Washington's Tourism Takes a Hit Amid Federal Takeover

Washington, D. C. is seeing fewer tourists these days. The reason? Federal agents, checkpoints, and tanks on the streets. Elliot Ferguson, CEO of Destination DC, says people are worried about the vibe in the city. He’s seen it all—9/11, anthrax scares, snipers, government shutdowns, and January 6th chaos. Now, there’s this new crackdown. President Trump claimed there’s too much crime, but stats show it’s actually down by 26 percent. The 30-day emergency order ended, but federal agents are still around. Meanwhile, Taylor Frankie Paul, star of "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, " is set to lead season 22 of "The Bachelorette. " She’s the first bachelorette who wasn’t a contestant on "The Bachelor. " Paul, who divorced her husband after a scandal, shares three kids with two different partners. She’s also staying on her show while joining "Dancing with the Stars. " Fall is here, and so are the chilly nights. If your mattress feels like a rock, Bare Home might have the answer. Their Clean Classic Mattress is eco-friendly, cools you down, and supports your back. It’s also affordable, with discounts and a 100-day trial. Plus, they’ve got silky bamboo sheets to match. In Thailand, a zookeeper was tragically eaten by lions. Witnesses say he stood still, waiting for the lions to approach. It took 15 minutes for authorities to arrive. Questions are being raised about the park’s safety rules. Kirsten Dunst, now 43, isn’t interested in a "Bring It On" reboot. She told Entertainment Tonight she’s happy leaving the movie as it is. Dunst, who has two sons, wants to do something her kids would enjoy. Red light therapy is getting attention for fighting hair loss. Hairmax’s new Lumina 272 helmet offers a quick seven-minute treatment. It’s FDA-cleared and comes with a discount. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing backlash for his anti-vaccine stance. A survey found most people don’t believe his policies are science-based. Many are worried about future vaccine access. Apple’s new iPhones didn’t wow investors. Stocks dropped as people were underwhelmed by the lack of AI advancements. The iPhone 17 Air is thinner but lacks innovation. An American influencer in Australia is in hot water for wrestling crocodiles. Bob Irwin, Steve Irwin’s father, called for stricter laws against reckless wildlife interactions. Hulk Hogan left his entire estate to his son, cutting out his daughter Brooke. The wrestling legend’s widow is considering a lawsuit over his recent neck surgery. Remarkable’s new Paper Pro Move offers a distraction-free note-taking experience. It’s small, portable, and converts handwritten notes to text. President Trump is pushing for tariffs on Indian and Chinese goods to pressure them into stopping Russian oil purchases. The move aims to cut off Russia’s funding for the war in Ukraine. Uber is teaming up with Blade to offer helicopter rides by 2026. The partnership follows Joby’s acquisition of Blade and aims to introduce electric air taxis in the future.