Democrats have a chance to win important races in Alaska this November, including the governor’s seat and a U.S. Senate seat. Alaska has usually voted Republican, but new polls and changes in voting rules create opportunities for Democratic candidates.
Key Facts
Alaska has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1968 and voted for President Donald Trump three times.
The governor’s race is open because the current Republican governor cannot run again.
Alaska uses ranked-choice voting, where voters rank candidates by preference, and votes are reallocated if no one wins a majority initially.
Former Representative Mary Peltola, a Democrat, is running against Republican Senator Dan Sullivan.
Democrats see Alaska as a possible key state to help control the U.S. Senate.
More than a dozen candidates, including 11 Republicans, 3 Democrats, and 3 independents, are running for governor.
Analysts say Alaska’s unique politics and voting system could help Democrats if Republicans divide their votes.
Polls show a competitive governor’s race, which could lead to a Democratic win after many years of Republican dominance.
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The White House North Portico is being repaired, including work on the stone columns. These repairs are part of several renovation projects that President Trump’s administration is carrying out in Washington, D.C.
Key Facts
Repairs are taking place at the White House’s North Portico.
The stone columns of the portico are being restored.
The restoration work is described as standard maintenance.
Multiple officials from President Trump’s administration confirmed the repairs.
This project is one of several renovation efforts in Washington, D.C. under President Trump.
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President Donald Trump’s plan to build a 250-foot Triumphal Arch in Washington, D.C. faces structural change demands from the National Planning Commission. The arch is taller than allowed under a 1910 law limiting building heights but a compromise suggests reducing some parts while keeping the total height.
Key Facts
The proposed arch would be 250 feet tall, with a 166-foot mezzanine, a 24-foot observation level, and a 60-foot Lady Liberty statue on top.
The 1910 Heights of Buildings Act limits building heights in D.C. to 130 feet to preserve the skyline.
The National Planning Commission says the height law applies to federal buildings and proposes reducing the mezzanine and observation levels to 130 and 20 feet respectively.
Under the proposed compromise, Lady Liberty’s statue would be 100 feet tall, keeping the total height at 250 feet.
The arch would be much taller than the 99-foot Lincoln Memorial nearby and taller than the world’s largest arch in Mexico City by about 30 feet.
Critics say the arch could obstruct views of Arlington Cemetery and negatively affect important ceremonies and visitors.
Concerns also exist about the arch’s impact on flight paths at Ronald Reagan National Airport, requiring a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) study.
The arch is planned to be built from concrete with a granite finish, unlike many other monuments made from natural stone.
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An Ohio judge has temporarily allowed 24 college basketball players to challenge new NCAA eligibility rules that prevent them from playing a fifth year. The players argue the rules unfairly stop them from competing more, after the NCAA changed how many years athletes can play based on age.
Key Facts
An Ohio judge granted a preliminary injunction for 24 men’s and women’s college basketball players suing the NCAA.
The players say the NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model unfairly blocks them from playing a fifth year.
The NCAA now allows athletes five seasons of competition within five years, starting either when they enroll full-time or the year after their 19th birthday.
The new rules reduce exceptions like redshirt years and exclude injury extensions, except for religious missions, pregnancy, or military service.
The lawsuit argues the NCAA applied the rules arbitrarily and seeks to let these players enter the transfer portal to find new teams.
The NCAA says athletes who finished four seasons by 2025-26 should no longer expect to compete further.
A trial preparation meeting is set for August 4.
The NCAA Division I Cabinet says it will not change the new eligibility rules despite the lawsuit.
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A Montana judge issued a restraining order blocking the Montana Republican Party from enforcing new bylaws that require members to pay dues, pledge loyalty, and allow removal from party positions for certain behaviors. The lawsuit challenges these bylaws, arguing they unfairly give party leaders power to remove members and override voter decisions.
Key Facts
A district judge in Lewis and Clark County stopped the Montana GOP from implementing new bylaws.
The bylaws require $20 annual dues and a loyalty oath from party members.
Members can be removed for not paying dues or behavior judged against party goals by party officers.
Removal charges can be filed by any 20 official Republican members.
The lawsuit is filed by several county Republican committees and individuals who say the bylaws are corrupt and violate voter rights.
The 2019 Montana law protects elected party precinct officers from arbitrary removal and is part of the lawsuit’s basis.
The party chair, Art Wittich, supports targeting members who work with Democrats and has not responded to requests for comment.
Recent GOP internal conflicts involve disagreements between hardliners and centrists over cooperation with Democrats on legislation and budget issues.
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Los Angeles is using the 2026 FIFA World Cup games held in the city to promote its improved public transit system and prepare for the 2028 Olympics, which aims to be car-free for attendees. Officials added shuttle buses to connect venues not directly served by trains and are working to improve rider safety with a new transit police force.
Key Facts
The 2026 World Cup featured eight games in Los Angeles, helping to introduce residents to the city's public transit system.
On July 2, nearly 50,000 people used rail lines to attend the Spain-Austria match.
Since SoFi Stadium is not directly accessible by train, 15 shuttle bus lines were added, carrying over 30,000 riders for that game.
Metro borrowed about 200 buses for the World Cup and plans to borrow 3,000 buses for the 2028 Olympics.
The 2028 Olympics will not have parking at venues, requiring attendees to rely on transit and shuttles.
Los Angeles Metro currently provides about 1 million rides daily, fewer than cities like New York or Chicago.
Safety concerns exist related to crime, drug use, cleanliness, and homelessness on transit.
Metro started its own police force in June 2026, aiming to improve safety and gradually replacing LAPD presence by 2029.
Crime on LA Metro has decreased by 13.6% over the past two years according to agency data.
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A man from Virginia named Brian Cole Jr. is accused of placing pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic Party offices before the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. His trial is scheduled to begin in February.
Key Facts
Brian Cole Jr. is from Virginia.
He is accused of planting pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic Party headquarters.
The pipe bombs were placed on the eve of January 6, 2021, the day of the Capitol attack.
A judge named Amir Ali set the trial date.
The trial will start in February.
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Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced she will run for the U.S. Senate seat as the Democratic candidate, replacing Graham Platner. Bellows previously ran for Senate in 2014 but lost to Senator Susan Collins.
Key Facts
Shenna Bellows is currently Maine’s Secretary of State.
She launched her campaign to become the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine.
Bellows is replacing Graham Platner, who withdrew from the Senate race.
Bellows ran against Senator Susan Collins in 2014 but did not win.
Senator Susan Collins is a Republican from Maine.
Bellows stated that people in Maine have been working to build a political movement.
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A medicine called trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is used to treat cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection causing severe diarrhea in the United States. While this antibiotic helps clear the infection, it can also cause diarrhea as a side effect in some patients.
Key Facts
Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis and leads to watery, sometimes "explosive," diarrhea.
TMP-SMX (brand names Bactrim and Septra) is the main antibiotic recommended by health officials to treat this infection.
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, and frequent bowel movements.
The illness can last weeks or come back after seeming to get better if untreated.
TMP-SMX can cause diarrhea as a side effect due to its effect on gut bacteria, which may last even after treatment ends.
Most patients recover without treatment, but antibiotics speed recovery and are advised for some cases.
The generic form of TMP-SMX is inexpensive, typically costing under $10 for a 14-tablet course.
Cyclosporiasis cases tend to rise in summer, often linked to eating more fresh produce.
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Graham Platner, who ran for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine, tried to challenge Senator Susan Collins. His campaign ended quickly due to several public problems. This left the Democratic Party without enough time to find a strong replacement candidate.
Key Facts
Graham Platner ran against Senator Susan Collins for Maine's Senate seat.
Platner announced his campaign on August 19.
His campaign faced multiple public controversies.
These problems caused his campaign to collapse quickly.
The Democratic Party struggled to organize a replacement campaign in time.
Susan Collins is the current Maine Senator and a Republican.
Platner’s challenge was seen as an insurgent, or outsider, campaign.
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A man accused of murdering Charlie Kirk told his roommate that he regrets committing the crime, according to an interview played in court. This information was shared during a recent legal proceeding.
Key Facts
The suspect in Charlie Kirk’s murder case spoke to his roommate about the crime.
He said he "wishes he hadn't done it."
This statement was revealed during a court interview.
The interview was played publicly on Thursday.
Charlie Kirk is the victim in this criminal case.
The coverage was provided by CBS News reporter Anna Schecter.
The report appeared on CBS News platforms.
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President Donald Trump is sharing videos and posts on his Truth Social platform that highlight U.S. military actions in Iran. While he shows military strength online, he is also trying to find a way to end the conflict that most Americans do not support.
Key Facts
Recent U.S. strikes targeted Iran amid ongoing tensions.
President Trump uses social media to show military power, including clips and memes.
Experts say his posts focus more on spectacle than the human costs of war.
Trump has claimed that peace talks with Iran nearly succeeded but then failed.
The White House calls Trump the "peace president," but his posts portray him as "wartime president."
Videos from the administration use entertainment-style elements from video games and movies.
Critics warn that sharing violent war content can numb people to the reality of conflict.
Trump’s early promise of a quick war has turned into a long struggle over a key shipping route.
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U.S. Representative Haley Stevens is campaigning in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, highlighting her past wins over Republican opponents. She points to her record of winning difficult elections as a reason she should be chosen over her primary rival, Abdul El-Sayed.
Key Facts
Haley Stevens flipped a Republican House seat in suburban Detroit in 2018.
She has won every election she has run in since then.
Stevens survived a challenging primary against another Democratic incumbent in 2022 after redistricting.
The Michigan Democratic Senate primary is scheduled for August 4.
Stevens is running against progressive Abdul El-Sayed in the primary.
Stevens emphasizes her ability to win tough races against Republicans.
She made these statements during a recent campaign stop in West Michigan.
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U.S. home prices reached a new high in June, with the median price of existing homes at $440,660, according to the National Association of Realtors. A bipartisan housing bill aimed at making homes more affordable is waiting for President Trump’s approval, but he has delayed signing it until another elections bill passes.
Key Facts
The median price of existing homes in the U.S. hit $440,660 in June, up 1.8% from last year.
Home prices have increased for 36 months in a row.
Median prices vary by region: Northeast $564,800, Midwest $346,600, South $377,700, West $633,600.
Rising home prices and slow wage growth have made housing less affordable for many Americans.
Only about 40% of households that don’t own homes can afford a typical starter home priced around $200,000.
Households need about $117,000 a year in income to afford the average home, according to Redfin.
Congress passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to lower home costs by easing building rules and limiting investors buying homes.
President Trump delayed signing this housing bill because he wants lawmakers to pass a separate elections bill first.
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Millions of Americans have until July 10, 2026, to claim refunds from the IRS related to penalties, interest, or missed tax benefits during the COVID-19 disaster period. This deadline follows a federal judge’s ruling that extended tax filing and payment deadlines due to the COVID disaster declaration from January 2020 to May 2023.
Key Facts
The IRS must extend tax deadlines by 60 days after the COVID disaster declaration ended on May 11, 2023, making July 10, 2023, the final tax deadline.
Taxpayers now have until July 10, 2026, to file claims for refunds related to this period.
Refund claims do not happen automatically; taxpayers must file a claim to protect their right to a refund.
Eligible taxpayers include those charged penalties or interest during the disaster period or those who missed tax benefits like credits or withholding.
To claim refunds for penalties or interest, taxpayers should file IRS Form 843 and mark it as a "Protective Refund Claim."
For changes to income or deductions, taxpayers should file an original or amended tax return using Form 1040-X.
The court ruling that extended deadlines might be appealed, so the law could still change.
Missing the July 10, 2026 deadline may permanently prevent taxpayers from getting refunds related to this case.
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A federal judge approved a $1.5 million settlement between Elon Musk and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over Musk’s failure to disclose a large Twitter stock purchase on time. The judge raised many concerns about the settlement but said the court cannot block it because the legal rules set a high bar for rejection.
Key Facts
Elon Musk did not disclose buying a 9% stake in Twitter within 10 days as required by law.
The SEC sued Musk in January 2025 over this disclosure failure.
The lawsuit claimed Musk’s late disclosure hurt Twitter investors by about $150 million.
The settlement requires Musk’s trust to pay a $1.5 million fine and prohibits future violations, but Musk does not admit wrongdoing.
The SEC dropped demands that Musk return profits made during the violation.
The judge noted the penalty is much smaller than the alleged investor losses.
The judge expressed doubts about the SEC’s deal but said it meets the minimum legal standards.
This case connects to broader investor lawsuits against Musk alleging false statements worth billions.
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Tyler Robinson is accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a university rally in Utah. Robinson’s former roommate said he never heard Robinson talk about Kirk before the shooting but later found a note that seemed like a confession.
Key Facts
Tyler Robinson is charged with aggravated murder in Charlie Kirk’s killing on September 10 at Utah Valley University.
Robinson’s ex-roommate, Lance Twiggs, told investigators he never heard Robinson mention Kirk before the shooting.
Twiggs found a handwritten note from Robinson saying, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it.”
Robinson planned the shooting for about a week, according to messages between him and Twiggs.
Robinson surrendered to police a day after the shooting and told Twiggs he wished he hadn’t done it.
Prosecutors want the death penalty for Robinson, who has not entered a plea yet.
There are court debates about which evidence and interviews can be shown during the trial.
Kirk’s family is seeking transparency and the right to see all evidence during the legal process.
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Democrat Graham Platner plans to officially leave the Maine Senate race on Monday. He had announced earlier that he was stopping his campaign because of growing controversy.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is a Democratic candidate for the Maine Senate.
He announced on Wednesday that he would suspend his campaign operations.
Platner is facing controversy, which influenced his decision to leave the race.
A source close to his campaign said he will file paperwork to withdraw on Monday.
Platner has privately informed his staff about his decision to quit the race.
Monday is the official deadline for candidates to withdraw from the race in Maine.
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Senator Adam Schiff is investigating why the Justice Department stopped a criminal case against Abbott Laboratories involving dangerous bacteria found in baby formula. The Justice Department chose to resolve the issue through a civil settlement instead of pursuing felony charges, despite prosecutors recommending criminal prosecution.
Key Facts
Senator Adam Schiff sent a letter asking why the DOJ ended the investigation into bacterial contamination at Abbott Laboratories.
The contamination involved Cronobacter bacteria found in baby formula produced at an Abbott plant in Michigan.
In 2022, Abbott recalled several powdered formula brands after reports of infant illness and hospitalizations due to bacterial infections.
The FDA reported that the bacteria may have contributed to the deaths of two infants.
Abbott states unopened formula tested negative for the bacteria, but one used container tested positive for two strains.
Federal prosecutors and an Assistant Attorney General supported felony charges, but senior DOJ leaders closed the case.
The DOJ is working on a civil settlement with Abbott, including a large monetary penalty, to handle the issue.
The DOJ said they believe a civil deal offers the best way to protect the public and encourage accountability.
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A pro-Israel group called AIPAC is spending a lot of money to support Rep. Wesley Bell in a primary election against Cori Bush, who held the seat before but lost it two years ago. Bush, known for criticizing Israel's policies, hopes to win back her seat with help from progressive groups despite heavy spending against her.
Key Facts
AIPAC's political action committee has spent $865,000 on ads supporting Wesley Bell in Missouri's 1st Congressional District.
Bell has also raised significant funds, but Cori Bush's campaign has spent only $30,000 on ads so far.
Two years ago, AIPAC spent over $9 million to help defeat Bush, who was then an incumbent congresswoman.
Bush is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and has criticized Israel after the 2023 conflict with Hamas.
Progressive groups like Justice Democrats support Bush and want to help her win back the seat.
Bush faces criticism linked to an ethics scandal during her previous term.
Voters in St. Louis express frustration over outside money influencing their local elections.
The primary election is scheduled for August 4, with both sides actively campaigning.
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