Republican Congressman William Timmons of South Carolina addressed rumors about running for the Senate seat left open by Senator Lindsey Graham's recent death. Timmons said he will not run and does not support fellow Republicans Nancy Mace or Ralph Norman as successors. The seat is temporarily filled by Graham's sister, and a special election will decide the permanent replacement.
Key Facts
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died suddenly at age 71.
Governor Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham, to fill the seat temporarily.
William Timmons is a 42-year-old Republican U.S. Representative from South Carolina.
Timmons said he will not run for Graham’s Senate seat or support Nancy Mace or Ralph Norman as replacements.
Timmons expressed that keeping a Republican House majority is more important than personal political ambitions.
A special Republican primary is scheduled for August 11 to choose the party’s nominee for the November general election.
Candidate filing for the special election will occur from July 21 to July 28.
The winner of the Republican primary is expected to have a strong chance in the November election due to South Carolina’s conservative voting history.
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The Harris County District Attorney in Houston is investigating the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE agent. If the investigation finds evidence of criminal wrongdoing, his office is ready to file charges against those involved, regardless of federal status.
Key Facts
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican immigrant, was fatally shot by an ICE agent on July 7 in Houston.
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare is leading an independent investigation and has issued numerous subpoenas.
The Department of Homeland Security claims Salgado Araujo used his van as a weapon during a traffic stop.
Salgado Araujo's family disputes this, saying he was a loving father who lived in the U.S. for over 30 years.
The FBI and DHS Office of Inspector General are also investigating the shooting.
ICE has not given local investigators the name of the agent who fired the weapon.
ICE has temporarily stopped most vehicle stops by deportation agents following this and a similar shooting in Maine.
The district attorney’s office is helping witnesses request visas to prevent their deportation while the investigation takes place.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host the first meeting of the Economic Diplomacy Action Group (EDAG), which was created two years ago during the Biden administration. The group includes leaders from various federal agencies and aims to guide U.S. economic strategies to support foreign policy goals, such as American leadership in artificial intelligence (AI).
Key Facts
Marco Rubio is the Secretary of State leading the meeting.
The Economic Diplomacy Action Group was established two years ago under the Biden administration.
This will be the first meeting of EDAG.
EDAG is made up of leaders from different U.S. federal agencies.
The group focuses on shaping U.S. economic policies to support foreign policy goals.
One priority is maintaining American leadership in AI technology.
The group works on what is called “economic statecraft,” which means using economic tools to influence international relations.
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Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare is investigating the fatal shooting of Mexican immigrant Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by ICE agents. His office is working to get visas for witnesses so they can stay in the U.S. during the investigation.
Key Facts
The shooting involved Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
The victim was Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican immigrant.
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare is leading the investigation.
The DA’s office is filing paperwork to obtain visas for witnesses.
The visas aim to prevent witnesses from being deported during the investigation.
The goal is to keep witnesses available to provide testimony.
The case is under active review by local authorities.
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A 25-year-old Colombian man, Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Biddeford, Maine, after a brief car incident. Officials say Guerrero tried to flee, but some sources say he was not the target of the ICE operation. Following this shooting and a similar one in Texas, ICE has paused most vehicle stops during immigration enforcement.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at 7:17 a.m. on July 13, 2026, in Biddeford, Maine.
Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero was driving a white sedan when ICE officers opened fire, hitting the car several times.
Surveillance videos show officers surrounding the car, which was moving in circles before it stopped.
Witnesses heard gunshots and saw officers pulling Guerrero from the car; he died at the scene.
ICE was conducting surveillance on a person with a removal order but Guerrero was reportedly not that person.
DHS says Guerrero tried to drive away and an officer shot out of concern for public safety.
A similar fatal shooting by ICE occurred on July 7, 2026, in Houston, Texas, involving a man who was not the target of the operation.
ICE has suspended most vehicle stops during immigration enforcement to review procedures; this pause is described as temporary.
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President Donald Trump said in an interview that he does not rule out sending U.S. ground troops to Iran. This statement came as the U.S. carried out more strikes against targets linked to Iran.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke about the possibility of sending ground troops to Iran.
He made these remarks during a Fox News interview.
The comments came during ongoing U.S. military actions against Iranian targets.
The U.S. recently launched more strikes linked to Iran.
The situation reflects rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
No specific plans or timelines for a ground invasion were announced.
The news was reported by CBS News and Fox News.
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Jay Clayton is testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee for his nomination as director of national intelligence. President Donald Trump nominated Clayton after earlier naming an acting director, which led to disagreement in Congress.
Key Facts
Jay Clayton currently works as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.
He is testifying on July 15 before the Senate for the role of director of national intelligence.
President Trump nominated Clayton last month to fill the position permanently.
Tulsi Gabbard resigned from the role in May due to her husband's cancer diagnosis.
Trump first appointed Bill Pulte as acting director, but Congress opposed this.
Democrats said they would block renewal of certain intelligence powers until a permanent nominee was named.
Trump delayed Clayton’s initial confirmation hearing in June but formally nominated him on July 1.
The hearing is part of the process to confirm Clayton’s appointment officially.
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Florida executed Dennis Sochor, a 74-year-old prisoner convicted of murder, marking the state's 10th lethal injection this year. Sochor was convicted of killing Patricia Gifford in 1982 and was one of the oldest inmates to be executed in Florida. The state continues to carry out multiple executions despite an aging death row population.
Key Facts
Dennis Sochor, age 74, was executed in Florida on Tuesday by lethal injection.
Sochor was convicted for the 1982 murder of Patricia Gifford.
He apologized to the victim’s family and thanked his own family before the execution.
Florida has carried out 10 executions so far this year, more than any other state.
Another 74-year-old prisoner was executed last month, and an 80-year-old is scheduled next.
Patricia Gifford’s body has never been found, and her sister has urged anyone with information to come forward.
Sochor admitted on tape to choking Gifford and hiding her body.
The US Supreme Court rejected Sochor’s final appeal without comment.
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New Mexico’s attorney general is in conflict with the U.S. Justice Department over access to unredacted records related to Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch. The New Mexico office says the federal government is not cooperating with their ongoing criminal investigation, while the Justice Department says federal laws and court orders prevent releasing these documents.
Key Facts
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez claims the U.S. DOJ is withholding unredacted Epstein files.
Torrez sent a letter giving the DOJ a July 31 deadline to provide the records or face legal actions.
The U.S. DOJ Southern District of New York office reportedly said they will not support the New Mexico investigation.
The DOJ spokesperson said releasing the documents would break federal law and court orders protecting victims and witnesses.
New Mexico started investigating Epstein’s activities at Zorro Ranch in February 2024.
In 2019, a New Mexico criminal probe into Epstein ended with no charges filed.
Epstein accuser Annie Farmer said she was abused at Zorro Ranch and testified in the 2021 trial of Ghislaine Maxwell.
New Mexico’s investigation focuses on allegations including a 2019 anonymous email stating two foreign girls were buried at the ranch.
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A boat carrying 19 people caught fire and sank near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Rescuers saved 17 people, one person is missing, and emergency teams continue to search and provide aid.
Key Facts
The boat was a pleasure or pontoon-type vessel.
The fire started around 3:30 p.m. local time on July 14, 2026.
17 passengers were rescued from the water.
One person remains missing after the incident.
Emergency crews were performing CPR on another individual.
The U.S. Coast Guard and local rescue teams, including scuba divers, are involved in search efforts.
Several local authorities and a private boat assisted in the response.
The incident occurred near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay.
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The U.S. House of Representatives voted to make daylight saving time permanent, meaning clocks would no longer change twice a year. The bill still needs approval from the Senate before it can become law.
Key Facts
The House passed the bill with a vote of 308 to 117.
Daylight saving time means setting clocks one hour ahead between spring and fall.
If the bill becomes law, clocks would stay on daylight saving time all year.
States can choose not to follow the change if their own legislatures decide to opt out before the law starts.
The Senate must also approve the bill before it becomes official.
Supporters say permanent daylight saving time gives people more sunlight in the evenings.
Rep. Gus Bilirakis said switching clocks twice a year causes disruption and permanent time would benefit families and local businesses.
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Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan spoke to members of Congress about their need for more money to protect themselves. They asked for a $230 million budget to help improve their security because they face more threats.
Key Facts
Justices Barrett and Kagan appeared before House and Senate committees.
They requested $230 million to increase their security budget.
The request is due to growing safety threats against Supreme Court justices.
They gave testimony on Tuesday.
The security funds would be used to protect justices and their families.
The Supreme Court is concerned about safety amid rising tension around its decisions.
Congress will decide whether to approve the requested budget increase.
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Two teenagers have been charged with tampering with evidence after 18-year-old Daniel Erving drowned at a Texas lake in April. The family is seeking full justice following arrests related to hiding Erving’s belongings after his death.
Key Facts
Daniel Erving, 18, drowned in April at Lake Ray Hubbard in north Texas.
A 19-year-old, Lucas Roper, and a 17-year-old juvenile were arrested on July 9 for tampering with physical evidence, a serious crime.
Authorities say the suspects hid Erving’s clothes and phone after his drowning.
Roper admitted to panicking and deleting messages with Erving to avoid trouble.
The family, supported by attorney Ben Crump, demands full justice for Daniel Erving.
Erving was last seen with the two suspects before he drowned after jumping into the water from a bridge.
His body was found on April 17, four days after he went missing.
The Dallas County Medical Examiner officially ruled Erving’s cause of death.
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ICE has been told to stop most vehicle traffic stops after two deadly shootings involving the agency happened this week in Texas and Maine. These shootings have led to a temporary pause in this type of enforcement by ICE agents.
Key Facts
ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a U.S. government agency.
Two fatal shootings connected to ICE officers occurred this week in Texas and Maine.
After these incidents, ICE ordered agents to mostly stop vehicle traffic stops.
The suspension aims to review and reduce risks during enforcement actions.
This pause affects most, but not all, vehicle stops made by ICE agents.
The decision follows concerns about the safety and consequences of these stops.
CBS News reported on the situation with reporters Lilia Luciano and Camilo Montoya-Galvez.
The agency continues to handle other types of enforcement actions during this pause.
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The CDC is investigating several food items that might be linked to an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness. Nearly 7,000 people across 34 states have reported symptoms, but officials have not yet identified the exact source.
Key Facts
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is leading the investigation.
About 7,000 people in 34 U.S. states have gotten sick.
The illness is caused by a parasite called Cyclospora.
Symptoms include stomach problems such as diarrhea.
Officials have not yet found a confirmed food source linked to the outbreak.
The CDC is looking into several possible items that may carry the parasite.
The outbreak is ongoing and health authorities are monitoring the situation.
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Police officers rescued a woman who was in crisis on the Brooklyn Bridge. Officer Christian Yepes, who had just started with his unit three days earlier, helped talk her down safely.
Key Facts
A woman was in crisis on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Police officers responded to the situation.
Officer Christian Yepes helped rescue the woman.
It was only Officer Yepes’s third day working with his unit.
The rescue was successful, and the woman was talked down safely.
The event was captured on video and released by CBS News.
Officer Yepes spoke about the rescue with a CBS News reporter.
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During President Donald Trump’s second term, at least 11 people have been shot and killed by federal immigration officers. Several other incidents involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have become well-known to the public.
Key Facts
At least 11 people were fatally shot by ICE officers during President Trump’s second term.
These shootings involved federal immigration agents.
Many other incidents involving ICE officers have received a lot of public attention.
The article investigates reasons for the high number of fatal shootings by ICE during this period.
President Trump is currently serving his second term as U.S. President.
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After two men were killed by U.S. federal agents in less than a week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told its officers to stop most vehicle stops during operations. This decision aims to reduce risks during enforcement activities.
Key Facts
Two men were killed by federal agents within a week.
ICE is the agency responsible for immigration enforcement.
ICE directed officers to suspend most vehicle stops during operations.
The change is intended to prevent further deadly incidents.
The decision was announced publicly by ICE officials.
Vehicle stops are a common method used by ICE during enforcement.
The suspension affects most, but not necessarily all, vehicle checks.
This development was reported by CBS News.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson is under pressure from President Donald Trump and Republican members to pass a reconciliation bill soon. The bill would provide billions for defense, agriculture, and other projects, but some Republicans are unhappy with the plan and feel left out of talks.
Key Facts
The reconciliation bill includes about $67 billion for defense and $20 billion for agriculture.
The bill also contains parts of the SAVE America Act, which Democrats oppose.
Some Republicans do not like that the $67 billion for defense has no funding offsets or "pay-fors."
Several GOP members feel they have been kept in the dark about the bill’s details.
President Trump met with House GOP leaders to discuss the bill’s progress.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and OMB Director Russ Vought are meeting with conservative lawmakers about the defense funding.
Some Republicans want a bipartisan vote on a war funding package for Iran before relying on reconciliation.
Democrats might find it easier to oppose defense funding if it is part of a larger reconciliation bill that includes items they dislike.
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