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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
Denise Powell is expected to win the Democratic primary in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District. She will compete in November against the Republican candidate to replace Rep. Don Bacon, who is retiring.
Key Facts
Denise Powell is a political fundraiser running as a Democrat.
She defeated State Senator John Cavanaugh in the Democratic primary.
The race is in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, sometimes called the “blue dot” district because it leans Democratic.
Incumbent Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican, is retiring and will not run again.
The November election will decide who takes over Bacon’s seat.
Decision Desk HQ projected Powell as the primary winner early on.
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Illinois health officials are investigating a possible hantavirus case in a Winnebago County resident unrelated to the recent cruise ship outbreak. The patient likely caught the virus from rodent droppings at home, and testing is ongoing to confirm the diagnosis.
Key Facts
The Illinois Department of Public Health is checking a possible hantavirus case in a person from Winnebago County, near Rockford.
This case is not connected to the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship.
Three people on the cruise ship died from hantavirus, and several others were sick and quarantined.
The virus spreads by breathing in dust contaminated with rodent droppings or by accidentally ingesting it.
The patient had no international travel or contact with cruise ship passengers.
The virus strain in Illinois is the North American type, which does not spread from person to person.
Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, stomach pain, nausea, and severe breathing problems.
Hantavirus cases in Illinois are very rare, with only seven confirmed since 1993.
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Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, a Republican, is expected to lose the primary election to challenger Scott Petersen. Petersen, a businessman from Omaha, leads Evnen by about 6 percentage points with over half of the votes counted.
Key Facts
Bob Evnen is the current Secretary of State in Nebraska.
He ran in the Republican primary for his position.
Scott Petersen, an Omaha businessman, challenged Evnen in the primary.
Scott Petersen is leading by approximately 6 percentage points.
More than half of the votes have been counted.
The information comes from Decision Desk HQ, a vote tracking source.
The election took place on Tuesday.
This contest affects who will oversee elections in Nebraska.
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An art group called The Secret Handshake installed three free arcade-style video games on the National Mall. These games mock Operation Epic Fury, a real or fictional event associated with President Donald Trump’s administration. The group is known for creating art that makes people think about moments from President Trump’s time in office.
Key Facts
Three arcade games were placed on the National Mall for free public use.
The games parody or make fun of Operation Epic Fury.
The Secret Handshake is the art group behind the installation.
This group has done similar art projects about President Trump’s administration before.
The installation aims to get a reaction from the public through guerrilla art, which is unexpected or unofficial public art.
The video game is titled “Operation Epic Furious: Strait to Hell.”
The event happened on a Monday (exact date not provided).
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Texas Senator John Cornyn introduced a bill to rename a highway after President Donald Trump just before a runoff election against Attorney General Ken Paxton. The upgrade would turn US-287 into Interstate 47, stretching from Texas to Montana, aiming to boost the economy and honor President Trump. The Texas GOP runoff race is closely watched, with Trump’s endorsement still pending.
Key Facts
Senator John Cornyn proposed renaming US-287 as Interstate 47 to honor President Donald Trump.
The highway runs from Port Arthur, Texas, to Choteau, Montana, covering nearly 1,800 miles.
The Texas Department of Transportation predicts a $5.4 billion travel cost saving and nearly 47,000 new jobs from upgrading the highway by 2050.
The bill is called the I-47 Future Interstate Act and is co-sponsored by Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis.
Cornyn and Paxton are in a Republican runoff set for May 26, following no majority winner in March.
Trump has not yet endorsed either candidate but said he is deciding and likes both.
Trump has urged the losing candidate to drop out to focus on beating the Democratic nominee in November.
A recent poll shows Cornyn leading Paxton by one point, with many voters still undecided.
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The Northern Territory government in Australia is proposing changes to child protection laws that would remove a rule designed to prevent Indigenous children from being separated from their families, a policy originally created to avoid repeating past injustices like the Stolen Generation. Many Indigenous groups and organizations oppose these changes, saying they will harm Aboriginal children and families by making it easier to remove children and harder to place them with relatives.
Key Facts
The Northern Territory government announced draft changes to its child protection law amid a review following the death of a 5-year-old Indigenous child.
The current Aboriginal child placement principle, protecting Indigenous children by prioritizing placement with family or community, would be replaced by a universal principle.
Over 330 Indigenous and justice groups have condemned the changes, saying they will increase child removals and hurt Indigenous families.
The proposed law changes aim to reduce harm and instability for vulnerable children by speeding up long-term placements.
Critics argue the changes ignore the historical trauma of the Stolen Generation, where Indigenous children were forcibly removed from families.
The Northern Territory Minister for Child Protection, Robyn Cahill, said the reforms focus on child safety before cultural or racial considerations.
A man has been charged with the murder of the child whose death prompted this review.
Indigenous leaders warn the changes could worsen existing problems and undermine efforts to close gaps in Indigenous welfare.
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Director Brett Ratner traveled to China with President Trump’s delegation to find locations for filming the movie “Rush Hour 4.” He joined the trip along with government officials, tech leaders, and business executives.
Key Facts
Brett Ratner is the director of the movie “Melania.”
He joined President Trump’s trip to China on Tuesday.
Ratner’s goal was to scout filming sites for “Rush Hour 4.”
He traveled onboard Air Force One with the President’s group.
The delegation included Cabinet members, tech company leaders, and corporate CEOs.
The trip was part of official activities organized by the Trump administration.
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Kouri Richins was found guilty of killing her husband by poisoning him with fentanyl. Her sons say they would feel unsafe if she were released from prison. Prosecutors want her to serve life in prison without parole.
Key Facts
Kouri Richins was convicted of aggravated murder and other felonies related to poisoning her husband, Eric Richins.
She laced her husband’s drink with a lethal dose of fentanyl in March 2022.
Richins self-published a children’s book about a boy coping with his father’s death before her arrest.
Her three sons, ages 13, 11, and younger, testified they feel unsafe if she is released.
Prosecutors presented evidence of prior poisoning attempts and financial motives, including life insurance policies.
Eric Richins’ family had suspected Kouri of harming him and urged caution before his death.
The boys described emotional and physical abuse by their mother after their father died.
Sentencing is scheduled on the day Eric Richins would have turned 44.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine answered questions from lawmakers about the war in Iran. The Trump administration has proposed a $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027, which marks the beginning of budget discussions.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth is the U.S. Defense Secretary.
General Dan Caine is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
They were questioned by members of Congress from both parties.
The questions focused on the ongoing war in Iran.
The Trump administration proposed a $1.5 trillion defense budget for the year 2027.
This budget proposal is described as historic by Hegseth.
The $1.5 trillion figure starts the talks about how much money the military will receive.
The discussions took place on Capitol Hill, where Congress meets.
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A former girlfriend of Representative Thomas Massie accused him of offering her $5,000 to drop a complaint about wrongful termination against Representative Victoria Spartz. This accusation came shortly before Massie’s May 19 primary race, which is highly competitive and targeted by President Trump.
Key Facts
Cynthia West, the ex-girlfriend of Rep. Thomas Massie, said he offered her $5,000 to stop her complaint against Rep. Victoria Spartz.
West worked briefly in Spartz’s office and was fired after breaking up with Massie.
West refused a $60,000 settlement that required her to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
Massie declined to comment and his campaign dismissed the accusations as last-minute attacks.
Spartz’s office said West had a temporary 90-day job and was let go due to poor performance.
West says Massie gave her money early in their relationship and she returned part of it after their breakup.
West also criticized Spartz’s office for a toxic work environment and hiring decisions.
President Trump is supporting another candidate against Massie in a very costly primary election.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is traveling to China with President Donald Trump despite being under Chinese sanctions. China appears to have allowed his visit by changing the Chinese characters used to write his name, avoiding the sanctions that included a travel ban.
Key Facts
Marco Rubio is the US Secretary of State and is visiting China for the first time.
Rubio has been sanctioned twice by China for his criticism of China’s human rights record.
China changed the Chinese characters used to write Rubio’s name before his visit.
The name change may have allowed Rubio to bypass the Chinese travel ban linked to the sanctions.
President Donald Trump and Rubio are both traveling to Beijing for a state visit.
Trade, Taiwan, and artificial intelligence are expected to be key topics in the meetings.
Rubio is known for supporting sanctions against China for alleged forced labor and human rights abuses.
Rubio has been a vocal critic of China but also supports Trump's trade-focused approach with China.
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Dave Venturella will become the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after Todd Lyons leaves at the end of the month. Venturella is closely connected to border official Tom Homan and previously worked in a private prison company.
Key Facts
Todd Lyons, the current acting ICE director, will leave his position at the end of May.
Dave Venturella, a former ICE agent, will take over as acting director.
Venturella is an ally of border czar Tom Homan.
Venturella has prior experience working for a private prison group.
Lyons is leaving to spend more time with his family.
ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since 2017.
Under Lyons, ICE saw its largest expansion with funding from a major tax and policy bill championed by President Trump.
During Lyons’ leadership, ICE increased enforcement actions in major U.S. cities as part of a federal immigration crackdown.
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FBI Director Kash Patel and Senator Chris Van Hollen argued during a Senate budget hearing. Van Hollen asked Patel about reports that he drinks excessively, but Patel strongly denied these claims.
Key Facts
Senator Chris Van Hollen questioned FBI Director Kash Patel about drinking allegations.
The allegations were first reported by The Atlantic magazine.
Kash Patel said the claims are totally false.
The discussion happened during a Senate budget hearing.
Patel and Van Hollen had a tense exchange during the hearing.
Kash Patel is the current FBI Director.
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Republican Senator Pete Ricketts is the favorite to win re-election in Nebraska’s 2026 Senate race, but independent candidate Dan Osborn is gaining support and fundraising more. A complicated Democratic primary with accusations of candidates being planted may affect whether Osborn can unite anti-Ricketts voters and challenge Ricketts effectively.
Key Facts
Pete Ricketts won the Nebraska Republican primary with 78.3% of the vote and is the incumbent Senator.
Dan Osborn is running as an independent and has raised more money than Ricketts recently.
Nebraska has not elected a Democrat statewide since 2006 and no independent senator since 1936.
The Democratic Party supported Osborn to avoid splitting the anti-Ricketts vote, but two Democrats also ran in their primary.
Bill Forbes, a Democratic candidate, is accused of being a Republican "plant" to weaken Osborn’s campaign.
Cindy Burbank, another Democratic candidate, said she would drop out if she wins to help Osborn’s chances.
Polls show a close race between Ricketts and Osborn despite Nebraska’s Republican-leaning history.
If Ricketts loses, Republicans could lose Senate control, affecting President Donald Trump’s effectiveness in office.
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President Donald Trump has started a project to fix and paint the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington DC before the country’s 250th birthday. The pool has had many problems like leaks and algae, and the renovation aims to make it look better and solve these issues.
Key Facts
President Trump ordered the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
The pool is 2,030 feet (620 meters) long, located between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.
Problems with the pool include leaks, damaged structure, broken pipes, algae, and bird droppings.
Contractors started painting the pool blue as part of the restoration work.
The pool was originally built in 1922 and has had ongoing maintenance challenges.
It is not clear if the renovation will fully fix the structural problems.
The project is part of preparing Washington DC to look nice for the United States’ 250th birthday celebration.
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President Donald Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama, visited Texas to support state Representative James Talarico in his run for the U.S. Senate. Obama also joined Democratic state Representative Gina Hinojosa, who is campaigning for governor, during a meeting in Austin.
Key Facts
Barack Obama met with Texas state Representative James Talarico on Tuesday.
Talarico is running for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas.
Obama also met with Gina Hinojosa, a Democratic state Representative running for Texas governor.
The meeting took place at a taco shop in Austin, Texas.
The event was reported by The Associated Press.
The meeting was a show of support from Obama for these Democratic candidates.
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Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, a Republican, is expected to run for a second term in the upcoming election. He will likely face Lynne Walz, a former state senator and Democrat, in the race for governor this fall.
Key Facts
Jim Pillen is the current governor of Nebraska and a member of the Republican Party.
Pillen is seeking reelection for a second term as governor.
Lynne Walz, a former state senator, is running as the Democratic candidate.
Decision Desk HQ projects that Pillen and Walz will compete in the governor's race this fall.
Pillen received support from President Donald Trump during his 2022 gubernatorial primary.
In 2022, Pillen defeated another candidate who was also backed by President Trump.
The election will decide who leads Nebraska for the next term.
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Senator Pete Ricketts from Nebraska will face independent candidate Dan Osborn in the November Senate election, according to Decision Desk HQ projections. Dan Osborn, a veteran and mechanic, previously nearly defeated Senator Deb Fischer in 2024 and is seen as the strongest challenger to Senator Ricketts in this race.
Key Facts
Senator Pete Ricketts is running for reelection in Nebraska.
Dan Osborn, an independent candidate, will oppose Ricketts in the November general election.
Osborn is a military veteran and works as a mechanic.
Osborn almost defeated Senator Deb Fischer in the 2024 election.
Democrats expect Osborn to be the best chance to win this Senate seat.
Nebraska was won by President Donald Trump in the recent presidential election.
The election will determine who holds the Senate seat from Nebraska.
The race is gaining attention due to Osborn’s strong performance and independent status.
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South Carolina state senators voted against a redistricting plan despite pressure from President Trump. The plan failed to reach the required two-thirds vote, with some Republicans joining Democrats to oppose it.
Key Facts
South Carolina senators voted 29-17 against the redistricting plan, two votes short of the needed two-thirds majority.
Five Republicans joined all Democrats in opposing the redistricting proposal.
President Trump urged South Carolina Republicans to approve the redistricting plan, saying he would be “watching closely.”
Shane Massey, Republican majority leader in the South Carolina senate, opposed the plan, saying power should be used to make people safer, not to punish.
The vote came after the US Supreme Court ruled that a major part of a civil rights law preventing racial discrimination in redistricting is no longer effective.
Redistricting is the process of redrawing the boundaries for congressional districts, which can affect political power.
This situation shows a division within the Republican Party on how to handle redistricting after the Supreme Court ruling.
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Kouri Richins, a Utah woman, was found guilty of killing her husband by poisoning him with fentanyl and faces decades to life in prison. Her young sons have said they feel unsafe and want her to remain in jail to protect themselves and their family.
Key Facts
Kouri Richins was convicted on five felony charges, including aggravated murder for poisoning her husband, Eric Richins.
She gave her husband a deadly dose of fentanyl in 2022 at their home near Park City, Utah.
Richins’ sons, aged 13, 11, and preschool age, expressed fear and asked the court to keep her in prison.
Prosecutors said Richins planned to inherit over $4 million from her husband’s estate and had opened multiple life insurance policies without his knowledge.
She was also found guilty of insurance fraud, forgery, and attempted murder for an earlier poisoning attempt on Valentine’s Day.
The oldest son does not miss his mother and fears she could harm the family if released.
Prosecutors chose not to seek the death penalty and are asking for life without parole.
Richins faces additional money-related charges not yet tried in court.
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