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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
The South Carolina Supreme Court canceled the murder convictions of Alex Murdaugh, who was found guilty in 2023 of killing his wife and son. The court ordered a new trial, citing concerns about improper actions by the county clerk involved in the case.
Key Facts
Alex Murdaugh was convicted in 2023 of murdering his wife and son in 2021.
The South Carolina Supreme Court overturned these murder convictions.
A new trial has been ordered for Murdaugh.
The court raised concerns about improper conduct by the county clerk, Becky Hill.
Becky Hill later wrote a book about her experience working on the trial.
The decision highlights issues with how the trial was handled initially.
The case attracted significant media attention due to its unusual details.
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A temporary exhibit in New York shows 3.5 million pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. The display includes a timeline of connections between Jeffrey Epstein and President Donald Trump, along with a memorial for Epstein’s victims.
Key Facts
The exhibit is created by the ‘Institute of Primary Facts.’
It is located in New York and is a pop-up style, meaning it is temporary.
The exhibit features 3.5 million pages of documents about Jeffrey Epstein.
A timeline highlighting interactions between Jeffrey Epstein and President Donald Trump is part of the display.
There is a memorial to honor the victims of Jeffrey Epstein.
The organizers aim to inform people about corruption and risks to democracy.
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Republican Representative Tom Kean Jr. from New Jersey has been absent from Congress since early March due to a personal health issue, without giving voters clear updates. Democratic candidates are using his absence to question his transparency and push to win his House seat in the upcoming election.
Key Facts
Tom Kean Jr. has not voted in the House since March 5 because of a personal health matter.
His office has not said when he will return to Congress.
Democrats say voters deserve more information about his absence.
Kean has raised over $600,000 from corporate political action committees (PACs) during his absence.
One Democratic candidate criticized Kean for not informing his constituents about his absence.
The race in this New Jersey district is competitive ahead of the November election.
Democratic candidates hope to use this issue to persuade voters to choose a new representative.
This news is developing and may be updated as more information becomes available.
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President Donald Trump has a letter ready for Vice President JD Vance in case Trump dies or is assassinated, according to a senior White House counterterrorism official. This was revealed amid concerns about Trump's security as he travels abroad near his 80th birthday, following multiple recent assassination attempts.
Key Facts
President Trump keeps a letter on the Resolute Desk addressed to Vice President JD Vance for use if Trump dies or is killed.
The letter’s contents have not been disclosed.
The information came from Sebastian Gorka, a senior White House counterterrorism official, during a podcast interview.
Trump has survived three publicly known assassination attempts in less than two years, including one in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he was wounded.
Trump will turn 80 next month, and his age and health are significant subjects in the 2024 presidential race.
Trump was visiting China and meeting President Xi Jinping when this information was shared.
The U.S. Constitution’s 25th Amendment states that the vice president becomes acting president if the president dies or is incapacitated.
Security concerns for President Trump have increased after several assassination plots were made public recently.
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Republican senators met with the U.S. Secret Service director to get more information about a $1 billion security plan for the White House. The plan includes $220 million to secure the new East Wing ballroom and other funds for visitor screening and agent training.
Key Facts
The security plan requests $1 billion for White House upgrades.
$220 million is proposed to secure the new East Wing ballroom.
Security measures for the ballroom include bulletproof glass and drone detection.
The plan includes chemical and threat detection systems.
$180 million is requested for a new visitor screening facility.
$175 million is planned for training Secret Service agents.
The Secret Service director, Sean Curran, met privately with Republican senators.
Some Republican senators have questioned the security request recently.
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Republican-led states in the South have changed the boundaries of congressional districts before the 2026 midterm elections. These changes have reduced Democrats’ chances of winning a majority in the House of Representatives, according to prediction markets.
Key Facts
Republican-controlled southern states redrew congressional district maps ahead of the 2026 midterms.
The Supreme Court struck down a majority-Black district in Louisiana, influencing other states' redistricting.
These changes may help Republicans win several House seats by altering district lines.
Prediction markets showed Democrats’ chances to take the House fell from around 85% to about 75% recently.
States involved in redistricting shifts include Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Historically, the party in the White House tends to lose seats in the midterm elections.
Despite lowered chances, prediction markets still slightly favor Democrats to win the House.
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The Senate voted 50-49 against a Democratic resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s ability to use military force against Iran. Three Republican senators joined most Democrats to advance the measure, while one Democrat opposed it. The War Powers Resolution requires the president to get congressional approval or end military actions within 60 days, but the Trump administration says the clock stopped after a ceasefire with Iran.
Key Facts
The Senate rejected a Democratic effort to restrict President Trump’s military actions in Iran.
The vote was 50 against and 49 in favor of advancing the resolution.
Republicans Rand Paul, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski voted with Democrats to move the measure forward.
Democrat John Fetterman opposed advancing the resolution.
The resolution would require U.S. forces to be removed from hostilities with Iran unless Congress approves military action.
The War Powers Resolution limits unauthorized military actions to 60 days without congressional approval.
The Trump administration said the 60-day limit does not apply since a ceasefire was reached on April 7.
Democrats disagree with the administration, saying the conflict could still escalate and congressional approval is needed.
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Louisiana state Senate lawmakers voted early Wednesday to remove one of two majority-Black congressional districts in the state. This vote is part of an ongoing disagreement between Republicans and Democrats over how voting districts should be drawn.
Key Facts
The vote happened at 4:30 a.m. on a Wednesday.
The Senate and Government Affairs Committee voted 4-3, strictly along party lines.
The effort to redraw district lines is led by Republicans (GOP).
The redistricting plan would eliminate one majority-Black voting district out of two in Louisiana.
The decision is part of a larger political struggle between Republicans and Democrats over voting rights and district boundaries.
Majority-Black districts are areas where most voters are Black, which can affect political representation.
The redistricting changes could impact future elections in Louisiana.
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Rep. Chuck Edwards has been accused of making a young female staffer uncomfortable through unwanted attention and behavior. The staffer raised concerns about possible retaliation after declining to have dinner with him. These allegations are part of a broader investigation by the House Ethics Committee into Edwards’ conduct toward female aides.
Key Facts
A female staffer did not want to have dinner with Rep. Chuck Edwards in May 2025 due to rumors about their interactions.
Edwards told the staffer it was "disappointing" that their relationship had become complicated.
The staffer reported feeling uncomfortable and objectified after Edwards complimented her appearance.
She worried about retaliation if she complained and later spoke with Edwards’ chief of staff about her concerns.
Edwards has denied any wrongdoing and said the Ethics Committee investigation will clarify facts.
Edwards wrote a poem and goodbye note for the staffer, which made the office staff uncomfortable.
The congressman invited the staffer to multiple drinking outings where he pressured her to take shots.
The House Ethics Committee is investigating Edwards based on multiple allegations and reports.
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Republican Representative Reid Ribble from Wisconsin says the Republican Party should work with both parties to change immigration laws. He believes this is important for the economy and to keep families together, and he supports a plan called the Dignity Act.
Key Facts
Reid Ribble is a Republican lawmaker from Wisconsin.
He wants immigration reform for economic and moral reasons.
Ribble thinks keeping families together is a key goal.
He supports bipartisan efforts, meaning cooperation between Republicans and Democrats.
The Dignity Act is a proposed law aimed at helping immigrant families and reducing government costs.
Ribble urges the Republican Party to take action on immigration issues after the midterm elections.
He believes immigration reform can also help lower the federal deficit, which is the amount the government owes over what it earns.
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Three Republican senators voted with Democrats to support a resolution aiming to end U.S. military involvement in Iran unless Congress approves further action. The resolution is based on the 1973 War Powers Act, which limits the president’s ability to engage in war without Congress’s consent.
Key Facts
Three Republican senators—Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and Rand Paul—voted to advance the resolution.
The resolution is sponsored by Democrats.
It invokes the 1973 War Powers Act.
The Act requires Congress to approve extended military action.
The vote opposes the current Senate Republican leadership’s position.
The goal is to stop the ongoing conflict with Iran unless Congress agrees to continue it.
Almost all Senate Democrats supported the resolution as well.
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Some kinds of unpaid debts can reduce the Social Security benefits that retirees receive. Private companies usually cannot take money from these benefits, but federal agencies and court-ordered payments like taxes, student loans, child support, and alimony can cause a part of the benefits to be withheld.
Key Facts
Most private debt collectors cannot take money from Social Security benefits.
The IRS can take up to 15% of Social Security payments to cover unpaid federal income taxes.
Federal student loan debts in default can lead to garnishment up to 15%, but the remaining benefit must be at least $750 per month.
Child support and alimony payments can result in 50% to 65% of Social Security benefits being withheld.
Social Security Act protects most benefits from garnishment by private creditors.
The average Social Security payment is a little over $2,000 per month, with a maximum of about $5,181 in 2026.
Many seniors rely heavily on Social Security for their retirement income, with about 27% depending on it entirely.
Wage garnishment rules for Social Security differ depending on the type of debt owed.
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Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves canceled a special session planned to redraw the state supreme court districts but said lawmakers will still redraw congressional and legislative districts before the 2027 elections. Reeves wants to redraw congressional lines, focusing on the district of Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson, and is working with President Donald Trump's administration on the timing and process.
Key Facts
Governor Tate Reeves canceled a special legislative session to redraw the state supreme court districts.
Reeves expects redistricting of congressional and legislative maps before the 2027 elections.
Redrawing congressional districts now could affect the results of the March primary elections.
Reeves is aiming to redraw district lines to challenge Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson.
Bennie Thompson represents Mississippi’s second district, a mostly Black area about 275 miles long.
Thompson is Mississippi’s only congressional Democrat and the longest-serving Black elected official from the state.
Reeves is coordinating with President Donald Trump’s administration on redistricting plans.
The redistricting talks come after a Supreme Court ruling that changed key voting rights protections.
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Social Security benefits in the U.S. get an annual increase called the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), based on inflation. Early predictions suggest the 2027 increase could be higher than this year’s, due to recent rises in energy, gasoline, and grocery prices.
Key Facts
Over 70 million Americans receive Social Security benefits like retirement, survivor, or disability payments.
The 2027 COLA is estimated to be between 3.9% and 4.2%, higher than this year’s 2.8% increase.
COLA is calculated using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
The official COLA is set by comparing average inflation data from July to September each year.
Inflation recently rose to 3.8% in April, driven by higher energy, fuel, housing, and food costs.
Fuel prices have increased 54.3% and electricity prices 6.1% year over year.
Conflicts in the Middle East have raised global oil prices, affecting U.S. gasoline prices.
A 3.9% COLA would add about $79 per month to the average retired worker’s Social Security payment.
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President Donald Trump visited China and was joined by several top U.S. business leaders during the trip. They met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss topics like trade, artificial intelligence, and other international issues.
Key Facts
President Trump arrived in Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The meeting topics included trade, artificial intelligence, and Iran.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, traveled with President Trump on Air Force One.
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO who is stepping down soon, was also part of the trip.
Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, joined the delegation after his company received permission to sell some AI chips to China.
Nvidia's chip sales to China come with rules, such as limiting their use for military purposes.
Apple has shifted some iPhone production to India to avoid tariffs imposed by President Trump.
The business leaders attending represent sectors like technology, agriculture, and aerospace.
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The Trump administration announced a six-month pause on new Medicare enrollments for hospice and home health agencies. The goal is to investigate and stop fraud by these providers in the Medicare program.
Key Facts
The moratorium lasts for six months.
It affects new enrollments for hospice and home health agencies (HHA).
Medicare is a government health insurance program for older adults and some disabled people.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will use data analysis to find fraud.
CMS plans to speed up removing providers suspected of committing fraud.
This action is part of efforts to protect Medicare from abuse and waste.
The announcement was made on a Wednesday by the Trump administration.
The situation is ongoing and may be updated.
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The US Department of Defense released 162 files about UFOs after President Donald Trump ordered it. The files contain information from the FBI, NASA, and the State Department. People have many questions about what is inside these files and their importance.
Key Facts
The Pentagon shared 162 files about unidentified flying objects (UFOs).
President Donald Trump ordered the release of these files.
The files include documents from the FBI, NASA, and the US State Department.
The release has sparked many online conspiracy theories.
The files aim to provide official information about UFO sightings and investigations.
The content was discussed and analyzed in a podcast episode featuring investigative reporter Anthony Lappe.
The podcast episode was produced and edited by a team including David Enders, Chloe K. Li, and others.
The discussion explores the real significance and details found in the released files.
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A mother caused a stir in a Chicago suburb by using a helicopter as part of a prom surprise. The event attracted attention and concern from the community.
Key Facts
The incident happened in a suburb of Chicago.
A mother arranged a helicopter for a prom-related event.
The stunt drew a strong reaction from local residents.
Some people expressed worry about safety or disturbance.
The event was meant to show a mother's love for her child.
Helicopters are not common at prom celebrations.
Local authorities may be involved due to the public concern.
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About 70,000 Americans died from drug overdoses last year, which is about 14% fewer than the previous year. This marks the third year in a row that overdose deaths have decreased, reaching levels similar to before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Facts
Overdose deaths in the U.S. dropped for the third straight year, reaching about 70,000 in 2025.
This total is nearly the same as the number of deaths in 2019, before the pandemic.
Deaths fell for several drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
Most states saw a decline in overdose deaths, but seven states, including Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico, had increases.
Some possible reasons for the overall decline include more access to naloxone (a drug that can reverse overdoses), better addiction treatment, and changes to the drug supply.
New and stronger drugs like cyclorphine, a synthetic opioid stronger than fentanyl, are appearing in the drug market.
Certain veterinary sedatives like xylazine are now found in street drugs and can cause serious side effects.
The Trump administration has been reducing some programs aimed at lowering overdose deaths and drug-related infections.
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A Utah woman named Kouri Richins was convicted of killing her husband by poisoning him with fentanyl in 2022. She had published a children’s book about grief after his death and will soon be sentenced, facing decades to life in prison.
Key Facts
Kouri Richins was found guilty of aggravated murder for poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, with a lethal dose of fentanyl.
She was a real estate agent and had significant debt, planning to start a life with another man.
Richins secretly took out many life insurance policies on her husband, hoping to inherit his estate worth over $4 million.
She was also found guilty of attempted murder for trying to poison Eric with a fentanyl-laced sandwich weeks before his death.
The case drew attention because she was promoting a children’s book about grief when arrested.
Eric Richins’ three sons said they would feel unsafe if their mother were ever released from prison.
Sentencing can range from 25 years to life or life without parole for aggravated murder.
Prosecutors asked the judge for no sentence overlap and recommended life without parole.
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