Neutral summaries of your favorite news sources — just the facts.
Your favorite news sources, one neutral feed — we distill their reporting into fact-first
summaries and always link to the original story. How it works
US News
Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
Montana has asked the federal government to approve rules that stop people from using SNAP benefits to buy sugary drinks and candy. This move follows 22 other states that have received permission to restrict certain junk food purchases under the SNAP program.
Key Facts
Montana submitted a waiver request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ban soft drinks and candy in SNAP purchases.
About 38 million low-income Americans rely on SNAP, which currently allows many types of foods including fresh produce and snacks.
SNAP does not allow buying alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, hot prepared meals, or non-food items.
Over 20 states have already obtained approval to restrict soda, candy, and desserts in SNAP.
Some states with these restrictions in place include Florida, Texas, Indiana, and Nebraska.
Supporters say the restrictions help avoid taxpayer money being spent on unhealthy foods and promote better diets.
Opponents argue these rules unfairly stigmatize low-income people and complicate shopping.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supports limiting sugary products bought with SNAP benefits.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired the two co-chairs of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a panel that decides which health services must be covered by insurance without costs to patients. This change comes as new members are being considered for the task force, which influences insurance coverage rules under the Affordable Care Act.
Key Facts
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the current Health Secretary.
He removed John Wong and Esa Davis, the co-chairs of the Preventive Services Task Force.
Wong’s appointment was supposed to last until March 2027; Davis’s until March 2028.
The dismissals were said to be administrative, not related to their job performance.
The task force advises which preventive health services insurance must cover without copays.
The Supreme Court confirmed Health Secretary’s power to remove and replace task force members.
New member applications for the task force recently opened and close soon, with terms starting in June.
Experts worry these changes may increase political influence over health coverage recommendations.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that only 35 percent of Americans approve of President Donald Trump’s job performance. The poll also reveals declining support from Republican voters, especially over his handling of the economy and the conflict with Iran.
Key Facts
President Trump’s overall approval rating is 35 percent.
This rating is one point lower than the previous poll.
The poll was conducted by Reuters and Ipsos.
Support among Republicans has decreased.
Many Republicans are unhappy with Trump’s economic policies.
The president’s handling of the conflict with Iran affects public opinion.
The survey results were released on Tuesday.
The poll reflects current attitudes toward the Trump administration’s performance.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump called for Senate Republicans to fire Elizabeth MacDonough, the Senate Parliamentarian, accusing her of blocking his policy plans. MacDonough is a nonpartisan official who advises on Senate rules, including how bills can pass with a simple majority or require more votes.
Key Facts
Elizabeth MacDonough has served as Senate Parliamentarian since 2012.
She is the first woman to hold this position.
The Parliamentarian advises on Senate rules and decides what legislation can pass under special voting procedures called budget reconciliation.
President Trump criticized MacDonough for ruling against some of his legislative efforts, including funding tied to his White House ballroom.
Trump posted on his social media platform calling her biased against Republicans and urged her removal.
MacDonough was appointed during the Obama administration, with support from then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
The role of Parliamentarian is nonpartisan and meant to enforce Senate rules fairly.
The debate over the Parliamentarian’s decisions affects how easily the Senate can pass laws with a simple majority versus needing a 60-vote supermajority.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A Florida art teacher was fired after a video showed her hanging a Black doll by the neck with a charger cord in a classroom. School officials responded quickly, condemning the act and providing support to students affected by the incident.
Key Facts
The incident happened at Barrington Middle School in Lithia, Florida.
The teacher involved was Karen Savage, an art teacher.
A student recorded the video showing the doll being hung by a cord around its neck.
The teacher said she did it "to get their attention," according to the student’s mother.
The school district fired Savage and reported the matter to state education authorities for further action.
School leaders said this behavior is unacceptable and does not represent their values.
Counselors are available to support students who were upset by the incident.
The student who recorded the video said the teacher tried to stop him from speaking about what happened after class.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Wes Streeting, former UK health secretary and Labour Party MP, resigned from the cabinet citing a loss of confidence in Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. In his resignation speech, Streeting criticized the party’s leadership, highlighted challenges facing young people, and called for renewed vision and engagement with Europe.
Key Facts
Wes Streeting resigned from his role as health secretary last Thursday.
He lost confidence in Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and blamed him for poor election results.
Streeting said young people in Britain face worse prospects than previous generations, including issues with education, debt, housing, and jobs affected by AI.
He emphasized the importance of the NHS and warned against nationalist parties in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Streeting called for a new relationship with Europe, suggesting Britain would have been better off leading the EU than leaving it.
Several other Labour ministers and aides have resigned recently, with calls both for and against Starmer’s leadership.
Some Labour MPs and officials continue to support Sir Keir Starmer as party leader.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson expressed regret over Streeting leaving the cabinet and supports Starmer’s leadership.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Harvard College will limit the number of A grades given to students starting in fall 2027 to reduce grade inflation. The new rule will cap A grades at about 24% of each class to make top grades more meaningful.
Key Facts
Harvard faculty approved a limit so no more than 24 out of 100 students can receive an A grade in a class.
This cap responds to a report showing over 60% of Harvard grades are currently As, up from about 25% twenty years ago.
The change aims to improve the value of top grades and strengthen Harvard’s academic culture.
The decision passed with 458 votes in favor and 201 against among faculty.
A proposal to allow some courses to avoid the A cap was rejected.
Most students (around 85%) do not support the new grading limits.
Some faculty worry the cap might increase competition and reduce freedom for professors.
The new system will shift internal awards to use class rank rather than grade point average.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. Justice Department is expected to charge former Cuban President Raúl Castro for his alleged role in the 1996 shootdown of two planes operated by the Miami-based group Brothers to the Rescue. This move comes as President Donald Trump increases pressure on Cuba’s government following actions against Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro.
Key Facts
Raúl Castro, former Cuban President and defense minister in 1996, is facing criminal charges in the U.S.
The charges relate to the downing of two planes flown by Brothers to the Rescue, a Miami-based exile group.
Expected charges include murder and destruction of an airplane.
The announcement was anticipated alongside a ceremony honoring victims of the 1996 incident in Miami.
President Trump has threatened military action against Cuba following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces.
The White House ordered a blockade against Cuba that caused fuel shortages and economic decline on the island.
Trump has expressed goals of regime change in Cuba and promoting an economy open to American investment.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio encouraged Cubans to seek new leadership and a free-market economy to improve relations with the U.S.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives expressed support for the Justice Department’s effort to indict Raúl Castro. They said this legal action is an important step toward holding the Castro family accountable.
Key Facts
GOP House members held a news conference on Capitol Hill about Raúl Castro.
Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart said justice is finally coming for the Castro family.
Díaz-Balart stated the U.S. government will do the right thing regarding this case.
Rep. María Elvira Salazar warned the Castro family that their time is ending.
Salazar called a federal indictment a serious legal step.
The indictment is part of broader U.S. pressure on Cuba.
The Justice Department is moving toward formally charging Raúl Castro.
The article references plans from the Trump administration related to this case.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump criticized the Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, accusing her of being unfair to Republicans when interpreting Senate rules. He called for Republicans to end the filibuster and suggested they should have removed MacDonough by replacing her.
Key Facts
President Trump attacked Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough on Wednesday.
He accused her of treating Republicans unfairly in her rulings.
Trump urged Republicans to end the filibuster, a rule that requires a supermajority to pass most legislation.
He suggested Republicans should have removed MacDonough by replacing her position.
The parliamentarian reviews Senate rules and advises on what is allowed in budget-related bills.
Trump's comments come amid ongoing political disagreements in the Senate.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
House Democrats are trying to stop Maureen Galindo, a Texas Democratic candidate, who made controversial statements about imprisoning American Zionists. A political group linked to Republicans is spending a lot to support her, causing concern among Democrats who want to back her opponent Johnny Garcia.
Key Facts
Maureen Galindo said she would turn an ICE facility into a prison for American Zionists if elected.
Democrats accuse a Republican-linked PAC of spending nearly $600,000 to boost Galindo’s campaign.
Galindo finished first in the Democratic primary and is now in a runoff against Johnny Garcia.
Several Democratic leaders and groups, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and AIPAC, have condemned Galindo’s remarks and support Garcia instead.
Democrats plan to spend money and resources to help Garcia win the runoff.
Galindo also proposed trying American candidates who take Israeli money for treason, a statement criticized as antisemitic.
The Congressional Leadership Fund, aligned with Republicans, has not confirmed if it supports Galindo’s campaign spending.
Democratic leaders have made private appeals for donations to support Garcia against Galindo.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Trump showed a relaxed attitude about the possibility that new Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh might raise interest rates, despite previously criticizing the former chair for not cutting rates enough. Trump said he will let Warsh make his own decisions and expressed confidence in Warsh’s abilities. Meanwhile, markets think a rate increase is now more likely than a cut this year.
Key Facts
President Trump criticized former Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not lowering interest rates enough.
Trump said he will allow incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh to do what he thinks is best.
Financial markets now expect a possible interest rate hike in 2024 rather than a cut.
The Federal Reserve makes interest rate decisions independently from the President once the Fed Chair is appointed.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicts one or two more inflation increases before a significant slowdown.
Recent inflation rises are linked to energy supply problems caused by the conflict involving Iran.
Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s April meeting showed some officials disagreed on expecting lower rates soon.
The CME FedWatch tool estimates a 60% chance of at least one rate hike before the end of 2024.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Keisha Lance Bottoms, who used to be mayor of Atlanta, won the Democratic primary to become the candidate for governor of Georgia. She is now closer to possibly becoming the state’s next governor.
Key Facts
Keisha Lance Bottoms is the former mayor of Atlanta.
She won the Democratic primary for governor in Georgia.
Winning the primary means she will represent the Democratic Party in the governor’s race.
Georgia will hold a governor’s election later this year.
The governor is the top leader of the state government.
Bottoms’ win brings her closer to holding this important position.
This news focuses on Georgia state politics and elections.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A jury was dismissed after it could not decide if two brothers assaulted a police officer at Manchester Airport. The brothers say they acted in self-defense, and the court will decide later if there will be a third trial.
Key Facts
The trial involved Mohammed Fahir Amaaz (21) and Muhammad Amaad (26), brothers from Rochdale.
They are accused of assaulting PC Zachary Marsden from Greater Manchester Police.
The incident happened on 23 July 2024 near the car park pay station at Manchester Airport’s terminal two.
The police approached the brothers after an earlier issue at a coffee shop.
The jury was told it could deliver a majority verdict but could not reach one after nearly 20 hours of discussion.
The brothers claim they acted in lawful self-defense or defended each other.
The court postponed the case until 29 May, allowing the Crown Prosecution Service time to decide on a possible third trial.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Chris Rabb won the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s third congressional district, defeating state senator Sharif Street and surgeon Ala Stanford. His progressive campaign focused on issues like universal healthcare and ended with strong support from grassroots groups and progressive organizations.
Key Facts
Chris Rabb received about 45% of the vote in the Democratic primary.
Sharif Street, the early frontrunner, fell behind with less than 30% of the vote.
Rabb was supported by groups like the Philadelphia Democratic Socialists of America and the Working Families Party.
The district is strongly Democratic, with Kamala Harris winning 88% in the 2024 presidential election.
Rabb supports policies such as universal healthcare, universal basic income, public grocery stores, and stopping US military aid to Israel.
He describes the war in Gaza as genocide and calls Israel an apartheid state.
Rabb is endorsed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Justice Democrats, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
He will succeed Dwight Evans, who chose not to run again and had backed Stanford.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Stephanie Haridopolos, who works in the Surgeon General’s office and is married to Republican Representative Mike Haridopolos, will temporarily perform the duties of the surgeon general. This arrangement will continue while President Trump’s administration works to get a permanent nominee confirmed.
Key Facts
Stephanie Haridopolos is a top staff member in the Office of the Surgeon General.
She is married to Rep. Mike Haridopolos, a Republican from Florida.
She will temporarily act as the surgeon general.
The current official surgeon general duties are delegated by Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Brian Christine, M.D.
The Trump administration is still trying to confirm a permanent surgeon general nominee.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A Texas Democratic candidate, Maureen Galindo, said she would turn an ICE detention center into a prison for American Zionists. Several Democrats have criticized her for these statements and for promoting conspiracy theories about her political opponent.
Key Facts
Maureen Galindo is running for Congress in Texas’s 35th District.
She said she would transform an ICE detention center into a prison for American Zionists.
Galindo has supported conspiracy theories claiming her opponent is funded by wealthy Zionists.
Multiple Democrats have publicly condemned her remarks.
The controversy involves issues around immigration enforcement and political rhetoric.
The candidate’s statements have sparked debate within the Democratic Party in Texas.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Barney Frank, a longtime congressman from Massachusetts, has died at the age of 86. He was known for serving 32 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and being the first member of Congress to openly say he was gay.
Key Facts
Barney Frank was a Massachusetts congressman.
He served in Congress for 32 years.
He was the first U.S. congressman to publicly acknowledge he was gay.
He died at the age of 86.
CBS News reported on his death.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Larry Bushart, a retired police officer, was jailed for 37 days in Tennessee after posting a Facebook meme related to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Tennessee officials agreed to pay Bushart $835,000 to settle his lawsuit, which claimed his free speech rights were violated.
Key Facts
Larry Bushart was arrested in September 2025 over a Facebook meme about Charlie Kirk's assassination.
The meme referenced a quote by President Trump and a previous school shooting in Iowa.
Some Perry County residents feared the meme was a threat to their local high school, leading to Bushart’s arrest.
Bushart was held for 37 days before felony charges were dropped in October 2025.
He lost his postretirement job and missed family milestones during his jail time.
Tennessee agreed to pay $835,000 to settle Bushart’s federal lawsuit.
The case highlighted tensions between free speech rights and public safety concerns.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression helped represent Bushart in the lawsuit.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
