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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
Writer E Jean Carroll is asking President Donald Trump to pay $5.8 million in damages after the Supreme Court refused to hear his appeal in her 2019 defamation case. A judge has ordered Trump’s legal team to respond by July 7 so the payment process can move forward.
Key Facts
E Jean Carroll accused President Trump of rape in 1996, which he denied.
Carroll filed a defamation lawsuit against Trump after he called her accusations lies.
A jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation and awarded Carroll $5 million in damages in May 2023.
A second case awarded Carroll $83.3 million in January 2024, and Trump is appealing that decision.
The Supreme Court refused to hear Trump’s appeal of the $5 million ruling in June 2024.
Carroll’s lawyer says Trump has delayed payment by using new legal defenses repeatedly.
Judge Lewis Kaplan ordered Trump’s lawyers to respond by July 7 to speed up payment.
The total damages Carroll seeks have grown to about $5.8 million as interest has accrued.
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The EPA under President Trump approved three new pesticides that contain very strong chemical bonds, called carbon-fluorine bonds, which make them hard to break down in the environment. The EPA disagrees with the idea that these pesticides should be called “forever chemicals,” a term for substances that do not easily degrade.
Key Facts
The EPA approved three new pesticides containing carbon-fluorine bonds.
Carbon-fluorine bonds are strong and make chemicals hard to break down.
Some people call chemicals with these bonds “forever chemicals” because they last a long time in nature.
The EPA disputes or disagrees with calling these pesticides “forever chemicals.”
These actions happened during President Trump’s administration.
The approval of these pesticides may raise concerns about environmental impact.
The term “forever chemicals” is an international label for persistent chemicals.
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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to uphold birthright citizenship, confirming that children born in the United States are citizens regardless of their parents' immigration status. Norman Wong, great-grandson of Wong Kim Ark—whose case originally secured this right—said the decision protects fundamental rights for all Americans.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of maintaining birthright citizenship.
President Donald Trump had issued an order trying to end citizenship for children born to parents in the U.S. illegally or temporarily.
Wong Kim Ark was a Chinese American whose Supreme Court case established birthright citizenship in U.S. law.
Norman Wong, his great-grandson, spoke publicly in support of the ruling.
Wong emphasized the ruling protects rights for all Americans, not just specific ethnic groups.
The decision rejects President Trump’s attempt to limit citizenship based on immigration status.
Norman Wong began actively speaking out about birthright citizenship after Trump’s 2025 executive order.
The ruling confirms an ongoing legal precedent about citizenship rights under the U.S. Constitution.
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Many social adult daycare centers for seniors funded by Medicaid have opened quickly in a New York City neighborhood called Flushing, Queens. Federal investigators are looking into whether these centers are billing Medicaid correctly or committing fraud, as Medicaid payments for these centers in New York have risen sharply in recent years.
Key Facts
Social adult daycare centers provide meals, personal care, and social activities to seniors and people with disabilities.
Medicaid paid $3.35 billion nationwide in 2024 for adult daycare services, with 17% going to New York state’s 375 centers.
Spending on adult daycare in New York nearly quadrupled from 2018 to 2024.
Flushing, Queens, has 64 adult daycare centers in a one-mile area, the highest concentration in the U.S.
These centers bill Medicaid for services to over 90% of local Medicaid-eligible seniors in Flushing.
From 2018 to 2024, the number of seniors billed by these centers in Flushing increased by 390%, much higher than the 20% population growth.
New York State has referred 387 adult daycare centers for investigation since 2021, with some cases sent to the Attorney General.
Federal and state authorities are increasing efforts to find and stop fraud in Medicaid and other taxpayer-funded programs.
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A federal judge in Arkansas struck down several state laws that made it harder for citizens to gather signatures for ballot initiatives. The judge said these laws violated voters' free speech rights because they imposed unnecessary rules like requiring photo ID or reading long ballot questions before signing.
Key Facts
A federal judge threw out Arkansas laws that added extra limits on collecting signatures for ballot measures.
The ruling favored groups like the League of Women Voters of Arkansas and Protect AR Rights.
Arkansas added these restrictions after petitions to legalize abortion were rejected on a legal technicality.
The laws struck down included requiring petition signers to show photo ID and to read ballot questions aloud before signing.
The judge said these rules violated free speech since the state already checks if signers are registered voters.
The court noted Arkansas had not prosecuted cases of petition canvassers misrepresenting questions, so strict new rules were unnecessary.
Some challenges remain unresolved and will go to trial.
Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester defended the laws but has not yet commented on the ruling.
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The U.S. government has recently made changes affecting people with disabilities. The Department of Education’s role in overseeing special education is moving to the Department of Health and Human Services, and new rules from the Department of Justice may make it easier to place disabled individuals into institutions.
Key Facts
The Department of Education is transferring special education oversight to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. leads the Department of Health and Human Services.
Kennedy has made controversial comments regarding disabilities like autism.
Advocates and lawmakers have criticized these changes and comments.
The Department of Justice issued guidance that lowers the requirements for institutionalizing people with disabilities.
These shifts follow a White House initiative focused on addressing homelessness.
Disabled people have fought for decades to live and learn alongside non-disabled peers.
Some advocates worry these changes could reduce rights and inclusion for disabled individuals.
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Labour politicians Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham want to give more power to local communities in England. Burnham, who is likely to become prime minister soon, proposes a new team based in Manchester to help manage this change, while Rayner calls for major changes in the central government to support devolution.
Key Facts
Angela Rayner supports giving more power to local communities and backs Andy Burnham's vision for devolution.
Burnham plans to create a "No 10 North" team based in Manchester to help govern.
Burnham aims to shift power away from central government officials in Whitehall to local areas.
Rayner says past governments have protected the status quo instead of making bold changes.
Senior minister Darren Jones supports Burnham’s idea and wants a stronger prime minister’s office in London.
Burnham expects to become prime minister after Sir Keir Starmer’s recent resignation.
Rayner described efforts to let local mayors charge tourist taxes and manage transport and social care.
Officials warn that giving power to locals must avoid creating duplicate bureaucracy.
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President Trump’s financial disclosure report for last year shows he earned more than $2 billion from different sources. The report, released by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, reveals he gained hundreds of millions from World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture started by him and his sons in 2024.
Key Facts
President Trump’s financial disclosure covers his earnings from the last year.
The report was made public by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics.
Trump earned over $2 billion in total income last year.
He received hundreds of millions from World Liberty Financial (WLF).
WLF is a cryptocurrency company launched by President Trump and his sons in 2024.
The report provides insight into the president’s business activities and investments.
Financial disclosures help ensure transparency about income for government officials.
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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that political parties can spend unlimited money coordinating with a candidate’s campaign. This decision overturns a long-standing federal law that set limits on such coordinated spending, citing free speech rights under the First Amendment.
Key Facts
The ruling came in the case Federal Election Commission (FEC) v. National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).
The court voted 6-3, with six conservative justices supporting the decision and three liberal justices opposing it.
The overturned law had been in place for more than 50 years and limited coordinated spending by political parties with candidates.
The court said limiting this spending restricts free speech protected by the First Amendment.
Unlike super PACs, which cannot coordinate spending with campaigns, political parties can coordinate directly with candidates.
The decision may increase political donations to party committees instead of super PACs.
The Federal Election Commission had defended the spending limits but reversed its position after President Trump took office.
Democratic party committees defended the limits in court, fearing more influence from wealthy donors.
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Seven former employees of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sued the agency after being fired. They were dismissed after signing a letter that criticized the Trump administration for ignoring science and helping polluters.
Key Facts
Seven former EPA staffers were fired after signing a dissent letter.
The letter said the administration was harming public trust in the EPA.
It accused the administration of ignoring scientific facts.
The letter claimed actions were taken to benefit polluters.
The fired employees filed two lawsuits against the EPA.
They argue their firings were illegal and violated their rights.
The lawsuits were filed on a Tuesday (exact date not provided).
This dispute involves environmental policy and government actions under President Donald Trump.
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President Donald Trump's recent tax filing shows he made $2.2 billion in 2025. Additionally, H. R. McMaster said that Iran is gaining all it wanted in talks with the United States.
Key Facts
President Trump made $2.2 billion in 2025 according to his tax filing.
H. R. McMaster commented on U.S. negotiations with Iran.
McMaster said Iran is achieving its goals in the talks.
The information comes from a CBS News segment called The Takeout with Major Garrett.
The news was shared on July 1.
CBS News provides access to the segment through its app and website.
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Representative Maxwell Frost from Florida asked the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to investigate companies that let tenants pay their rent in parts over time. These "rent now, pay later" plans have become more common as housing costs have grown across the United States.
Key Facts
Maxwell Frost is the youngest member of the U.S. Congress.
He sent a letter on Wednesday to the CFPB asking for a probe into "rent now, pay later" companies.
These companies include Flex and Livble.
They offer tenants the option to split rent payments instead of paying all at once.
Housing costs have been rising across the country, leading tenants to seek new payment options.
The CFPB is a government agency that oversees consumer financial protections.
The investigation aims to understand if these rent payment plans are fair and safe for tenants.
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John Brennan, former CIA Director, filed a lawsuit against President Trump’s administration. He wants a court to order the government to keep records from investigations that he says unfairly target him.
Key Facts
John Brennan served as Director of the CIA.
He sued the Trump administration on a Wednesday.
The lawsuit asks the court to require officials to preserve investigation records.
Brennan claims he is being targeted for criminal conduct that is not real.
He believes the records will reveal why government officials are investigating him.
The records would help him defend against possible future charges.
Brennan says any charges would be unfair and meant to punish him.
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Two Russian climbers, Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau, climbed the Empire State Building in New York City to stage a marriage proposal. They were arrested after hanging from the building’s spire.
Key Facts
The climbers are from Russia: Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau.
They climbed the Empire State Building, which is about 1,500 feet tall.
Their climb was part of a marriage proposal.
They hung from the top spire of the building during the proposal.
The event was described as highly dangerous.
The climbers are featured in a Netflix documentary called “Skywalkers.”
Police arrested them after the stunt on Wednesday.
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New York City is facing a dangerous heat wave causing high electricity use, especially from air conditioning. The local utility, Con Edison, is asking residents to save power during busy hours, but the bright electronic billboards in Times Square will stay on, though their brightness may be lowered to save energy.
Key Facts
A heat wave is causing high temperatures and humidity across New York City and much of the U.S.
Con Edison, the city's utility company, told people to conserve electricity from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. to avoid power outages.
The city advised residents to set air conditioners to 78 degrees and avoid using major appliances during peak hours.
Times Square’s electronic billboards will not be turned off, but their brightness may be reduced to save energy.
Con Edison operates 65 different underground power networks in the city, so turning off Times Square screens would not free up much electricity for others.
Con Edison has spent $3.9 billion recently to improve the power system and prepare for more hot days caused by climate change.
Weather forecasts warn that heat and humidity could stay high through the holiday weekend in New York and other places.
Officials have activated emergency heat-response plans to protect people during this weather event.
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President Donald Trump responded to criticism about his cryptocurrency earnings, saying that many people are making money from crypto. A recent financial report showed he earned over $1 billion from cryptocurrency activities in 2025.
Key Facts
President Trump made over $1 billion from cryptocurrency ventures in 2025.
Critics claim he is using the presidency to profit from crypto investments.
Trump said that many people are benefiting financially from cryptocurrencies.
The information came from a recent financial disclosure report.
The discussion was covered by CBS News and included analysis from a MarketWatch correspondent.
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House lawmakers started their July 4th recess earlier than planned because some Republican members blocked Speaker Mike Johnson’s plan. The speaker wanted to combine the SAVE America Act with the yearly defense policy bill, but the effort did not succeed.
Key Facts
Lawmakers went on their July 4th recess early on Tuesday.
Some Republican Party members prevented Speaker Mike Johnson from merging two bills.
The bills were the SAVE America Act and the National Defense Authorization Act.
The National Defense Authorization Act is the annual defense policy bill.
The news was reported by CBS News and correspondent Nikole Killion.
The attempt to combine the bills failed due to opposition within the GOP.
Speaker Mike Johnson leads the House of Representatives.
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Two people climbed to the top of the Empire State Building's antenna in New York City and displayed a banner about love and peace. They took photos, hugged, and were later arrested by authorities.
Key Facts
The incident happened on a Wednesday around midday.
The two people wore black clothes and masks.
They climbed to the antenna, which is 1,454 feet (443 meters) high.
They showed a banner that said, "when the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace."
They were not secured by safety ropes.
They embraced and took selfies at the top.
Police arrested both individuals after they came down safely.
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Progressive candidates linked to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are winning important primary races in several states ahead of the 2026 elections. Republicans are using these victories to argue that socialism is a growing threat in America, aiming to motivate their supporters by highlighting this shift.
Key Facts
Progressive Democratic candidates aligned with the DSA won primaries in New York, Colorado, Kentucky, Texas, Maine, New Jersey, and Philadelphia in 2026.
The DSA currently has two seats in Congress, and this election cycle’s wins could double that number if they succeed in remaining races.
President Donald Trump called communism the biggest threat to the U.S. since major past attacks and wars.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said communism is now present on American shores.
Republicans use the term "socialism" as a political tool because it sounds scarier to many voters than the policies themselves.
Some Republican strategists say that many progressive policies actually receive support when not labeled as socialist.
Democratic strategists worry that the rise of DSA candidates beyond large cities could hurt Democrats in more areas.
A recent Gallup poll found that only 54% of Americans view capitalism positively, the lowest since 2010, while views on socialism have remained mostly unchanged.
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The U.S. Supreme Court ended its recent term with mixed rulings for President Donald Trump, rejecting some of his major policies while supporting others. The court, led by a conservative majority, has continued to strengthen the power of the presidency in several ways.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court blocked Trump’s plan to end birthright citizenship, ruling it violated the 14th Amendment.
The court stopped Trump’s reciprocal tariffs policy, saying he misused emergency powers.
The court upheld the independence of the Federal Reserve, preventing Trump from firing member Lisa Cook without following legal steps.
The court rejected Trump’s attempt to block states from accepting mail-in ballots after polls close.
The court confirmed the president can fire leaders of executive agencies, even if Congress intended those agencies to be independent.
The court ruled that presidents have “absolute immunity” for official acts, shielding them from criminal prosecution while in office.
Trump’s efforts to expand presidential power continue to influence political debates, especially around birthright citizenship.
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