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Residents in the southern Gold Coast will have another chance to voice their opinions on the controversial light rail project, with their views being prioritized this time around. However, the project continues to be a divisive issue, with supporters highlighting its potential to reduce traffic and improve public transport access, while opponents argue for alternative solutions like bus lanes.

Utah has become the first state to ban the addition of fluoride to public water systems, despite its long-standing reputation as a cavity-fighting agent. The ban, which takes effect in 2025, allows pharmacists to prescribe fluoride supplements but prohibits communities from adding it to public water supplies.

The Trump administration's 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts are expected to raise car prices in the U.S., potentially impacting both domestic and foreign manufacturers and squeezing some consumers out of the market. While some automakers like Tesla and Ford are better positioned to weather the tariffs, others like General Motors and Stellantis are more exposed due to their reliance on imported parts and vehicles.

Israel retaliated against rocket attacks from Lebanon by striking a Hezbollah drone storage facility in Beirut, marking the first attack on the capital since the November 2024 ceasefire. This escalation comes amidst the ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza, where Israel has cut off humanitarian aid and killed thousands of Palestinians.

Mikal Mahdi, a South Carolina death row inmate convicted of murdering a police officer, has chosen execution by firing squad, becoming the second inmate in the state to be executed this way in recent months. Mahdi's lawyers argue for clemency, citing an inadequate trial and traumatic childhood, while prosecutors maintain his violent history warrants the death penalty.