Representative Becca Balint criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s plan to require testosterone tests for U.S. military members aged 30 and older. Secretary Hegseth said that all service members will get these tests and can choose treatment if needed.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced testosterone screenings for military members age 30 and above.
The tests will apply to all service members, regardless of gender.
Service members who need treatment after the test can decide whether to receive it.
Representative Becca Balint made a comment linking the screenings to “homoeroticism.”
The policy is a recent announcement from the Pentagon this week.
Testosterone is a hormone that affects physical traits and health.
The screenings are part of military health measures.
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Senator Thom Tillis said he will not support Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general unless Blanche meets with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein. Tillis expressed a generally favorable view of Blanche but emphasized the importance of this step in the confirmation process.
Key Facts
Senator Thom Tillis is from North Carolina and a member of the Republican Party.
Todd Blanche is the acting attorney general nominee.
Blanche recently answered several hours of questions during his confirmation hearings.
Epstein survivors have contacted the Justice Department seeking meetings.
Tillis wants Blanche to meet with these survivors before advancing his nomination.
Tillis described this meeting as an important step toward approving Blanche.
This demand reflects attention to the handling of Epstein-related cases in the Justice Department.
The nomination vote depends partly on Blanche agreeing to this meeting.
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New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows big differences in how much money people typically have across different states. Hawaii has the highest median net worth, while Oklahoma has the lowest. The data also highlights wealth gaps based on race and education.
Key Facts
The median net worth in the U.S. in 2024 is $204,900.
Hawaii has the highest median net worth at $643,300.
Oklahoma has the lowest median net worth at $61,080.
Wealth includes home value, retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s.
10% of households have zero or negative net worth, while 10% have over $1.8 million.
White and Asian households are more likely to have over $1 million than Black or Hispanic households.
Nearly 25% of Black households have zero or negative net worth.
Higher education levels correspond with higher median net worth.
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A White House teleprompter operator reportedly earned almost $100,000 by betting on President Donald Trump’s speeches using a prediction market website called Kalshi. CBS News confirmed this information through its reporting.
Key Facts
The person involved worked as a teleprompter operator at the White House.
They made nearly $100,000 in bets related to President Trump's speeches.
The bets were placed on Kalshi, a prediction market platform.
Prediction markets let people bet on outcomes of future events.
CBS News verified this information through their reporting.
The story focuses on U.S. government employees and activities linked to President Trump.
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Senator Thom Tillis said he will not support Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination until Blanche meets with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse. Tillis wants this meeting before the Senate Judiciary Committee votes on Blanche’s confirmation.
Key Facts
Senator Thom Tillis wants Todd Blanche to meet Epstein survivors before voting to advance his nomination for attorney general.
Blanche is the acting attorney general and is up for confirmation by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Dani Bensky, an Epstein survivor, testified that her personal information was mistakenly made public by the Justice Department.
Blanche apologized for mistakes in releasing Epstein-related documents and said staff could meet survivors, but he must go through their lawyers.
The Judiciary Committee vote on Blanche’s nomination will happen in at least two weeks.
The committee is closely divided between Republicans and Democrats, making Tillis’s vote important.
Senator John Cornyn, another Republican whose support is needed, lost his primary.
Blanche faced questions about a $10 billion lawsuit settlement with President Trump related to IRS tax return leaks.
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George Santos, a former congressman from New York who was convicted in 2024 of wire fraud and identity theft, will appear on a Fox reality TV show. He will compete in the fifth season of “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test,” a show where celebrities face military-style challenges.
Key Facts
George Santos served as a representative from New York.
In 2024, he was convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Santos confirmed his participation in a Fox reality TV show.
The show is called “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.”
It is a competition where celebrities face military-style challenges.
This will be the show’s fifth season.
The show airs on the Fox network.
Santos’ involvement marks a move into entertainment after his political and legal troubles.
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Mike Collins, a Republican Senate candidate in Georgia supported by President Donald Trump, is linked to his son-in-law David Alan Scheer, a white nationalist influencer. Scheer has shared antisemitic and racist content online, and he is involved in Collins’s political activities and campaign events.
Key Facts
Mike Collins represents Georgia’s 10th congressional district and is running for Senate in the 2024 midterm elections.
Collins was endorsed by President Donald Trump and has expressed denial of the 2020 election results.
David Alan Scheer, Collins’s son-in-law, is known for promoting white nationalist views and antisemitic conspiracy theories on social media.
Scheer has over 1.5 million followers across multiple social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Telegram.
Scheer shared Nazi imagery and content from the Patriot Front, a white supremacist hate group.
Scheer voted from a property owned by Collins and appeared in Collins’s campaign photos and events.
Scheer made public statements calling for racial purity and exclusion of non-white groups from America.
Scheer has spread false claims blaming Jews for major historical events and conspiracy theories involving political figures.
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Gabriel Perez, a teleprompter operator for President Donald Trump since 2016, is under federal investigation for allegedly using his access to Trump’s speeches to place bets on specific words or topics. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is negotiating a settlement requiring Perez to give back his profits and stop these bets. Perez has been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation.
Key Facts
Gabriel Perez has operated President Trump’s teleprompter since 2016.
He is accused of betting over $100,000 on whether certain words or topics would appear in Trump’s speeches.
Perez allegedly placed bets on more than a dozen speeches, including major events like the State of the Union.
Kalshi, the betting platform used, detected suspicious trades and alerted federal regulators.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is handling the investigation and negotiating a settlement.
Perez continues to cooperate with regulators and was placed on paid administrative leave by the White House.
His job involves real-time control of the teleprompter as President Trump often deviates from the script.
This situation raises questions about presidential speech security and ethics rules for White House staff.
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Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, said many Democrats in the House support an amendment to stop U.S. aid to Israel. He believes this shows that people’s views on this issue are changing.
Key Facts
Rep. Thomas Massie is the only Republican supporting the amendment to cut U.S. aid to Israel.
Many Democrats in the House of Representatives back the amendment.
The amendment would stop American tax dollars from being sent to Israel.
Massie spoke about this on the show MS NOW’s “Morning...”
He said the support for the amendment reflects shifting opinions on aid to Israel.
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President Donald Trump plans to give a primetime speech on July 16 focusing on the integrity of the 2020 election, which he lost. The speech may include information from newly declassified intelligence reports about foreign attempts to interfere in that election.
Key Facts
President Trump will address the nation on July 16 about election integrity.
The speech is expected to focus mainly on the 2020 presidential election.
White House officials have hinted the speech will discuss foreign interference in the 2020 election.
Trump has made claims about problems with mail-in voting that are unproven.
He supports the SAVE America Act, a bill aimed at tightening voter registration and ID rules.
The administration has not provided many details before the speech.
Trump said free and fair elections are essential for the country.
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At least one person has died in flooding caused by heavy rain in central Texas, in the same area hit by deadly floods last summer. Emergency officials are urging people to evacuate as the Guadalupe River continues to rise rapidly, causing dangerous conditions.
Key Facts
The flooding is happening along the Guadalupe River in central Texas.
Last summer, more than 130 people died in flash floods in this region.
Among those who died last year were 25 children and 2 counselors at Camp Mystic, a girls' summer camp near Kerrville.
The Guadalupe River rose 32 feet in just four hours during the recent floods.
Emergency officials are actively rescuing people as floodwaters rise.
Residents are being told by the National Weather Service to move to higher ground immediately.
Camp Mystic, the site of last year's tragedy, has not reopened and filed for bankruptcy this summer.
The flooding affects multiple counties including Uvalde, Kerr, and Kendall in South Texas.
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The U.S. Mint will produce a new $1 coin with President Donald Trump's face to celebrate America's 250th birthday. Although the coin is legal tender, many people may avoid spending it because of political opinions, making it likely to become a collectible rather than regular currency.
Key Facts
The new $1 coin features President Donald Trump's face and the phrases "In God We Trust," "Liberty," and "1776-2026."
The coin has a gold color but is made from nonprecious metals.
It will be released for circulation in the fall of 2024.
U.S. law generally prohibits coins bearing the image of living presidents, which may lead to lawsuits and protests.
People who dislike President Trump may refuse to accept or quickly spend the coin to get rid of it.
Supporters of President Trump are likely to keep the coin as a collectible or gift it to others.
A similar situation occurred in 1926 with President Calvin Coolidge's image on a coin, which also became a collector’s item.
Despite political feelings, most people use money for transactions, so the coin’s value and use are expected to continue.
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Heavy rain caused flash flooding in central Texas, leading to dozens of rescues and at least one death. Authorities warned people near the Leona River in Uvalde to move to higher ground due to the risk of a large wall of water.
Key Facts
Over 40 people were rescued from homes, cars, and floodwaters by Texas Game Wardens and fire departments.
More than a foot of rain fell since Monday, sometimes at a rate of 3 inches per hour.
The Medina River, usually shallow, rose significantly because of the rain.
A tornado near San Antonio caused strong winds up to 100 mph, damaging buildings and causing power issues.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed at least one death related to the flooding.
Residents in Uvalde were warned about a possible 20-foot wall of water from the Leona River overflowing.
Flood conditions are the worst some areas have seen since 2015.
The storm system brought both heavy rain and a tornado to parts of Texas.
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A federal appeals court ordered the release of Raheem Fulton, a Jamaican man in U.S. immigration detention with serious kidney disease, because his health condition and ongoing legal issues justify bail. Fulton faces deportation after a burglary conviction but requires regular dialysis and adequate medical care that ICE had not fully provided.
Key Facts
Raheem Fulton is a Jamaican national detained by ICE and faces deportation due to a burglary conviction.
He has end-stage kidney disease, requiring regular dialysis treatment to survive.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit granted him bail pending his legal appeal.
The court found his medical condition and unresolved legal claims meet the high standard for bail.
Fulton argued ICE failed to provide proper medical discharge planning before deportation.
ICE did not facilitate his kidney transplant evaluation despite medical referrals.
The government did not claim Fulton was a risk to public safety or likely to flee.
The court concluded that deporting Fulton without dialysis would likely cause his death.
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The U.S. government has officially named the Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras cartel as foreign terrorist organizations. This designation allows U.S. authorities to increase actions against these Mexican criminal groups, especially at the Texas border and in the western state of Michoacán.
Key Facts
The Juárez Cartel operates near the Texas border, mainly in Ciudad Juárez across from El Paso.
Los Viagras is a criminal cartel based in Michoacán, a western state in Mexico.
Both cartels were added to the list of foreign terrorist organizations published in the Federal Register.
This designation allows the U.S. to take stronger actions against these groups and those who support them.
President Trump started labeling Latin American cartels as terrorist groups in February 2025.
The Juárez Cartel has been linked to a deadly attack in 2019 that killed nine American women and children from a Mormon community.
Nicolás Sierra Santana, leader of Los Viagras, is wanted by the U.S. with a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture.
The move increases pressure on Mexico’s government, including on President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration, amid indictments of officials suspected of cartel ties.
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Jennifer Bos spoke emotionally at the confirmation hearing for Todd Blanche, who is nominated to be U.S. attorney general. Her daughter Megan died in April 2025, and a man living illegally in the U.S. is connected to her death and was charged with hiding her body and obstructing justice.
Key Facts
Jennifer Bos made an opening statement at Todd Blanche’s attorney general confirmation hearing.
Her daughter, Megan, was found dead in April 2025 in the backyard of an undocumented Mexican citizen.
Megan was reported missing weeks before her body was found.
The initial autopsy suggested Megan may have died from a fentanyl overdose.
The final cause of her death has not been confirmed.
The man involved, Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, was charged with abuse of a corpse, hiding the death, and blocking justice.
Mendoza-Gonzalez was released without bail initially but was later detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in July 2025.
The case was discussed during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for Todd Blanche’s confirmation.
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Ava DuVernay is making a Netflix documentary about the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to people born in the United States. The film will explore the history and current debates around this amendment, especially after President Trump tried to limit birthright citizenship but was blocked by the Supreme Court.
Key Facts
The 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868 and grants citizenship to anyone born or naturalized in the U.S.
The amendment overturned the Dred Scott Supreme Court decision, which denied citizenship to descendants of enslaved people.
President Trump signed an order on his first day in office to restrict birthright citizenship.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against Trump's order, upholding the amendment’s protections.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that citizenship guarantees the right to participate in the political community.
Ava DuVernay previously made the documentary "13th," about the 13th Amendment and slavery.
Her new film will include voices of politicians, historians, and cultural figures.
President Trump has said he will keep fighting against the Supreme Court’s decision on birthright citizenship.
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Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said he would leave the Democratic Party if it becomes against Israel, but he does not plan to leave right now. His statement comes as some Democrats show dissatisfaction with Israel and its leader, which could affect the party's chances in upcoming elections.
Key Facts
Senator John Fetterman threatened to leave the Democratic Party if it officially becomes an anti-Israel party.
Fetterman said he remains committed to the Democrats for now, especially if they regain the Senate majority.
Many Democrats have criticized Israel and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently.
Over 100 House Democrats voted for a measure to stop U.S. funding to Israel, though it failed.
Some Democrats have been upset with Fetterman’s votes that align with Republicans, such as supporting a Trump-nominated official.
A recent poll shows most Pennsylvania voters want Fetterman to leave the Democratic Party.
Fetterman could face a tough primary challenge in 2028.
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Federal regulators are investigating a White House teleprompter operator, Gabriel Perez, for allegedly using advance knowledge of President Trump's speeches to make trades on a prediction market called Kalshi. Perez reportedly won over $100,000 from these trades and is cooperating with the investigation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Key Facts
Gabriel Perez, a teleprompter operator at the White House, is under investigation for insider trading.
He allegedly used information from President Trump's planned speeches, including the State of the Union, to make trades on Kalshi.
Kalshi is a prediction market where people can bet on the likelihood of future events.
Perez reportedly won more than $100,000 from these trades.
Kalshi detected the suspicious trades and froze Perez's account to stop further profits.
The CFTC is investigating the case and has discussed a possible settlement with Perez.
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan declined to open a criminal investigation.
The White House said Perez is cooperating fully and that staff must follow strict ethics guidelines.
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The Trump administration is bringing back a rule that could stop some immigrants from getting green cards if they use certain public benefits like food stamps, Medicaid, or housing help. This rule, called "public charge," was used before but reversed by President Biden and will take effect again starting September 18, 2026.
Key Facts
The "public charge" rule affects immigrants applying for green cards who use public benefits.
Benefits under this rule include food stamps, Medicaid, and housing vouchers.
The rule was first put in place in February 2020 under President Trump.
President Biden reversed the rule after taking office.
The Trump administration is reinstating the policy to encourage immigrants to be financially independent.
The rule will officially start again on September 18, 2026.
Critics say the rule causes fear among immigrant families and can lead to worse health outcomes.
Federal law already requires immigrants to show they will not depend on public assistance, but this rule expands the types of benefits considered.
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