Mairead Brooks

Mairead Books is an entertainment writer for TheMorningNews. She lives in Dallas, TX, and has been a senior writer for TMN for almost 3 years. She enjoys watching the latest TV shows and running interviews with locale celebrities.
US Senate approves $9bn cuts to foreign aid and public broadcasting funds.

US Senate Approves $9B Cuts To Foreign Aid And Public Media

In a bleary-eyed pre-dawn vote, the U.S. Senate passed a bill Thursday slashing $9 billion from previously approved federal funds. So, what’s getting cut? Public broadcasting, global health aid, and more. The 51-48 vote followed an all-night “vote-a-rama,” as senators argued over what stays and what goes. It’s part of a broader push by Republicans—and

Rapidly growing fire near Grand Canyon prompts evacuations.

Wildfire Prompts Evacuation Of Visitors At Grand Canyon North Rim

What starts with a lightning strike can end in a massive evacuation—and that’s exactly what’s unfolding in Arizona. The White Sage Fire, ignited on July 9 near the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, has ballooned into a 19,000-acre inferno. It has grown more than tenfold in under 24 hours. And officials say it’s still 0% contained.

Six dead, dozens missing after ferry sinks off Bali.

Ferry With 65 Onboard Sinks Near Bali Killing Six

What should’ve been a routine ferry ride between Java and Bali turned into a nightmare on Wednesday night. A passenger ferry carrying 65 people — or possibly more — sank near Bali, killing at least six and leaving dozens unaccounted for. The ferry, en route from Banyuwangi to Bali, went under just before midnight. Only

Terrifying study finds 30% of Americans could be infected with parasite that has horrific impact on brains.

Study Warns 30 Percent Of Americans May Carry Brain‑Invading Parasite

Could your brain be quietly under attack—by a cat poop parasite? According to a new study from UC Riverside, as many as 100 million Americans may be infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasma gondii is a sneaky parasite that can disrupt how brain cells talk to each other. You can catch it from eating undercooked meat

Trump to decide on US action in Israel-Iran conflict within two weeks.

Trump Sets Two Week Clock On US Decision In Israel Iran Clash

Will the US jump headfirst into another Middle Eastern war? That’s the question hanging over Washington. President Donald Trump weighs America’s next move in the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. Trump says he’ll make the call within two weeks. “I may do it, I may not,” he teased, keeping everyone guessing. According to White House Press Secretary

Skydiving Plane Carrying 20 Passengers Crashes in Tennessee

A skydiving adventure turned frightening on Sunday in Tullahoma, Tennessee, when a twin-engine plane carrying 20 people crashed shortly after takeoff. Thankfully, no lives were lost, but several passengers were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. The DeHaviland DH-6 Twin Otter went down around 12:30 pm local time at Tullahoma Regional Airport, just

101 dogs rescued from apparent puppy mill in North Carolina.

101 Dogs Rescued from Suspected Puppy Mill In North Carolina

Ever wondered what heartbreak smells like? For rescuers in North Carolina, it reeked of waste, neglect, and matted fur. This week, the SPCA of Wake County swooped into a home-turned-puppy-mill and rescued 101 dogs crammed into cages. Five or six at a time, stacked floor to ceiling, or wandering in filth. “They were surrounded by

14 Million Bees Swarm After Massive Truck Crash Warning Issued.

Millions Of Bees Escape After Truck Overturns In Washington

What do you do when a truck carrying millions of bees flips over near the Canadian border? If you’re in Whatcom County, Washington, you call in the experts—and then some serious buzz begins. On Friday, a lorry hauling about 31,750 kilograms of active honey bee hives overturned, unleashing a swarm that sent authorities scrambling. At

Earliest Proof Of Humans Using Whale Bone Tools Discovered.

Whale Bones Used As Hunting Tools By Humans 20,000 Years Ago

Scientists have uncovered the earliest known use of whale bones by humans—dating back over 20,000 years. This reveals our ancestors were far more resourceful than we imagined. The discovery was made along Spain’s northern coast, where more than 60 whale bone fragments—mainly ribs and vertebrae—were found. Many were fashioned into spear tips. “These bones are

Japan taxi driver suspected of raping 50 women, reports say.

Taxi Driver In Japan Suspected Of Assaulting 50 Women, Reports Say

Tokyo police have arrested a former taxi driver accused of drugging and raping a female passenger. The story only gets more disturbing. Authorities reportedly uncovered a chilling digital archive: around 3,000 images and videos. These showed him assaulting dozens of women, some dating back to 2008. “This wasn’t a one-off,” a Tokyo police spokesperson confirmed.

Microsoft to lay off 3% of workforce, report says.

Microsoft To Reduce Workforce By 3%, Report Finds

According to CNBC, Microsoft is laying off 3% of its global workforce. It is its biggest round since cutting 10,000 jobs last year. And this time, it’s not about underperformance. The company is reportedly trimming management layers across the board, from entry-level to executive roles. Why Now? It’s all part of a high-stakes pivot. Microsoft

LA 2028 Olympics plans air taxi service for spectators.

LA 2028 Olympics To Offer Air Taxi Service For Spectators

What if, instead of sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, you soared over it to catch your Olympic event on time? That’s exactly what LA28 organizers hope to deliver—with flying taxis. Yep, flying taxis. In a futuristic move straight out of sci-fi, the LA 2028 Olympic committee has teamed up with Archer Aviation. They plan to launch