Aircraft Carrier Crisis?, Govt-Backed Cyberattacks & Discount for Dancing - Friday, August 14, 2026

**Erica Mandy** (0:00)
Today is Friday, August 14th. We'll tell you about growing concerns over conditions aboard a US aircraft carrier deployed in the Middle East. And why the US government is now letting some private companies go on offense against cyber criminals. Also, what to expect as a tropical storm threatens Hawaii while flooding and wildfires impact other parts of the country. Plus, the new safeguards FLOC is adding after backlash against its camera network. Why concussions are making an unofficial comeback in Madden, and how some drivers are dancing their way to cheaper gas. Those stories and even more news coming up.
Welcome to The NewsWorthy, all the day's news in less than 15 minutes. I'm Erica Mandy. Thanks so much for being here. Let's do this.
There are now growing concerns for thousands of American service members. They've been on a US Navy aircraft carrier deployed in the Middle East for nearly nine months now. Their deployment was originally set to end in May, but has been repeatedly extended since they've been supporting the war in Iran. And now the USS Lincoln has set a record for consecutive days at sea. Reports say the sailors on board are contending with food shortages, broken plumbing and exhaustion. There are also now reports of many sailors' mental health starting to deteriorate. In the Military Times reports, some of them have even tried to jump overboard. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the reports completely misrepresented since he says every crew is given whatever can be provided to them. But he did acknowledge the crew aboard the Lincoln needs to be rotated home. And as of last night, another aircraft carrier had begun heading to the Middle East. Some reports say the plan was always for it to replace the Lincoln, even before reports started coming out about the poor living conditions on board. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has not given much clarity on how it plans to wind down the war in Iran. The biggest strikes have calmed in recent weeks, but the Navy has reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports in the crucial Strait of Hormuz. In fact, the US says it has total control over the Strait, while Iran says no vessel can pass through without Iranian authorization. So for now, there's no agreement, and commercial shipping is still caught in the middle. To be continued.
An American who was kidnapped in West Africa has reportedly been released and is now headed back to the US. Kevin Rideout had been living in Niger for 19 years, working as a Christian missionary and pilot when he was kidnapped outside of his home in October. And now The New York Times cites US officials who say he's in FBI custody and seems to be in good health. As of this morning, it's still not known exactly where or how he was freed or even who was holding him. But militants linked to both ISIS and Al Qaeda are active in the region. Since Rideout's kidnapping, the US has issued a travel warning for Niger warning Americans against going there.
Poland says it stopped a Russian plot to assassinate an American citizen. Polish authorities say a man was hired by Russia's Secret Services to kill someone living in Poland with both American and Ukrainian passports. But they say the plot was stopped before an attack could actually happen, and the suspect was arrested. It's a big deal in part because Poland says this is the first known case of Russia trying to target an American citizen on NATO territory. Investigators do not say much more about the American targeted, just that it was someone the Russian government considered inconvenient. And they say Russia will likely continue to try to take out anyone the Russian government is uncomfortable with, no matter where they are. So far, no other comment from Russia or the US.
The man accused of killing the United Health Care CEO is expected to plead guilty today. Luigi Mangione is accused of stalking Brian Thompson and killing him on a Manhattan sidewalk in December of 2024 He's scheduled to go to trial in less than a month in a state murder case. But he's also facing separate stalking related charges on the federal level. In either the federal or state case, he could end up being sentenced to life in prison. But reports say Mangione's lawyers are hoping a guilty plea today in federal court could lead to the state case getting thrown out on double jeopardy grounds. It's still not a sure thing since New York prosecutors are expected to fight that argument. But if it worked, Mangione could potentially avoid having to go through next month's trial. Of course, we'll have to see what Mangione actually decides to do today.