The Republican Party controls the House, Senate, and the White House, but they are struggling to agree on key government funding bills. House Speaker Mike Johnson wants to pass a large $95 billion budget package quickly, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune prefers to handle government funding first and avoid risky budget tactics.
Key Facts
Republicans hold the majority in the House, Senate, and the presidency with President Donald Trump.
Government funding expires on September 30, and a temporary bill has passed the House to keep the government open until December 4.
Johnson proposes a $95 billion budget resolution that includes money for the military, farmers, and election-related grants tied to the SAVE America Act.
The SAVE America Act involves requiring proof of citizenship and photo ID to vote.
Johnson wants to pass the budget resolution using a fast-track process called reconciliation, which needs only a simple majority.
Thune prefers to finalize government funding first with bipartisan support before moving on to other bills.
Thune worries the reconciliation approach is politically risky and could lead to many difficult votes before the midterm elections.
The disagreement reflects different priorities: Johnson wants quick action to keep the party united, while Thune wants a safer, step-by-step approach.
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Rep. Shri Thanedar of Michigan faces a tough Democratic primary challenge from Donavan McKinney, who is backed by progressive groups including the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Many House Democrats see this race as unique to Detroit and do not view it as a major political battle between the DSA and the mainstream Democratic Party.
Key Facts
Rep. Shri Thanedar represents a Detroit-based district with a large African American population.
Thanedar is challenged in the August 4 primary by Donavan McKinney, who is supported by the DSA, Senator Bernie Sanders, and other progressive groups.
Thanedar funds his campaigns largely himself and has endorsements from House Democratic leadership and some caucuses.
House Democrats generally view Thanedar as politically isolated and have mixed feelings about his efforts, including his push for President Trump’s impeachment.
Many Democrats do not consider this race a sign of larger trends between progressives and the Democratic establishment.
Leadership, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, has endorsed Thanedar despite the challenge.
Some Democrats say the race focuses on local cultural and representation issues in Detroit rather than national ideological battles.
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The U.S. government and seven states sharing the Colorado River are finalizing a plan to address water shortages and low reservoir levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs said her state will not accept unfair cuts to its water supply as talks continue to protect the river and its reservoirs.
Key Facts
A federal plan to manage Colorado River water shortages is expected soon.
The Colorado River serves seven states: Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico (Upper Basin), and Arizona, California, Nevada (Lower Basin).
Current water-sharing rules for the river will expire this year.
Lakes Mead and Powell are at their lowest combined water levels ever recorded—27% and 22% full respectively.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum met virtually with the seven governors to discuss the river’s future management.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs opposes “unreasonable” cuts to Arizona’s water share and demands fair conservation efforts from all states.
The states and 30 tribes depend on the Colorado River for water and economic needs for about 40 million people.
Proposed plans include short-term water conservation measures to keep reservoir levels above critical points.
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A recent survey shows that nearly 12 percent of Americans say they shoplift regularly, almost double the amount from two years ago. While fewer people blame financial struggles for shoplifting, more are doing it out of habit or as a reaction against large corporations.
Key Facts
Regular shoplifting rose from 6.1 percent in 2024 to 11.5 percent in 2026.
The increase was especially notable among men (8% to 15.6%) and parents with children under 18 (9.8% to 19.7%).
Fewer shoplifters say they steal because they cannot afford items; this reason dropped from 33.9% in 2024 to 19.1% in 2026.
Overall, 29.6% of people surveyed in 2026 said they have ever shoplifted, up from 22.9% in 2024.
Men are more likely than women to admit to shoplifting and to do so regularly.
Some experts suggest the rise reflects frustration with large corporations and the economy, not just economic hardship.
Inflation has decreased since 2022 but still affects people's financial pressures.
The survey was conducted online with 2,000 U.S. adults and aimed to represent the overall population.
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The U.S. Justice Department is suing two Chinese companies to force a recall of immersion water heaters that can overheat and catch fire soon after being turned on. These heaters, sold under the brand "Lakkzoom," have caused more than 230 fire-related incidents reported to U.S. safety officials.
Key Facts
The lawsuit targets two Chinese companies: Cixi Miaojie Electrical Appliance Co. and Changsha Jiayi Tianzhuo Trading Co.
The heaters are used in bathtubs and pools and can catch fire if not fully submerged in water.
The products lack safety features that would turn them off automatically if they get too hot or are not in contact with water.
Over 98,000 of these heaters were sold in the U.S. before the lawsuit.
Since September 2024, there have been over 137 reported fire incidents linked to these heaters.
Customers have reported heaters melting, sparking, and setting pools and bathtubs on fire.
The case was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., under the Consumer Product Safety Act.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that the government wants to protect American families from dangerous imported products.
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Catina Rose Salarno, an 18-year-old college freshman in California in 1979, was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, Steven Burns, after she ended their relationship. Burns shot her in the head when she refused to rekindle their romance during a late-night meeting on campus. Her youngest sister later became a district attorney focused on domestic violence cases.
Key Facts
Catina Salarno started college at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, in September 1979.
She had recently broken up with her high school boyfriend, Steven Burns.
Burns asked to meet Catina one last time that evening, and she reluctantly agreed.
During their meeting, Burns shot Catina in the back of the head after she rejected his attempt to get back together.
Burns was convicted of second-degree murder in 1980.
Catina’s family had trusted Burns despite his aggressive behavior as their relationship ended.
Catina’s youngest sister, Nina Salarno, was 14 when the murder happened and later became a prosecutor specializing in domestic violence.
Nina Salarno has been serving as district attorney in Modoc County, California, since 2023.
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The House Judiciary Oversight Subcommittee will hold a hearing about conditions at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey. The hearing will also look at how protests outside the center have affected ICE’s immigration enforcement work.
Key Facts
The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.
The focus is the living conditions inside Delaney Hall ICE detention center.
Protesters have gathered outside the center since late May.
Protesters say they support detainees who report poor conditions.
Law enforcement and protesters have clashed at the site.
The hearing will examine how protests have disrupted ICE’s operations.
President Donald Trump defended the center’s operations during a Cabinet meeting on May 27.
President Trump described the protesters as "fake" and "paid for."
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is holding back more than $1 billion from California and Minnesota because he says there are fake claims involved. He believes efforts to stop Medicaid fraud should include all states, not just a few.
Key Facts
RFK Jr. is withholding over $1 billion in funds from California and Minnesota.
The reason given is allegations of fraud or fake claims in Medicaid.
Medicaid is a government program that helps pay medical costs for some people with limited income.
RFK Jr. says the fight against Medicaid fraud needs to cover all states equally.
He mentions Texas, Florida, and Ohio as other states that should be included.
The article suggests that fraud claims need careful scrutiny before payment.
No clear details are given about specific fraudulent claims or investigations.
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The article explains that privateering—using private ships to fight enemies with government approval—was common in early U.S. history but stopped after the War of 1812. Today, some lawmakers want to revive privateering for cyber warfare and fighting drug cartels, even though international law bans it.
Key Facts
Privateering involved private ships attacking enemy vessels with government permission through "letters of marque."
Presidents John Adams and James Madison used privateers in conflicts such as the Quasi-War with France and the War of 1812.
Privateering declined as the U.S. Navy grew stronger and more official naval forces took over defense roles.
The U.S. Constitution allows privateering, but it has been forbidden by international law since the 19th century.
Some Founding Fathers, like Benjamin Franklin and William Whipple, criticized privateering on moral and economic grounds.
Modern proposals by Senator Mike Lee and Representative Tim Burchett aim to use privateers in cyber warfare and against drug cartels.
These proposals suggest government-sanctioned "digital privateers" could attack cybercriminals and seize their assets.
The article compares current discussions on privateering to historical practices but notes the differences in modern law and technology.
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A college student was killed by her boyfriend who lived nearby. Her family is working hard to make sure he stays in prison. A CBS News report will share the full story.
Key Facts
The victim was a college student.
The boyfriend who killed her lived right across the street.
The family has been fighting to keep him in prison.
The story will be reported by Erin Moriarty.
The report will air on CBS on Saturday, July 25 at 10/9c.
It will also be available on the Paramount+ streaming service.
The program is part of the "48 Hours" series.
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Kyle Kulinski, a political commentator, admitted support for terrorist groups during a live stream. The article notes others were also involved in defending these groups during the same stream.
Key Facts
Kyle Kulinski is a known political commentator.
He expressed support for terrorist groups during a live broadcast.
The live stream included others who also defended these groups.
The article suggests Kulinski is not widely influential.
The focus is on the unusual support for terrorists shown during the stream.
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Senator Michael Bennet, a Democrat from Washington, questioned U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer about the effects of President Donald Trump's trade policies on farmers. Bennet disagreed with Greer's positive statements about the policies, highlighting concerns about how farmers were affected.
Key Facts
Senator Michael Bennet spoke against some claims made by the U.S. Trade Representative.
Jamieson Greer defended President Trump’s trade policies.
Bennet focused on the impact of these policies on American farmers.
Bennet expressed that the policies did not benefit farmers as claimed.
The discussion was part of a CBS News segment.
The trade policies in question were implemented during President Trump’s administration.
Senator Bennet is from the state of Washington.
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President Donald Trump attended a ceremony in Delaware where the bodies of four U.S. servicemembers killed in conflicts related to Iran were brought home. He said Iran would face consequences for the deaths of the soldiers.
Key Facts
Four U.S. servicemembers died in conflicts associated with Iran.
Their names are 1st Lt. Tyler J. Feehan, Sgt. Michael E. Swinton, Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales.
President Trump was present at the transfer ceremony in Delaware.
The event is called a dignified transfer, a ceremony where fallen soldiers are returned to U.S. soil.
President Trump warned that Iran would “pay the price” for the casualties.
The troops were involved in military actions in Iraq and Jordan linked to tensions with Iran.
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Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old from Mississippi, went missing after a boating trip and was later found dead. An independent autopsy could not determine the exact cause of death and left open the possibility of foul play, while local authorities have not yet released their findings.
Key Facts
Nolan Wells disappeared after a boating trip on July 4th near Horn Island, Mississippi.
His body was found in the water two days later.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office sees no signs of foul play.
Wells' family requested an independent autopsy due to unanswered questions about his death.
The autopsy found red discoloration on the back of his head but no skin wounds or skull fractures.
The examiner could not confirm bruising or if Wells was conscious when he entered the water due to decomposition.
Parts of Wells’ throat were held back for further examination, so possible neck injury has not been ruled out.
Toxicology results are still pending.
Wells’ mother questioned police reports and was concerned because Wells’ phone and car keys were found with his friends, not with him.
Wells was a college football player and knew how to swim.
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The article previews a CBS News story about a teenager named Justine who was strangled and buried alive. Her family works hard to make sure the people who harmed her stay in prison. The story will air on the show "48 Hours."
Key Facts
A teenager named Justine was strangled and buried alive.
Justine's family is fighting to keep her killers in jail.
Justine's sister says, "We're her voice" to represent Justine.
The story is reported by Natalie Morales, a "48 Hours" correspondent.
The program will be shown on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ on Saturday, July 25 at 9/8c.
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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized President Donald Trump for a post about the number of American soldiers who died in different wars, calling his comment “stupid.” The post compared death totals from the Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam, and Korean wars.
Key Facts
Marjorie Taylor Greene is a Republican Representative from Georgia.
She publicly criticized President Trump’s social media post about U.S. war deaths.
President Trump listed death numbers from the Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam, and Korean wars.
Greene objected specifically to how Trump discussed the military death toll in the Iran-related conflict.
The wars mentioned span different time periods and numbers of U.S. casualties.
The Afghanistan War lasted about 20 years with around 2,000 U.S. deaths.
The Iraq War lasted about 9 years with about 4,600 U.S. deaths.
The Vietnam War lasted over 19 years with more than 58,000 U.S. deaths.
The Korean War lasted just over 3 years with about 36,500 U.S. deaths.
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Protesters called for justice at a Houston city council meeting after Lorenzo Salgado Araujo died in a July 7 shooting involving an ICE agent. They demanded answers and accountability for his death during the event.
Key Facts
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was 52 years old.
He died on July 7 in a shooting involving an ICE agent.
Protesters gathered at a Houston city council meeting on Tuesday.
They chanted “Justice for Lorenzo” during the meeting.
The protesters want explanations and action related to the shooting.
The incident and protests took place in Houston, Texas.
ICE stands for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal agency.
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The current administration fired USAID career employees by calling it a "reorganization." Officials knew it was illegal to fire workers based on their politics or false claims of wrongdoing.
Key Facts
USAID career employees were fired under the reason of a "reorganization."
The administration understood they could not legally fire employees for political reasons.
Some employees were accused of misconduct that was not true.
The firing was effectively a purge, or mass removal, of staff.
The action violated employment laws protecting career federal workers.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he cannot arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the city because he lacks legal authority. Instead, Mamdani urged the U.S. federal government to act on an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes.
Key Facts
Mayor Mamdani first promised to arrest Netanyahu but later said he cannot do so legally.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024 over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
The U.S. is not a member of the ICC, so it does not have to enforce ICC arrest warrants.
President Donald Trump said Netanyahu would not be arrested in the U.S. under any circumstances.
Mamdani called on the federal government to join the ICC and carry out the warrant.
Netanyahu is expected to visit New York City in September for the United Nations General Assembly.
Mamdani has publicly called Netanyahu a war criminal and said the Gaza war is genocide.
Support among Democratic voters for U.S. backing of Israel has decreased recently, according to a poll.
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President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attended a ceremony at Dover Air Force Base to honor four U.S. Army soldiers killed in recent attacks linked to the ongoing war with Iran. Two soldiers died in attacks at a base in Jordan, one is presumed dead after being missing, and another was killed in Iraq during a drone detonation.
Key Facts
The ceremony was a dignified transfer, a respectful process to bring fallen soldiers home.
The four soldiers killed are Lt. Tyler James Feehan (25), Pvt. Isabella Gonzales (19), Sgt. Angel Rampersad (28), and Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton (30).
Feehan and Gonzales died during attacks on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.
Rampersad was initially missing but is now believed to have died in that attack.
Swinton died at Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq while a drone was being controlled and detonated.
President Trump said the administration is investigating the attacks and will share the findings.
The president emphasized that the U.S. will not allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon.
Nearly 100 U.S. service members have been injured in Iranian strikes recently.
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