A new bill in the U.S. House of Representatives would give eligible families an extra $60 each month to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. The plan, called the Fresh Bucks for Fresh Produce Act, aims to improve access to healthy foods for low-income households, including those already receiving SNAP benefits.
Key Facts
The Fresh Bucks for Fresh Produce Act was introduced on July 2 by Representative Pramila Jayapal and Democratic cosponsors.
The bill would create a pilot program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Eligible households would receive an additional $60 monthly, usable only for buying qualifying fresh, frozen, or dried fruits and vegetables with no added fat, sugar, or salt.
Households earning 80% or less of their area's median income could apply; SNAP recipients automatically qualify based on income.
The program would use the existing Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system to distribute benefits.
States chosen for the pilot must represent different U.S. regions and focus on helping food-insecure communities.
States would collect data to see if the program improves nutrition and access to healthy foods.
The bill encourages simpler enrollment by having states use opt-in or automatic registration for SNAP households.
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Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine, is expected to release a pre-recorded video about his campaign's next steps. This comes after a woman accused him of sexual assault, an accusation he denies. Maine Democrats are asking him to quit the race before an important deadline.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is running for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine as a Democrat.
A woman has accused Platner of sexual assault.
Platner denies the sexual assault allegation.
Maine Democrats want Platner to drop out of the Senate race.
Platner plans to release a pre-recorded video addressing his campaign's future.
There is a key deadline approaching related to the election or candidate filings.
The news was reported by CBS News political reporter Zak Hudak.
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The New World screwworm fly, a parasite that eats live flesh, has reappeared in parts of Texas and New Mexico after being gone for over 50 years in the U.S. Veterinarians and animal groups warn pet owners to watch for signs of infestation and protect their animals using flea and tick medicines. The parasite can infect many mammals, including pets, and cause serious harm or death if not treated.
Key Facts
The New World screwworm fly larvae eat live flesh, unlike most fly larvae that eat dead material.
The parasite was first found again in U.S. cattle in June after more than 50 years of eradication.
It has spread north from Panama since 2024, moving through Mexico in 2025, reaching Texas and New Mexico.
The fly lays eggs in open wounds or mucous on mammals; larvae hatch and feed for about a week before becoming adult flies.
Any mammal can be affected including cattle, dogs, cats, wildlife, and sometimes humans.
Signs of infestation include restlessness, bad smell, animals focusing on a wound, and visible maggots.
Newborn animals and those with recent wounds or surgeries are most at risk; even tick bites can lead to infestation.
Flea and tick medications prescribed by veterinarians can help prevent infestations in pets.
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President Donald Trump unexpectedly flew home from a NATO summit in Turkey on an older Air Force One plane instead of the newer jet gifted by Qatar. The reason for the swap was not fully explained, but Trump mentioned flying the older plane “for old time’s sake,” amid rising tensions with Iran nearby.
Key Facts
President Trump flew to the NATO summit in Turkey on a new, red-white-and-blue Air Force One jet given by Qatar.
He returned on an older, baby blue Air Force One plane used for decades by past presidents.
Trump said he chose the older plane “for old time’s sake.”
Both planes made an unscheduled stop at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, a U.S. airbase in the UK.
The newer jet lacks some missile detection and defense systems present on the older aircraft.
The U.S. recently launched strikes in Iran, raising security concerns since Iran borders Turkey.
The Air Force said the new plane has “state-of-the-art” security, and Trump’s team uses misdirection to protect him.
The older plane’s transponder was turned off briefly after takeoff, a security trick used in presidential flights.
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Republican Representative Mike Flood faced a hostile crowd at a town hall meeting in Bellevue, Nebraska, where people questioned his support for President Donald Trump's policies, including election rules, foreign policy, and the SAVE America Act. Flood responded to criticisms on crime rates, voter ID laws, and the U.S.-Israel relationship while assuring he accepts Joe Biden as the lawful 2020 election winner.
Key Facts
Rep. Mike Flood held a town hall in Bellevue, Nebraska, that was met with boos and shouted questions.
The audience challenged Flood on the SAVE America Act, Trump’s policies, Israel, NATO, and housing bills.
Flood defended lower violent crime rates, citing increased incarceration and deportation of criminals.
He supported voter ID laws, saying they help build trust in elections, despite audience boos.
Flood acknowledged Joe Biden was legitimately elected president in 2020 and denied claims of election fraud.
He stated the U.S. considers Israel its closest ally and condemned the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
Similar confrontations with angry crowds have happened at Flood’s past town halls in Nebraska.
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A court refused to let the Kennedy Center put President Donald Trump's name back on its building while the center appeals a previous decision that removed his name. The legal fight started after the center added Trump's name earlier this year, which a court found to be against the rules.
Key Facts
A three-judge panel denied the Kennedy Center board's request to restore President Trump's name temporarily.
The board had added Trump's name to the building, renaming it to include "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts."
A prior court ruling said the name change was illegal and ordered it to be reversed.
The Kennedy Center board is appealing that ruling.
President Donald Trump is the chairman of the Kennedy Center's board of trustees.
The dispute reflects President Trump's efforts to leave a visible mark on Washington, D.C., during his term.
Trump's name was removed following a court deadline after the ruling.
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Five faith-based organizations have asked the White House to release money that Congress has already set aside to help prevent HIV/AIDS in other countries. They sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget asking for full funding of programs like PEPFAR and the Global Fund.
Key Facts
Five religious groups made a formal request to the White House.
They want the money Congress approved for HIV/AIDS prevention abroad to be released.
The letter was sent to Russell Vought, the Office of Management and Budget Director.
They emphasized funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
They also want support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
These programs focus on preventing and treating serious diseases in other countries.
The funding is intended to help reduce the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS.
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A federal appeals court ruled that parts of Florida’s law limiting how race and gender can be taught in colleges violate free speech rights. The court found that certain rules in the law restrict what teachers can say about these topics, which goes against the First Amendment.
Key Facts
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit made the decision with a 2-1 vote.
The law involved is Florida’s "Stop Wrongs Against Our Children and Employees Act" (often called Stop WOKE Act).
The court focused on parts of the law that apply to colleges and universities.
The ruling said these restrictions stop free speech because they limit classroom discussions on race and gender.
The law aimed to regulate how topics of race and gender are taught in schools.
The court’s decision means that colleges in Florida can continue to teach these subjects without the legal limits imposed by the law.
This is part of ongoing debates over education and free speech in the U.S.
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Donald Trump Jr. attended a court hearing in Utah where prosecutors presented evidence against Tyler James Robinson, who is accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Trump Jr. said the evidence makes the case "cut and dry," and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Robinson.
Key Facts
Tyler James Robinson is accused of killing Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10.
Donald Trump Jr. attended a multi-day preliminary hearing in Provo, Utah, where evidence was shown against Robinson.
Trump Jr. described the case as clear and straightforward after seeing the court evidence.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, and his parents are involved in the court proceedings and seek justice.
Prosecutors want the death penalty for Robinson, who has not yet entered a plea.
Defense attorneys have questioned the DNA evidence linking Robinson to the murder weapon.
Utah Valley University had six officers on duty during the event where the shooting happened, raising concerns about campus security.
The family of Charlie Kirk has requested privacy and expressed gratitude for public support during this difficult time.
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Federal agents from a special task force set up by President Trump shot and killed a man at a Memphis motel during a drug-related arrest. This incident marks the fourth deadly encounter involving the task force since it began in September. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is looking into the shooting.
Key Facts
The shooting happened on Wednesday morning at a motel in Memphis during a DEA operation with the Memphis Safe Task Force.
The task force was created last year by President Trump to fight crime in cities with high violence rates.
Agents tried to arrest a wanted fugitive facing serious drug charges from Shelby County.
After many warnings, the suspect pointed a gun at the officers, who then fired in response.
This is the fourth killing linked to the task force since it started two months ago.
Previous shootings include a 20-year-old killed by National Guard soldiers and two others shot by task force agents in May.
Tennessee’s governor activated the National Guard to patrol Memphis, as part of this anticrime effort.
Local courts have rejected challenges against the National Guard deployment in Memphis.
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A federal judge has ordered President Donald Trump to pay writer E Jean Carroll more than $5.8 million after a jury found he sexually abused and defamed her. The payment will include the original $5 million plus interest, following the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear Trump’s appeal.
Key Facts
A jury found President Trump sexually abused E Jean Carroll and defamed her through statements he made.
The judge ordered Trump to pay Carroll $5 million plus interest, totaling over $5.8 million.
The US Supreme Court declined to hear Trump’s appeal, allowing the payment to proceed.
Carroll first accused Trump of sexual assault in 2019, claiming the incident happened in 1996.
Trump denied the allegations and called them a “hoax,” leading Carroll to sue him for defamation.
A second lawsuit was filed by Carroll in 2022 for sexual abuse and defamation related to further denials by Trump.
Trump is still appealing a separate $83.3 million defamation judgment from 2024 related to his 2019 comments.
The Department of Justice is investigating Carroll for possible perjury during her testimony.
Trump’s lawyers have asked the Supreme Court to reconsider its refusal to hear the appeal, citing potential harm if the money is paid out.
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A federal trial will begin in February for Brian J. Cole Jr., a Virginia man accused of planting pipe bombs near the headquarters of the Democratic and Republican parties just before the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The judge ruled that President Trump’s pardons for many January 6 rioters do not apply to Cole, so his case will proceed to trial.
Key Facts
Brian J. Cole Jr. is charged with planting two pipe bombs near the Democratic and Republican party headquarters near the Capitol.
The bombs were found but did not explode.
The alleged bomb planting happened on the night before the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Cole is charged with four crimes related to explosives and terrorism.
His trial is scheduled to start on February 16 and is expected to last about two weeks.
The judge ruled that President Trump’s mass pardons for January 6 rioters do not cover Cole.
Cole was arrested almost a year after the pardons were issued.
Cole gave a confession to FBI agents after his arrest.
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Many public colleges in California have military-grade weapons like AR-15 rifles and stun grenades for campus police to keep students safe. A 2021 state law requires these schools to report publicly on their weapons and hold meetings for community feedback, but an investigation found that several campuses do not fully follow these rules.
Key Facts
California law allows campus police to have military equipment only if no other option exists to ensure safety.
The law also requires annual public reports and meetings about the weapons owned.
Some colleges did not post reports online on time or left out important details like equipment lists.
San Jose State and San Francisco State reportedly own AR-15 rifles, although this conflicts with policy statements.
Some campuses fail to submit reports to governing authorities as required.
Several campuses did not hold the public forums required by law in 2025.
The University of California Berkeley police published their equipment list only after multiple requests.
Discrepancies exist about which weapons are considered “standard issue” and therefore exempt from full reporting.
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Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood plans to change the law to allow the UK government to deport Shabir Ahmed, the ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang, who cannot currently be removed under the 1971 Immigration Act. However, Pakistan has so far refused to accept Ahmed back, complicating the deportation process.
Key Facts
Shabir Ahmed, 73, was convicted for 30 child rape offenses and served 14 years of a 22-year sentence.
Ahmed was released from prison last week and stripped of his British citizenship.
The 1971 Immigration Act protects people like Ahmed from deportation if they arrived before 1973 and lived in the UK for five years.
Mahmood aims to close this legal loophole without affecting others, such as Commonwealth citizens and the Windrush generation.
The government is working on a legal fix but depends on Pakistan agreeing to accept Ahmed’s return.
Pakistan refuses to take Ahmed and two other gang ringleaders back because they renounced Pakistani citizenship.
The UK disputes Pakistan’s claim, saying Ahmed did not properly renounce his citizenship.
The issue has been raised between UK officials and Pakistan’s government.
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A family and advocates are seeking answers after a person was fatally shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the Houston area. Local officials are comparing this case to previous ICE-related shootings in Minneapolis.
Key Facts
A shooting involving ICE agents resulted in a fatality near Houston.
The victim’s family and advocacy groups want more information about the incident.
Officials in Houston are looking at the case closely.
They are comparing this shooting to past ICE shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
Both previous cases also involved deaths during interactions with ICE agents.
The community is demanding transparency and answers about the use of force.
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Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican man without any criminal record, was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Houston while driving to a work site. His family and local officials are calling for an independent investigation, as federal officials claim Salgado ignored commands and hit an ICE vehicle, but no video evidence has been released.
Key Facts
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was a Mexican national living in the U.S. for decades with no criminal convictions.
He was shot by an ICE officer in Houston after an incident involving his vehicle and an ICE vehicle.
DHS said Salgado ignored commands and attempted to ram an officer, leading to the use of deadly force.
Salgado was transporting workers and was working towards getting legal status in the U.S.
His family, including his son Ronaldo, demand an independent investigation and full release of footage.
A bystander video shows a bleeding, handcuffed man on the ground after the shooting.
Previous shootings by federal agents have had conflicting official statements and video evidence.
Civil rights groups and Democratic officials criticize ICE and call for transparency.
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Police are investigating a £37,500 donation linked to Robert Jenrick’s 2024 Conservative leadership campaign after concerns it came from a foreign source. The inquiry follows a referral from the UK Electoral Commission, and Jenrick denies any wrongdoing.
Key Facts
The Metropolitan Police began investigating after the Electoral Commission referred the case on January 6.
The donation in question was part of £100,000 from a UK company called The Spott Fitness.
It is alleged that £37,500 of this money came from U.S. businessman Gary Klopfenstein through his company Innovyz USA.
UK election rules forbid foreign individuals or companies from donating to political campaigns.
Jenrick says he had no contact with Klopfenstein and complied with all electoral laws.
Jenrick was a Conservative MP aiming to run for party leader but has since joined Reform UK and serves as their Treasury spokesperson.
The investigation’s full details and scope remain unclear.
The Conservative Party chair said the public deserves transparency about the donation.
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Brian Cole Jr. is scheduled to go on trial in February for allegedly placing pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committee buildings the night before the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. A federal judge set the trial date during a recent court hearing.
Key Facts
Brian Cole Jr. is from Virginia.
He is accused of placing pipe bombs outside both the Republican National Committee (RNC) and Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters.
The bombs were placed the night before the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
A federal judge announced the trial date as February.
The case is connected to the events surrounding January 6.
The judge ruled that alleged actions by Brian Cole Jr. are not covered by pardons issued by President Donald Trump.
The trial is an important part of ongoing investigations related to January 6.
Further updates on the case are expected as it develops.
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Maryland Governor Wes Moore praised President Donald Trump’s new federal savings program, called Trump Accounts, which gives $1,000 to children born between 2025 and 2028 as an investment seed. The program aims to help reduce child poverty and the racial wealth gap by investing the money in U.S. stock market funds until the child turns 18.
Key Facts
The Trump Accounts program started under a law signed by President Trump in July 2025 and became active on July 4, 2026.
Every U.S. child born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, with a Social Security number, automatically gets $1,000 deposited into an investment account.
The accounts invest in a diversified stock market index fund focusing on American companies.
Parents, relatives, employers, and qualified governments or nonprofits can add up to $5,000 per child each year to the accounts.
Money in the accounts cannot be withdrawn until the child is 18 years old, when the account becomes a retirement account subject to ordinary income tax on earnings and contributions.
Around 6 million families had opened Trump Accounts by early July, with 86% earning less than $200,000 annually.
Wes Moore approved the policy but disliked that President Trump put his name on the program.
The program was promoted at the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq by President Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and others.
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A Mexican man named Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Houston. He had no criminal record and was working to obtain legal status in the U.S. while supporting his family and community.
Key Facts
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was a Mexican national living in the U.S. for decades.
He had no criminal convictions during his time in the country.
He was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Houston.
At the time, he was driving a crew to a homebuilding site.
He worked for 35 years and helped send his three American citizen sons to college.
Lorenzo was trying to secure legal status in the U.S. after focusing on work for many years.
His son, Ronaldo Salgado, publicly called for an independent investigation into the shooting.
A Texas congresswoman also spoke out about his death and background.
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