The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Trump is moving away from a Biden administration report that highlighted cancer and other health risks from “forever chemicals” on farms. The Trump EPA released a draft guidance criticizing the earlier assessment about using contaminated sludge on farmland.
Key Facts
The Biden administration created a report showing health dangers, including cancer, from “forever chemicals” on farms.
“Forever chemicals” are chemicals that do not break down easily in the environment.
These chemicals were found in sludge (waste material) spread on farm lands.
The Biden-era report warned about risks from this contaminated sludge.
The Trump administration’s EPA issued a new draft guidance that challenges the earlier report’s conclusions.
This new draft guidance criticizes the methods and findings of the Biden-era risk assessment.
The issue concerns how safely to handle waste materials that may contain harmful chemicals on farms.
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More than 200 million people in the United States are currently under heat alerts due to very high temperatures. Additionally, a couple who climbed the Empire State Building without permission are facing criminal charges.
Key Facts
Over 200 million Americans are affected by heat alerts.
Heat alerts warn people to be careful because of very hot weather.
A couple climbed the Empire State Building without permission.
Climbing the building is illegal and can be dangerous.
The couple now face criminal charges for their actions.
The Empire State Building is a famous landmark in New York City.
Authorities are responding to both the heat alerts and the illegal climb.
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In July 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to declare America’s independence from Great Britain. The article highlights a discussion from the historic room where this decision was made, as part of a series commemorating 250 years of the United States.
Key Facts
The Second Continental Congress met in July 1776.
They officially decided to break political ties with Great Britain.
This vote declared American independence.
The event took place in a specific, historic room linked to the Founding Fathers.
The article is part of a series called Crossroads: America at 250.
The series marks 250 years since the founding of the United States.
The timing connects with celebrations around Independence Day.
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Prosecutors say a video shows rapper Pooh Shiesty demanding to be released from Gucci Mane’s record label while an armed man blocks a door during a robbery at a Texas music studio. Pooh Shiesty and eight others face kidnapping and extortion charges connected to this incident.
Key Facts
Pooh Shiesty, whose real name is Lontrell Williams Jr., is accused of forcing the owner of 1017 Records, owned by Gucci Mane (Radric Delantic Davis), to sign a release to leave the label.
The incident happened during a January meeting at a music studio in Dallas, Texas.
The owner was reportedly robbed at gunpoint of items worth about $450,000, including a wedding band, watch, earrings, and cash.
Prosecutors submitted video evidence showing Pooh Shiesty pressing for a release and pointing a gun at the label owner’s head.
Another rapper, BIG30 (Rodney Wright), reportedly recorded the video on his phone while a third person blocked the door with a firearm.
Pooh Shiesty was on home confinement with electronic monitoring for a previous firearms-related conviction at the time of the alleged robbery.
The victims and witnesses are cooperating with prosecutors, and cellphone location data places the defendants at the scene.
Pooh Shiesty asked for home confinement pending trial, but prosecutors argue the evidence is strong and want him to remain in custody.
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The White House will start new investment accounts called "Trump Accounts" on July 4. These accounts aim to help improve the financial situation for many Americans under 18 years old.
Key Facts
The accounts are called "Trump Accounts."
They will open on July 4.
The program is for children under the age of 18.
Children who turn 18 before the year ends are not eligible.
The accounts are meant to boost financial security for young Americans.
This initiative is led by President Donald Trump’s administration.
It focuses on long-term financial support for minors.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani asked residents to set their air conditioners to 78 degrees to save energy during very hot weather. Some Republicans criticized him for this suggestion.
Key Facts
Mayor Zohran Mamdani of New York City encouraged people to set their thermostats to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
The request aims to help conserve energy during a heat wave with temperatures above 100 degrees.
The city’s power grid is under heavy use because of high air conditioning demand.
Republicans have publicly criticized Mayor Mamdani’s advice.
The suggestion is part of efforts to avoid power outages and manage energy resources.
The heat wave is expected to affect New York City over the coming weekend.
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Venezuela experienced two earthquakes on June 24, adding to ongoing problems in the country. Before the earthquakes, Venezuela already faced severe shortages in hospitals, frequent power cuts, and millions of people needing help due to a long humanitarian crisis.
Key Facts
Venezuela was hit by two earthquakes on June 24.
Hospitals in Venezuela lack medicines and equipment.
The country experiences daily power outages.
At least 8 million people in Venezuela need humanitarian aid.
Venezuela has faced a complex humanitarian emergency for several years.
Problems include weakening democracy, corruption, high inflation, and economic sanctions.
Nearly 8 million Venezuelans have left the country in the last ten years.
This mass movement of people is one of the largest displacement crises worldwide according to the United Nations.
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President Donald Trump earned $1.4 billion from cryptocurrency activities in 2025, according to a financial disclosure. This income could result in tax payments totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
Key Facts
President Trump reported $1.4 billion in income from cryptocurrency in 2025.
The income comes from his crypto-related ventures.
The financial disclosure revealing this information is new.
Tax experts say he may owe hundreds of millions in taxes on these earnings.
The report was covered by CBS News and their correspondent Weijia Jiang.
Cryptocurrency involves digital money that can be traded or invested.
Such high earnings in crypto can lead to large tax bills under U.S. tax laws.
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Washington, D.C. is preparing for the United States' 250th birthday celebration on the National Mall. Officials have declared the event a national special security event, leading to increased security measures in the city.
Key Facts
The celebration marks 250 years since the founding of the United States.
It will take place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
The event is officially classified as a national special security event.
This classification means extra security steps are required to keep people safe.
Washington, D.C. is expecting hot weather during the celebrations.
Homeland security officials are leading the security preparations.
Ambassador Monica Crowley, U.S. chief of protocol, is involved in organizing the event.
CBS News is covering the security and festivities related to the celebration.
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Planned Parenthood will once again receive federal funding starting Saturday, a year after Republicans stopped Medicaid money from going to its clinics. This change happens because the Republican ban on funding has expired.
Key Facts
Planned Parenthood lost federal Medicaid funding about one year ago.
Republicans used a law called the One Big Beautiful Bill to cut funding.
The ban on funding was tied to specific Senate rules.
The funding will restart as the GOP ban ends this Saturday.
Medicaid is a government program that helps pay medical costs for some people.
Planned Parenthood provides health services including reproductive care.
The shift affects many clinics that serve low-income patients.
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Tucker Carlson said in an interview that he wants to help build a new political party in the United States but did not give many details. He also said he does not want to run for office and criticized both major parties for their support of war and finance interests, calling for a party that focuses on the welfare of ordinary Americans.
Key Facts
Tucker Carlson expressed interest in helping create a new political party in the U.S. but gave few details.
He stated he does not want to be a political candidate.
Carlson criticized the Trump administration, especially its approach to the war with Iran.
He claims both Democrats and Republicans are controlled by similar interests, making U.S. politics like a one-party state.
Carlson said the government should prioritize the welfare of American citizens over foreign conflicts.
He recently stopped supporting both major parties and does not plan to back them in upcoming elections.
Carlson has tried to advise President Trump against military action in Iran but has not spoken to him since the war began.
He supports extremely strict immigration limits, citing job loss fears due to automation like AI.
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Shoko Kawata, mayor of a town in western Japan, is set to become the country’s first mayor to take maternity leave, sparking a national debate. Japan currently has no legal rules for elected officials taking time off for childbirth, and reactions from the public have been mixed.
Key Facts
Shoko Kawata is the mayor of Yawata, a town in western Japan near Kyoto.
She plans to take maternity leave for two months before and two months after her baby’s expected birth in mid-September.
There is currently no legal system in Japan that allows local elected officials to officially take maternity leave.
Kawata will temporarily delegate her duties to her deputy while on leave.
Public opinion is divided; some support her decision as a positive step for women in politics, while others say it is irresponsible to step away from public duties.
Kawata argues that criticizing maternity leave for politicians excludes women of childbearing age from public office.
Only about 4% of Japan’s 1,720 municipal leaders are women, highlighting gender imbalance in Japanese politics.
The debate is part of a broader conversation about supporting women in leadership roles and creating better systems for work and family life in Japan.
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Senator Mitch McConnell is still in the hospital and is getting better, according to his spokesperson. He was hospitalized on June 14, the same day emergency medical services responded to a call about an unconscious person at his home, though it has not been confirmed if it was him.
Key Facts
McConnell was hospitalized on June 14 and remains in the hospital as of late June.
Emergency medical responders were called to McConnell’s home for someone unconscious and performing CPR was reported.
The EMS call did not name McConnell, and his team has not confirmed if it was him.
McConnell’s spokesperson said he is recovering and working with his staff while the Senate is not in session.
McConnell is 84 years old and survived childhood polio.
He has had several recent health issues, including a hospital stay in February for flu-like symptoms and a concussion in 2023 after a fall.
He experienced minor injuries in 2024 from another fall.
In May, he appeared in public with a hand bandage during a committee hearing.
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The article shares quotes from America's Founding Fathers during the 1776 struggle against King George III and British rule. It connects these historical views to the celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday.
Key Facts
The content highlights thoughts from 1776 about the American Revolutionary War.
The focus is on the conflict between the American colonies and King George III of Britain.
The occasion is the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Major Garrett, a CBS News correspondent, presents these historical quotes.
The article is linked to CBS News coverage and apps for further viewing.
The Founding Fathers were key leaders who shaped early American ideas about freedom.
Their words reflect the reasons for America’s fight for independence.
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Louisiana’s Republican attorney general, Liz Murrill, was charged with criminal offenses for allegedly threatening local officials who opposed a new law changing the local court system. The law removed the job of a criminal court clerk who was elected after a wrongful conviction, and opponents said the law was meant to block voters’ choice.
Key Facts
Liz Murrill, Louisiana’s Republican attorney general, was indicted on criminal charges by a grand jury in New Orleans.
Murrill warned eight New Orleans officials, including the mayor and district attorney, they could lose their jobs if they opposed a new court-related law.
The law removed the Orleans parish criminal court clerk position after Calvin Duncan, a man wrongly convicted for many years, was elected to that post.
Republican lawmakers passed the law shortly before Duncan was set to take office in May.
Duncan’s supporters say the law is an effort by mostly white conservative legislators to overturn voters’ decisions in a mostly Black Democratic city.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, also a Republican, called the local criminal justice system chaotic and promised to pardon Murrill on all charges as soon as possible.
The Republican Attorneys General Association said Murrill was only giving a legal opinion and warning officials about the law in her job.
Critics say Murrill’s actions aimed to pressure officials into accepting the new law.
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A couple who climbed the Empire State Building appeared in court facing several charges, including reckless endangerment and burglary. A friend of the couple said they did not put anyone in danger during the climb.
Key Facts
The couple climbed the Empire State Building, a famous skyscraper in New York City.
They faced charges of reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, burglary, and base jumping.
They appeared in court on Thursday for these charges.
A close friend, Anna Martinez, spoke to CBS News about the couple.
The friend said the couple did not endanger anyone while climbing the building.
Base jumping is an extreme sport where people jump from fixed objects using a parachute.
The incident attracted media attention and a police response.
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Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill was indicted by a grand jury in New Orleans for allegedly trying to intimidate local officials who opposed a new law changing the local court system. The law, supported by Republican lawmakers and Governor Jeff Landry, removed the Orleans Parish criminal court clerk position after a man wrongfully convicted was elected to the post.
Key Facts
Attorney General Liz Murrill faces criminal charges related to intimidation of New Orleans officials.
The officials include Mayor Helena Moreno and District Attorney Jason Williams.
The controversy centers on a law that abolished the Orleans Parish criminal court clerk position.
The law was pushed by Republican legislators and Governor Jeff Landry.
Calvin Duncan, elected to the clerk position, is a man who spent decades in prison for a wrongful conviction.
Governor Landry criticized the indictment and promised to pardon Murrill if convicted.
The Republican Attorneys General Association supported Murrill, saying she was giving a legal warning.
The Assistant Attorney General prosecuting the case said the matter involves preventing intimidation of elected officials.
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Pollstar has published its list of the top 20 global concert tours, ranking artists by the average amount of money they made per city and the average ticket price. BTS leads the list with the highest average box office gross per city, followed by Luke Combs and Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.
Key Facts
BTS earned an average of about $10.7 million per city with an average ticket price of $211.24.
Luke Combs ranked second, averaging about $7.6 million per city with a ticket price of $128.03.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band ranked third with $4.5 million average per city and the highest average ticket price of $254.90.
The rankings are based on data from concert promoters and venue managers worldwide.
Other artists in the top 5 include Guns N’ Roses and Phish with millions of dollars in average earnings per city.
The list also shows the number of tickets sold per city for each artist.
Ticket prices vary widely, from less than $80 to over $250 on average.
The list is available on Pollstar’s website along with upcoming tour information.
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The FBI is assigning over 200 staff members to investigate the 2020 presidential election in Fulton County, Georgia. This effort focuses on reviewing more than 700 records by mid-July as part of a priority investigation connected to alleged election issues.
Key Facts
The FBI requested 260 analysts and specialists to work on the Georgia 2020 election probe.
The investigation centers on Fulton County, Georgia’s most populous county, including Atlanta.
FBI agents seized hundreds of boxes of ballots and documents in January 2026.
Each assigned staff member is to review about 708 records by July 17, 2026.
The Justice Department described the investigation as addressing “irregularities” in the 2020 election.
Georgia’s 2020 presidential votes were counted three times, including a hand count, confirming Joe Biden’s win.
President Donald Trump and his allies have made claims of widespread election fraud in the 2020 election.
Fulton County officials declined to comment due to the ongoing investigation.
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An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has caused more than 400 deaths and is still spreading, including a case reported in the large city of Kisangani. The outbreak mainly affects northeastern provinces of the country and has also spread to neighboring Uganda and South Sudan.
Key Facts
Over 400 people have died from Ebola out of 1,406 confirmed cases in the DRC.
The outbreak started in the northeastern Ituri province, where most deaths occurred.
The virus has spread to North Kivu, South Kivu, and reached Kisangani, a city with 1.5 million people.
A 24-year-old pregnant woman in Kisangani tested positive after being secretly moved from Ituri.
The Ebola virus spreads through contact with bodily fluids and is deadly.
No vaccine or specific cure currently exists, but treatments and vaccines are being tested.
Neighbors Uganda and South Sudan have reported cases and deaths linked to the outbreak.
Local distrust towards health workers is making Ebola control efforts difficult in affected areas.
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