Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said the August 3 deadline does not affect his ability to call a special election if Senator Mitch McConnell leaves office. McConnell has been absent from the Senate since mid-June due to a fall and has not yet been cleared to return to work. Beshear has asked McConnell to prove he is fit to serve or to resign.
Key Facts
Senator Mitch McConnell has been absent since June 14 after a fall that caused hospitalization.
McConnell has not participated in Senate activities or cast votes since his hospital stay.
August 3 is the deadline for a governor to call a special election for a Senate vacancy in Kentucky if it happens within three months before the next election.
Governor Beshear says the August 3 deadline does not legally stop him from calling a special election if needed.
Kentucky law does not allow interim appointments for Senate vacancies, meaning a special election must fill the seat.
McConnell is 84 years old and plans to retire at the end of his current term.
Beshear wrote to McConnell asking him to show he can continue serving or to resign.
The situation raises concerns about McConnell’s health and capacity to serve during a politically important time for Republicans.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche canceled a $1.8 billion fund aimed at preventing the misuse of weapons. This decision came just before his possible confirmation by the Senate.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is the Acting Attorney General.
He canceled a fund called the "anti-weaponization fund."
The fund size was $1.8 billion.
The fund was meant to stop weapons from being misused or "weaponized."
The cancellation happened before his Senate confirmation process.
The news was reported by CBS News and journalist Nikole Killion.
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President Donald Trump criticized Chevron's CEO, Mike Wirth, for not recognizing the Trump administration's role in helping the oil industry. Trump demanded that Chevron and other oil companies immediately lower fuel prices for American consumers amid rising gasoline costs due to the conflict involving Iran.
Key Facts
President Trump said Chevron’s success depends on support from his administration.
He called on Chevron and other oil companies to reduce fuel prices right away.
Fuel prices have increased since the US-Israel conflict with Iran began.
Trump claims fuel prices will drop quickly after the conflict ends, but experts disagree.
The US and Israel agreed to pause new attacks on Iran if a deal ends the conflict soon.
The fighting has raised fears about damage to energy supplies and infrastructure.
Trump faces criticism over starting the conflict and its impact on Americans’ expenses.
The situation is unfolding as November’s US midterm elections approach.
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Todd Blanche is closer to being confirmed as attorney general. His nomination has sparked debate around issues of corruption linked to President Donald Trump’s administration.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is nominated for the position of attorney general.
The nomination process has faced opposition and controversy.
Critics connect the debate to concerns about corruption in President Donald Trump’s administration.
The nomination is advancing, moving closer to official approval.
The discussion around the nomination highlights ongoing political conflict.
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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supports giving children the measles vaccine to protect them. However, during a CNN interview, he also made several incorrect statements about other vaccines and diseases like RSV and measles outbreaks.
Key Facts
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. serves as the Health and Human Services Secretary.
He spoke about vaccines on CNN's “State of the Union” show.
Kennedy supports vaccinating children against measles.
He made false claims about other vaccines and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Some parts of his statements were proven to be wrong or debunked by experts.
The discussion took place during a tense interview with host Dana Bash.
There are ongoing outbreaks of measles in some areas.
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Vice President Kamala Harris suggested that the Democratic Party should reconsider how the Electoral College works to improve their chances in upcoming presidential elections. She made these comments at the National Urban League Conference in Nashville.
Key Facts
Vice President Kamala Harris proposed revisiting the Electoral College system.
She made this suggestion as part of ideas to help Democrats win future presidential elections.
Harris spoke at the National Urban League Conference in Nashville.
The Electoral College is the system used to elect the U.S. president based on votes from each state.
The Democratic Party is looking for ways to improve their election strategies for 2024 and beyond.
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A healthcare worker named Jordan Salinas shot back at a gunman who killed three people and injured several others at an In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho. Salinas had taken firearm training after a previous mass shooting and helped stop the attacker, who then died by suicide.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho.
The attacker, Chad Williams, was 24 years old.
Williams killed three people and wounded seven others before shooting himself.
Jordan Salinas, a healthcare worker, returned fire on the gunman using a pistol with a suppressor.
Salinas had practiced firearm training after a deadly mall shooting in Boise, Idaho.
Police credited Salinas and an off-duty officer with stopping the shooter and preventing more casualties.
Salinas followed four steps from his training: observe, orient, decide, and act.
There have been at least 280 mass shootings in the U.S. so far this year, with ongoing debate about gun laws.
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A small town in Maine came together to support a 6-year-old girl after local officials told her family to remove a group of metal rooster decorations from their yard. The community showed kindness and rallied around the girl to help her keep the roosters.
Key Facts
The girl is 6 years old and loves roosters.
She had a flock of tin (metal) rooster decorations on her property.
Local code enforcement officials asked the family to remove the roosters.
The town of Ogunquit, Maine, came together to support the girl.
The community’s response showed care and support for the family.
The story was reported by CBS News contributor David Begnaud.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he did not like a photo of himself in the Oval Office that became a popular internet meme. The photo was taken during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last year.
Key Facts
The photo shows Marco Rubio sitting in the Oval Office.
It became a viral meme, meaning many people shared and joked about it online.
Rubio said he initially “hated” the photo.
The picture was taken after a significant meeting with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The meeting took place last year.
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Republican Congressman Max Miller from Ohio denies allegations of abuse made by his ex-wife and says he will continue his campaign for reelection. After his denial, betting odds showed a drop in his chances to win, while Democrats gained confidence in the race.
Key Facts
Max Miller is a two-term congressman and former aide to President Donald Trump.
His ex-wife, Emily Moreno, accused him of abuse, which he denies.
Miller has not been charged with any crime related to the allegations.
He posted a video on the social media platform X rejecting the abuse claims and said he will stay in the race.
Betting odds showed Miller’s chance of winning fell from 47% to 34% after his video.
Democrats are calling for his resignation and want a congressional ethics investigation.
Ohio’s deadline for Miller to withdraw and be replaced on the ballot is August 9, with party replacement deadline on August 10.
President Donald Trump said he will review the situation but called the claims “accusations” so far.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche canceled a $1.776 million fund created to prevent government misuse for political reasons. However, an order that protects President Trump, his adult children, and their business from investigation for past actions remains unchanged.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is the Acting Attorney General.
He rescinded (canceled) a $1.776 million "anti-weaponization" fund.
The fund was created to stop government efforts being used unfairly against political figures.
This cancellation happened one day after the fund was set up.
A separate legal order gives broad legal protection (immunity) to President Trump, his adult children, and their business for past actions.
The immunity order remains active despite canceling the fund.
The memo about the fund received less public attention than the immunity order.
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A parasite called Cyclospora has caused thousands of cases of illness across many U.S. states since May. Health officials are investigating outbreaks linked mainly to contaminated shredded lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms and served in Taco Bell restaurants, leading to recalls and rising case counts.
Key Facts
As of July 28, there were 6,707 confirmed Cyclospora cases in 45 states, with 423 hospitalizations but no deaths.
Over 11,500 suspected cases are still being investigated.
The largest outbreak is linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, especially served at Taco Bell in several states.
Taco Bell stopped using the contaminated lettuce on July 17, and Taylor Farms recalled iceberg lettuce from central Mexico sent to 27 states.
Michigan has the highest number of cases with 10,773, followed by Ohio with 4,013 confirmed cases.
States like North Carolina, Missouri, Florida, Iowa, and Virginia have all reported rising numbers of cases recently.
Cyclospora is a parasite that infects food via contact with human feces, often through contaminated water used on produce.
Illness caused by Cyclospora, called cyclosporiasis, affects the gut and can lead to serious stomach problems.
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The Senate plans to approve a temporary funding measure to keep the government running through December, ahead of the November midterm elections. This plan differs from the House version and aims to avoid a government shutdown while including some changes to funding rules.
Key Facts
The Senate's continuing resolution would keep government funding at current levels until December 11.
The House approved a different short-term funding plan before its recess, which some Democrats opposed.
The Senate measure includes changes affecting nutrition, national security, and disaster relief programs.
Senate Democrats oppose reallocating funds from other programs to the Border Patrol, which is included in the House plan.
Senate leaders want a bipartisan agreement requiring support from both parties to pass funding bills.
The Senate also included language to pause a proposed rule that would allow canceling some federal grants.
The Senate aims to vote on the measure before its August recess; the House will decide its next steps when it returns.
House Speaker Mike Johnson may face pressure from his party over accepting the Senate’s plan.
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The Arizona Supreme Court ruled that clergy members in Arizona do not have to report child abuse they learn about during religious confession. This decision protects the confidentiality of confessions even if clergy become aware of abuse.
Key Facts
Arizona clergy are not required to report child abuse learned in confession, according to the state supreme court.
The case involved children abused by their parents, who sued the Mormon church and two bishops for not reporting the abuse.
The Mormon church supports the ruling and says it condemns all abuse and helps victims.
A previous Washington state law that would have forced clergy to report abuse was withdrawn after legal challenge by the Catholic church.
Paul Adams admitted child abuse to a bishop in 2011 during confession and later died by suicide in jail.
Abuse continued because bishops followed church rules to keep confessions confidential and sought advice not to contact police.
The court said the First Amendment protects religious freedom, meaning courts can’t question religious reasons for keeping confessions secret.
The ruling overturned a lower court decision that had favored the children, confirming protection of religious confession confidentiality.
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Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said he talked with President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin about the wildfires in Washington state. Ferguson described the wildfire damage in Spokane and other parts of the state during the conversation.
Key Facts
The wildfires are affecting Washington state, including the city of Spokane.
Governor Bob Ferguson spoke directly with President Trump about the emergency.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin was also part of the discussion.
Ferguson explained the serious and harmful effects of the wildfires.
The conversation happened on a Sunday, according to Ferguson’s post on X (formerly Twitter).
Governor Ferguson is in his first term and is a member of the Democratic Party.
The call aimed to raise awareness about the wildfire crisis in Washington.
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Support for President Donald Trump’s approach to the conflict with Iran has decreased, according to a recent poll. Public opinion is divided, with some people worried about a long, difficult war and others believing the military action has stopped Iran’s nuclear progress.
Key Facts
A Quinnipiac University poll of 963 registered voters found only 34% support U.S. military action in Iran, while 60% oppose it.
President Trump planned to cancel an attack on Iran to allow rapid diplomatic talks.
Public reactions vary: some fear long, unresolved conflicts in the Middle East, others think the military actions have weakened Iran’s threat.
Joe Rogan, a public figure who once supported Trump, expressed doubt about a clear resolution to the conflict.
Some readers criticized Rogan’s influence, questioning his support for President Trump.
Comments highlight concerns about U.S. involvement possibly leading to prolonged conflicts or “forever wars.”
Others argue the military campaign has successfully stopped Iran’s nuclear advancements and reduced dangers posed by Iran.
The article notes worries about U.S. ammunition supplies amid ongoing tensions.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche ended a $1.8 billion fund linked to President Donald Trump that was meant to compensate political allies. This decision followed talks with two Republican senators who were blocking Blanche’s nomination to be attorney general.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is the acting U.S. Attorney General.
President Donald Trump had created a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" for his political allies.
Blanche officially ended this fund by a formal order on Sunday.
Two Republican senators, John Cornyn from Texas and Thom Tillis from North Carolina, were blocking Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general.
Cornyn confirmed the deal to end the fund, while Tillis had no comment.
Blanche’s nomination will be voted on by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.
The decision to end the fund was part of negotiations to move forward with Blanche’s confirmation.
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The U.S. dollar recently dropped in value against the Japanese yen after Japan and President Trump’s administration worked together to intervene in the currency market. The dollar fell from a 40-year high of 164 yen in July to about 156.80 yen.
Key Facts
Japan and the Trump administration joined forces to intervene in currency markets.
The U.S. dollar reached a 40-year high of 164 yen in July.
By Monday morning, the dollar’s value against the yen fell to approximately 156.80 yen.
The U.S. Treasury Department sold euros to buy yen during the intervention.
The move was aimed at influencing currency exchange rates.
The intervention caused the dollar to weaken versus the yen.
Currency market interventions are rare and usually done to stabilize exchange rates.
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Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno said that his former son-in-law, Congressman Max Miller, should not serve in Congress because of abuse accusations involving Moreno’s daughter and granddaughter. Max Miller denied these claims and said he does not plan to leave his position.
Key Facts
Senator Bernie Moreno is from Ohio and a member of the Republican Party.
Congressman Max Miller is also a Republican from Ohio.
Moreno accused Miller of abusing his daughter and granddaughter.
Miller denied the abuse allegations.
Miller has stated he will stay in Congress despite the accusations.
The dispute involves family members and political figures within the same state and party.
The situation is being reported by CBS News.
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The U.S. government has allowed citizens to sue polluters when the government doesn’t act, through “citizen suit provisions” in environmental laws like the Clean Water Act. Now, the Trump administration wants to stop people from suing polluters and says only the government should enforce these laws.
Key Facts
Environmental laws since the 1970s include “citizen suit provisions” that let regular people sue companies or agencies violating pollution rules.
These citizen suits have triggered over 2,000 lawsuits and are important for stopping pollution and protecting wildlife.
Citizens must notify the polluter and the EPA before suing and can only sue if the government hasn’t already taken enforcement action.
Citizen suits can stop harmful activities, recover cleanup costs, and fine polluters.
The Clean Water Act is the most common law used for citizen suits because just dumping pollution without a permit is against the law.
Examples include a 2017 case where a Texas shrimper sued a plastics company, which settled for $50 million to clean pollution.
In 2023, environmental groups sued a packaging company over plastic pellet pollution; the company settled for $2.5 million and agreed to install filters.
The Trump administration’s recent legal position challenges the ability of citizens to sue and wants enforcement to be done only by the government.
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