer patient Bunnia Greenwood at the City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago, fulfilling her dream of meeting him in person. The hospital highlighted Greenwood's resilience and the impact of Travis' music on her spirit.

A bison charged a child in Yellowstone National Park on July 28, but no injuries occurred. The incident occurred when a child approached the grazing animal, prompting the bison to chase them briefly. Park rules require visitors to maintain a 25-yard distance from bison, with stricter 100-yard guidelines for predators like bears. This follows a recent bison-related injury to a grandfather in the park.

Elizabeth Waddell, a North Carolina tourist in Grenada, went missing after swimming in the ocean near Grand Anse Beach. Her husband and authorities believe there was no foul play, and searches by police, divers, and the community continue. Her belongings, including a towel and cellphone, were found, but she has not returned.

Sen. Rand Paul released private diary entries and emails from Anthony Fauci, revealing discrepancies between his public statements and private advice on pandemic policies, including school closures and lockdowns. Fauci's communications also suggest awareness of the virus's potential lab origin and close relationships with media figures, while legacy media is accused of avoiding scrutiny of Fauci to focus on criticizing Donald Trump.

Riley Gaines criticized USA Today writer Nancy Armour for comparing Caitlin Clark's actions to the lynching of Emmett Till. Armour apologized for the 'inartful comparison,' acknowledging insufficient context in her column linking the WNBA's challenges to Till's history.

Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., accused USA Today columnist Nancy Armour of 'race-baiting' for invoking Emmett Till's murder in a piece linking Caitlin Clark's actions to threats against Black and lesbian WNBA players. King criticized Armour's approach as using emotional language to distract from facts and noted no engagement from civil rights experts or USA Today editors on the issue.

USA Today sports columnist Nancy Armour faced backlash for linking WNBA player Caitlin Clark's on-court behavior to historical racism, specifically referencing Emmett Till. Armour apologized for an 'inartful comparison' but maintained her argument about racial dangers in sports, while also criticizing The Heritage Foundation for its stance on Title IX.

USA Today columnist Nancy Armour accused the Heritage Foundation of targeting Title IX in a report criticizing its modern application. The Heritage Foundation's Scott Yenor argued for reforms to focus less on proportionality in male-dominated sports and more on female-centric athletics. Armour dismissed the report as an effort to roll back women's rights and enforce a specific definition of femininity.

Reddit, USA Today, Politico, Reuters, and The Economist are considering cutting ties with Google over its AI-generated 'overviews' in search results, which replace links to external outlets. Critics argue this practice poses an existential threat to online publishers by reducing traffic.

A man was arrested for driving into the gate at Jay-Z and Beyoncé's East Hampton estate. Keith Jonathan Webster, 63, was charged with criminal mischief and trespassing after the incident on July 15 and pleaded not guilty, with a court date set for July 29.

Private investment in youth sports, now a $40 billion industry, is facing scrutiny from state and federal regulators over anticompetitive practices. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are investigating Black Bear Sports Group, the largest U.S. ice rink operator, for potentially raising costs and limiting choices in youth hockey. Families report spending thousands annually on sports, with critics arguing it excludes those who cannot afford the fees.

Youth sports, a $40 billion industry, faces scrutiny over rising costs and anticompetitive practices, with state investigations into companies like Black Bear Sports Group. Families spend thousands on sports, leading to concerns about accessibility. Michigan's Democrat AG Dana Nessel and Republican Texas AG Ken Paxton are investigating potential issues in youth hockey.

A car exploded in Totowa, New Jersey, likely due to a leaking acetylene cylinder in a plumber's vehicle. The driver survived and was hospitalized, with no foul play suspected. Nearby homes and fences were damaged.

The Fresh Market, led by Brian Johnson, aims to expand to 200 stores by 2031. The chain opened four stores in 2026 and was ranked as one of the most trusted companies by Newsweek, contrasting its 2018 ranking as one of the worst companies to work for.

Senate GOP leaders have communicated with Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, who has been hospitalized for over three weeks. USA Today's Susan Page discusses the situation.

Squishy toys, popularized by TikTok, can explode and cause burns when left in hot cars, leading to ER visits and warnings from families and safety agencies. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has received multiple injury reports from toys bursting in heat, with incidents reported in West Virginia and New Mexico.

A multi-generation family bakery in Auburn, California, Ikeda's California Country Market, was voted the number-one pie in the United States by a USA Today contest.

The U.S. Supreme Court's June 30 decision in two cases preserved fairness in girls' and women's sports. USA Today's Ingrid Jacques highlights California as an example of why this ruling is significant.

A bipartisan housing bill, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, is expected to become law without President Donald Trump's signature, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson. Trump has criticized the bill as 'a big yawn' and prioritized the SAVE America Act, which faces Senate resistance.

An Ohio governor poll shows Democrat Amy Acton leading Republican Vivek Ramaswamy by a narrow margin. A federal court ruled a Dayton ordinance requiring permits for distributing food to the homeless unconstitutional. A critique of former President Trump's influence on the U.S. 250th anniversary highlights concerns over his legal history and political impact.

Comedian Moshe Kasher, 47, revealed he was diagnosed with HPV-related tonsil cancer (Stage 1) and underwent a five-hour surgery. The cancer has a high cure rate (95%), and he expressed uncertainty about his return to acting but remains hopeful.

Kevin 'KAYR' Robinson, a West Philadelphia native, shares his journey from poverty to financial success on Wall Street in his bestselling book 'Can’t Break Me,' co-authored with Yale professor Elijah Anderson. The book highlights his mindset shift through 'three Ds'—desire, discipline, and determination—and the support of mentors and community networks.

Jill Biden stated her husband, President Joe Biden, would not have been able to serve another four years due to his cancer diagnosis. She expressed uncertainty about his ability to complete a second term and mentioned her belief he would have defeated Donald Trump in a potential election.

Texas Republicans' selection of Ken Paxton over establishment conservatism, as represented by Sen. John Cornyn, is highlighted as a warning to American politics observers, according to USA Today's Nicole Russell.

The Internal Revenue Service is barred from pursuing claims against President Trump, his company, or his sons based on prior tax returns, as per a Justice Department settlement. The settlement was signed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. This addendum affects investigations into President Trump and his family.

The Trump phone will start shipping to buyers this week, according to Trump Mobile's CEO Pat O'Brien, despite reports of canceled preorders and numerous delays since its announcement 11 months ago. All preorders will be fulfilled within the next few weeks. The CEO confirmed the release plans via email.

The article discusses the importance of preserving online archives and suggests that news outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, and USA Today should maintain their own Wayback Machines. This would help to preserve historical online content. The article is hosted on the savethearchive.com website.

Pope Leo called his bank's customer service line and they hung up on him. The incident occurred in Chicago. Pope Leo was trying to resolve an issue with his account.

A USA Today columnist argues former Vice President Kamala Harris should not be the 2028 Democratic nominee, citing her 2024 election loss, lack of public support, and failure to establish a clear message. The article highlights skepticism about her chances, despite leading primary polls, and criticizes her post-2024 political inaction and divisive memoir.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has downgraded its global growth forecast and predicted rising inflation. The war with Iran is cited as a factor pushing global growth lower compared to 2025. Medora Lee, a USA Today reporter, discusses these developments on CBS News.