Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico proposed new rules to regulate data centers in Texas. He wants to protect communities by stopping special tax breaks for data centers and requiring these companies to pay for their own electricity and water infrastructure.
Key Facts
Talarico suggests ending special tax exemptions for data centers in Texas.
He wants local communities to have the power to approve or reject new data center projects.
The plan includes rules to limit water pollution and require closed-loop water systems for data centers.
Large energy users like data centers should pay for their own electric and water infrastructure.
Talarico aims to set minimum federal standards to stop communities from competing by weakening rules.
Texas has over 480 large data centers seeking power connections, stressing the state's electric grid.
Republican Governor Greg Abbott has also called for limits on data center expansion in rural Texas.
Polls show Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton in a close race for the U.S. Senate seat.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wished Jewish New Yorkers a peaceful Tisha B’Av, a day of Jewish mourning, shortly after calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "war criminal." This highlighted how public sympathy for Jewish grief often stays safe and general, while criticism of Israel's government can be sharp and political.
Key Facts
Tisha B’Av is a Jewish day of fasting and mourning for the destruction of ancient Temples in Jerusalem and other tragedies.
Mayor Mamdani posted a message wishing Jewish New Yorkers a peaceful and meaningful fast on Tisha B’Av.
The message avoided mentioning Israel or political issues, using general terms like "history" and "resiliency."
Less than 24 hours before, Mamdani had called Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu a "war criminal" and urged U.S. enforcement of an International Criminal Court warrant.
Mamdani acknowledged NYC could not arrest Netanyahu if he visited for the UN General Assembly.
The article discusses a pattern where Jewish grief is accepted when it is abstract and non-political, but criticism arises when it involves politically sensitive subjects like Israel.
Mamdani's stance reflects the complexity of representing diverse New York communities with varying views on Israel and the Middle East conflict.
Criticizing Netanyahu or Israel's war actions is not the same as criticizing Jewish people as a whole.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a new outbreak of cyclospora linked to an unknown food product. Cyclospora is a parasite that causes stomach illness, and health officials have reported thousands of cases across several states.
Key Facts
The FDA has not yet identified the source of the new cyclospora outbreak.
Investigators are tracing the supply chain to find the origin of the contamination.
Previous outbreaks involved iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, which was recalled.
Cyclospora is a parasite that causes an illness called cyclosporiasis, with symptoms like severe diarrhea.
Cooking can kill cyclospora, but washing fruits and vegetables may not fully remove it.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 1,645 cases since May 1, with 141 hospitalizations.
State reports, like Michigan’s, show much higher case numbers, with over 7,600 confirmed illnesses.
The CDC believes many cases are not diagnosed or reported, so actual numbers are likely higher.
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A 5.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Texas panhandle early Thursday morning, the strongest in the area since 1900. The quake caused shaking felt by many residents but no injuries or deaths were reported.
Key Facts
The earthquake occurred around 5:21 a.m. at a depth of 3.5 miles.
The epicenter was about 27.8 miles southeast of Spearman, Texas, and 68 miles from Amarillo.
This is the strongest quake in the Texas panhandle region since 1900.
No injuries or deaths have been reported so far.
Buildings in the area are mostly resistant to earthquake shaking, but some older brick structures remain vulnerable.
Residents in multiple towns, including Pampa, Mobeetie, and White Deer, reported feeling the shaking.
The quake was also felt in nearby parts of western Oklahoma and southwestern Kansas.
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A new study looks at how a flat-rate cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security could impact retirees and the program’s money over time. The analysis explores whether this change would help improve fairness and financial health of Social Security.
Key Facts
The focus is on Social Security’s COLA, which adjusts benefits to keep up with inflation.
A flat-rate COLA means all retirees get the same dollar increase, not a percentage of their benefits.
The study examines how this change might help lower-income retirees more.
It also looks at the possible effects on Social Security’s long-term finances.
The goal is to see if a flat-rate COLA could make Social Security fairer and more sustainable.
Current COLA methods increase benefits based on a percentage to match inflation.
The research is aimed at policy makers considering Social Security changes.
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Salman Rushdie testified in a federal court in Buffalo, New York, about the stabbing attack he survived four years ago. The trial involves Hadi Matar, who was convicted of attempted murder and is now facing terrorism charges for the attack connected to a call for Rushdie’s death by an Iranian leader.
Key Facts
Salman Rushdie was stabbed on stage in 2022 while speaking at a cultural event.
Rushdie described feeling a punch first, not realizing he was being stabbed, and then lying in a large pool of blood.
The attack blinded Rushdie in one eye, damaged his liver, and cut nerves in his arm.
Hadi Matar, 28, was convicted of attempted murder in state court and now faces federal terrorism charges.
Prosecutors say Matar acted because of a 1989 religious order by Iran’s then-leader calling for Rushdie’s death over his novel "The Satanic Verses."
Matar’s defense argues they cannot prove Matar’s intent or connection to terrorism groups.
Rushdie showed the jury his blind right eye and explained his long recovery process.
If convicted of the federal charges, Matar could face a life sentence in prison.
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President Donald Trump will host the Los Angeles Dodgers at the White House to celebrate their second World Series championship in two years. The event will take place in the Rose Garden, marking the team’s repeat title and continuing the tradition of championship teams visiting the White House.
Key Facts
The Dodgers won their second consecutive World Series by beating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 last October.
President Trump previously welcomed the Dodgers to the White House in April 2025 after their 2024 championship.
The White House event is scheduled for Thursday in the Rose Garden.
Dodgers star Mookie Betts will not attend this visit, choosing to spend the team’s day off with family.
Team manager Dave Roberts said the visit focuses on celebrating the championship rather than politics.
The Dodgers had planned to visit earlier in April but schedule conflicts delayed the trip.
Baseball teams have been visiting the White House to celebrate championships since 1869.
Recently, President Trump has mentioned baseball teams during speeches, including criticism of the New York Mets.
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A judge threw out the guilty verdict against Montana State Senator Jason Ellsworth after jurors accidentally saw secret documents not meant to be part of the trial. The documents involved communications about scheduling a potential key witness, Bryce Eggleston, who was not called to testify.
Key Facts
Jason Ellsworth, former Montana Senate President, was on trial for official misconduct.
Jurors were mistakenly given sealed exhibits about communications with Bryce Eggleston, a potential key witness.
The sealed materials were never admitted as evidence and should not have been shown to jurors.
The judge vacated (canceled) the guilty verdict after learning about the mistake.
Ellsworth’s legal team found out about the error when a juror mentioned jury discussions including these materials.
Bryce Eggleston is a longtime friend and former employee of Ellsworth and was involved with contracts for tracking legislative bill progress.
Prosecutors alleged Ellsworth bypassed the required competitive bidding for these contracts.
The state attorney general agreed there should be a new trial due to the juror error.
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House Democrats are asking for changes at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) after it spent over $500,000 supporting a candidate who lost a primary race in Arizona. Many Democrats want more input and less involvement by the DCCC in primary elections.
Key Facts
The DCCC spent more than $500,000 backing Marlene Galán-Woods in Arizona’s 1st district primary, but former state Rep. Amish Shah won.
This is the third time this year the DCCC spent six figures supporting a candidate who did not win a Democratic primary.
Some Democrats, including Rep. Pramila Jayapal, believe the party should stay out of Democratic primaries and let voters decide.
Several House Democrats want a formal group to give members and caucuses more say in how DCCC money is spent.
DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene is open to discussions, and there have been conversations with members even when disagreements occur.
The DCCC only runs positive ads for candidates it supports and primary spending is a small part of its total budget.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will decide on the next DCCC chair, with Rep. Brad Schneider and Rep. Greg Stanton mentioned as possible candidates.
The involvement and decision-making process of the DCCC in primaries has caused criticism within the Democratic Party.
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The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a resolution that would require Congress to approve any military action in Iran. This vote serves as a warning to President Donald Trump amid growing doubts about the war’s purpose and outcome.
Key Facts
The House vote was 214 in favor and 208 against the resolution.
The resolution demands that Congress approve future military action in Iran.
The Senate was expected to vote on a similar resolution soon after.
Democrats pushed the resolution to limit President Trump’s authority on the conflict.
Some House Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the resolution.
Lawmakers from both parties have questioned the clear goals of the war in Iran.
The resolution is largely symbolic but signals decreasing support for the administration’s approach.
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The White House said that President Trump and his administration will not get involved in the legal process to bring Andrew and Tristan Tate back to the U.S. for their case. The press secretary made this clear during a briefing with reporters.
Key Facts
President Trump’s administration will not intervene in the extradition of Andrew and Tristan Tate.
The Tate brothers are social media influencers.
The statement was made by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Leavitt answered the question during a press briefing on Thursday.
The extradition process is ongoing but the U.S. government is not taking action to influence it.
The White House has already responded to questions about this matter before.
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The US House of Representatives voted 214-208 to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to wage war against Iran after recent attacks killed three US soldiers. This resolution aims to reassert Congress’s authority over war decisions amid ongoing conflict between the US and Iran.
Key Facts
Four Republicans joined Democrats in voting to restrict Trump’s war powers on Iran.
The vote followed an Iranian attack on a US base in Jordan that killed three military personnel.
Senate Democrats plan to hold a similar War Powers vote.
A prior resolution in June also sought to require congressional approval before further attacks but was not sent to the president.
The US and Iran have exchanged attacks for 12 consecutive days since a ceasefire ended in early July.
Under the US Constitution, only Congress can declare war, though presidents can act in urgent self-defense.
The Trump administration says the conflict with Iran is justified as a defense against ongoing threats, but some experts disagree.
The House recently approved a $1.15 trillion defense spending bill that includes more funds for the conflict.
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The U.S. State Department announced new rules to deny visas to people involved in cybercrime and sextortion, including possible restrictions on their immediate family members. This effort targets those linked to scams and crimes often connected to foreign criminal groups to better protect American citizens.
Key Facts
The new visa restrictions focus on people involved in cybercrime and sextortion.
Visa access may also be denied to the immediate family members of these individuals.
These rules are part of a broader effort to prevent harmful individuals from entering the U.S.
The policy specifically mentions a link to Chinese transnational criminal groups in investment scams.
The Trump administration has been tightening visa rules and increasing applicant screening for the last 18 months.
Visa restrictions have also been used recently against people linked to political violence and criminal cartels.
The State Department treats every visa decision as a national security matter.
Thousands try to get U.S. visas illegally each year to commit crimes or avoid arrest, but detailed data on cybercrime is not publicly available.
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Crime in many major U.S. cities has continued to go down in early 2026 compared to the same time last year, following a rise in violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most violent crimes, including homicides and assaults, fell, but some crimes like drug offenses, domestic violence, and sexual assault saw increases.
Key Facts
Nine out of 13 types of crimes tracked decreased in the first half of 2026 compared to 2025.
Carjackings dropped by 47%, while drug-related crimes rose by 12%.
Homicide rates fell by 18% on average across 30 cities and are 31% below 2019 levels.
Cities like Lincoln (Nebraska) and Rochester (New York) saw large drops in homicide rates.
Some cities, including Norfolk and San Francisco, experienced increases in homicides.
Violent crime lethality, or crime resulting in death, declined by 23% in 17 cities.
Aggravated assaults and gun assaults both decreased compared to last year.
Sexual assaults rose slightly by 3%, while domestic violence increased by 8%.
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The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Stop Insider Trading Act to stop lawmakers from trading stocks based on secret information they get from their jobs. However, the bill does not apply to President Donald Trump or the vice president. It stops members of Congress and their families from buying new stocks but lets them keep stocks they already own.
Key Facts
The Stop Insider Trading Act passed the House 232-198 with some Democrats supporting it.
The law targets members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children, but excludes the president and vice president.
President Trump and the vice president are subject to different ethics and disclosure rules than lawmakers.
Lawmakers would be banned from buying new individual stocks but can keep or sell stocks they already own after a public notice period.
President Trump reported thousands of stock transactions worth hundreds of millions of dollars in early 2026.
Critics say the bill does not fully ban insider trading and exempts too many officials, including the president.
Richard Painter, a former White House ethics lawyer, supports the bill but says it should also apply to the president and vice president.
The Trump administration supports the bill as a step beyond current rules by stopping lawmakers from buying stocks while in office.
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The New York Times is challenging subpoenas from the Trump administration in court. These subpoenas seek reporters’ testimony and phone records after the Times reported on security issues with the new Air Force One plane.
Key Facts
The New York Times received subpoenas related to a story about the new Air Force One lacking advanced defensive features.
The subpoenas ask reporters to testify before a grand jury and provide phone records of reporters and some family members.
The Times’ lawyers say the subpoenas aim to intimidate and punish the newspaper for reporting that upset President Trump.
The Department of Justice says the subpoenas are to find if classified information was leaked that could affect national security.
The plane was donated by Qatar and costs about $400 million, with additional retrofit expenses planned.
The Times argues the subpoenas violate the First Amendment right to gather news without government interference.
The legal battle focuses on balancing national security concerns with press freedom.
The case highlights tensions between the Trump administration and the press.
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Hunter Biden said in an interview that President Donald Trump would have targeted his family if President Joe Biden had not given him a pardon. Hunter Biden believes the pardon protected his family from political attacks while Trump was in power.
Key Facts
Hunter Biden discussed the impact of a pardon he received from President Joe Biden.
He stated that without this pardon, President Trump would have focused on his family.
Hunter Biden implied the pardon prevented political pressure or investigation from Trump.
The interview highlights ongoing tensions between the Biden family and President Trump.
Hunter Biden's pardon was granted by his father, President Joe Biden.
The context involves U.S. political rivalries and family issues connected to public scrutiny.
Hunter Biden's comments suggest concerns about how political power can affect families.
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During the World Cup matches in the New York City area, police rescued 43 people, including seven children, from human traffickers. The NYPD Special Victims Unit arrested 89 suspects and continues to investigate as part of a wider effort coordinated across multiple states and agencies.
Key Facts
Forty-three victims, including seven minors, were rescued in New York City during the World Cup.
The NYPD Special Victims Unit made 89 arrests linked to human trafficking rings.
Rescue operations took place from June 11 to July 19, covering eight matches at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium.
Victims received support such as food, housing, and counseling from the NYPD’s Gender-Based Violence Police and Planning Unit.
The NYPD prepared months in advance by monitoring known human traffickers on parole or probation.
Local, state, and federal agencies worked together nationwide, with more than 673 arrests and 74 rescues during the World Cup across the U.S.
Other states, including Georgia, New England, and Missouri, also made arrests and rescues linked to World Cup events.
The World Cup was held in multiple cities across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, requiring broad law enforcement coordination.
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Last week, only 187,000 Americans filed for unemployment benefits, the lowest number since 1969. This shows that job losses remain very low, despite concerns that new technologies like AI might cause many layoffs.
Key Facts
Only 187,000 new unemployment claims were filed last week in the U.S.
This is the lowest number of jobless claims since September 1969.
The labor force is much larger now than in 1969, making this an unprecedented low rate of layoffs.
Many experts worry AI will cause job cuts, but current data does not show this happening.
Entry-level job postings have dropped 7.5% since last year.
Senior-level job postings have increased by nearly 15% over the same period.
The low number of layoffs mainly reflects firings, not hiring trends.
Economists may need to update their views on how AI impacts jobs if this trend continues.
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President Donald Trump is expanding a voluntary pledge involving governors and electric companies to protect U.S. consumers from rising utility bills caused by data centers used for artificial intelligence (AI). The pledge aims to cover 80% of power delivered to American homes and businesses, addressing concerns about increasing electricity demand and its impact on costs.
Key Facts
President Trump first announced the pledge with AI and tech companies in March 2026.
The pledge is voluntary and now includes nearly 200 additional stakeholders like utilities, data center developers, and governors.
The pledge aims to prevent consumers from paying higher electricity bills due to the increased power use of AI data centers.
Electricity demand is growing, and studies suggest utility bills could rise 15% to 40% by 2030 because of data centers.
AI is rapidly advancing, raising government and public concerns about electricity, water, and land use.
Opposition to data centers comes from both political parties, focusing on environmental impacts and local cost increases.
Data centers claim to help by generating tax revenues and reducing other property tax burdens for communities.
President Trump plans to discuss the pledge expansion at the Environmental Protection Agency.
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