The Actual News

Key Facts

• There has been flash flooding in Texas.
• The federal government's response to this disaster is being closely examined.
• President Trump visited Texas recently.
• During his visit, he spoke positively about FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
• President Trump has previously suggested cuts to FEMA's budget.
• The President did not discuss his future plans for FEMA during this visit.
• William Brangham talked with Deanne Criswell, a former FEMA Administrator, to learn more.

Key Facts

• The Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim has been destroyed by wildfires.
• The fire, known as the Dragon Bravo Fire, has burned over 5,000 acres.
• This lodge was the only available accommodation in the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park.
• The fire also destroyed many surrounding cabins and old trees, some over 400 years old.
• The fire started from a lightning strike on July 4, which initially seemed controllable but worsened due to strong winds.
• Firefighters protecting the lodge had to evacuate after a water treatment plant burned, releasing toxic chlorine gas.
• The lodge first opened in 1928, but was destroyed by a kitchen fire four years later and rebuilt, reopening in 1938.
• This lodge provided panoramic views and was cherished by locals and visitors as a unique getaway spot.

Key Facts

• The White House is proposing to cut $9.4 billion from the government's budget.
• This plan is up for a vote in the Senate this week.
• Some Republican senators are concerned about cutting funds for foreign aid.
• There are also worries about reducing funds for public broadcasting.
• The Senate needs to decide by Friday whether to approve or change the plan.
• Lisa Desjardins is reporting on this issue for Congress.

Key Facts

• Tamara Keith is a reporter for NPR, and Amy Walter is from the Cook Political Report.
• They discussed how the Trump administration handled the Jeffrey Epstein case.
• They mentioned a White House plan to reduce spending on foreign aid.
• The discussion also covered efforts to cut funding for public media.
• Public opinion on immigration raids was another key topic.
• William Brangham was the host of this conversation.

Key Facts

• A wildfire occurred in Grand Canyon National Park.
• The fire destroyed numerous structures.
• Among the destroyed structures was a historic lodge.
• The event took place over a weekend.
• Arizona's governor requested an investigation into the fire response by the Park Service.

Key Facts

• A fire started at an assisted living facility in Massachusetts.
• The fire happened on a Sunday night.
• Nine residents died because of the fire.
• Many others were injured during the incident.
• The facility served as both a retirement and assisted living location.

Key Facts

• Warner Bros released a reboot of the Superman film series last weekend.
• The movie earned about $122 million in the U.S. during its opening weekend.
• This earning is lower compared to past blockbusters like "Batman v Superman" from 2016, which earned $166 million on its opening weekend (or $224 million with inflation).
• Superhero movies in the 2010s typically earned over $500 million globally, but this trend is declining.
• Hollywood experts suggest "superhero fatigue" might be why fewer people are watching these movies.
• The concept of superhero movies became more popular after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
• The U.S. Department of Defense has historically influenced the narratives of several superhero films.
• Superhero movies often depict American ideals like democracy, inclusivity, and justice, but these ideals may not resonate as widely in today's America.

Key Facts

• The Justice Department stated that Epstein left no "client list" and decided against making more case files public.
• Former President Trump's supporters are upset about the lack of information, feeling previous hints at evidence were misleading.
• Epstein, a wealthy financier, was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges but died in jail a month later; his death was ruled a suicide.
• Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former associate, was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison for her involvement.
• The case attracted attention due to Epstein and Maxwell's connections with famous individuals.
• Right-wing figures like Tucker Carlson and Laura Loomer have criticized the government's handling of the case.
• Pam Bondi, a former state Attorney General, had suggested more evidence existed, adding to frustration when none was released.
• Much of the material related to the case remains sealed by court order, meant to protect victims.

Key Facts

• The U.S. announced sanctions against a UN human rights expert.
• This expert specializes in human rights in Palestinian areas.
• The reason for the sanctions is the expert's criticism of Israel.
• Israel expressed approval of the U.S.'s decision to apply sanctions.
• The decision was made during the Trump administration.

Key Facts

• A Palestinian American man from Florida was killed in the West Bank.
• Israeli settlers are reported to have been responsible for the death.
• A second Palestinian man also died in the incident.
• The event took place in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
• A funeral service was conducted for both men.
• Palestinian officials provided information about the incident.

Key Facts

Key Facts

• The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to continue plans to close the Department of Education.
• A previous court order blocked these plans and required the rehiring of around 1,400 workers.
• The case is not yet resolved and will continue in lower courts.
• Justice Sonia Sotomayor disagreed strongly with the Supreme Court's decision.
• The Education Secretary called the decision an important win for reforms.
• The original court order stopping the cuts was issued by a federal judge who said the department couldn't function with so many layoffs.
• The administration argues the changes aim to streamline operations without completely eliminating the department.

Key Facts

• The Supreme Court supported Trump's plan to scale back the Education Department.
• This plan involves laying off about 1,400 employees at the department.
• The decision overrides a previous order by Judge Myong Joun that blocked the layoffs.
• The ruling had the support of the conservative justices, while the three liberal justices opposed it.
• Education Secretary Linda McMahon supported the decision, stating the President has authority over federal staffing.
• Critics argue the court's decision undermines public education.
• Employees affected by the layoffs have been on paid leave since March.
• Legal challenges by Massachusetts cities and education groups are still pending.

Key Facts

• A total of 24 states and the District of Columbia are suing the Trump administration.
• The lawsuit is about the freezing of more than $6 billion in education grants.
• These grants support programs like migrant education, before- and after-school activities, professional development for teachers, and services for English learners.
• The funding freeze was announced just weeks before the start of the school year.
• Some districts had already planned and budgeted for the upcoming school year, causing them financial strain.
• The lawsuit includes states like California, New York, Colorado, Massachusetts, Arizona, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania.
• Some Republican lawmakers also oppose the funding freeze, alongside many Democrats.
• This is not the first time the Trump administration has cut funding for similar education programs.

Key Facts

• Shoe prices in the U.S. are increasing.
• Rising shoe costs can affect people's spending habits.
• Higher prices could influence retail businesses that sell shoes.
• The situation may impact Donald Trump's political landscape.
• Economic changes can affect voter opinions and political support.

Key Facts

• Andrew Cuomo is a former New York governor.
• He announced his candidacy for New York City's mayoral race as an independent.
• Cuomo lost to Zohran Mamdani in the Democratic primary.
• Current Mayor Eric Adams is also running as an independent.
• Curtis Sliwa is running as a Republican candidate.
• Mamdani is a left-wing candidate who supports higher taxes on the wealthy.
• Cuomo's campaign is part of his comeback after resigning amid allegations.
• Some people worry that multiple candidates could divide the vote against Mamdani.

Key Facts

• Silvia Moreno-Garcia's new book "The Bewitching" is inspired by old family stories about witches and tells the tale of Minerva, a graduate student.
• "The Girl I Was" by Jeneva Rose is about a middle-aged character confronting her younger self through time travel.
• Hannah Pittard's novel "If You Love It, Let It Kill You" deals with a fictionalized account of a personal experience related to betrayal and relationships.
• Carrie R. Moore's debut short story collection "Make Your Way Home" focuses on the concept of home, particularly in the American South.
• These books are available at libraries, independent bookstores, and online retailers like Amazon.
• The releases offer a variety of stories, ranging from mystery and romance to reflections on personal history and heritage.

Key Facts

• Over 20 states are suing the Trump administration for freezing education funds.
• The frozen funds affect programs serving 1.4 million children, including at Boys & Girls Clubs and the YMCA.
• Congress allocated the money to help low-income families with after-school care, academic support, and enrichment.
• The lawsuit argues that withholding funds breaks the Constitution and federal laws.
• If funds aren't released, many programs might have to close, affecting children nationwide.
• The Boys & Girls Clubs in Rhode Island are using state funding to keep summer programs running.
• 91 out of 100 school districts most affected by the freeze are in Republican congressional districts.
• Some Republican officials are asking for the release of the funds, emphasizing their necessity for upcoming school sessions.

Key Facts

• Sixteen immigration judges were notified they would lose their jobs on July 22.
• These judges worked in states like Massachusetts, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, New York, and California.
• Many judges were at the end of their two-year probationary period with the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
• The firings occurred after Congress allocated more than $3 billion for immigration activities, including hiring more judges.
• There is a backlog of nearly 4 million immigration cases in the U.S.
• Recently, EOIR has pushed judges to manage cases faster and give verbal decisions.
• Some judges have resigned voluntarily as part of a program to reduce the federal workforce.
• Two Massachusetts Senators raised concerns about previous judge firings.

Key Facts

• A fire occurred at Gabriel House, an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts.
• Nine people lost their lives in the fire.
• Dozens of residents and five firefighters were hospitalized.
• The fire broke out at around 9:50 PM on Sunday local time.
• Approximately 50 firefighters responded to the incident, including about 30 who were off-duty.
• The cause of the fire is under investigation.
• There were about 70 residents in the facility before the fire.
• The building had sprinklers, and the fire was contained to one wing, but smoke spread throughout.
• All hospitalized firefighters had non-life-threatening injuries.