The White House accused China of collecting millions of American voter registration files, calling it election interference. U.S. intelligence agencies reviewed the data collection but found no evidence that China altered voting records or ballots in the 2020 election.
Key Facts
The Trump administration claims China gathered millions of U.S. voter registration files, including some private data.
Intelligence agencies believe China obtained the files by buying, stealing, or hacking but do not know exact details.
China's collection of voter data reportedly started in 2020 and reached 220 million files by 2023.
Voter registration information varies by state; some data is publicly available, while other details are kept private.
U.S. experts say having access to voter registration files alone does not let foreign countries change votes or interfere directly with elections.
A 2020 government assessment said China analyzed voter data to study public opinion but did not plan to manipulate the election system.
After the 2020 election, U.S. intelligence found no evidence that any foreign country, including China, changed voter registrations or vote counts.
There was some disagreement over whether China tried to influence voters through social media or other means, but most agencies saw no direct involvement.
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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is pushing Senator Mitch McConnell to be more open about his health and ability to serve. This move is seen as Beshear preparing to show Democrats he is ready to take on bigger challenges, possibly including a run for president.
Key Facts
Andy Beshear is the Governor of Kentucky.
Beshear is asking Senator Mitch McConnell to share more information about his health.
McConnell represents Kentucky as a Republican senator.
Beshear’s campaign aims to show Democrats that he is active and ready to fight politically.
Some think Beshear may run for president in the future.
The push is part of Beshear’s broader political strategy within the Democratic Party.
This situation has sparked criticism from Republicans.
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Progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed is ahead of Representative Haley Stevens by 15 points in the Democratic primary for Michigan's open Senate seat. A recent poll shows El-Sayed with 54% support and Stevens with 39%, with 6% of voters undecided.
Key Facts
Abdul El-Sayed is a progressive candidate running in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary.
Rep. Haley Stevens is El-Sayed’s main opponent in the primary.
An Emerson College Polling survey was conducted for WLNS/WOODTV.
The poll shows El-Sayed leading with 54% support.
Stevens has 39% support in the poll.
About 6% of voters were undecided.
The primary election is scheduled for next week.
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Senate Republicans have said the budget plan passed by the House last week, which includes $73 billion in new defense spending and changes in the SAVE America Act, is not ready to advance in the Senate. This comes despite President Trump’s insistence that the plan should pass before the Senate’s August recess.
Key Facts
The House passed a budget plan last week.
The plan includes $73 billion in new defense spending.
It also proposes reforms to the SAVE America Act.
Senate Republicans say the plan is not ready to move forward in the Senate.
President Trump demands the plan pass before the August Senate recess.
Senate Republicans are not aligned with the House proposal at this time.
The disagreement is happening within the Republican party.
The delay may affect federal budget and defense funding timelines.
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Generation Z editors at The Hill have started a series called The Feed to explore the political views and interests of their generation. They aim to share insights into the media Gen Z uses and the political candidates they support.
Key Facts
The Feed is a new series led by three Generation Z editors at The Hill.
The series focuses on Generation Z’s political attitudes and behaviors.
It plans to cover what media Generation Z consumes.
It also looks at which political candidates Gen Z supports.
The goal is to provide readers with insights into Gen Z politics each week.
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A father in Georgia is set to be sentenced for second-degree murder and other charges after giving his teenage son the rifle used in a deadly 2024 school shooting. The son pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School.
Key Facts
Colin Gray, 56, provided the AR-15-style rifle used by his then-14-year-old son, Colt Gray, in the September 2024 school shooting.
The shooting at Apalachee High School resulted in four deaths: two students and two teachers.
Colt Gray, 16, pleaded guilty to all 55 charges, including murder and aggravated assault, and received a life sentence without parole.
Colin Gray was found guilty of 27 charges, including second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and reckless conduct.
The jury took less than two hours to reach a guilty verdict after a two-week trial.
Prosecutors showed that Colin Gray had been warned about his son's interest in mass shooters and a shrine to a previous school shooter in his bedroom.
Despite these warnings, Colin Gray gave his son the assault rifle as a Christmas gift and did not seek psychological help for him.
Colin Gray expressed regret during the trial but said he did not foresee his son committing the shooting.
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A government report will show how the U.S. economy performed in the second quarter of 2026, a period affected by inflation and the Iran war. Economists expect a slight slowdown in economic growth, with an estimated 1.8% rise in GDP compared to 2.1% growth in the previous quarter.
Key Facts
The U.S. economy likely grew at an annual rate of 1.8% in April to June 2026, down from 2.1% in the previous quarter.
Inflation rose to 3.5%, above the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%.
Gasoline prices peaked at $4.56 per gallon in May but have since eased.
Hiring remained strong despite higher costs for businesses and consumers.
Artificial intelligence (AI) investment contributed to much of the economic growth in early 2025.
The Federal Reserve considered raising interest rates to combat inflation, with rates currently between 3.5% and 3.75%.
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh has committed to reducing inflation to protect Americans from high prices.
The report comes just after the start of the Iran war, which caused a global oil shock.
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A recent AP-NORC poll shows most Americans believe the war in Iran is not worth fighting, and President Donald Trump's approval rating for handling the conflict has dropped slightly. The poll indicates growing dissatisfaction among both Republicans and the general public as the war continues.
Key Facts
The war with Iran began on February 28, and it has lasted longer than President Trump expected.
About two-thirds of U.S. adults say the war is not worthwhile.
Most Democrats and independents oppose the war, and about 37% of Republicans also say it is not worth fighting.
The poll was conducted July 23-27 during a pause in the conflict after recent escalations.
The U.S. targeted Iranian military and commercial sites; Iran attacked U.S. military facilities, leading to more American deaths.
Since the war started, 18 U.S. service members have died.
President Trump's approval rating on handling Iran fell from 34% last month to 28%.
Republican approval of Trump’s Iran policy fell from 71% in June to 61% in July.
Trump’s overall approval rating is 33%, similar to past presidents at comparable times in their terms.
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A clean-energy super PAC called Invest in Tomorrow Coalition is spending $700,000 more to support Charlie Hatcher in the Republican primary against Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee. Ogles, who has strong backing from President Donald Trump, faces a close race in a newly redrawn district, with concerns over his past controversies also in the background.
Key Facts
Invest in Tomorrow Coalition has spent $2 million in total to unseat Rep. Andy Ogles in the GOP primary.
A recent poll shows Ogles leading challenger Charlie Hatcher by four points, but the race remains close.
The super PAC targets Republicans opposing clean energy policies, including Ogles, due to his stance on wind and solar energy tax credits.
Ogles is endorsed by President Donald Trump and calls the attacks a left-wing effort to silence Trump allies.
Charlie Hatcher, a former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner, has support from prominent Republicans like ex-Governor Bill Haslam.
Tennessee redistricting created a new district with more rural areas, which favors Hatcher’s campaign.
Ogles has faced investigations for campaign finance issues and criticism for Islamophobic statements.
Fundraising numbers show Hatcher out-raising Ogles and entering the final campaign days with more cash available.
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Reform UK will hold a press conference after the Metropolitan Police decided not to investigate Green Party leader Zack Polanski for sharing a photo containing an anti-Nigel Farage message. Police said that sharing the image likely did not break any laws and that it would be unfair to investigate only Polanski, as over 100 others also shared it.
Key Facts
Reform UK’s Treasury spokesperson, Robert Jenrick, will speak at a press conference.
The police said the photo shared by Polanski showed a man wearing a T-shirt with a guillotine image and a message about Nigel Farage.
The Metropolitan Police said it is unlikely that sharing the image was a crime.
More than 100 other people shared the same image online.
Avon and Somerset police reviewed the case but decided not to take further action.
Reform UK disagrees with the police decision and claims the country has unfair legal standards.
The Green Party said it was clear Polanski did not commit a crime and accused Reform UK of using the issue for political advantage.
The incident took place at an event in Bristol.
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Senator Mitch McConnell has been absent from Congress for several weeks due to health issues after a fall and mild pneumonia. A group called Save America Movement put up prank missing-person posters around Washington D.C. to highlight his absence and the lack of representation for his Kentucky constituents.
Key Facts
Mitch McConnell has been hospitalized since mid-June after a fall and mild pneumonia.
He has not appeared in the Senate or cast votes during his absence.
The Save America Movement created and posted fake missing-person posters of McConnell in Washington D.C.
The posters describe him humorously and note his Senate role as a blocker.
McConnell said he is working hard to recover and return to full duties.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear asked McConnell to address the public and prove his ability to serve or resign.
The posters were meant to call attention to concerns about McConnell's prolonged absence.
This situation has caused frustration among some lawmakers and constituents.
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Senator Bernie Moreno used strong language while questioning Dr. Anthony Fauci in a Senate hearing about the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreno later said he was being polite and believes Fauci should be held in contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions.
Key Facts
Senator Bernie Moreno spoke harshly to Dr. Anthony Fauci during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing.
Fauci was subpoenaed by Senator Rand Paul, the committee chairman, to testify about the origins of COVID-19.
Fauci refused to answer further questions by invoking the Fifth Amendment, which protects against self-incrimination.
Fauci had previously received a pardon from outgoing President Joe Biden in early 2025.
Moreno said a key reason he ran for office was a 2020 incident where a woman was arrested at a school football game for refusing to wear a mask.
Moreno called Fauci’s actions a "total disgrace" and said he caused harm to millions of people.
Moreno wants Congress to hold Fauci in contempt for not answering questions and hopes for accountability.
The committee plans to vote soon on whether to hold Fauci in contempt, but no decision on criminal charges has been announced.
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A 16-year-old lifeguard in California rescued a 10-year-old boy who was caught in dangerous ocean waves at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz. The boy’s father expressed deep gratitude to the lifeguard, who risked his own safety to save the boy from drowning.
Key Facts
The boy, Nathaniel, was pulled into the ocean by large waves and strong currents while standing in shallow water.
The rescue happened on July 25, 2026, at Seabright State Beach, about 60 miles from San Francisco.
Lifeguard Ryder Williams, age 16, noticed the boy struggling and went into the water despite dangerous conditions.
Williams radioed for help, held onto the limp boy, and was later assisted by another lifeguard and bystanders.
Nathaniel was swept about 15 yards out before the lifeguard reached him.
After medical checks, the boy was released with no serious injuries but experienced coughing from sand in his lungs.
Nathaniel is dealing with mental trauma from the incident and has been thinking about it a lot.
The boy’s father, Sumit Rai, who was in Dallas at the time, is very thankful to the lifeguard for saving his son’s life.
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New South Wales (NSW) is changing how it handles some mental health emergencies by sending specialist nurses and paramedics instead of police. This new plan includes a mental health team available 12 hours a day, funded with $270 million over ten years, to provide better care for people in crisis.
Key Facts
NSW will send specialist nurses and paramedics to some mental health emergencies instead of police officers.
A team of mental health experts will assess emergency mental health calls 24/7 to improve support.
The reform includes eight new mental health teams working 12 hours a day, but this coverage is not statewide yet.
The government is investing $270 million over ten years for these reforms.
Police will still respond when safety risks are high, such as if a person is armed.
The reform follows calls for change after several deaths, including that of Jesse Deacon, who was fatally shot by police during a mental health crisis.
Advocates say police need more training in mental health, but mental health professionals are better suited to handle these crises.
Experts urge more funding for community mental health services to prevent repeated crises.
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A member of a young conservative group within the NSW Liberal Party called the Reformers spoke at an investigation about possible illegal political donations and membership boosting. The group compared their internal party conflicts to battles in the movie Braveheart and said they did not think electoral laws applied to their actions.
Key Facts
The Reformers are a group of young conservative Liberal party members active since 2017.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) is investigating whether the Reformers solicited illegal donations or exceeded donation limits.
The practice under investigation is known as “branch-stacking,” which means signing up party members to influence internal votes.
Robert Assaf, a cofounder of the Reformers, testified that they saw their factional fights like “warring kingdoms,” similar to scenes in Braveheart.
Assaf said the group believed electoral laws did not apply to their internal party work.
The Reformers allegedly wanted more conservative policies on issues like same-sex marriage, abortion, and transgender rights.
There are also allegations that the group received $2 million from a fugitive property developer in exchange for political favors.
Some politicians, including former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and federal opposition leader Angus Taylor, were said to be aware of the Reformers, though they are not accused of wrongdoing.
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The United States launched air strikes on several cities in southern Iran after an attack on U.S. forces in Jordan. President Donald Trump said the U.S. would respond firmly to the attack.
Key Facts
The U.S. bombed multiple cities in southern Iran, including Ahvaz and Abadan.
The strikes were described by U.S. Central Command as a "heavy wave of strikes."
The attacks were in retaliation for an incident involving U.S. forces in Jordan.
President Donald Trump announced the U.S. would hit Iran "very hard."
The bombing targeted sites across southern Iran.
This action represents a direct military response by the U.S. to aggression against its forces abroad.
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A new report from the National Urban League says Black Americans face more obstacles to achieving the American Dream now than at any time since the Civil Rights Movement. The report blames policy changes under President Donald Trump’s administration for worsening economic and political challenges for Black communities.
Key Facts
The National Urban League released its annual “State of Black America” report warning of setbacks for Black Americans.
The report says President Trump’s policies have harmed civil rights and economic opportunities for Black people.
It cites changes to the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as rollbacks of protections.
The report highlights President Trump’s efforts to change voting laws through the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act.
Marc Morial, president of the Urban League, says these issues will affect many working and middle-class Americans, not just Black communities.
The report urges civil rights groups to strengthen legal and economic efforts independently of any administration.
Several politicians, including Senators Angela Alsobrooks, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Raphael Warnock, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, contributed to the report.
The report reflects concerns about the future of civil rights progress under the current administration.
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Colin Gray, the father of a teenage shooter at Apalachee High School in Georgia, was convicted of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter for giving his son the gun used in a 2024 school shooting. His son, Colt Gray, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing two students and two teachers.
Key Facts
The shooting happened on September 4, 2024, at Apalachee High School, near Atlanta, Georgia.
Colin Gray gave his 16-year-old son, Colt Gray, a rifle as a Christmas gift and also bought shooting accessories.
Colt Gray killed two 14-year-old students and two teachers in the shooting, and wounded several others.
Colin Gray was found guilty of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, as well as reckless conduct and cruelty to children.
Under Georgia law, second-degree murder includes causing a child's death through child cruelty and carries 10 to 30 years in prison.
Colt Gray was sentenced to life in prison without parole after pleading guilty to murder and other charges.
Colt showed signs of poor mental health before the shooting and had images of a previous school shooter, Nikolas Cruz, in his room.
Colt’s mother had asked Colin Gray to secure his guns and prevent Colt’s access before the shooting.
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President Donald Trump praised tariffs for helping car companies like General Motors in Michigan during a recent rally. However, many people, including some of his supporters, say tariffs have caused higher prices and economic challenges, especially as the state prepares for upcoming elections.
Key Facts
President Trump said tariffs have made car companies like General Motors stronger.
Tariffs have raised costs for businesses and contributed to higher prices across the country.
Inflation remains high, affecting consumer confidence and approval ratings for President Trump.
Michigan, a key state for elections, has mixed opinions about the impact of tariffs.
Some Trump supporters in Michigan say prices, especially gas, are very high but still support him.
Michigan’s economy is closely linked to Canada through trade and supply chains.
The Trump administration plans to impose new tariffs on Canadian imports due to trade disputes.
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement from Trump’s first term helped trade but was not renewed, causing ongoing negotiations.
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Senators Jim Banks and Andy Kim introduced a bill called the Kidd’s Stuttering Act. It aims to help children who stutter by improving how stuttering is identified and treated through government health programs.
Key Facts
Senators Jim Banks (Republican from Indiana) and Andy Kim (Democrat from New Jersey) introduced the bill.
The legislation is named after former NBA player Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
The bill proposes that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) include stuttering and fluency screening.
The goal is to improve early identification and treatment of children who stutter.
This legislation would affect health services covered by Medicare and Medicaid.
The bill focuses on reducing challenges children who stutter face by improving healthcare support.
The effort involves bipartisan support, as both a Republican and a Democrat are sponsoring it.
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