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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
The South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions because outside influence on the jury affected the fairness of his trial. Prosecutors plan to retry the case and may seek the death penalty, while Murdaugh remains in prison for unrelated financial crimes.
Key Facts
The South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Murdaugh’s murder convictions on May 14, 2026.
The court found that a court clerk improperly influenced the jury, denying Murdaugh a fair trial.
Murdaugh had been convicted in 2023 of killing his wife and younger son.
Prosecutors intend to retry the murder case and may pursue the death penalty.
Alex Murdaugh’s lawyers say he has always denied the murders and want a new trial that follows legal rules.
Murdaugh is already serving prison sentences totaling 67 years for separate financial crimes.
The victims, Margaret Murdaugh and Paul Murdaugh, were shot in 2021 on their family estate in South Carolina.
Prosecutors previously said Murdaugh killed them to gain sympathy and distract from financial problems.
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Millions of people in 11 U.S. states across the Plains, West, and Southwest are under fire-weather warnings. The National Weather Service warns that warm temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds make outdoor burning dangerous because any spark could cause a wildfire.
Key Facts
The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings and fire weather watches in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Arizona, Utah, and California.
Conditions such as very dry grasses, low humidity, and gusty winds increase the risk of fast-moving wildfires in these areas.
The affected regions are experiencing deep drought, which makes the land and plants very dry and easy to catch fire.
Red flag warnings mean that critical fire weather conditions are happening now or will happen soon.
Wildfire season in the U.S. usually starts in late spring and lasts until November, but hotter and drier weather has made this season longer in many places.
Recent wildfires include fast-moving grassfires in Texas and Oklahoma and destructive fires in California and Hawaii.
Residents in the warned states are advised not to burn anything outdoors to prevent fire outbreaks.
Offshore winds and drought conditions in California are raising wildfire risks as peak fire season approaches.
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The USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest U.S. aircraft carrier, returned to Virginia after an 11-month mission. During this time, it supported U.S. military actions against Iran and helped capture Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.
Key Facts
The USS Gerald R. Ford completed an 11-month deployment, the longest since the Vietnam War.
About 5,000 sailors returned home to Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia.
The carrier faced a fire on the Greek island of Crete that caused damage and delays.
The ship supported the U.S. war with Iran and took part in capturing Nicolás Maduro.
It traveled from the Mediterranean Sea to the Caribbean, then to the Middle East through the Suez Canal.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attended the return and praised the crews.
The deployment broke the post-Vietnam War record for the longest time at sea for an aircraft carrier.
The long mission raised concerns about the effects on sailors and the wear on the ship and equipment.
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President Donald Trump criticized Senator Bill Cassidy on social media, calling him disloyal and a "sleazebag" because Cassidy voted to convict Trump in his 2021 impeachment trial. Cassidy is currently behind in the Republican primary for his Louisiana Senate seat, with Trump’s preferred candidate, Julia Letlow, leading in the polls.
Key Facts
President Trump called Senator Bill Cassidy “a disloyal disaster” and “a sleazebag” on Truth Social.
Cassidy voted to convict Trump during the second impeachment trial after the Capitol riots in 2021.
Cassidy is running for a third Senate term but is polling third in the Republican primary in Louisiana.
Trump has endorsed Julia Letlow for the Louisiana Senate seat, who currently leads in the polls.
Cassidy defended his vote by saying he found Trump guilty and criticized Trump’s harsh political language.
Despite attempts to regain Trump’s support, Cassidy has not succeeded in winning back MAGA voters.
Polls show Letlow leading with about 42%, John Fleming second with 30%, and Cassidy third with 20%.
Several other Republican senators who voted to convict Trump in 2021 have left the Senate.
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President Donald Trump criticized New York Governor Kathy Hochul for the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) strike that started early Saturday. Hochul blamed the strike on actions by the Trump Administration, while Trump denied involvement and offered to help resolve the issue.
Key Facts
The Long Island Railroad strike began after midnight on Saturday due to failed contract talks.
The LIRR is managed by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), which is run by the state of New York.
The LIRR serves about 300,000 passengers every day.
The strike happens before Memorial Day weekend and the World Cup starting in early June.
Governor Kathy Hochul said the strike resulted from the Trump Administration cutting mediation short.
President Trump denied any involvement and said he learned about the strike only that morning.
Trump blamed Governor Hochul and said he could help fix the problem if asked.
Trump promoted Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, his preferred candidate for governor against Hochul.
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Colorado Governor Jared Polis has reduced the prison sentence of Tina Peters, a former county clerk convicted for tampering with election equipment linked to false claims about the 2020 election. The decision has sparked criticism from many Democrats and some Republicans who say it could harm trust in elections, while President Donald Trump and some Republicans supported her release.
Key Facts
Tina Peters was convicted in August 2024 for tampering with election computer systems in Mesa County.
Peters allowed unauthorized access to voting equipment and election records in 2021.
She was serving a nine-year prison sentence, which Governor Polis called "harsh" for a first-time, non-violent offender.
Polis commuted her sentence, meaning she will be released on parole in June 2025, but he did not pardon her.
Many Democratic officials, including Colorado’s Secretary of State and Attorney General, strongly disagreed with the commutation.
President Donald Trump publicly supported Peters' release and has pushed for it for months.
Some Republicans praised the decision, while others expressed disappointment and concern about its impact on election trust.
Tina Peters apologized for her actions in a statement after the commutation was announced.
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Comedian Bill Maher criticized President Trump’s recent meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping. The talks covered issues like Iran, Taiwan, and U.S.-China trade but did not result in major agreements.
Key Facts
President Trump held a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Discussion topics included Iran, Taiwan, and trade between the United States and China.
The meeting ended without significant breakthroughs or agreements.
Bill Maher publicly criticized the way President Trump handled the summit.
Maher suggested that China understands President Trump’s preferences or tendencies.
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President Donald Trump criticized Senator Bill Cassidy before Louisiana’s primary election, calling him “disloyal” and harmful to the state. Trump made these comments on Truth Social ahead of the important vote.
Key Facts
President Trump called Senator Bill Cassidy a “disloyal disaster.”
Trump also described Cassidy as a “sleazebag” and “bad for Louisiana.”
These comments were posted on Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social.
The remarks came just before Louisiana's primary election.
The primary election is seen as significant for the political future of both candidates.
Bill Cassidy is an incumbent senator from Louisiana.
Trump’s criticism suggests a strong rivalry within the Republican Party in Louisiana.
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Reality TV star Spencer Pratt and comedian Chelsea Handler are involved in a public argument linked to Pratt’s run for Los Angeles mayor. Handler criticized Pratt’s qualifications, and Pratt responded by highlighting a past claim that Handler once attended a dinner at Jeffrey Epstein’s home, bringing old controversies into the political campaign.
Key Facts
Spencer Pratt is running for mayor of Los Angeles in the June 2026 primary.
Chelsea Handler posted a video criticizing Pratt’s qualifications for office.
Pratt responded by sharing a clip from a comedy roast referencing Handler attending a 2010 dinner at Jeffrey Epstein’s home.
Handler has said she attended one dinner with Epstein but did not know who he was and was not involved in any wrongdoing.
The dinner included other well-known guests like journalist Katie Couric and actor Woody Allen.
The dispute has revived old tensions between Pratt and Handler from the late 2000s.
Pratt’s campaign is gaining attention partly through viral social media content.
There is no evidence or claim that Handler or others who attended the dinner did anything wrong.
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President Donald Trump is reportedly considering settling his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS by dropping the case in exchange for a $1.7 billion fund to compensate people he says were unfairly targeted by the Biden administration. The fund could include payments to more than 1,500 January 6 rioters and would use taxpayer money from the Treasury Department’s Judgment Fund.
Key Facts
Trump sued the IRS for $10 billion over the leak of his personal tax returns during his first term.
The proposed settlement includes creating a $1.7 billion fund to compensate Trump’s allies and others.
The fund might pay compensation to January 6 rioters and others claiming wrongful targeting.
The Treasury’s Judgment Fund, which handles government settlements, would provide the money.
Trump may also get a public apology from the IRS and avoid audits on himself and his businesses.
A federal judge in Miami questioned whether the lawsuit has a real legal dispute.
Court-appointed lawyers suggested Trump might be controlling government lawyers in the case.
An IRS contractor was jailed for leaking Trump’s tax returns to the media in 2024.
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Working-class voters prefer political discussions focused on everyday issues like jobs and money rather than criticism of President Donald Trump. They believe focusing on practical problems is more important for upcoming elections.
Key Facts
Working-class voters want politicians to talk less about opposing President Trump.
These voters care more about basic needs like employment, wages, and the cost of living.
Addressing everyday concerns is seen as important for success in midterm elections.
The working class plays a key role in deciding election outcomes.
Political messages that focus on practical problems may engage these voters better.
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President Donald Trump is trying to defeat Representative Thomas Massie in a Republican primary election in Kentucky. This race is the most expensive House primary in U.S. history, with over $25 million spent. Voters are deciding if a Republican who sometimes opposes the president still has a place in the party.
Key Facts
President Trump is challenging Rep. Thomas Massie in a GOP primary in Kentucky.
The primary election will take place on Tuesday.
Thomas Massie has openly disagreed with President Trump at times.
This House primary race has become the costliest ever in U.S. history.
More than $25.6 million has been spent on the race so far.
The contest shows a test of how much influence President Trump has in the Republican Party.
Voters will decide whether to support Trump’s candidate or Massie, who has a more independent stance.
The outcome may indicate future directions for Republican Party politics.
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Workers on the Long Island Rail Road have stopped working to protest for higher pay. The five unions want a 5% wage increase, but the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) offers only 3%.
Key Facts
Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) service has been suspended due to worker strikes.
Five unions represent the LIRR workers involved in the strike.
The unions want a 5% increase in wages.
The MTA proposes a 3% wage increase.
The disagreement is over the terms of the new worker contract.
Strikes affect daily train service and commuters who rely on LIRR.
Negotiations between the unions and MTA are ongoing.
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Thousands of Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) workers went on strike, halting service for the first time in over 30 years. The strike began after contract talks with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) failed over wage and health care disputes, affecting about 300,000 daily commuters to New York City.
Key Facts
About 3,500 LIRR workers from five unions went on strike early Saturday morning.
The strike stops service on North America’s largest commuter rail system.
Workers demanded a 16% wage increase over four years to keep up with inflation.
The MTA offered a lump-sum payment instead of permanent wage increases and proposed higher health care premiums for new hires.
Negotiations collapsed Friday, leading to the strike starting at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
New York City and state officials are coordinating efforts to help commuters.
The MTA recommends working from home and is providing limited bus service during peak hours.
The last LIRR strike was in 1994 and lasted about two days.
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Scammers are targeting people over 60 more often because many seniors use digital banking and online payments. These new technology methods give scammers more ways to trick elderly people.
Key Facts
Seniors are people aged 60 and older.
Digital banking means managing money online instead of at a bank branch.
Payments now often happen through the internet or apps on phones.
Scammers use these digital methods to try to steal money or personal information.
Older adults may be more vulnerable to these kinds of scams.
The rise of digital communication gives scammers easier access to seniors.
Understanding where scams happen most can help protect elderly people.
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The Long Island Rail Road, North America’s largest commuter train system, stopped running after union workers went on strike early Saturday morning. The unions and the MTA have been negotiating a new contract for months but could not agree on pay and healthcare costs, leading to the work stoppage.
Key Facts
The strike began at 12:01 a.m. Saturday and involves five unions representing about half of the Long Island Rail Road workforce.
The Long Island Rail Road serves New York City’s eastern suburbs and about 250,000 people ride it on weekdays.
This is the first LIRR strike since 1994, and it may affect sports fans traveling to Yankees, Mets, and Knicks events.
The MTA says it already offered pay increases matching union demands, but the unions want more due to inflation and living costs.
Limited shuttle buses to subway stations will run, but they cannot carry all usual train passengers.
Governor Kathy Hochul advises people to work from home if they can during the strike.
Many workers in healthcare, construction, and schools still need to travel in person and cannot work remotely.
Negotiations stalled mainly over salary and health care premium increases, with unions arguing they need fair raises to keep up with rising costs.
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The Supreme Court blocked Virginia Democrats from using a new congressional map that could have helped them win more seats in the House of Representatives. This is part of a bigger battle over redrawing voting districts nationwide, where Republicans have seen gains in several states after President Trump encouraged redrawing maps to favor his party in the 2024 midterm elections.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court rejected Virginia Democrats’ effort to restore a new congressional map that might have given them four more House seats.
This decision means Virginia will use its current congressional districts in the upcoming midterm elections.
President Donald Trump urged Republican-led states to redraw voting maps to help Republicans keep control of the House.
Democrats have redrawn maps in states like California to try to balance or offset Republican gains.
The Supreme Court recently supported Republicans in Alabama and Louisiana who want to change maps to gain more GOP seats.
Texas Republicans have new districts that could help them win five more House seats.
Democrats hope to gain up to six seats with new maps in California and Utah.
Midterm elections historically result in the president’s party losing some House seats, making these redistricting battles crucial.
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The USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest U.S. aircraft carrier, returned to Virginia after an 11-month deployment supporting U.S. military actions in the Iran war and the capture of Nicolás Maduro. This was the longest deployment for a U.S. aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War.
Key Facts
The USS Gerald R. Ford returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, with about 5,000 sailors aboard.
The deployment lasted 326 days, the longest for an aircraft carrier in 50 years.
The carrier took part in the military operation to capture Nicolás Maduro when he was Venezuela’s president.
The ship supported combat operations against Iran during the early stages of the Iran war.
The USS Ford and two destroyers, including the USS Bainbridge and USS Mahan, were part of this deployment.
The crew faced challenges, including a fire in the laundry area that caused damage and required repairs on the island of Crete.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the crews for their successful mission.
The deployment involved moving through the Mediterranean Sea, Caribbean Sea, Red Sea, and the Suez Canal.
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Congressman Thomas Massie from Kentucky is one of the few Republicans who frequently opposes President Donald Trump and party policies. He is currently facing a tough primary election against a Trump-backed candidate amid debates over support for Israel and military actions.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump has pushed many critics out of the Republican Party during his time in office.
Thomas Massie is known as a Republican who often challenges Trump’s positions and party leadership.
Massie opposed a major tax bill supported by President Trump.
He pushed for the release of government files about Jeffrey Epstein, against the White House’s wishes.
Massie has spoken out against war with Iran and US financial aid to Israel.
His current election opponent, Ed Gallrein, is a former Navy SEAL and has Trump’s endorsement.
The Kentucky primary is seen as a test of influence between new media supporters of Massie and traditional, well-funded conservative groups.
Massie has a background as an engineer and inventor and has served in Congress since 2013.
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Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger criticized the U.S. Supreme Court after it decided not to bring back a new congressional map that voters had approved. The Virginia Supreme Court had already ruled against the map, and now the U.S. Supreme Court's decision means the election cannot use the new boundaries.
Key Facts
Virginia voters approved a new congressional map in a recent election.
The Virginia Supreme Court struck down this new map.
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to reinstate the map approved by voters.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger spoke out against the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision.
The issue affects how Virginia’s congressional districts are drawn for elections.
The courts are involved in deciding if the map is fair or legal.
This decision impacts representation in Virginia’s congressional elections.
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