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The White House has directed the Smithsonian Institution to share its exhibition materials, collections and organizational details in order to see if they align with Trump’s vision of America. A letter, which was signed by several White House officials and sent on Tuesday, includes a list of concerned museums and requested deadlines.

The letter indicates the need for museums to comply with Trump’s Executive Order signed on March 27 titled, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.”

A review of the Smithsonian Institution ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary

“We will be leading a comprehensive internal review of selected Smithsonian museums and exhibitions,” the letter reads. “This initiative aims to ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.”

The letter requests access regarding specific materials including programming of the 250th Anniversary, current and upcoming exhibitions, permanent collection, educational and digital materials, external partnerships and grants, internal guidelines and governance and more.

The White House will review exhibits and more, as well as conduct interviews

“We view this process as a collaborative and forward-looking opportunity—one that empowers museum staff to embrace a revitalized curatorial vision rooted in the strength, breadth, and achievements of the American story,” the letter adds. “By focusing on Americanism—the people, principles, and progress that define our nation—we can work together to renew the Smithsonian’s role as the world’s leading museum institution.”

As of now, the letter lists these requests to the following museums: the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Portrait Gallery and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

“Additional museums will be reviewed in Phase II,” the letter added. The Smithsonian Institution includes 21 museums, 14 education and research centers, as well as the National Zoo.

How is the Smithsonian Institute addressing the news?

The institute has issued a statement responding to the White House’s request.

“We are reviewing the letter with this commitment in mind and will continue to collaborate constructively with the White House, Congress, and our governing Board of Regents,” it indicated, according to NBC News.

The institute added that it “is grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history.”

In May, it was reported that 32 artifacts at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture had been removed from display. Some of these items include Harriet Tubman’s book of hymns and the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass memoir.

An autopsy report in Baldwin County, Alabama, has confirmed that a family of four died from a murder-suicide. Investigators believe 44-year-old Kenny Smith shot and killed himself after murdering his 41-year-old wife, Larrica Gaines Smith, and their two children, 15-year-old Kristian and 11-year-old Kensley.

What happened when officers responded to the Alabama home where a family of four was found dead?

The family was found dead inside their home in Daphne, Alabama, on Thursday. Police said they found the bodies after responding to the home for a welfare check early in the morning. According to police, officers forced their way into the home because nobody answered when they arrived at the scene. Along with the bodies, police said they found a handgun inside the home.

On Thursday in Daphne, Alabama, 41-year-old Larrica Gaines Smith, along with her children, 15-year-old Khristian Smith and 11-year-old Kinsley Smith, were found dead in what investigators have identified as a murder-suicide. https://t.co/6MhhMFxkHv pic.twitter.com/zkx1nmaQGe— Newtown Action Alliance (@NewtownAction) August 17, 2025

“Inside the residence, the children’s phones were ringing. So, you know, that’s their friends trying to figure out what’s going on,” Baldwin County Sheriff Anthony Lowery said, per WKRG.

Following the autopsy report, investigators are now looking through the family’s phones and computers to find any information about what led to the tragedy, WKRG reported.

The community in Daphne, Alabama, is expressing deep grief after the tragedy of the Smith family, which lived in the neighborhood for more than 20 years. Members of City Hope Church in Daphne are among the neighbors who are devastated by the tragedy.

“This has shaken us deeply, affecting countless people within our church and our community,” the church wrote in a statement, per WKRG. “At this time, details are limited, but we know this news is painful and unsettling for so many.”

The community is also sharing many kind words about the family.

“That family was the salt of the earth,” one of the neighbors, Matt Russell, told WKRG. “A fun-loving family. It is just a very, very tragic feeling. To say I’m in shock, yes, I’m still in shock.”

Singer-rapper Sean Kingston was sentenced to three and a half years in prison after being convicted of taking part in a $1 million wire fraud scheme in South Florida.

Kingston, born Kisean Paul Anderson, 35, and his mother, Janice Eleanor Turner, were each found guilty by a federal jury in March of defrauding several businesses. Prosecutors said the two used fake wire transfer receipts to obtain luxury goods they never paid for. The pair was convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud, according to Blavity and NBC News South Florida.

What did Sean Kingston say at sentencing?

On July 11, Judge David Leibowitz sentenced both Kingston and Turner to five years in prison, but Kingston’s hearing was rescheduled to Friday, per NBC News. During the sentencing, Kingston appeared remorseful and addressed the court directly.

“I apologize, I apologize, I’ve learned from my actions,” he said. “All I’m asking for is to accept my apology to the court.”

Kingston’s attorney requested that he be allowed to self-surrender at a later date due to health concerns. However, Judge Leibowitz denied the request and ordered Kingston into immediate custody. He was handcuffed and escorted out of the courtroom.

What are both sides saying about the outcome?

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton described Kingston as someone who exploited his fame to live beyond his means and mislead others.

“He clearly doesn’t like to pay and relies on his celebrity status to defraud his victims,” Anton said Friday, according to the Associated Press.

Defense attorney Zeljka Bozanic argued that Kingston lacked proper financial guidance after rising to fame as a teenager. She said he had relied heavily on business managers and his mother to handle his finances.

“No one showed him how to invest his money,” Bozanic said. “Money went in and money went out on superficial things.”

Prosecutors said Kingston and Turner had been carrying out the fraud scheme for years. They defrauded a jewelry store, a luxury bed company, a used exotic car dealership, and a microLED TV provider, according to Blavity. Kingston allegedly persuaded vendors to release the high-end items before making payments, using fake wire transfers as proof. The businesses later discovered the funds never cleared.

Patricia White, an iconic trailblazer in New York‘s Black theater scene, has died at age 77. White, who was recently hospitalized, died from an illness, Deadline reported. The legendary performer died at the University Rehab Facility in the Bronx, New York, where she was getting physical therapy after being released from the hospital.

“In her theatre career, Pat was a pillar of support to theater organizations and artists and a fierce champion for authentic representation and storytelling,” according to an obituary by Jonathan Slaff that was received by Blavity. “Her decades-long dedication helped build a more inclusive, vibrant theatrical world—one that will continue to reflect her love, vision, and tireless spirit.”

What were some of Patricia White’s most notable accolades?

White, who was widely known as Pat, showed off her talents in many different facets. Throughout her legendary career, the Brooklyn native served as a director, producer, backstage coordinator, grant writer, box office manager and administrator. She also served as a mentor for many other aspiring performers.

White landed one of her most notable roles in 1994 when her mentor, Woodie King Jr., hired her as company manager of New Federal Theatre. That’s when White managed the 20th anniversary production of Ntozake Shange’s for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf.

Some of the other notable projects White directed include Marvin Schidkarut’s Root of Aggression, Fallen Angel and a reading of Cesi Davidson’s Eric and Theresa Deconstructed.

White is also well-remembered for ushering for the Pulitzer Prize-winning production No Place to Be Somebody by Charles Gordone while working at the Public Theatre. For 13 years, White worked on and off as a project coordinator for the Frank Silvera Writer Workshop. This opportunity allowed White to collaborate with iconic talents such as Amiri Baraka, Kimako Baraka, Amina Baraka, A. Marcus Hemphill and Richard Wesley, per Deadline.

How did Patricia White start her theater career?

White launched her career at age 17 when she worked as an intern at The American Place Theatre. That’s where she worked with producers Wynn Handman and Julia Miles. The internship also gave White a chance to learn from historic Black playwrights such as Ed Bullins, Phillip Hayes Dean, Charlie Russell, Barbara Ann Teer and others.

Capital One has agreed to pay $425 million to settle a class action lawsuit involving customers who maintained a 360 Savings account from September 2019 to June 2025.

Capital One customers filed the complaint against the bank in 2024, according to the notice filed in the U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia.

Capital One has had other legal issues

It’s not the first time the company has faced legal problems. In January, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued the Richmond, Virginia-based financial institution for cheating customers out of more than $2 million in lost interest payments.

According to the Bureau, Capital One promised to provide its customers with a savings account that was “one of the nation’s best” and “highest” interest rates. Instead, the bank froze the interest rate at a low level while rates continued to increase nationwide. The company marketed the 360 Savings account, promising customers that they would earn more interest than any average savings account. The Bureau found this to be untrue.

“The CFPB is suing Capital One for cheating families out of billions of dollars on their savings accounts,” CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in a news release. “Banks should not be baiting people with promises they can’t live up to.”

USA Today reported that the CFPB dropped the lawsuit in February, but Capital One has agreed to pay affected Capital One members $425 million in the class action settlement.

Here’s what Capital One customers should know about the settlement, including the allegations, who’s eligible for payment, how much they may receive, and when to expect it.

What is Capital One accused of?

According to financial outlet Kiplinger, Capital One told its customers that the bank’s 360 Savings account would provide them with more interest than any other savings account.

The company later froze rates at 0.3%. In contrast, rates on its newer, similarly-named 360 Performance Savings account rose and peaked at 4.3% in 2022 when the Federal Reserve began a rapid series of rate hikes.

Capital One first launched the 360 Savings account in February 2019, with its high-interest savings pitch. However, it was quietly discontinued in September of that year, removing all references to the account and stopping the offering to new customers. When the bank introduced the new 360 Performance Savings account, customers were unaware of it.

Who is eligible for payment?

Current and former customers who held a Capital One 360 Savings account between September 2019 and June 2025 are eligible for payment.

How much will customers receive?

There are two components to the settlement: In the first one, Capital One will pay around $300 million to make “pro rata payments to settlement class members relative to the approximate amount of interest each settlement class member would have earned if their 360 Savings account(s) had paid the interest rate then applicable to the 360 Performance Savings account,” according to the settlement.

In the second, Capital One will pay $125 million to customers who still maintain a 360 Savings account. According to the settlement, their accounts will earn an interest rate “at least two times the national average rate for savings deposit accounts,” as calculated by the FDIC.