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Senator Susan Collins is slightly ahead of Democratic challenger Graham Platner in the race for Maine’s Senate seat. A new Fox News poll shows Collins with 50% support and Platner with 47%.
Key Facts
Susan Collins is the Republican candidate in the Maine Senate race.
Graham Platner is the Democratic candidate challenging Collins.
A recent Fox News poll shows Collins leading by 3 points.
Collins has 50% support in the poll.
Platner has 47% support in the poll.
The poll was released on a Tuesday.
The race appears to be close based on the poll numbers.
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Many Americans are visiting beaches and pools to cool off during a heat wave around the Fourth of July holiday. Experts warn about the dangers of rip currents at the beach and provide water safety tips to prevent drowning incidents.
Key Facts
Over 4,000 people drown each year in the U.S., making it a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4.
Rip currents are the number one weather-related cause of death in some coastal regions.
The National Weather Service issues rip current forecasts twice a day to help beaches warn visitors.
Rip currents can pull swimmers away from shore very fast, between 1 to 8 miles per second.
If caught in a rip current, experts advise staying calm, treading water, and signaling lifeguards by raising an arm.
Visitors should always swim near lifeguards and check daily beach conditions and warning flags.
Pools can also be risky; fencing and gate alarms costing $150 to $300 can improve safety.
Basic swimming skills like treading water for one minute and swimming 25 yards are recommended for safety.
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The Supreme Court decided that political parties can spend unlimited money when working directly with their candidates. This ruling changes the rules about how much money parties can use in elections.
Key Facts
The case is called NRSC v. FEC.
The Supreme Court made the ruling.
Political parties can now spend unlimited funds.
The spending is allowed when parties coordinate directly with their own candidates.
This ruling changes previous limits on political spending.
The decision affects election campaign financing.
It impacts how money influences U.S. politics.
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Ukraine has used long-range drones to attack Russian oil refineries, causing fuel shortages in Russia and occupied Crimea. Despite these problems, Russian President Vladimir Putin remains firm in his demands for Ukraine to give up certain territories as part of any peace deal.
Key Facts
Ukraine’s drone strikes have caused serious fuel shortages in Russia and occupied Crimea.
Russia has started buying fuel from other countries because of these shortages.
Putin admitted the attacks are painful but did not change his conditions for peace.
He insists that Ukraine agrees to neutrality and military limits based on talks from 2022.
Putin demands that Ukraine give up control of the parts of Donbas it still holds.
He also demands land beyond Donbas, called Novorossiya, which could include southern Ukraine areas like Odesa or Zaporizhia.
The Russian population has experienced worse hardships before and continues to support the war effort.
Despite the strikes, Russian oil and gas production is still strong and supports the country’s economy and military.
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Walmart has signed its first deal to buy electricity from a nuclear power plant in Illinois. The agreement will supply 176 megawatts of clean energy starting in 2029 to support Walmart's new distribution center and help meet its goal of zero emissions by 2040.
Key Facts
Walmart will get nuclear power from Constellation's Dresden Clean Energy Center in Illinois.
The electricity contract lasts for two 15-year periods starting in 2029 and 2030.
This is Walmart’s first nuclear power purchase and one of the first for a U.S. retailer.
Walmart aims to achieve zero emissions in its global operations by 2040.
The nuclear power will support Walmart’s new high-tech distribution center in Belvidere, Illinois.
Nuclear power offers reliable, emissions-free electricity but has concerns around radioactive waste and safety.
Tech companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta are also signing large deals for nuclear power to supply data centers.
Walmart operates about 175 stores and clubs in Illinois, where this power will be used.
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Recent polling shows that for the first time in 20 years, more than half of Russians feel pessimistic about their country. This change reflects a drop in trust in the economy, government institutions, the military, elections, and the freedom of the media during the war in Ukraine.
Key Facts
Over 50% of Russians now express pessimism, a first in two decades.
Public confidence in the Russian economy has declined.
Trust in key government institutions is decreasing.
Confidence in the Russian military has dropped.
Faith in the fairness of elections is falling.
People’s belief in media freedom is weakening.
This shift is linked to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The research is based on more than 20 years of Gallup polling data.
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CBS Mornings Deals is offering special discounts on various products designed to improve daily life. Customers can visit cbsdeals.com to find and buy these discounted items.
Key Facts
CBS Mornings Deals presents exclusive discounts on selected products.
The deals aim to enhance everyday lifestyle.
Shoppers can access these offers by visiting cbsdeals.com.
CBS earns commissions from purchases made through their website.
The feature is part of the CBS News program CBS Mornings.
The deals are promoted through CBS News and the CBS News app.
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A Democratic congressman, Rep. Maxwell Frost from Florida, has asked the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to investigate “rent now, pay later” companies. These companies let renters pay their rent in smaller installments but may charge high fees and cause confusion about costs.
Key Facts
Rep. Maxwell Frost sent a letter to the CFPB urging an investigation into rent now, pay later (RNPL) companies.
RNPL services let renters split monthly rent into multiple smaller payments over the month.
Some companies, like Flex and Livble, and the buy now, pay later firm Affirm, offer these rent payment plans.
These plans can come with high fees; some renters pay up to $50 monthly in extra charges.
RNPL products differ from services like Bilt, which uses credit cards and rewards points for rent payments.
Frost compares many RNPL products to payday loans and calls for more clear information for consumers.
The CFPB’s enforcement and regulatory activity has decreased under Acting Director Russell Vought.
Consumer groups argue RNPL products should follow truth in lending rules, but the industry disagrees.
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Mark Sherman, who reported on the U.S. Supreme Court for 20 years, retired on the last day of the 2026 court term. He reflects on how the court has shifted strongly to the right over time due to unexpected events, political actions, and the influence of President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Mark Sherman covered the Supreme Court for The Associated Press for 20 years before retiring in 2026.
Early in his career, the court’s center moved slightly right from Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to Anthony Kennedy.
Justice Stephen Breyer expressed frustration during a 5-4 conservative majority ruling on school integration.
The court’s move to the right intensified after Justice Antonin Scalia died in 2016.
Democrats hoped Scalia’s seat would shift the court left, but Republicans blocked their nominee.
The rise of President Donald Trump helped create a conservative supermajority on the court.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg expressed hope for a female Democratic president to fill several court vacancies, which did not happen.
This court shift has affected major issues like abortion rights, campaign finance, and affirmative action.
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Actor and activist Danny Glover has said he has Alzheimer’s disease. He was diagnosed three years ago and shared this news with the public to raise awareness about the illness.
Key Facts
Danny Glover is an actor known for his role in the “Lethal Weapon” movies.
He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a disease that affects memory, three years ago.
Glover is turning 80 years old on July 22.
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, affecting over 6 million people in the U.S. alone.
He has received four Emmy Award nominations and an honorary Oscar in 2022.
Glover has been honored by organizations like the NAACP and Black Entertainment Television.
He was a United Nations goodwill ambassador focused on issues in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean from 1998 to 2004.
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A week after two strong earthquakes hit Venezuela, doctors warn that survivors face new dangers from infected wounds and poor sanitary conditions. Rescue teams from many countries are still searching for people trapped under rubble, while hospitals struggle with lack of supplies and damage.
Key Facts
Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026.
Survivors are living in crowded shelters or outside without clean water.
Medical experts warn infections from untreated injuries are becoming a major problem.
Venezuelan hospitals are damaged or compromised, with 38 affected nationwide.
Hospitals face shortages of surgical supplies like screws, plates, and medicated gauze.
The search for survivors continues even though survival chances drop after 48 to 72 hours.
Rescuers have found a toddler who survived six days trapped under rubble.
More than two dozen countries have sent rescue teams to help in Venezuela.
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President Donald Trump said he earned about $1.2 billion from his family's cryptocurrency business while in office. He denied using his presidential role to make money.
Key Facts
President Trump made around $1.2 billion from cryptocurrency activities in 2025.
The money came from his family's involvement in crypto.
Trump said everyone profits during his presidency, not just him.
He rejected claims that he used his position to gain financially.
These statements came before his first flight on a new Air Force One plane given by Qatar.
Some critics suggested there might be a conflict of interest between his wealth and national security.
The White House denied any ethical problems related to Trump’s crypto earnings.
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The National Air and Space Museum opened on July 1, 1976, with President Gerald Ford attending the ceremony. A key part of the event was a ribbon-cutting using a model arm from NASA’s Viking Mars lander, which was later taken back by NASA. The real Viking 1 spacecraft was then on its way to Mars, about 20 days from landing.
Key Facts
The National Air and Space Museum opened on July 1, 1976.
President Gerald Ford spoke at the opening ceremony.
The ceremony included a ribbon-cutting with the surface sampler arm from a Viking Mars lander model.
The Viking 1 spacecraft was heading to Mars at the time, about 20 days from arrival.
NASA took back the Viking engineering arm after the ceremony.
The event featured performances, an invocation, and a flyover by the Thunderbirds.
Michael Collins, Apollo 11 astronaut, was also present and involved in the event.
Communications with the Viking 1 spacecraft had an 18-minute delay each way due to its distance from Earth.
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Two strong earthquakes hit Venezuela nearly a week ago, causing severe damage especially in the La Guaira region. Security camera footage shows people running as the ground cracks and buildings fall during the quake.
Key Facts
Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela about a week ago.
La Guaira was the hardest-hit area by the earthquakes.
Security cameras captured people fleeing in panic during the tremors.
Cracks appeared in the ground as buildings collapsed in the footage.
Families in Venezuela are still searching for people missing after the quakes.
The earthquakes worsened problems caused by Venezuela’s weak infrastructure.
The event is part of ongoing natural disaster challenges in the country.
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A small dog named Giselle was rescued from rubble five days after strong earthquakes hit Venezuela and caused many deaths and building collapses. Rescue teams from different countries are working hard to save people trapped under damaged buildings, while the confirmed death count is over 1,900.
Key Facts
Powerful twin earthquakes measuring 7.5 and 7.2 hit Venezuela on June 24, 2026.
The earthquakes killed over 1,900 people and destroyed thousands of buildings.
A Salvadoran rescue team saved a dog named Giselle after she was trapped in rubble for five days.
Rescuers have found survivors, including an 18-day-old baby and a mother with her 9-month-old baby.
Rescue teams from the U.S. and El Salvador are trying to save a security guard trapped for six days in a collapsed building.
The rescue of this guard is complicated by unstable buildings leaning on the collapsed structure.
The dog Giselle was fed through a syringe after her rescue and officials are looking for her owner.
Tens of thousands of people remain missing after the earthquakes, according to the United Nations.
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A new study shows that in the next decade, more houses may be built than people want to buy in the U.S. This could cause home prices to stop rising or even go down, creating better chances for buyers to find affordable homes.
Key Facts
The housing market has faced a shortage of homes, rising prices, and high mortgage rates for years.
The Mortgage Bankers Association study forecasts that demand for new homes will slow down from 2025 to 2035, averaging about 1.13 million homes per year.
During the same period, about 12.6 million new housing units could be built, likely exceeding demand.
Demographic changes, such as fewer young people and lower birth rates, are expected to reduce the need for new houses.
Aging baby boomers may leave homes to heirs who might sell them, adding to the supply of homes for sale.
After 2035, demand for new homes could fall even more, to roughly 802,000 yearly.
Some housing markets already have more homes for sale and fewer buyers moving in, leading to more competition among sellers.
Experts warn that while prices may fall in the long term, buyers needing homes now should not wait years for prices to drop.
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President Donald Trump visited North Dakota to see the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library before its official July 4 opening. The library focuses on President Theodore Roosevelt’s life and was built in the area where he developed his conservation ideas.
Key Facts
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is located in North Dakota.
It covers the life of the 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt.
The library is 96,000 square feet in size.
The project cost $450 million to build.
The library opens officially on July 4, 2024.
The event celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
All living U.S. presidents were invited to the grand opening.
The library reflects Roosevelt’s time ranching and hunting in the 1880s in the rugged West.
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President Donald Trump said he instructed acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte to declassify almost all information during his time in the role. Trump mentioned that Pulte is only in the position for a short time but has permission to share classified information as he wishes.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke about intelligence classification rules on Wednesday.
He told reporters that Bill Pulte, the acting Director of National Intelligence, could declassify nearly everything.
Trump emphasized Pulte’s short tenure in the role.
The statement was made before Trump traveled to North Dakota.
“Declassify” means to make secret government information available to the public or other officials.
This directive concerns the handling of classified information within U.S. intelligence.
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U.S. home prices have risen sharply since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing nearly 30% nationwide between 2019 and 2025. Some states saw much higher increases due to high demand, low supply, and migration, while other states had smaller price rises or recent corrections.
Key Facts
From 2019 to 2025, U.S. home prices grew by about 30% on average.
Maine and Vermont saw the largest increases, around 62%.
Nine states reported home price increases over 50%, including Connecticut, Florida, New York, and South Carolina.
States with many new homes built, like Arizona and Texas, may see slower or declining home prices soon.
States with restricted home building, like New York and Massachusetts, are expected to continue price increases.
Home prices are still rising nationally in 2026 but at a slower rate of about 1-2% per year.
Mortgage interest rates rose sharply in 2022 and have stayed high, making borrowing more expensive.
The pandemic and rise of remote work pushed many people to move to cheaper areas, increasing demand there.
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Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that Israeli troops will stay in southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah remains a threat. This position conflicts with a US-Iran agreement that calls for an immediate stop to fighting in Lebanon. The situation creates tension between Israel and the US and complicates peace efforts involving Iran.
Key Facts
Netanyahu said Israeli forces will not leave southern Lebanon while Hezbollah is seen as a threat.
Israel’s Defense Minister Katz confirmed no withdrawal until Hezbollah is disarmed.
The US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) requires a permanent halt to fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon.
A US-brokered deal between Israel and Lebanon allows Israel to remain in southern Lebanon, which Hezbollah opposes.
Israel has controlled about one-fifth of Lebanon since early March.
Israel’s stance risks breaking the fragile US-Iran agreement.
Netanyahu faces domestic political pressure as Israeli elections approach in October.
Iran strongly supports Hezbollah and demands Israel’s full withdrawal from Lebanese territory before peace talks.
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