A Minnesota man named Vance Boelter was sentenced to two life sentences plus 40 years in prison for killing a top Democratic lawmaker, House Speaker Melissa Hortman, and her husband. He also injured State Senator John Hoffman and his wife during attacks in June 2023.
Key Facts
Vance Boelter pleaded guilty to assassinating House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.
Boelter also seriously wounded State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.
The attacks happened in June 2023 in the Minneapolis area.
Boelter disguised himself as a police officer during the attacks and targeted several Democratic officials.
A large police search followed, the biggest in Minnesota’s history.
The judge said the sentence was the longest he has ever given but felt it was deserved.
Boelter showed remorse by pleading guilty, avoiding the death penalty, which prosecutors chose not to seek.
Family members of the victims expressed disappointment that the death sentence was not given.
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The Justice Department has decided to cancel subpoenas that demanded testimony and phone records from New York Times reporters. These subpoenas were connected to a story about President Trump's use of an old Air Force One plane and investigations into security on a new Air Force One plane.
Key Facts
The Justice Department withdrew subpoenas for grand jury testimony and phone records from New York Times reporters.
The subpoenas were related to reporting on President Trump's use of an older presidential aircraft after the NATO summit in Turkey.
The subpoenas were signed by Jay Clayton, a former U.S. attorney who was later chosen by President Trump to be director of national intelligence.
The New York Times challenged the subpoenas in court, calling them abusive and improper.
Prosecutors sought phone records from reporters and their families to find sources about security on the new Air Force One plane.
The new Air Force One was donated by the Qatari government.
A federal judge questioned the Justice Department’s procedures and considered sanctions for alleged false statements in their subpoena request.
The story is ongoing and may have new developments.
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Two men were stabbed in the Upper West Side of Manhattan during the daytime. One man is in critical condition, and a possible suspect is in custody, though police do not yet know if the attacks were random.
Key Facts
The stabbings happened near West 86th Street and Broadway, and then near West 86th Street and Central Park West.
The first victim is a 40-year-old man stabbed once in the back.
The second victim is a 50-year-old man stabbed once in the chest.
Both victims were taken to the hospital; one is in critical condition.
Police have a possible suspect in custody.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the attacks were random.
The incident took place in a residential area during broad daylight.
Police responded to the scene and are continuing the investigation.
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Republican warnings about a communist threat are not serious. She laughed when asked if democratic socialism might turn into communism and called the idea very silly.
Key Facts
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a Democratic Congresswoman from New York.
She responded to Republican concerns about a communist threat in politics.
Ocasio-Cortez described these warnings as “very silly.”
She laughed when asked about democratic socialism becoming communism.
The comments were made during a brief interaction with reporters on Capitol Hill.
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U.S. health officials are looking into a new outbreak of cyclospora, a parasite that causes diarrhea. So far, 72 people have been affected, but the FDA has not found the source or said where the cases are.
Key Facts
Cyclospora is a parasite that causes diarrhea.
There is a new outbreak under investigation in the U.S.
As of Wednesday, 72 people are reported to be sick.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not identified the contaminated product.
The locations of the infected people have not been disclosed.
The Associated Press has requested more information from the FDA.
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President Donald Trump hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers at the White House in the Rose Garden. The team won the 2025 World Series by beating the Toronto Blue Jays four games to three.
Key Facts
President Trump welcomed the Los Angeles Dodgers to the White House.
The event took place in the Rose Garden.
The Dodgers won the 2025 World Series.
They defeated the Toronto Blue Jays.
The series ended with four wins for the Dodgers and three for the Blue Jays.
This was the Dodgers’ 9th World Series title.
President Trump congratulated the team after their victory in November 2025.
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Mexican journalist Alejandro Leyva Aguilar was killed by gunfire while eating at a street food stall in Oaxaca. He had spent many years reporting on corruption and crime. This is the fourth journalist murder in Mexico since June.
Key Facts
Alejandro Leyva Aguilar was a Mexican journalist.
He was shot dead in Oaxaca while eating street food.
He reported on corruption and violent crime.
His death is the fourth killing of a journalist in Mexico since June.
The incident highlights ongoing dangers for journalists in Mexico.
Oaxaca is a city in southern Mexico known for cultural and political activity.
Journalists in Mexico often face threats due to their investigative work.
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Several children in Ladera Ranch, a neighborhood in southern California, have been diagnosed with a rare cancer called Ewing sarcoma. Local officials and families are worried and have asked health agencies to investigate if environmental factors, such as pesticide use, could be causing these cases.
Key Facts
Six children in Ladera Ranch have been diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare cancer affecting bones and soft tissue.
Ewing sarcoma mainly occurs in children and young adults and is very uncommon.
Residents have noticed people spraying herbicides and pesticides in the area and are concerned about possible health risks.
Some community members reported additional cancer cases in adults and pets.
Officials, including Vice-Chair Katrina Foley, have called for a fast and transparent investigation into the cancer cases.
The American Cancer Society says there are no known lifestyle or environmental causes for this cancer, but the cluster has raised concerns.
Bill Essayli, an assistant US attorney, asked the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate possible environmental causes.
Health agencies like the CDC and National Cancer Institute support scientific reviews of unusual cancer patterns linked to environmental exposures.
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President Donald Trump’s Justice Department will withdraw subpoenas issued to New York Times journalists about reports on security concerns involving a Qatari-donated Air Force One plane. The subpoenas were paused by a judge while both sides argued over their validity in a Manhattan federal court.
Key Facts
The subpoenas were issued on July 10 by Jay Clayton, Manhattan’s U.S. attorney and Trump’s pick for director of national intelligence.
They targeted New York Times journalists who reported that the Qatari-donated Air Force One lacked antimissile and other security features.
The Times’ report used anonymous sources and noted that Trump flew on the old Air Force One after leaving Turkey.
The subpoenas are part of efforts to make journalists reveal their sources, which critics say pressures the media.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian paused the subpoenas’ enforcement pending a court hearing.
Prosecutors asked for a two-week hold on the subpoenas to consider next steps in the investigation.
The New York Times asked the judge to dismiss the subpoenas, saying they violate press freedom protected by the First Amendment.
The issue arose amid tensions related to the US-Israeli conflict involving Iran.
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Yemen’s government has announced it will restart oil exports on July 20 after stopping them in late 2022. The government hopes the money from oil sales will help pay salaries and improve services, but security challenges and damaged infrastructure make resuming exports difficult.
Key Facts
Yemen stopped oil exports in late 2022 and plans to restart them on July 20, 2024.
Oil revenues are important for Yemen’s economy, especially for paying salaries and improving services.
Yemen has about 3 billion barrels of proven oil reserves mainly in Masila, Marib, and Shabwa areas.
Oil production has dropped from 439,000 barrels per day (bpd) around 2000 to about 19,000 bpd in 2024.
Most oil produced recently is used domestically, with only 7,000 to 10,000 bpd kept for local use in 2023-24.
The Yemeni government expects to produce about 60,000 bpd initially after exports resume.
Local consumption of oil is around 20,000 bpd, so exports might reach roughly 40,000 bpd.
Security, repair of pipelines, and restoring confidence of shipping and insurance companies are needed for stable exports.
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Paramount Skydance wants to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, which some states and a court are stopping because they worry it will reduce competition in movie theaters. However, the bigger issue may be that streaming platforms like Netflix now control most viewers, data, and advertising, changing how entertainment companies compete.
Key Facts
The European Commission approved the Paramount-Warner deal with conditions on July 22, 2025.
A judge in California temporarily stopped the deal while 12 states challenge it as an antitrust issue.
States worry fewer big studios mean fewer places for creators to sell their work and less competition.
The Writers Guild of America sued to block the merger, fearing harm to writers and the creative market.
Antitrust law focuses on specific markets, like movie theaters, and does not allow losses in one market to be balanced by gains in another.
Streaming services like Netflix have grown hugely, with over 325 million paid members and $45.2 billion revenue in 2025.
Streaming now controls much of TV viewing, advertising, and data to decide what content to produce and promote.
Traditional studios lack the direct customer relationships and technology that streaming platforms use to compete.
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About 24 states led by Democrats sued President Donald Trump's administration over new rules tied to receiving FEMA grant money. The states say these rules are unlawful because they require changes on election policies and immigration enforcement.
Key Facts
Two dozen Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit against the federal government.
The lawsuit challenges new conditions set by the Trump administration for FEMA grants.
FEMA stands for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which gives money to states for disaster relief.
The new grant conditions involve states changing how they handle elections and immigration rules.
The states argue that these conditions go beyond what the federal government is allowed to do.
This lawsuit is part of ongoing disagreements between Democratic states and President Trump’s administration.
The government uses FEMA grants to support states during emergencies like hurricanes and floods.
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President Donald Trump asked governors and electric companies to voluntarily agree to protect consumers from higher utility bills caused by data centers. He first made this pledge with AI and tech companies in March but is now expanding it amid concerns about rising energy demand and costs.
Key Facts
President Trump invited governors and electricity providers to join a pledge to shield consumers from rising utility costs linked to data centers.
He initially made a similar pledge with AI and tech companies in March.
Data centers consume large amounts of electricity, raising concerns about utility bill increases.
Many voters are worried about affordability and competition for electricity, water, and land with big tech companies.
It is unclear if consumers will actually see lower costs because electricity demand is already growing.
The issue is part of a broader debate about how governments regulate fast-changing AI technology.
The pledge comes ahead of the midterm elections, making it a timely political issue.
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The government withdrew subpoenas that would have forced three New York Times reporters to reveal their sources about President Donald Trump’s Air Force One jet gifted by Qatar. A federal judge criticized the government for poor legal work and said subpoenas for journalists should be a last option, protecting press freedom.
Key Facts
The subpoenas targeted three New York Times reporters.
The reporters were asked to testify about their sources for stories on President Trump’s Qatari-gifted Air Force One jet.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian criticized the government’s handling of the subpoenas.
The judge said subpoenas against journalists should be used only as a last step in investigations.
The government withdrew the subpoenas after the judge’s warnings.
This case happens while the Trump administration is increasing efforts to punish news organizations and prevent government leaks.
The First Amendment protects freedom of the press, which the judge said the government’s actions threatened.
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Lawyers for singer David Burke, known as D4vd, questioned why police did not perform more DNA tests on chain saws and a car linked to the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The hearing will decide if there is enough evidence to put Burke on trial for murder, sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of a body; Burke has pleaded not guilty.
Key Facts
D4vd is facing charges of murder, sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of a body.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the victim, was 14 years old and found dismembered inside the trunk of Burke’s Tesla.
Defense attorneys questioned why police did not test the chain saws for DNA, even though initial tests showed no visible blood.
Police found signs of blood cleanup and fake blood in Burke’s garage.
Multiple people lived in Burke’s residence, which complicated DNA testing.
Burke’s music and videos often include dark and violent themes, with an alter ego named Itami.
The judge’s preliminary hearing will determine if there is enough evidence for a full trial.
Burke denies the charges and plans to defend his innocence.
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The Senate health committee delayed a vote on advancing Dr. Erica Schwartz’s nomination to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The vote will take place next week after the committee resolves attendance issues, and if confirmed, Schwartz will become the CDC’s new director.
Key Facts
The Senate health committee postponed the vote due to a family emergency affecting Republican attendance.
Dr. Erica Schwartz is nominated to be the 22nd CDC director.
The CDC is based in Atlanta and focuses on protecting Americans from health threats.
Schwartz faced questions about resisting political pressure during her confirmation hearing.
Sen. Bill Cassidy supports Schwartz, believing she can stand up to pressure from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The CDC has experienced leadership changes and staff losses since President Donald Trump returned to office last year.
Other high-level health positions, including surgeon general and FDA commissioner, are also vacant.
Another nominee, Sean Kaufman, is being considered for assistant secretary for preparedness and response but has faced criticism over vaccination statements; his vote is scheduled for later.
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The FDA announced a new outbreak of Cyclospora, a parasite that causes severe watery diarrhea, with 72 cases reported so far. This is the sixth Cyclospora outbreak investigation in the US this year, adding to over 11,500 cases reported nationwide by health authorities.
Key Facts
Cyclospora is a parasite that causes severe, explosive diarrhea.
The FDA is currently investigating 72 new cases in the latest Cyclospora outbreak.
This is the sixth Cyclospora outbreak investigation by the FDA in 2024.
The CDC has reported more than 11,500 cases of Cyclospora from 41 states this year.
There have been 308 hospitalizations nationwide but no deaths reported.
One recent outbreak was linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico distributed by Taylor Farms.
The contaminated lettuce was sold in 27 states and served at Taco Bell and other outlets.
The FDA is still investigating whether the new outbreak is related to the lettuce or a different source.
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Tropical Storm Bertha hit parts of the Gulf Coast, including Louisiana, causing dangerous waves and flooding. Videos show the effects of the storm in Louisiana and Alabama, and preparations in Texas.
Key Facts
Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in Louisiana.
The storm caused flooding along the coast.
Dangerous surf conditions occurred due to the storm.
Videos documented the storm's impact in Louisiana and Alabama.
Texas officials and residents were preparing for Bertha as it approached.
The storm affected multiple Gulf Coast states.
The information comes from CBS News video reports.
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House Republicans have asked the Justice Department to prosecute special counsel Jack Smith for allegedly lying under oath about seeking a search warrant for lawmakers' text messages. Former prosecutors say there is no proof Smith committed a crime because he accurately answered the specific questions he was asked.
Key Facts
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan referred Jack Smith to the Justice Department for possible prosecution.
Jordan alleges Smith made false statements about not seeking a search warrant to get text messages from members of Congress.
Smith’s testimony said his team only asked for "toll records," which show phone call logs but not message content.
Smith’s team obtained some text message data through the National Archives, but Smith was not asked about this directly during his deposition.
Legal experts say Smith’s answers were truthful based on the questions asked.
Violating 18 USC 1001, which bans false statements to the government, is the basis of the referral.
Experts explain that if a witness answers literally true to the exact question, it is not a crime even if information is incomplete.
The Justice Department does not have to act on referrals from Congress but has investigated similar referrals in the past.
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Hotel Willa in Taos, New Mexico, has partnered with Volkswagen to offer guests three Volkswagen Taos SUVs to use during their stay. The hotel combines vintage style with modern comforts and is close to many local attractions like Taos Pueblo and the Río Grande del Norte National Monument.
Key Facts
Road trips remain a popular choice for American summer vacations.
Expedia’s study shows 63% of U.S. travelers planned domestic trips this summer.
Hotel Willa is a 50-room boutique hotel with a vintage look and modern amenities.
Guests can borrow one of three Volkswagen Taos SUVs provided by Volkswagen of America.
Nearby attractions include Taos Pueblo, a 1,000-year-old Native American community and UNESCO site.
The Río Grande del Norte National Monument offers outdoor activities like hiking and rafting.
Visitors can explore Earthship Biotecture, eco-friendly homes made from recycled materials.
Other local attractions include the Kit Carson Home museum and the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs resort.
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