With 100 days left until the 2026 midterm elections, Democrats have a chance to take control of the U.S. Senate by winning at least four Republican seats. Key battleground states include Alaska, Maine, North Carolina, and Ohio, with mixed polling and betting markets showing competitive races.
Key Facts
Republicans currently hold a 55-45 majority in the Senate.
Democrats need a net gain of four seats to control the Senate outright.
Alaska, Maine, North Carolina, and Ohio are key states where Democrats could flip seats.
Alaska, Maine, and Ohio are rated as Toss Ups, meaning both parties have a good chance.
North Carolina is rated Lean Democrat, giving Democrats a slight edge.
Prediction markets show Democrats favored in Alaska, Maine, and North Carolina but see Ohio as a tie.
Polls in Alaska and Maine show close races between Democratic and Republican candidates.
North Carolina polling shows Democrat Roy Cooper leading Republican Michael Whatley.
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Workers at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) museums in London are voting on whether to strike because of concerns over high temperatures at work, access to drinking water, and pay. The union wants the museum to improve heat safety policies, allow staff to drink water during shifts, and pay all workers a fair living wage.
Key Facts
More than 300 workers at four V&A locations in London are taking part in a strike ballot.
The strike vote is partly due to concerns about heatwave conditions and limited water access while working.
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) started the strike ballot on 23 July citing unresolved staff concerns.
The union requests a policy to close public areas if temperatures rise above 30°C and heat safety measures for workers.
PCS wants the V&A to allow workers to drink water while on duty without needing breaks or relief.
The unions also want the V&A to become an accredited living wage employer, paying at least £14.80 an hour in London.
V&A says all direct staff earn at least the living wage, but some outsourced contractors do not.
The museum has offered a 3.6% overall pay increase, with a 6.9% raise for the lowest-paid workers, and says staff safety is a priority.
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Republican Rep. Mike Turner said the U.S. should keep pressuring Iran to stop trying to get nuclear weapons but noted President Donald Trump has limited options in the conflict. Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen argued the U.S. should end the war with Iran to avoid more harm and reopen the important Strait of Hormuz.
Key Facts
Rep. Mike Turner supports continued pressure on Iran to abandon nuclear weapon plans.
Turner believes the NATO summit agreed Iran should never get nuclear weapons.
Turner said President Trump has few good choices in dealing with Iran.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen called the war "senseless" and wants it to end quickly.
The war started in February 2026 and has slowed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Four U.S. service members were killed in the conflict in the past week.
Turner said diplomacy is ongoing but Iran cannot be fully trusted in talks.
Van Hollen appreciates Trump holding off on increasing military action against Iran.
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Sara Duffey, an Oklahoma social media influencer, and her husband Jeremiah Shawn Duffey were found dead from gunshot wounds in what police suspect was a murder-suicide. Sara had recently accused Jeremiah of sexually abusing a minor and sought protective orders against him before the incident.
Key Facts
Sara Duffey, 43, and her husband Jeremiah, 48, were found dead from gunshot wounds in their Oklahoma home.
Police believe Jeremiah shot Sara and then himself in an apparent murder-suicide.
Sara had filed a protective order against Jeremiah on June 10 to keep him away from their home.
Another woman also filed a protective order, accusing Jeremiah of sexually abusing her daughter, including inappropriate contact and messages.
Sara posted a video on TikTok accusing Jeremiah of being a pedophile shortly before their deaths.
Police responded to emergency calls reporting gunshots and screams from their home on the night of the incident.
Sara’s son was placed in the care of another parent not involved in the case.
CDC data notes over half of female homicide victims in the US are killed by current or former male partners.
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Senator Chris Van Hollen said President Trump changed the terms of a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia by connecting it to Saudi Arabia improving relations with Israel. He said this was a surprise to Saudi officials, who had set different conditions for normalizing ties with Israel.
Key Facts
President Trump linked a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia to Saudi Arabia building relations with Israel.
Senator Chris Van Hollen called this move a “bait and switch.”
Saudi Arabia had previously said they would normalize relations with Israel only under certain conditions.
The change in the deal terms surprised Saudi officials.
This issue involves U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
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The "Face the Nation" show on CBS News for July 26 features interviews with Senators Bernie Sanders and John Kennedy, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, and former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb. The program also includes the latest poll results presented by CBS News journalist Anthony Salvanto.
Key Facts
The show is called "Face the Nation" and airs on CBS News.
The date of the episode is July 26.
Senators Bernie Sanders and John Kennedy are guests on the show.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz will participate.
Scott Gottlieb, former FDA Commissioner, will also join the discussion.
CBS News reporter Anthony Salvanto will share the newest poll information.
The content includes political and public health topics.
The show is available through the CBS News app and online browsers.
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Thaddeus Kosciuszko was a Polish-born military engineer who helped General George Washington in the American Revolutionary War. His work was important in winning independence for the United States.
Key Facts
Kosciuszko was born in Poland in 1746.
He was a skilled military engineer.
He joined the American Revolutionary War on the side of the Patriots.
Kosciuszko helped plan key defenses and fortifications for General Washington’s army.
His work contributed to the American victory over the British.
Kosciuszko is recognized as a hero in United States history.
The story of Kosciuszko highlights the role of immigrants in America’s fight for independence.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke out after a 12-year-old boy was shot and killed in the Bronx. He emphasized that gun violence should not be accepted as normal and promised to hold those responsible accountable.
Key Facts
A 12-year-old boy was fatally shot in the Bronx while riding his bike on Saturday.
Two other people, a 34-year-old and a 25-year-old, were wounded but expected to survive.
The shooting happened near Elliot Place and Walton Avenue, with police investigating the scene.
Mayor Mamdani expressed sympathy for the victims and criticized the normalization of gun violence.
Since January, NYC has had 322 shooting incidents and 381 victims, according to police.
Several recent shootings involved children, including a 7-month-old baby fatally shot in Brooklyn in April.
Mamdani took office on January 1 and has frequently spoken about the urgent need to reduce gun crimes.
Arrests have been made in some cases, such as Robert Smith charged in a July shooting at a Brooklyn barbecue.
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Brandon Newsom, a senior Pentagon official, is no longer working for the Department of the Navy after hidden-camera footage showed him criticizing President Donald Trump. The Navy did not say if he was fired or left on his own.
Key Facts
Brandon Newsom was placed on administrative leave after undercover footage surfaced.
The footage showed Newsom criticizing President Donald Trump and discussing undoing his policies.
Newsom called Trump "a textbook narcissist" and criticized the conflict with Iran.
The video was released by conservative activist James O'Keefe.
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed Newsom is no longer employed by the Navy.
The Navy said Newsom’s conduct was inappropriate and against its standards.
It was not disclosed whether Newsom was fired or resigned.
Newsom’s remarks included issues with Pentagon religious services and federal employee changes.
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Since May, there have been over 11,000 reported cases of cyclosporiasis, an illness caused by a parasite, across 41 states. Experts link this outbreak to cuts and changes made by the Trump administration to food safety programs and rules.
Key Facts
More than 11,000 cyclosporiasis cases have occurred since May in 41 U.S. states.
The Trump administration reduced staff at the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
A national advisory committee focused on preventing germs in food was disbanded.
An early-warning program that tracked certain harmful germs was cut back.
A rule to trace food contaminants from farms to stores was delayed.
Experts say these changes have weakened food safety and call for national attention to improve it.
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The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) plans to remove a 50-year-old safety rule called ALARA, which aimed to keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably possible. While the maximum radiation limits will stay the same, the NRC wants to replace ALARA with a new system that adjusts safety steps based on radiation risk.
Key Facts
ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) is a safety principle used for 50 years to minimize radiation exposure.
NRC proposes to remove ALARA but keep maximum radiation dose limits unchanged.
The new approach is called a "graded approach" with safety measures depending on potential radiation exposure.
This change aligns with President Donald Trump’s goal to expand nuclear energy production in the U.S.
The Energy Department has already stopped using the ALARA standard.
NRC officials say the changes will clarify safety rules, not weaken them.
Current nuclear plants likely won’t see big changes, but new smaller reactors may be built faster.
Radiation limits remain below levels known to cause health issues like cancer.
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Rural areas in the United States are aging faster than cities, with many seniors wanting to stay in their small towns despite challenges like loneliness and limited resources. Programs like Aging in Community, supported by President Trump's Rural Health Transformation Program, help connect neighbors to support elderly residents and improve their quality of life.
Key Facts
Rural America has many seniors, with some counties having over 20% of residents aged 65 or older.
Loneliness and social isolation are common health risks for older people in rural areas.
Some seniors prefer to stay in their small towns rather than move to cities.
President Trump’s "Big Beautiful Bill" includes a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program to improve healthcare access for rural seniors.
Jane Strommen from North Dakota State University leads the Aging in Community program, which organizes neighbors to help elderly people.
Retired nurse Kyla Sanders visits isolated seniors, helps with small tasks, and organizes social activities.
These local efforts aim to provide support that federal healthcare programs may not fully offer, improving seniors' sense of belonging and well-being.
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Many rural counties in the United States have a growing number of older adults, with at least 20% of residents over 65 in these areas. A program in North Dakota called Aging in Community helps older people in these rural places stay connected with their neighbors to reduce loneliness and improve health.
Key Facts
Since 2010, the number of counties with at least 20% of residents aged 65 or older has nearly tripled.
This increase mainly affects rural areas in the heartland of the U.S.
Older adults in these areas face higher risks of loneliness and social isolation.
A program named Aging in Community operates in North Dakota to help rural seniors.
The program works by encouraging neighbors to build social connections.
Reducing loneliness is important for improving the health of aging seniors.
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Most Americans say the conflict with Iran is harder than President Donald Trump expected and expect it to last months or years. People feel uncertain and frustrated about the situation, especially because they don’t have clear information about what is happening daily in the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Facts
Many Americans want to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and stop Iran’s nuclear program and threats in the region.
Most people prefer ending the war rather than pushing for more demands from Iran.
Republicans are more likely now to support continuing the conflict after a ceasefire deal failed.
Younger Americans are more likely than those over 65 to want the war to end soon.
People feel they do not get clear daily updates about the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Most believe President Trump presents the conflict more positively than reality.
Approval of the military action remains low and stable, with mixed opinions on which side has the advantage.
Economic concerns like rising gas prices and inflation influence people’s views on the conflict and the president’s handling of it.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. military will test the testosterone levels of service members aged 30 and older every year. Those with low levels may be offered testosterone replacement therapy, but the policy is new and some medical experts say measuring and treating low testosterone is complicated.
Key Facts
The new policy requires military members 30 and older to get annual testosterone level tests.
Service members under 30 can choose to take the test voluntarily.
Testosterone replacement therapy is optional if a soldier is found to have low levels.
Low testosterone means a hormone level below about 280 to 320 nanograms per deciliter in men, but exact thresholds vary.
Testosterone levels naturally decline by about 1% to 2% each year starting around age 30 to 40 in men.
Symptoms of low testosterone can include low sex drive, fatigue, and loss of muscle mass.
Medical experts note that testosterone levels change a lot and not everyone with low levels needs treatment.
The Defense Department has not fully explained how the policy will work in detail.
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A pediatric doctor compares the TV series "The Pitt" and "The Bear" in how they show hospital and medical work. The doctor says "The Bear" better captures the intense, stressful training and teamwork doctors experience.
Key Facts
The doctor works in a pediatric intensive care unit.
"The Pitt" shows emergency room staff fighting issues like insurance problems, shootings, and mental health.
The doctor helped advise "The Pitt" to make it realistic.
"The Bear" more accurately shows the hard, demanding training for chefs and doctors.
Both chefs and doctors face long training, exhaustion, and sometimes mental health challenges.
The doctor relates a harsh chef boss in "The Bear" to tough medical mentors during training.
Both professions strive for perfection despite stress and sleep deprivation.
The shows illustrate the strong teamwork needed in hospitals and kitchens.
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Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician and Democrat, has been campaigning to unseat Republican Senator Lindsey Graham in South Carolina. After Senator Graham’s death, his sister Darline was appointed to his seat, but Andrews plans to continue her campaign focused on healthcare and other local issues.
Key Facts
Lindsey Graham, a longtime Republican senator from South Carolina, recently passed away at age 71.
Dr. Annie Andrews is a 45-year-old pediatrician running as a Democrat to take Graham’s Senate seat.
Andrews has spent 20 years working in healthcare and sees political solutions as key to fixing public health problems.
After losing a 2022 congressional race, Andrews started a group targeting climate change, gun violence, and childhood poverty.
Andrews became more motivated to run after President Trump nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
Kennedy has promoted anti-vaccine views, which Andrews sees as dangerous to children’s health.
Measles cases in the US are at a 35-year high, partly due to vaccine misinformation.
Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister, was appointed to serve the rest of his term and will run in a Republican primary soon.
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Many Americans are paying close attention to the current cyclospora outbreak and about 40% say they are now eating or buying less fresh produce because of it. People are somewhat divided in their trust in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to handle the outbreak, with more Republicans trusting the agency than Democrats.
Key Facts
Most Americans are following news about the cyclospora outbreak at least somewhat closely.
Around 4 in 10 people report reducing their consumption or purchase of produce due to the outbreak.
Women and older adults are more likely to eat less produce than men and younger people.
Interest in news about cyclospora is nearly as high as interest in the conflict with Iran.
People paying very close attention to the outbreak are more likely to eat less produce.
More Americans have confidence than not in the FDA’s ability to manage the outbreak, but few have high confidence.
Republicans express more confidence in the FDA than Democrats.
The survey was done with 2,193 U.S. adults between July 22-24, 2026, and has a margin of error of ±2.7 points.
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The CBS News program "Sunday Morning" on July 26 covers several stories, including aging in rural America, food safety issues, and profiles of people in arts and culture. The show features interviews and segments on supermodel Lauren Hutton, singer Corinne Bailey Rae, artist Derrick Adams, as well as topics like worm grunting and how plants respond to touch.
Key Facts
The program aired on July 26 and is hosted by Mo Rocca.
One segment focuses on the challenges of aging in rural areas of the United States.
The show discusses compromises affecting food safety.
It includes a feature on supermodel and actress Lauren Hutton.
Singer Corinne Bailey Rae is profiled.
Artist Derrick Adams is also featured.
The program explores the unusual practice of worm grunting.
Another story explains how plants react when touched.
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The article discusses how modern plea bargains affect the constitutional right to a jury trial in the United States. It highlights concerns that plea deals may limit defendants' access to their trial rights.
Key Facts
The United States recently celebrated 250 years of independence.
The constitutional right to a jury trial is a key part of American legal values.
Plea bargains are agreements where defendants plead guilty to a lesser charge to avoid a trial.
Many cases today end with plea bargains instead of going to trial.
Plea bargains can shorten legal processes but may reduce the chance for a defendant to have their case heard by a jury.
Critics argue this trend challenges the original intent of guaranteeing a jury trial.
Supporters say plea bargains help manage court workloads and provide quicker resolutions.
The issue raises questions about balancing efficiency with protecting legal rights.
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