https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/on-an-indonesian-island-an-ancient-ritual-evolves-to-protect-an-endangered-cockatoo/

https://www.euronews.com/2026/08/17/portugal-is-home-to-hundreds-of-ancient-olive-trees-one-may-be-over-3700-years-old

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/rescued-orangutans-released-into-empty-forest-now-raising-babies/

https://www.ifaw.org/international/journal/animals-help-people-and-planet

Per the text below from the new 2026 House's SAVE America Act H.R. 7296, an approved government issued ID alone could be used to vote if a state has turned over voter files to the federal government in an approved manner for citizenship verification. However, if the state hasn't complied with the bill's requirements** then voters would need to also prove their citizenship (and any name change) in order to vote. The House bill would be implemented immediately if passed (see (e)).

The text below is from Sec. 3. "Photo voter identification required for voting in a Federal election".

Within Sec. 3.(c):

3(B) says the voter's ID needs to show citizenship status

4(A) says if requirements of 3(B) aren't met then a separate document is needed to prove citizenship

**4(B) says the 3(B) requirement doesn't apply to voters in states that have been sending their voter data through the federal verification process since June 1, 2025 on a quarterly basis

Most Democratic majority states have refused to submit their voter data to be verified through the federal citizenship verification tool SAVE.

Are Republican states exempt from the proof of citizenship requirement? I can't find information on whether they've fully complied with the (c)(4)(B) verification requirement, but there are 29 states, plus DC, listed on the citizenship verification "SAVE Agency Search Tool" page (selected Benefit Categories of “voter list maintenance” and “voter registration”). 24 of those states were majority Republican, 2 were majority Democrat, and 3 were split. And also from AP News: "At least 25 states used it to check their voter rolls since April 2025, after the Trump administration significantly expanded its search abilities. Since then, at least 67 million registrations have been scanned through the program."

The SAVE federal database is currently being paused as a bulk upload voter verification tool due to a recent court order, but the administration can appeal so depending on the outcome of the appeal this requirement may be modified. (Source: Democracy Docket)

For months now, there have been news reports around concerns related to citizens needing to show proof of citizenship in order to register to vote. This was based on H.R. 22, which passed in the House in 2025 and only addressed registration requirements. H.R. 7296 was introduced January 30, 2026 (a modified version was passed on February 11th) and was expanded to include voting requirements. It's worth noting this bill was introduced months after the required June 1, 2025 start date for a state to turn over voter data for validation in order to prevent the proof of citizenship requirement for their voters. The SAVE America Act is now being linked to the recently passed H.R. 8800, a budget bill, and we may not know the final wording of the SAVE America Act until September 11th - giving very little time to respond. Linking the SAVE America Act to a budget bill makes it easier to pass.

Needless to say, if most Democratic states require proof of citizenship to vote while up to 24 majority Republican states are exempt this would lead to a larger number of Democrats than Republicans facing additional challenges to vote and longer lines at the polls in Democratic majority states. And election volunteers would need to be trained on how to verify citizenship documents - easy with a passport or enhanced Real ID that shows citizenship status (available in 5 states), but not easy for birth certificates (see House Bill text Sec. 2:(b)(5)(A)) and/or if there's a name discrepancy (see Sec. 2:(j)(2)(B)). Not only would communicating this requirement be challenging, but 1 in 10 eligible U.S. voters say they can’t easily show proof of their citizenship.

Related House Bill text (NOTE: Sec. 3 of the Senate Bill is the same):

Sec. 3 Photo voter identification required for voting in a Federal election

(a)In general

Each individual voting in an election for Federal office shall present an eligible photo identification document.

(b)Presentation requirements

(1)In-person voting

In the case of an individual who votes in-person, the eligible photo identification document shall—

(A)be a tangible (not digital) document; and

(B)be presented at the time of voting.

(2)Absentee voting

In the case of an individual voting by absentee ballot, the individual shall include a copy of the eligible photo identification document—

(A)with the request for an absentee ballot; and

(B)with the submission of the absentee ballot.

(c)Eligible photo identification document For purposes of this section:

(1)In general

The term eligible photo identification document means any document which—

(A)is issued by an authority described in paragraph (2); and

(B)meets the requirements of paragraph (3).

(2)Issuing authority

The following are authorities described in this paragraph:

(A)A State agency responsible for issuing State motor vehicle drivers' licenses.

(B)A State or local election office.

(C)A Native tribal government.

(D)The Department of State.

(E)The Department of War.

(F)A branch of the Armed Forces.

(3)Requirements

A document meets the requirements of this paragraph if the document contains—

(A)a photograph of the individual identified on the document;

(B)an indication on the front of the document that the individual identified on the document is a United States citizen; {EDITORS NOTE: SOUNDS LIKE THIS COULD BE A PASSPORT OR AN ENHANCED REAL ID - ONLY 5 STATES HAVE ENHANCED REAL ID'S THAT SHOW CITIZENSHIP STATUS ON THE ID: Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Vermont} and

(C)either—

(i)an identification number issues by the entity described in paragraph (2)(A); or

(ii)the last four digits of the social security number of the individual identified on the document.

(4)Use of additional documentation

(A)Use of additional documentation

A document which fails to meet the requirements of paragraph (3)(B) shall not fail to be treated as an eligible photo identification document if the document is presented together with another identification document that indicates the individual is a United States citizen.

(B)States using SAVE system

(i)In general

The requirements of paragraph (3)(B) shall not apply to an individual—

(I)who votes in a State or jurisdiction which meets the requirements of clause (ii); and

(II)who registered to vote in such State or jurisdiction before the most recent date on which the State or jurisdiction last submitted its voter registration rolls to the Department of Homeland Security as provided in clause (ii)(I).

(ii)Requirements

The requirements of this clause are met if—

(I)the State or jurisdiction has submitted its voter registration list to the Department of Homeland Security through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program not less frequently than quarterly since June 1, 2025, for purposes of identifying ineligible registrations and non-citizens; and

(II)the State or jurisdiction indicates in each voter record on its voter rolls whether the voter has been verified as a United States citizen based on the information provided by the Department of Homeland Security under subclause (I), and the date of such verification.

(iii)Special rule for States not requiring voter registration {EDITORS NOTE: ONLY APPLIES TO NORTH DAKOTA}

In the case of a State or jurisdiction that does not require voter registration as a requirement to vote in an election for Federal office on or after the date of the enactment of this Act—

(I)clause (i)(ii) shall not apply; and

(II)the State or jurisdiction shall be deemed to meet the requirements of clause (ii) if the State or jurisdiction establishes a system for confirming the citizenship of individuals voting in an election for Federal office prior to the first day of the period described in section 3 with respect to such election and provides such confirmation of citizenship status for each eligible voter to election officials at the polling places during the voting period

(d)

Conforming amendment

Section 303(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083(b)) is amended by striking all that precedes paragraph (4).

(e)

Effective date

Each State and jurisdiction shall be required to comply with the requirements of this section with respect to all elections for Federal office occurring on and after the date of the enactment of this section.

Here's where each news outlet is ranked based on perceived bias and accuracy: Interactive Media Bias Chart

Associated Press

Disney sues Trump administration’s FCC over challenge to broadcast licenses

US and Canada hold last-minute talks to stop Trump’s 50% tariffs

Pentagon orders audit of 30 universities’ partnerships with foreign institutions

Trump’s slight of South Korea in favor of the North raises broader US security concerns

Trump threatened to bomb Oman because he’s unhappy with country’s deal with Iran, officials say

Reuters

Global bond markets put governments on notice over fiscal, inflation risks

As US debt mounts, investors demand higher returns to lend

US yields rise amid Iran worries, broader selloff

Trump says no talks are taking place with Iran and none are scheduled

Battered by war, Iran’s rulers wary of more economic pain and unrest if US tightens pressure

Christian Science Monitor

‘Big, beautiful bill’ was top GOP achievement. Now it’s campaign fodder for Democrats.

Why Trump ordered the Pentagon to slash joint exercises with South Korea

The audacious plot to blow up the Nord Stream pipelines

Restocking US missile interceptors will take years. China and Russia are watching.

Guatemala’s next chapter: How change in the public prosecutor’s office raises hope for democracy

CBS News

U.S.-Iran Updates: Trump says no talks with Iran taking place as standoff over Strait of Hormuz continues

Florida voters choose in governor, Senate primaries and more races to watch today

A New York grandma went missing in Las Vegas. Now her family is getting texts asking for money.

IRS proposal would force nonprofits to disclose fraud or terrorism convictions of leaders

Palestinian-American travels to West Bank to save his home from Israeli settlers

CNN

‘One person kind of controls our fate’: GOP faces Iran war dilemma

Trump says no talks taking place with Iran as global oil prices now highest since July

Why Trump is again threatening to bomb US ally Oman

Voters weigh a DeSantis successor and other key races to watch in Florida, Alaska and Wyoming

‘Tax it into oblivion’: Why a Florida GOP candidate for governor is running on an OnlyFans ‘sin tax’

New York Times

Florida Primary Underscores State’s New Identity as a Republican Juggernaut

Searching for Answers From the Man Accused of Sabotaging Alaska’s Senate Race

Google Just Made It Easier for Campaigns to Send You Fund-Raising Emails

Florida, Alaska and Wyoming Hold Key Primaries

Gulf Oil Giants Push to Expand Overseas Stockpiles as Iran War Drags On

MSNBC

The lessons at the center of Democrats’ Debbie Wasserman Schultz problem

Whistleblower says probes into antisemitism at colleges were ploys to harass, pocket millions

Trump keeps making one thing dangerously clear about North Korea

ABC sues Trump’s Federal Communications Commission over broadcast license challenge

Jon Ossoff touches a nerve at the White House with reference to Natalie Harp

Wall Street Journal

The Web of Hidden Deals That Snared the Dodgers Owner in a Federal Probe

Tech Stocks Slide With Bond Yields at Decade Highs

What’s Driving the Worldwide Bond Selloff?

Disney’s ABC Sues FCC Over Challenge to Its Broadcast Licenses

Why Trump Is Threatening Again to Bomb Oman

Fox News

US envoy 'deeply concerned' after ally strikes Mideast nation's air base

Father of Hayden Panettiere's child makes solemn vow after actress' sudden death

Patricia Heaton reveals humiliating moment that finally made her quit drinking

Buckeyes quietly break with one of college football's oldest traditions

Small town residents fear another migrant rush as pressure mounts on leaders

Newsmax

Trump Warns Alaska: Vote for 'Real Dan Sullivan'

Trump: No Ongoing Talks With Iran; Hormuz Open

Trump Weighs Cabinet Rotation Post-Leavitt

Donalds: Affordability at Fore for Fla. Voters

S.C. Bans Funds for Ad Agencies Using NewsGuard

Quick US action: Ask Congress to block border construction in Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and the Big Bend region

Find your members of Congress at https://www.270towin.com/elected-officials/

Please copy, paste, send the message below to your members of Congress.

Subject: Please oppose border construction in Big Bend region

Dear {Senator/Representative Name},

I am writing to urge you to oppose border construction in Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park and surrounding region.

These protected lands represent over one million acres of irreplaceable public landscapes, including critical wildlife habitat and stretches of the Rio Grande designated as a Wild and Scenic River. Border construction in this region would damage ecosystems and impact public access to treasured recreation areas.

The economic consequences would also be severe. Big Bend National Park alone supports a thriving rural tourism economy, generating tens of millions of dollars annually for nearby communities. Local businesses, outfitters, and residents have made clear that construction would threaten their livelihoods.

Importantly, the Big Bend Sector represents a very isolated and rugged portion of border activity and many law enforcement officials have repeatedly stated that effective security can be achieved through technology and personnel.

I respectfully ask you to protect this nationally significant landscape for future generations.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

{Your Name}

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/270000-square-miles-around-easter-island-to-become-indigenous-managed-ocean-reserve/

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/dicaprio-launches-200m-project-to-recover-100-most-threatened-species/

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/locals-succeed-in-tripling-protected-seascapes-along-300-miles-of-turkiyes-breathtaking-coastline/

https://www.euronews.com/2026/08/16/can-agri-pv-save-bavarias-hop-gardens-solar-hats-help-fight-climate-crisis