Recent polls show Democrats are gaining support in key Texas races for the U.S. Senate and governor before the November midterm elections. Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico is leading over Republican Ken Paxton in several surveys, indicating a more competitive race in this traditionally Republican state.
Key Facts
Texas Pulse, a nonpartisan research group, found James Talarico leads Ken Paxton 47% to 43% in the U.S. Senate race.
Earlier polls showed a tie between Talarico and Paxton, but recent surveys suggest rising support for Talarico.
A YouGov/254 Labs poll showed Talarico with 48% support and Paxton at 45%, with 6% undecided voters.
Independent voters in Texas favor Talarico, with about 57% supporting him and 20% undecided.
Fox News polling found 68% of independents back Talarico.
Ken Paxton, the Republican candidate endorsed by President Trump, has faced multiple legal issues, including impeachment and allegations of misconduct.
Texas has not elected a Democrat to statewide office in over 30 years, making these races notable.
Democrats hope to flip the Senate and the House to block President Trump’s legislative plans during his current term.
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Justice Samuel Alito told The Wall Street Journal that he is not planning to retire from the Supreme Court soon. This is his first public comment after a mistaken report said he had announced his retirement.
Key Facts
Justice Samuel Alito serves on the U.S. Supreme Court.
He told The Wall Street Journal that he expects to serve another term on the court.
NPR incorrectly reported that Alito had announced his retirement.
This was the first time Alito spoke publicly about his plans after the false retirement report.
Alito is known as a conservative justice on the Supreme Court.
The discussion about his retirement came after the last day opinions were issued by the court.
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Charles Hatcher, a farmer in Tennessee, won the Republican primary race against Rep. Andy Ogles, who was supported by President Donald Trump. This primary took place in a district that was recently redrawn. Hatcher will compete in the general election in November.
Key Facts
Charles Hatcher is a farmer from Tennessee.
Hatcher defeated Republican Rep. Andy Ogles in the primary race.
Rep. Ogles had the backing of President Donald Trump.
The election took place in a district with new boundary lines (redrawn district).
Hatcher will move on to the general election in November.
The primary race was part of Tennessee’s election process.
Hatcher discussed his victory and plans during a CBS News interview.
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President Trump asked Senate Republicans to shorten their August break and stay in Washington until they approve a bill aimed at changing rules for paying and recruiting college athletes. The bill has faced delays and disagreements in the Senate.
Key Facts
President Trump made the request on a Friday.
He wants Senate Republicans to cancel part of their August recess.
The reason is to pass a bill about college sports.
The bill focuses on reforming how college athletes are paid and recruited.
The Senate has had trouble agreeing on this bill.
The bill has been delayed and stuck in the Senate.
President Trump called on GOP senators to remain in session until the bill passes.
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Police released video of a mass shooting at an In-N-Out Burger in Idaho that killed three people and injured seven others. The gunman, Chad Williams, killed himself when police caught up to him, and an unarmed bystander helped slow him down, possibly saving more lives.
Key Facts
The shooting happened last weekend at an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Three people were killed: Ashley Garibay (23), Dale Schultz (66), and Christopher Claunch (59).
Ten people were shot in total, including inside the restaurant and nearby areas.
The gunman, Chad Williams (24), died by suicide when officers found him on a walking trail.
Video shows multiple people confronting the gunman with weapons during the incident.
An unarmed employee from a nearby store distracted the gunman outdoors, slowing him down.
An off-duty state trooper and a former police officer engaged the shooter inside the restaurant.
Authorities have not determined a motive for the shooting.
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A spokesperson for Representative Chuck Edwards criticized a House Ethics Committee report that found Edwards engaged in improper behavior. This report came out after Edwards decided not to run again for his North Carolina congressional seat.
Key Facts
Chuck Edwards is a Republican representative from North Carolina.
The House Ethics Committee issued a report citing Edwards for inappropriate conduct.
Edwards decided to drop his reelection campaign for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District.
Edwards’s spokesman, Paul Shumaker, spoke out against the Ethics Committee report.
Shumaker said the report did not follow fair procedures.
The criticism was made during a PBS program called “State Lines.”
The issue concerns rules about behavior expected from members of Congress.
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Police released video of a mass shooting at an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho, where three people were killed and ten were shot. Authorities praised several people, including an employee and an off-duty officer, who confronted the gunman and helped protect others before the shooter took his own life.
Key Facts
The shooting occurred at an In-N-Out Burger drive-thru in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Three people died and ten were injured in the attack.
The gunman, Chad Williams, 24, killed himself as police arrived.
Police released video showing the gunman firing multiple times at the drive-thru window.
Several people, including employees and an off-duty state trooper, confronted the gunman to slow him down.
A man named Braxton Steube distracted the gunman outside on a trail, likely preventing further harm.
The victims killed were Ashley Garibay (23), Dale Schultz (66), and Christopher Claunch (59).
The In-N-Out location had opened recently as part of the chain’s expansion in Idaho.
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An appeals court stopped President Trump from building a ballroom at the White House because he did not get permission from Congress. President Trump said he will ask the Supreme Court to review the decision.
Key Facts
An appeals court blocked President Trump’s plan to build a ballroom at the White House.
The court said Congressional approval is required for this construction.
President Trump announced he will appeal to the Supreme Court.
The construction project concerns the White House grounds.
The case highlights the legal limits on presidential decisions involving White House property.
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The U.S. Senate is working quickly to complete important tasks before the summer break. They approved Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general and passed new energy sanctions against Russia.
Key Facts
The Senate is preparing to start its summer recess soon.
Todd Blanche was confirmed as the new attorney general.
The Senate approved new sanctions focused on energy aimed at Russia.
These actions are part of the Senate’s final agenda before the break.
CBS News correspondent Nikole Killion is reporting on these developments.
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A federal prosecutor named Will Rosenzweig sued the U.S. Justice Department after being fired last year. He says his firing violated his right to free speech because he had written blog posts critical of President Donald Trump years before he worked for the government.
Key Facts
Will Rosenzweig was fired in September 2025, two weeks before a major Medicare fraud trial.
His old blog posts, which included criticism of President Trump, were publicized by a conservative commentator.
Rosenzweig worked for five years as a federal prosecutor in Miami and had a good reputation with awards and praise.
The Justice Department fired him shortly after the blog posts were shared online.
Rosenzweig’s lawyers say his firing was unfair and violates his free speech rights under the First Amendment.
The blog was inactive for over six years and covered various topics, not just politics.
The lawsuit asks for Rosenzweig to be given his job back, back pay, and a court ruling that the firing was illegal.
The Justice Department has not commented due to ongoing legal proceedings.
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Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said he will continue serving on the Supreme Court for another term. He spoke about staying on the court after false rumors of his retirement circulated and said he makes decisions based on the law, not politics.
Key Facts
Justice Samuel Alito confirmed he is staying on the Supreme Court for another term.
Alito is 76 years old.
There were false reports in June that Alito would retire, but these were quickly corrected.
If Alito had retired, President Donald Trump likely would have chosen a new justice.
Alito said he votes based on how he thinks cases should be decided, not based on political views.
He said it does not matter if his rulings align with President Trump’s preferences or not.
The news came from an interview published in The Wall Street Journal’s editorial section.
Alito spoke in his chambers, the private office at the Supreme Court.
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Two federal judges ruled to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from South Sudan and Burma, following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed the Trump administration to end TPS protections. These rulings put thousands of immigrants at risk of deportation after living in the U.S. for many years.
Key Facts
TPS is a temporary protection given to immigrants from countries experiencing danger, like war or natural disasters.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can end TPS protections.
Federal judges in Massachusetts and Illinois denied requests to stop ending TPS for South Sudan and Burma.
The judges found that DHS and its secretary have the legal authority to end TPS.
Plaintiffs argued their due process rights were violated, but the courts rejected this claim.
One judge allowed a claim about possible racial discrimination in ending TPS to continue.
DHS said TPS was meant to be temporary and praised the end of protections due to improving conditions in South Sudan.
Legal groups continue to fight for permanent protections for TPS holders in Congress.
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A federal appeals court has stopped President Donald Trump’s administration from continuing work on a $400 million ballroom at the White House. President Trump has said he will ask the US Supreme Court to review this decision.
Key Facts
A federal appeals court issued the order to stop the ballroom construction.
The project is planned to cost $400 million.
The construction is taking place at the White House.
President Donald Trump’s administration is responsible for the project.
President Trump has promised to appeal to the US Supreme Court.
The court’s order temporarily halts the construction until further legal review.
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Hunter Biden discussed his presidential pardon from President Joe Biden in a BBC interview, saying the pardon was controversial but that he was grateful for it. He also spoke about his father’s health, denied planning to run for office, and emphasized his focus on addiction recovery.
Key Facts
President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden in December 2024.
The pardon covered Hunter’s federal gun conviction, a tax case, and any federal offenses between 2014 and 2024.
Hunter Biden called himself “the most privileged person” for receiving the pardon.
He said the pardon was criticized but claimed his father acted to protect him from potential prosecution under President Trump’s upcoming administration.
Hunter Biden said he and his father never discussed the pardon before it was granted.
He described President Biden’s cancer as painful and debilitating but said his father remains engaged in politics.
Hunter Biden ruled out running for political office and said he wants to focus on addiction recovery.
Hunter talked about the 2024 presidential debate where he felt something was wrong with his father’s health.
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A federal judge in Alabama refused to dismiss a legal case against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) that was filed by the Justice Department under President Donald Trump’s administration. The judge said the SPLC did not provide enough proof that the government acted out of revenge or hostility when starting the case.
Key Facts
The case was brought by the Trump administration’s Justice Department.
The SPLC wanted the case dismissed, calling it a "vindictive prosecution" (meaning unfair or revenge-driven legal action).
The judge ruled against the SPLC’s request to dismiss the case.
The judge decided the SPLC did not prove the government acted with harmful intent or bias.
The case involves legal actions connected to civil rights issues.
The decision was made in a federal court located in Alabama.
The ruling allows the case to continue moving forward.
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The Senate passed a bill to increase sanctions on Russia by penalizing countries that keep buying Russian oil and gas. The Senate also confirmed Cameron Hamilton to lead FEMA and approved 74 other nominees of President Donald Trump, including new leaders for the TSA and the U.S. ambassador to Brazil.
Key Facts
The Senate approved a broad sanctions bill against Russia, aimed at countries like China and India that buy Russian oil and gas.
This bill supports Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia and moves next to the House for approval.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the Senate’s action as important pressure on Russia.
Cameron Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL, was confirmed to lead FEMA, which is facing changes under President Trump’s administration.
David Cummins was confirmed to head the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is dealing with staffing and financial challenges.
Daniel Perez was confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Brazil, a position involved in diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Senator Bill Cassidy expressed support for Todd Blanche to become the head of President Trump’s Justice Department.
The Senate confirmed a total of 74 nominees from President Trump’s administration on the same day.
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Senators Lisa Murkowski and Jeff Merkley asked the Trump administration for details about plans to place disclaimers outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. They want to understand the reasons and intentions behind the disclaimers.
Key Facts
Senators Lisa Murkowski (Republican) and Jeff Merkley (Democrat) jointly requested information.
They are leaders on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees Interior and Environment funding.
The request concerns disclaimers planned for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
The lawmaker duo represents Alaska and Oregon, and come from different political parties.
The senators seek clarity on the purpose and content of these disclaimers from the Trump administration.
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President Donald Trump signed two executive orders aimed at limiting birthright citizenship and stopping birth tourism in the US. The orders expand rules on which children born in the US do not automatically get citizenship and increase enforcement against people traveling to the US just to give birth.
Key Facts
Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the US is usually a citizen, based on the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.
Birth tourism is when foreign nationals come to the US to have a baby so the child will get US citizenship.
One order blocks automatic citizenship for children if a parent is linked to foreign terrorist groups, foreign diplomats, or lives in some US territories where citizenship is not given.
The government has said birth tourism is illegal but plans to crack down harder on the industry that promotes it.
There are no exact numbers on birth tourists, but about 9,500 babies were born in the US to foreign women in 2024.
Some US territories, like Puerto Rico and Guam, grant citizenship at birth, but others like American Samoa do not.
The orders follow a Supreme Court ruling that blocked President Trump’s previous attempt to limit birthright citizenship in June.
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Hawaii’s lieutenant governor, Sylvia Luke, is facing bribery charges and is not running for re-election. Nine candidates, including five Democrats and four Republicans, are competing in the primary to replace her. Meanwhile, a Democratic congressman who supported President Donald Trump’s key policy faces a strong primary challenge.
Key Facts
Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke pleaded not guilty to bribery charges linked to her 2022 campaign.
Luke is not seeking re-election amid the corruption scandal.
Five Democrats and four Republicans are running to become the next lieutenant governor.
The lieutenant governor position in Hawaii is a common steppingstone to higher political offices.
Current Hawaii Governor Josh Green and U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz previously served as lieutenant governors.
The governor and lieutenant governor in Hawaii are elected separately, not as a team.
A longtime Democratic congressman who supported a major policy from President Donald Trump is facing a challenging primary fight.
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Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito confirmed he will continue serving on the Supreme Court for another term. He made this announcement after rumors about his retirement spread following a mistaken news report.
Key Facts
Justice Samuel Alito is 76 years old.
He confirmed he is staying on the Supreme Court for another term.
Rumors about his retirement began after a false news story was published.
The false report was quickly retracted by the news outlet and the court.
If Alito had retired, President Donald Trump would have had the chance to appoint a new justice.
In an interview, Alito said he decides cases based on his own judgment, not political influence.
He noted that his decisions sometimes align with President Trump’s views and sometimes do not.
Alito spoke during a rare interview held in his Supreme Court chambers.
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