Two Republican senators, John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, have agreed to support President Donald Trump’s nominee for Attorney General, Todd Blanche, after Blanche canceled a controversial $1.8 billion fund. This fund was criticized for potentially using taxpayer money to help Trump’s political allies, including some involved in the January 6 Capitol attack.
Key Facts
Senators Cornyn and Tillis said they will vote to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Blanche canceled the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponisation fund” that sparked bipartisan criticism.
The fund was created to compensate Trump allies who claimed government persecution.
Some feared the fund could benefit supporters involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol assault.
Blanche currently serves as acting Attorney General and was involved early in creating the fund.
President Trump had sued the IRS for $10 billion, which was related to the fund’s creation.
Blanche confirmed in a hearing he would not move forward with the fund, but Trump continued promoting it.
The Justice Department officially rescinded the order authorizing the fund, stating no money was spent or claims processed.
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Two people in Michigan have died after contracting cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness. Both had serious health problems that may have worsened because of the infection and dehydration.
Key Facts
Two deaths in Michigan linked to cyclosporiasis have been reported.
Both individuals had significant underlying health conditions.
These health problems might have been affected by the cyclosporiasis infection and dehydration.
Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services shared this information on Monday.
As of Monday, Michigan has reported 11,234 cases of cyclosporiasis.
Cyclosporiasis causes watery diarrhea and other digestive symptoms.
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Republican lawmakers are urging Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to increase rules overseeing baby formula safety. They want limits set on harmful substances in formula and more research on health effects to protect babies.
Key Facts
Most babies in the U.S. receive infant formula during their first year.
A recent FDA study found the U.S. baby formula supply safe.
Some lawmakers want formal limits on toxic metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury in formula.
Florida Rep. Brian Mast introduced the FORMULA Act of 2026 to set federal contaminant limits and require regular testing and reporting.
The bill would require manufacturers to keep testing records and report violations annually to Congress.
Contaminants mentioned include microplastics, pesticides, and certain chemical substances.
The bill currently has one cosponsor, Georgia Rep. Buddy Carter, and is under review by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Representatives stress that parents deserve certainty about formula safety and better protections for babies.
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Paul Rivera, who wrote an internal report analyzing the Democrats’ 2024 election loss, says a full chapter titled “What Happened in 2024” was removed from the version made public. This missing section discussed topics like President Biden’s choice to run again and questions about wealthy party operatives, which some party leaders deny having seen.
Key Facts
Paul Rivera authored the Democrats’ internal 2024 election loss report.
A chapter called “What Happened in 2024” was not included in the public report but was given to party chairman Ken Martin in January.
The missing section talked about President Biden’s decision to seek re-election and the influence of wealthy Democratic officials.
Ken Martin said he did not see this missing chapter and would have released it if he had.
The released report disappointed many because it didn’t fully explain why Democrats and their candidates lost to President Trump.
The absent chapter suggested Democrats misunderstood voter concerns and failed to address key demographic shifts.
The Democratic party faces a $2 million cash shortfall heading into upcoming elections, while the Republican party has a much larger positive balance.
The disclosures come as Michigan Democrats prepare for primary elections between moderate and progressive Senate candidates.
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Maryland lawmakers started a special session to discuss changing the state constitution to allow new political maps that could help Democrats win more U.S. House seats in 2028. The change would need voter approval before any new maps are drawn, and Republicans oppose the plan, calling it a power grab.
Key Facts
Maryland Democrats want to amend the state constitution to let them draw congressional districts more favorably for their party.
The proposed amendment must be approved by voters before lawmakers can redraw district lines.
Currently, Democrats hold 7 of Maryland’s 8 U.S. House seats; Republicans hold 1.
A previous attempt to redraw districts to make a Republican seat competitive was struck down by a judge for extreme partisan gerrymandering.
The amendment aims to limit rules about district shapes and natural boundaries only to state legislative districts, not congressional ones.
Republicans criticize the move, saying it limits public input and splits communities unfairly.
Governor Wes Moore supports the effort and says voters will ultimately decide the issue.
The plan responds partly to changes in the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act rulings that affect redistricting nationwide.
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A man named Chad Williams opened fire at an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho, killing three people and injuring seven others before shooting himself. Police say Williams acted alone, and an off-duty officer and a citizen fired at him to stop the attack.
Key Facts
The shooting happened on Saturday at an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Chad Williams, 24 years old, was the gunman and died from a self-inflicted gunshot.
Three people died, including an In-N-Out employee.
Seven people were injured; some are in stable or critical condition.
An off-duty state trooper and a civilian fired shots that helped stop the gunman.
Williams’ family is cooperating with investigators.
Police have not released the names of the victims or the people who fired at the shooter.
The restaurant had opened recently as part of the chain’s expansion in Idaho.
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Nigel Farage said he talked about the financial risks of returning to lead the Reform party months before the 2024 UK general election. He also said these discussions happened well after he received a £5 million gift from a billionaire, which has raised questions about whether he should have declared it as a Member of Parliament (MP).
Key Facts
Nigel Farage discussed possible financial problems with Richard Tice, then leader of Reform, if he returned to politics in spring 2024.
Farage said this was not a formal deal or agreement, just a discussion.
He received a £5 million gift from British cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne before becoming an MP in July 2024.
Farage says the money was a personal gift for his security and not related to politics.
Labour Party critics say he should have declared the gift in the MPs' register of interests when elected.
The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner was investigating Farage for possibly breaking rules but paused after Farage resigned his Clacton seat to trigger a by-election.
The investigation will continue if Farage wins the by-election on August 13, 2024.
Farage left frontline politics in 2021, returned to lead Reform in June 2024, reversing his earlier decision not to stand in the general election.
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Two people in Michigan have died in a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne illness. Health officials say these are the first deaths linked to the outbreak, and both individuals had other serious health problems.
Key Facts
Two deaths in Michigan are connected to the cyclosporiasis outbreak.
This is the first time deaths have been reported from this outbreak in the U.S.
Cyclosporiasis is an illness caused by a parasite that is usually not life-threatening.
The individuals who died had serious underlying health conditions.
The illness can cause dehydration, which may worsen other health issues.
Thousands of people across multiple states have been sickened in this outbreak.
Federal authorities still do not know the exact source of the outbreak.
Health officials continue to investigate the cause and spread of the illness.
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Investigators in Arizona released two ransom notes related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie. The notes provide conflicting information, and the sheriff previously said there was no ransom note before sharing them publicly.
Key Facts
Nancy Guthrie, 84 years old and mother of Savannah Guthrie, disappeared in Arizona.
Two ransom notes were sent to a local CBS station shortly after her disappearance.
The first note demanded $4 million in bitcoin and promised to return Nancy safely.
The second note said Nancy had died from heart issues and was buried in nature, with no ransom demand.
Sheriff Chris Nanos initially said no ransom note existed but later released the two notes publicly.
The FBI found details in the first note that seemed credible, like mentioning Nancy’s white Apple Watch and porch floodlights.
Investigators believe both notes came from the same masked IP address but do not know who sent them.
Savannah Guthrie urged the public to help identify the author of the notes in hopes of solving the case.
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Two people in Michigan have died from cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by a parasite, during the largest U.S. outbreak of the disease. The outbreak is linked to iceberg lettuce from a farm in Mexico and has spread to multiple states, causing thousands of reported infections and hundreds of hospitalizations.
Key Facts
Two deaths in Michigan were reported from cyclosporiasis, both with other serious health problems.
The outbreak has affected nine states, with over 11,200 cases reported in Michigan alone.
The illness is caused by the Cyclospora parasite and mostly results in diarrhea and stomach problems.
The U.S. FDA linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in central Mexico.
There have been 193 hospitalizations reported in Michigan due to the outbreak.
Adults aged 30 to 39 are the most affected age group in Michigan.
The CDC has confirmed 6,707 cases nationwide and is investigating more suspected cases.
The outbreak has caused consumers to avoid certain restaurants and buy less lettuce at stores.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has canceled the $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" that was created under President Donald Trump. This move aims to address concerns raised by two Republican senators and may help Blanche become the permanent attorney general.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is the acting U.S. attorney general.
He canceled a $1.8 billion fund called the "anti-weaponization fund."
The fund was created during President Donald Trump’s time in office.
Two Republican senators had concerns about the fund.
Rescinding the fund may improve Blanche’s chances to be confirmed as attorney general.
The announcement was made on a Sunday.
CBS News reported on the order and the political context.
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Michigan health officials reported two deaths linked to a cyclospora outbreak, marking the first confirmed U.S. deaths from this intestinal parasite. The parasite is spread through contaminated food, and officials have traced lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell to some cases.
Key Facts
Two people in Michigan died in connection with a cyclospora outbreak.
Both had other health problems that may have worsened the effects of the parasite.
Cyclospora is a parasite that spreads when food is contaminated with human feces, often via water used on produce.
The illness caused by cyclospora includes frequent and intense diarrhea.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) linked lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell in five states to the outbreak.
Since May 1, the CDC has confirmed over 4,100 cases and is investigating more than 7,400 possible cases in 41 states.
Officials said other food suppliers or restaurants might also be involved as the investigation continues.
Michigan health officials declined to provide more details about the deaths.
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Two people in Michigan have died after getting sick from Cyclospora, a parasite causing an outbreak in the state. These are the first deaths linked to this Cyclospora outbreak in Michigan, and both had other serious health problems.
Key Facts
Two Michigan residents died from cyclosporiasis during the current outbreak.
Both individuals had serious underlying health issues that may have made their illness worse.
Michigan has reported 11,234 Cyclospora cases and 193 hospital stays as of August 3.
Deaths from Cyclospora are rare and it is usually not life-threatening.
The CDC is investigating the outbreak connected to iceberg lettuce.
The outbreak has affected at least nine states with 1,947 cases and 98 hospitalizations.
The Michigan Department of Health and the CDC are tracking the situation closely.
Cyclospora is a parasite that causes stomach illness and dehydration.
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Two people in Michigan have died from an outbreak of cyclospora, a type of intestinal illness. Both had other health problems that could have made their condition worse, according to state health officials.
Key Facts
Michigan reported the first two deaths in the U.S. linked to cyclospora.
Cyclospora is an intestinal illness that can cause dehydration.
Both people who died had underlying health conditions.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced these deaths on a Monday.
Cyclospora outbreaks affect the digestive system and can be serious for vulnerable individuals.
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A large number of baby boomers are expected to retire between 2026 and 2029, shrinking the U.S. workforce and changing job market conditions. Reduced immigration under President Trump’s policies also lowers the number of new workers entering the job market, which may lead to fewer new jobs needed to keep unemployment steady.
Key Facts
Baby boomer retirements will remove many workers from the labor force, mostly from 2026 to 2029.
Oxford Economics reports that the job growth needed to keep unemployment stable will drop to zero by 2027 and may become negative by 2028.
Reduced net immigration due to President Trump’s stricter immigration policies has lowered labor force growth.
The Trump administration deported over 605,000 people since January 2025.
Net immigration was negative in 2025, meaning more people left the U.S. than arrived, a trend expected to continue.
Less immigration and more retirements mean fewer workers are available, which may cause talent shortages in some regions.
Regions highly dependent on undocumented workers, such as parts of California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Texas, will feel stronger impacts.
Despite fewer new jobs, unemployment may stay stable as fewer people enter or stay in the workforce.
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Michigan health officials reported two deaths linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak. The state has recorded over 11,000 cases, including 193 people hospitalized.
Key Facts
Two people have died due to cyclosporiasis in Michigan.
More than 11,000 cases have been reported in the state.
A total of 193 people have been hospitalized from this outbreak.
Cyclosporiasis is an illness caused by a parasite called Cyclospora.
The Michigan health department is tracking and managing the outbreak.
The situation is ongoing, and more updates are expected.
The outbreak has affected a large number of people across the state.
Public health officials are likely investigating the source of the outbreak.
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President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order at the White House on Monday afternoon. This happens after Senator John Cornyn reached an agreement with the Justice Department to end a $1.8 billion fund related to investigations, allowing Cornyn to support Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general.
Key Facts
President Trump is signing an executive order at the White House.
Senator John Cornyn is involved in a deal with the Justice Department.
The deal ends a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund connected to Trump’s allies.
Ending this fund allows Cornyn to support Todd Blanche’s nomination.
Todd Blanche is nominated to become attorney general.
The event takes place on a Monday afternoon.
The fund was related to investigations concerning Trump’s associates.
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The National Park Service (NPS) reviewed President Trump’s plan to build a Triumphal Arch in Washington, D.C., and found it would negatively impact many historic sites. The NPS identified about 40 affected locations while collecting public feedback for their evaluation.
Key Facts
President Trump proposed building a Triumphal Arch in Washington, D.C.
The National Park Service evaluated the proposal for its impact on historic areas.
The NPS found that the arch would harm nearly 40 historic sites around the city.
The agency asked outside groups and the public to comment on the project.
The public comment period was reopened and ended recently.
The concern is that the arch could affect the appearance and preservation of historic places in the city.
The list of impacted sites includes major landmarks.
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Rep. Summer Lee, a Democratic congresswoman from Pennsylvania, said that criticism from Republicans about more socialists joining the Democratic Party is mostly political talk and does not reflect what most voters really care about. She believes everyday people have different priorities than the GOP’s focus on socialism.
Key Facts
Rep. Summer Lee represents Pennsylvania as a Democrat.
She spoke about the growing number of socialist candidates within the Democratic Party.
The Republican Party has criticized this rise in socialism.
Lee called these criticisms “political noise,” meaning they are mostly for political effect.
She thinks voters are more concerned with other issues than socialism.
The statement was made on a Sunday interview or event.
The conversation highlights differences in what political parties focus on in public debates.
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President Donald Trump nominated Todd Blanche as the head of the Department of Justice. Blanche agreed to end a $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate people claiming unfair government investigations, but legal experts are concerned the deal could still be changed later.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche was nominated by President Trump to lead the Department of Justice.
His nomination is delayed due to concerns from some Republican senators.
The $1.8 billion fund was designed to compensate people allegedly targeted unfairly by government investigations.
Critics worry the fund could help those convicted in the January 6 Capitol riot.
Blanche announced the fund has been officially ended but did not put this in a legal agreement that cannot be reversed.
Some legal experts say future justice officials could revive the fund because the original settlement still exists.
Blanche’s deal also limits tax audit immunity for Trump and his family to past cases only.
President Trump has expressed support for the fund and threatened to bring it back if Blanche’s nomination does not progress.
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