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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
During a House Appropriations Committee hearing, Representative Madeleine Dean questioned Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche about the progress of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The exchange between them became tense as Rep. Dean pressed for answers.
Key Facts
The hearing took place before the House Appropriations Committee.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was questioned.
Representative Madeleine Dean focused on the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
The questioning became intense and heated.
The discussion centered on the status and details of the Epstein case.
This was a formal congressional hearing involving government officials.
The hearing was reported by CBS News.
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President Donald Trump’s administration is canceling a $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate people who claimed government abuse. This decision came after strong opposition from Republican senators and legal problems.
Key Facts
The $1.8 billion fund was called the “anti-weaponisation” fund.
It was created to pay people who said they were abused by the government.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the fund will not move forward.
The fund faced political backlash, including from Republican senators.
A judge had temporarily paused the fund until June 12.
The fund resulted from a legal settlement over a $10 billion lawsuit involving Trump’s tax records and the IRS.
Blanche refused to guarantee in writing that the fund would be stopped during a congressional hearing.
President Trump publicly supported the fund and criticized media and Democrats for opposing it.
Senators want to focus funding on immigration enforcement and exclude unrelated spending priorities.
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Iowa has several important elections in 2026, including open U.S. Senate and governor seats. Democrats hope to win these races and gain control of Congress, despite Iowa usually voting Republican in recent years.
Key Facts
Iowa has open U.S. Senate and governor seats for the first time in decades.
Democrats want to use Iowa to help them take control of Congress.
Republicans currently hold all of Iowa’s congressional seats and control the state government.
More voters in some Iowa districts do not identify with any party than with Democrats or Republicans.
Democratic candidates Josh Turek and Zach Wahls are competing for the Senate nomination.
The winning Democrat will likely face Trump-endorsed Republican Ashley Hinson for the Senate seat.
House races in Iowa could be close, especially the 2nd Congressional District seat left open by Hinson’s Senate run.
The election is seen as an early test of President Donald Trump’s influence and policies.
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President Donald Trump will speak at the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner on July 24 after a shooting disrupted the original event in April. The dinner will have tighter security and will be held at a smaller venue, the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington.
Key Facts
The White House Correspondents’ Dinner was originally held in April but was stopped due to a shooting outside the venue.
President Trump was evacuated safely after the shooting.
A man named Cole Allen, 31, has been charged with attempting to kill the president and pleaded not guilty.
The rescheduled dinner will take place on July 24 with stronger security measures.
The new venue is the Waldorf Astoria hotel, previously owned by President Trump from 2016 to 2021.
President Trump said he accepted the invitation to speak and called the decision a sign of strength.
This was President Trump’s first attendance of the event in either of his terms.
The White House Correspondents’ Association emphasized that violence will not change their plans or public life.
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Republican Representative Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey, who has missed over 100 votes since early March due to health reasons, announced he plans to return to work in person within a few weeks. He said he will share more information about his medical condition when he returns.
Key Facts
Tom Kean Jr. is a Republican congressman from New Jersey’s 7th District.
He has not voted since March 5 and has been absent from Capitol Hill.
Kean is currently focusing on his medical recovery following a personal health issue.
He expects to return to in-person work soon, within weeks.
Kean promised to be transparent about his medical condition when he comes back.
He is running unopposed in the upcoming Republican primary for his district.
His absence and health have raised questions but Kean has provided few details so far.
He last commented publicly in late April, saying doctors expect a full recovery.
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Michelle Obama, former first lady, said she could not be a cast member of the reality TV show "The Real Housewives." However, TV host Andy Cohen invited her to join the show's reunion episodes, which are known for their lively discussions and drama.
Key Facts
Michelle Obama said she could not be a "Real Housewife."
The comment was made during a podcast called "Lemme Say This."
The podcast hosts are Hunter Harris and Peyton Dix.
The episode was released on a Monday.
Andy Cohen, a TV host connected to "The Real Housewives," gave Michelle Obama an open invitation.
The invitation was specifically for the reunion shows of the reality TV franchise.
The "Real Housewives" reunion shows are known for dramatic conversations.
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California Democratic Congressman Jimmy Gomez said he will fully cooperate with a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. Gomez admitted to personal mistakes that hurt his family but said he did not break any House rules or laws.
Key Facts
Congressman Jimmy Gomez is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for alleged sexual misconduct.
The investigation started after reports he was seen kissing a younger aide who worked for another member of Congress.
Gomez said the mistakes he made were personal, consensual, and did not violate laws or House ethics rules.
He apologized to his wife, family, and constituents and said he is seeking professional help to repair family relationships.
The Ethics Committee has been investigating various members of Congress amid recent misconduct allegations.
Other members, such as Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales, resigned amid similar allegations.
The committee is focused on maintaining a workplace free of sexual misconduct within Congress.
Gomez chairs the Congressional Dads Caucus and was connected socially to other members facing allegations.
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Federal officials released video showing a 2,000-foot-long tunnel used for drug smuggling between Mexico and the US. Four men were arrested and charged with trafficking over $45 million worth of cocaine and face up to life in prison.
Key Facts
The tunnel connects border cities in Mexico and the United States.
It has electricity, reinforced walls, ventilation, and a rail system.
Authorities found the tunnel during an investigation of a warehouse in San Diego.
The warehouse was supposedly a discount store.
Four men were arrested and charged with drug trafficking.
The cocaine involved is valued at more than $45 million.
If convicted, the accused men could receive life sentences.
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Democratic senators want to add rules to control how the military uses artificial intelligence (AI). They are working to include these rules in the annual defense policy bill, called the NDAA, which is being discussed by the House Armed Services Committee.
Key Facts
Senators from the Democratic Party are proposing limits on military AI use.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from New York introduced a bill on this topic.
The bill aims to restrict AI in launching nuclear weapons.
It also seeks to limit AI use for spying on American citizens.
The bill addresses AI development and deployment in the military.
The bill is planned to be added to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The House Armed Services Committee is debating this defense policy bill soon.
The goal is to create safe rules or "guardrails" for military AI technology.
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Rick Chow, a convenience store owner in South Carolina, was found not guilty of murder in the 2023 shooting death of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton. Despite the verdict, Carmack-Belton’s family plans to file a civil wrongful death lawsuit against Chow.
Key Facts
Cyrus Carmack-Belton was shot and killed in May 2023 during a chase outside a gas station.
The shooting started after Carmack-Belton was suspected of stealing water bottles from Chow’s store.
Chow and his son chased the teenager, and Chow fired one shot that hit Carmack-Belton in the back.
Prosecutors said the teen was running away and not a threat when shot; the defense said Chow believed his son was in danger and that the teen had a gun.
A jury found Chow not guilty of murder after about eight hours of deliberation.
The verdict means prosecutors did not prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The family’s lawyer said they will pursue a civil wrongful death case, which has a lower proof requirement than criminal court.
The family showed strong emotions in court after the verdict was announced.
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Police officers faced a violent protest near the home of the man who killed Henry Nowak in Southampton. The protest included several hundred people throwing objects at officers, who had to retreat, following the life sentence of Vickrum Digwa for Nowak’s murder.
Key Facts
Henry Nowak, 18, was murdered in December 2025 while walking to his student accommodation in Southampton.
Vickrum Digwa, 23, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder.
Protesters gathered first outside Southampton Central Police Station and then near Digwa’s family home in St Denys.
Demonstrators threw chairs, cans, and flares at police officers wearing riot gear.
Digwa claimed he carried a large blade for religious reasons and falsely told police he was a victim of a racist attack.
Body camera footage showed Nowak telling officers he was stabbed while handcuffed and dying.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the police response to the incident.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood called the violence "completely unacceptable," and Southampton MP Satvir Kaur warned against using the murder to create community divisions.
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President Donald Trump's approval rating among independent voters has dropped to the lowest point ever, according to a new YouGov/The Economist poll. His overall approval rating stands at 35%, with 21% approval from independents and a 71% disapproval in that group.
Key Facts
President Trump's overall approval rating is 35%, with 61% disapproval.
Among independent voters, Trump’s approval rating is 21%, and disapproval is 71%.
This 21% approval among independents is the lowest ever recorded for Trump in either term.
Trump's net approval rating among independents is -50, much lower than at the same point in his first term.
The survey was conducted from May 29 to June 1, with 1,604 U.S. adults participating and a margin of error of ±3.5%.
Other polls from late May also show low approval ratings from independents, ranging from 24% to 29%.
Experts warn that low support among independents could hurt Republican chances in upcoming elections, especially midterms.
The White House responded by highlighting President Trump's accomplishments and the 2024 election victory.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Trump administration will not continue with the "Anti-Weaponization Fund." This statement came during a House committee hearing after a court had temporarily paused the fund.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is the Acting Attorney General.
The Trump administration decided not to move forward with the "Anti-Weaponization Fund."
The fund had a budget of $1.8 billion.
A court had temporarily paused the fund before this decision.
Blanche made the announcement in a hearing before the House Appropriations Committee.
Rep. Grace Meng, a Democrat from New York, asked about the fund's status.
The fund was controversial, but details about why were not provided in this report.
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The Social Security Administration is stopping the use of paper checks for benefit payments. Most people will need to switch to direct deposit or use a prepaid debit card to get their benefits.
Key Facts
Social Security will no longer send paper checks to most recipients.
Benefit payments will be made electronically through direct deposit or a prepaid debit card.
This change affects people who currently receive their benefits by mail.
Using direct deposit means money goes straight to a bank account.
The prepaid debit card option is for people without bank accounts.
The switch aims to make payments faster and more secure.
People should prepare by setting up direct deposit or obtaining the debit card.
The Social Security Administration is helping with the transition.
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Senator Ben Ray Luján is running for a second term in New Mexico's Senate race. He has one opponent from his own party, and no official Republican candidate is on the ballot, but a Republican write-in candidate, Larry Marker, is running.
Key Facts
Senator Ben Ray Luján is the Democratic candidate seeking reelection.
He faces one challenger in the Democratic primary.
No Republican candidate officially filed to run against Luján.
Larry Marker is running as a Republican write-in candidate.
New Mexico voters are voting in the primary elections on Tuesday.
Polls close at 9 p.m. local time.
The election results are being tracked by Decision Desk HQ.
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South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden is running in a primary election to keep his position. He became governor after Kristi Noem left to join President Donald Trump's administration and now faces several Republican challengers.
Key Facts
Larry Rhoden is the current governor of South Dakota.
He took office when Kristi Noem left to serve as Homeland Security Secretary.
This is Rhoden’s first election as governor.
The primary election is happening on Tuesday.
Rhoden is competing against multiple Republican candidates.
The election will decide who represents the Republican Party in the governor’s race.
Kristi Noem joined President Donald Trump’s administration.
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Senator Mike Rounds, a Republican from South Dakota, is running for a third term in the Senate. He is competing against one challenger in the primary and is expected to face Democrat Julian Beaudion in the general election.
Key Facts
Mike Rounds is the current U.S. Senator from South Dakota.
He is seeking a third term in office.
Rounds has one opponent in the Republican primary.
Julian Beaudion, a former state trooper, is the likely Democratic nominee.
The primary election polls close at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Live results can be followed on Decision Desk HQ.
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Iowa voters are choosing their candidates in the Senate primary elections. The winners from the Republican and Democratic parties will compete to replace Senator Joni Ernst, who is leaving her seat.
Key Facts
Senator Joni Ernst (Republican) is not running for reelection.
Republicans are choosing between Rep. Ashley Hinson and former state senator Jim Carlin.
Ashley Hinson is currently leading in the Republican primary.
Democrats are choosing between state Rep. Josh Turek and state Sen. Zach (last name not provided).
The primary results will determine each party’s candidate for the general election.
The Senate seat represents the state of Iowa.
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New Jersey is holding primary elections to choose the Republican candidate who will run against Senator Cory Booker in November. Senator Booker is the expected Democratic candidate and does not have any challengers within his party.
Key Facts
Senator Cory Booker is the current Democratic senator from New Jersey.
Booker has no challengers in the Democratic primary.
The Republican Party has several candidates competing in the primary.
The winner of the Republican primary will run against Booker in the November general election.
New Jersey is considered a solidly Democratic state.
Voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday to vote in the primaries.
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Voters in New Jersey are taking part in primary elections for U.S. House seats. One open seat is available because Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman is retiring, and the 7th District race is very competitive.
Key Facts
New Jersey is holding primary elections for U.S. House seats.
Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democrat) from the 12th District is retiring.
The 12th District seat is open due to her retirement.
The 7th District race is considered the most competitive in the state.
These elections will decide the candidates for the general election later this year.
Primaries help each political party choose its candidate for the House of Representatives.
New Jersey has multiple districts, each electing one House member.
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