August 20, 2026 - Letters from an American

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Amish Community Threatens New York Exit Over Vaccine Mandate

   Approximately 25,000 Amish residents in New York are threatening a mass exodus from the state due to a dispute over vaccine mandates. The community faces $118,000 in fines because their schools do not comply with state laws. The legal battle is now moving to the Supreme Court. In other news, the U.S. President issued a proclamation marking the fifth anniversary of the August 26, 2021, ISIS-K attack at Abbey Gate, while also highlighting the One Big Beautiful Bill Act's impact on adoption tax credits.

   Why it matters

   The Amish conflict centers on the tension between state public health requirements and religious exemptions. This case could establish a legal precedent for how vaccine mandates apply to private religious educational institutions. The Abbey Gate anniversary commemorates a specific terrorist event during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

   What is confirmed

   • New York's 25,000 Amish are threatening to leave the state over a vaccine mandate fight heading to the Supreme Court.
   • Amish schools face $118,000 in fines for non-compliance with state laws.
   • A lone ISIS-K terrorist attacked the crowd at Abbey Gate at 5:36 p.m. on August 26, 2021.
   • The One Big Beautiful Bill Act expanded the child tax credit and made the adoption tax credit more accessible.

   What to watch next

   • Supreme Court ruling on New York vaccine mandates
   • Official return date for Houston Astros player Carlos Correa from ankle surgery
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. www.whitehouse.gov — FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK AT ABBEY GATE
   2. www.usatoday.com — Who let the dogs out? National Dog Day 2026 is today
   3. www.huffpost.com — 'Major Regret': Roger Federer Names The U.S. Open Loss That Still Haunts Him
   4. www.orlandosentinel.com — Letters: Rick Scott’s broken promises | E-bike nuisance still there | Employee ownership
   5. www.fool.com — Best Savings Accounts Offering up to 4.50% APY Today, Aug. 27, 2026
   6. nypost.com — Amish threaten mass exodus from New York over vaccine fight —which is heading to the Supreme Court
   7. blockonomi.com — Bitcoin (BTC) Eyes Critical $83K Level as Bull Market Confirmation Looms
   8. www.sgvtribune.com — California lawmakers oppose insurance fire claims limits
   9. dailypost.ng — NIMR boils over 8-year retirement policy for research professors
   10. finance.yahoo.com — GCL’s Publishing Subsidiary 4Divinity Spotlighted New Trailers for Five Titles During gamescom 2026, with Appearances at Opening Night Live and the Future Games Show
   11. www.finanznachrichten.de — Boliden AB: Boliden to acquire controlling stake in Nexa Resources
   12. www.forbes.com — Carlos Correa Could Give Houston Astros Boost In Wild AL Playoff Chase
   confidence 100%
2. 1d ago

   Social Security Payments Issued Today, Health Care Debate Continues

   Social Security checks are being issued on August 26. The 'Sick of It' campaign, launched by Senator Gallego and Representatives Scholten and Pocan, aims to oppose Republican health care cuts that have caused health care premiums to double for 200,000 residents in Washington. The expiration of temporary Affordable Care Act subsidies has sparked a dispute over the financial accessibility of health insurance.

   Why it matters

   The health care debate centers on the impact of Republican cuts and the end of temporary federal subsidies. This affects the financial accessibility of health insurance for many residents. The 'Sick of It' campaign is a response to these changes. The issue remains a point of contention between critics and supporters of the cuts.

   What is confirmed

   • Social Security checks go out on August 26.
   • The share of U.S. kindergartners without both MMR doses has risen from 4.8 to 7.6 percent since 2019.
   • Health care premiums doubled for 200,000 residents in Washington due to Republican health care cuts.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Blaming the GOP for the end of temporary Affordable Care Act subsidies is misleading.

   What to watch next

   • The impact of the 'Sick of It' campaign on the health care debate
   • The effect of the expiration of temporary Affordable Care Act subsidies on health insurance accessibility
   • The response from Republican lawmakers to the 'Sick of It' campaign
   Sources used for this update (8)

   1. eu.usatoday.com — Social Security checks go out August 26. Will you get paid?
   2. www.forbes.com — Measles Susceptibility In American Kindergartners Has Risen By More Than Half Since 2019
   3. www.forbes.com — WWE Raw Results, Winners And Grades On August 24, 2026
   4. www.twincities.com — Ahead of State Fair, Ramsey County sheriff sends 233 letters about gang association
   5. apnews.com — Trump’s Supreme Court win on mail voting, US mass visa revocation, Canada to announce retaliatory tariffs on US
   6. www.forbes.com — Roger Federer On Novak Djokovic’s Bid For 25th Major: ‘As Long As He’s In The Draw, There’s A Chance’
   7. www.bbc.com — Hrgovic taunts starting to wind me up - Itauma
   8. www.dailypress.net — Almanac for Aug. 26, 2026
   confidence 90%
3. 3d ago

   US Lawmakers and Advocates Challenge Republican Health Care Cuts

   Senator Gallego, Representatives Scholten and Pocan, and the group Protect Our Care have launched the "Sick of It" campaign to oppose Republican health care cuts. A report indicates these cuts caused health care premiums to double for 200,000 residents in Washington. While critics argue Republicans are attempting to hide the impact of these reductions, some sources claim that blaming the GOP for the end of temporary Affordable Care Act subsidies is misleading. The dispute centers on the financial accessibility of health insurance and the expiration of specific federal subsidies.

   Why it matters

   The conflict involves the transition of temporary funding for the Affordable Care Act. This debate highlights the ideological divide over government subsidies and the resulting costs for policyholders.

   What is confirmed

   • Senator Gallego, Representative Scholten, and Representative Pocan joined the Protect Our Care "Sick of It" campaign.
   • Senator Gallego has criticized health care coverage cuts attributed to Trump.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Blaming the GOP for the end of temporary ACA subsidies is misleading.

   What to watch next

   • Further reports on premium increases across other US states.
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. The New York Times — Opinion | Republicans Are Trying to Hide These Health Care Cuts
   2. Letters from an American | Heather Cox Richardson | Substack — August 20, 2026
   3. KOMO — Report: Health care premiums doubled for 200,000 Washingtonians after Trump cuts
   4. Protect Our Care — IN THE STATES: Senator Gallego, Reps. Scholten, Pocan, and Advocates Joined Protect Our Care’s “Sick of It” Campaign to Sound the Alarm on Republicans’ Devastating Health Care Cuts — Protect Our Care
   5. thegazette.com — Blaming the GOP for the end of temporary ACA subsidies is misleading
   6. paragoninstitute.org — What The New York Times Gets Wrong About Obamacare
   7. Minnesota Women's Press — EXPLAINER: What Is Happening to Our Health Care, From Heather Cox Richardson
   8. KJZZ — Arizona's Sen. Gallego criticizes Trump's healthcare coverage cuts
   9. techrights.org — SLAPP Censorship - Part 160 Out of 200: In Astounding Repetition of Last Year, Brett Wilson LLP Deliberately Ignores Holidays of People It is Attacking and Crushes Principles ...
   10. www.heraldscotland.com — Is VAT threatening the dominance of Edinburgh's private schools?
   11. www.sandiegouniontribune.com — Effort to revive Balboa Park’s Starlight Bowl at a crossroads
   confidence 70%