Former Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina was honored with two memorial services where many politicians spoke about his career. President Donald Trump and others remembered Graham as a strong and influential figure in politics.
Key Facts
Lindsey Graham served as a U.S. Senator from South Carolina.
Two memorial services were held to honor him after his passing.
Politicians from different backgrounds, including allies and former opponents, attended the services.
President Donald Trump spoke at the Washington memorial service.
Trump described Graham as a "force of nature."
Graham had a long career with shifting political relationships.
The events were emotional and focused on Graham’s impact in government.
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South Dakota Republicans will hold a runoff election to choose their candidate for governor between Larry Rhoden and Toby Doeden. Neither candidate reached the required 35% of votes in the June primary, so the runoff winner will face Democrat Dan Ahlers in the November general election.
Key Facts
The runoff election is scheduled for Tuesday.
Larry Rhoden is the current governor, having taken over in early 2025.
Toby Doeden is a businessman and the other top candidate in the primary.
Both were the leading vote-getters in the June 2 primary but did not reach 35% of votes.
The winner will represent the Republican Party in the November governor's race.
The Democrat running is former state Senator Dan Ahlers.
South Dakota is a strongly Republican state and has not had a Democratic governor since the 1970s.
Other candidates in the primary included U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson and state House Speaker Jon Hansen.
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Thousands of Haitian immigrants in the U.S. lost their Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which allowed them to work legally, causing confusion and job losses for workers and their employers. The Trump administration ended TPS for Haitians, and after the Supreme Court upheld this decision, some work permits were not extended, raising fears of deportation amid Haiti’s ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis.
Key Facts
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) allowed about 350,000 Haitians to live and work legally in the U.S. since 2010.
The Trump administration ended TPS for Haitians as part of stricter immigration policies.
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of ending the TPS program on June 25, 2026.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) briefly extended some work permits but then stopped renewing them.
Employers, like Bobby Kuchinsky of a restaurant in Key West, had to suspend Haitian workers after their permits expired.
Many Haitians face the risk of losing jobs and possible deportation to Haiti, which is experiencing severe violence and a humanitarian crisis.
The Department of Homeland Security called TPS a temporary program and suggested Haitians apply for financial aid to return home.
Haiti has over 1.5 million displaced people and ongoing gang violence, with thousands killed and injured in 2026.
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A small group of people protested near the White House against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington. The protesters showed signs calling Netanyahu a “war criminal” during his meeting with President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington for talks.
President Donald Trump met with Netanyahu during the visit.
A small group of protesters gathered near the White House.
Protesters carried signs calling Netanyahu a “war criminal.”
The protest happened while Netanyahu was in the city for official meetings.
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A 16-year-old named Colt Gray was sentenced to life in prison without parole for a deadly mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia. He killed two teachers and two students and admitted that he wanted to be famous among fans of true crime.
Key Facts
Colt Gray was 16 years old at the time of sentencing.
The shooting happened in September 2024 at Apalachee High School, Georgia.
Four people died: two teachers and two students.
Gray pleaded guilty to 55 counts, including murder and aggravated assault.
Prosecutors said Gray wanted “eternal fame” in the True Crime Community.
The judge described Gray’s actions as planned and deliberate.
The defense said Gray had a troubled childhood and lacked proper mental health care.
Gray was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
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The Supreme Court ruled to allow the end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Haitians, Syrians, and others in the U.S., limiting courts' ability to challenge these decisions. This means many people who had protection from deportation and work rights now face losing their legal status and may be forced to leave the country.
Key Facts
TPS is a program started in 1990 that protects people from certain countries experiencing problems like war or disasters, allowing them to stay in the U.S. legally.
The Supreme Court ruled that courts have limited power to review the government's decisions to end TPS, making it harder to fight these terminations.
The Trump administration has ended TPS for people from over a dozen countries, reducing protections for hundreds of thousands since 2017.
About 1.3 million people had TPS at the start of President Trump's term; many have lost their status since then.
Around 80% of TPS holders work in the U.S., so ending TPS could harm the economy and communities.
Legal challenges continue for TPS terminations affecting people from Burma, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Somalia, but future cases face higher legal hurdles.
Some TPS protections, like those for Salvadorans, are set to expire soon, which could affect about 170,000 people.
Advocates warn losing TPS status will have serious effects on families and communities but may increase public opposition to these policies.
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The US House of Representatives passed a defense bill proposing $750 million in military aid for Israel in the 2027 fiscal year, which is $65 million more than last year. The aid focuses largely on missile defense systems like the Iron Dome and new technologies, but the bill must still pass the Senate and be signed by President Donald Trump before becoming law.
Key Facts
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes $750 million for Israel-related military programs for fiscal year 2027.
This amount is $65 million higher than the previous year’s funding.
$500 million of the funding is for missile defense systems such as the Iron Dome.
$100 million is earmarked for counter-drone technologies.
Another $100 million will support underground operations including tunnel mapping technologies.
$50 million will fund emerging defense technologies like AI and autonomous systems.
The Senate has previously blocked the bill, so it still needs Senate approval and the President’s signature to become law.
A 10-year US-Israel agreement signed in 2016 includes $33 billion for military financing and $5 billion for missile defense through 2028.
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Florida executed James Aren Duckett, a former police officer convicted of raping and murdering an 11-year-old girl in 1987, marking the first of two planned executions in one day. An 80-year-old man was scheduled for a second execution later that day, making Florida the U.S. state with the most executions this year.
Key Facts
James Aren Duckett, 68, was executed by lethal injection for a 1987 crime involving rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl while on duty as a police officer.
Duckett was the 11th person Florida executed in 2025 and the first of two executions planned for the same day.
The second execution scheduled for the day was for Dominick Anthony Occhicone, 80, convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend’s parents in 1986.
Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has increased executions at a record pace, with 19 carried out in 2025 alone.
Florida has performed nearly half of all U.S. state executions during 2025.
Both inmates’ last appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court and Florida Supreme Court were denied before the executions.
Florida uses a three-drug lethal injection process involving a sedative, paralytic, and a drug to stop the heart.
It has been nearly a decade since a U.S. state carried out two executions on the same day; the previous instances happened in Arkansas (2017) and Texas (2000).
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Beata Siemionkowicz, a Polish-born green card holder, has been held in ICE detention in Kentucky for almost a year due to old shoplifting convictions and allegations of document forgery related to her immigration status. She was arrested in August 2025, and an immigration judge ordered her removal in December 2025, while her family seeks help from Senator Dick Durbin to challenge her detention.
Key Facts
Beata Siemionkowicz has been a green card holder since 2003 and has lived most of her life in the U.S.
She was arrested on August 2, 2025, in Illinois and transferred to a detention center in Kentucky.
DHS claims she overstayed her original lawful entry in 1996 before receiving her green card.
She faces allegations of forging documents in 2001 to obtain immigration benefits.
Siemionkowicz has two prior retail theft arrests in 2005 and 2011 in Illinois.
An immigration judge issued an order for her removal on December 9, 2025.
Her family is appealing the case and working with Senator Dick Durbin for assistance.
DHS describes possession of a green card as a privilege that can be revoked if immigration laws are broken.
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President Donald Trump honored Senator Lindsay Graham at a memorial service held at the Washington National Cathedral. The service included speeches from President Trump, Fox News host Sean Hannity, and was attended by hundreds, including international leaders.
Key Facts
Senator Lindsay Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, died earlier this month at age 71.
President Trump spoke at the memorial service on Tuesday, praising Graham’s long career and influence in politics.
Hundreds of people attended the service at the Washington National Cathedral.
Other speakers included Fox News host Sean Hannity and several members of Congress.
Foreign leaders present included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Earlier that day, Graham was honored in the Capitol Rotunda with tributes from lawmakers and Vice President JD Vance.
The article highlights Graham’s impact on U.S. laws and global affairs over more than 30 years.
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The Justice Department has started using a secret federal immigration court created in 1996 to speed up the removal of suspected noncitizen terrorists. This court handles cases using classified evidence that the accused cannot see, raising new legal questions about rights and national security.
Key Facts
The Alien Terrorist Removal Court was created by Congress in 1996 and signed into law by President Bill Clinton.
It deals with suspected terrorists who cannot be removed through normal legal processes because their evidence is classified.
The accused do not see the classified evidence and cannot challenge how it was gathered.
Only the attorney general can approve removal applications, and one of five special judges decides the case.
The court has never been actively used until the Justice Department filed the first case on July 15, 2024.
The case details are secret, but if allowed, the court must hold a public hearing.
The use of this court supports President Donald Trump’s policies to speed up deportations of suspected terrorists.
The Justice Department says it will use all legal tools to remove alien terrorists from the U.S.
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A recent poll shows that many Americans are unsure about what the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) stand for, even as DSA-backed candidates win Democratic primary elections. The poll also found mixed opinions about the ideas of both democratic socialists and President Donald Trump’s MAGA supporters.
Key Facts
DSA candidates have defeated more moderate Democrats in recent primary elections across the U.S.
The DSA supports workers gaining power through democratic means, not communism.
Notable DSA members include New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll surveyed 1,248 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.
49% of Americans say they understand democratic socialist policies, while 47% do not.
Only 27% of poll respondents believe democratic socialists have good ideas, while 51% do not, and 20% are unsure.
Opinions about MAGA Republicans were similar: 27% see good ideas, 57% do not, and 13% are unsure.
President Donald Trump has criticized the DSA and tried to link Democrats to communism, which democratic socialists reject.
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The U.S. Department of Education is investigating whether Denver Public Schools and the Bethel School District in Washington violated federal law by requiring same-sex student kissing in class and displaying vials of testosterone during a Pride month exhibit. These probes focus on whether the schools respected parents' rights to opt out of certain lessons or activities involving sex and gender topics.
Key Facts
The Education Department is investigating Denver and Bethel school districts over alleged activities involving students and gender-related displays.
A high school teacher in Denver reportedly required students of the same sex to kiss in class.
Bethel School District displayed vials of testosterone during a Pride month exhibit; the display was not authorized and was removed.
Testosterone is used in gender-affirming medical care.
The Education Department is checking if the districts violated federal rules protecting parents' rights to opt out of lessons on sex behavior and attitudes.
Both districts are in states led by Democratic governors; President Donald Trump is a Republican.
The Trump administration has frequently investigated schools on LGBTQ+ issues, such as bathroom policies and confidentiality about students' gender identities.
Bethel district said it will cooperate fully with the investigation and review display oversight procedures.
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Colt Gray, a teenager who killed four people in the 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, was sentenced to life in prison without parole. The judge made this decision after hearing from survivors, victims’ families, and experts during a three-day trial. Gray, who was 14 at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty to all charges, including four counts of malice murder.
Key Facts
Colt Gray admitted to killing two teachers and two students at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024.
Eight other students and one teacher were injured in the shooting.
Because Gray was under 15 when the crime happened, the death penalty was not an option under Georgia law.
Prosecutors presented evidence showing Gray planned the attack for months, including notebooks and messages referencing past mass shooters.
Family members of the victims described the deep emotional pain and ongoing trauma caused by the shooting.
Gray’s jail phone calls revealed he sought fame and compared himself to other mass shooters, including the man who tried to kill then-candidate President Donald Trump.
The judge sentenced Gray to life in prison without any chance for parole.
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Seattle police arrested a 15-year-old after a shooting at a food festival near the Space Needle. The teen had a "ghost gun," a homemade firearm without a serial number, and at least two other people were involved in the shooting.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at a food festival near Seattle’s Space Needle.
Police arrested a 15-year-old carrying a 9 mm ghost gun with an extended magazine.
The ghost gun was made from parts by Polymer80, a company that no longer exists.
Investigators found two more guns and 14 bullet casings from at least two types of weapons.
Police believe at least three people took part in the shooting.
One suspected shooter was killed at the scene.
Ghost guns are guns made privately without serial numbers and usually bought without background checks.
Police say ghost guns are increasingly used in crimes across the U.S.
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Corpus Christi, Texas, has delayed its water emergency from 2027 to fall 2028 due to recent floodwaters filling local reservoirs. This extra time helps the city improve its water system and manage water use for residents and industries.
Key Facts
Corpus Christi’s water emergency was postponed by one year, now expected in September 2028.
Floodwaters from recent storms increased water levels in key reservoirs, especially Choke Canyon, which rose from 7.9% to 24% capacity.
The city serves around 500,000 people, including a large petrochemical corridor and the Port of Corpus Christi, a major crude oil export port.
More than 95% of the city’s water comes from surface water sources like lakes and reservoirs.
The city currently faces Stage 3 drought restrictions, which prohibit outdoor watering, but may ease to Stage 2 soon.
Industrial water demand makes up over half of the region’s total water use.
City leaders have about $1 billion planned for new water supply projects to prevent future shortages.
Water officials continue to monitor reservoir inflows to adjust water emergency timelines if needed.
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The U.S. Department of Education is investigating two school districts—one in Denver and one in Washington state—over claims involving a same-sex kissing exercise and an exhibit with testosterone vials. The probe will check if these districts broke a federal law that allows parents to opt their children out of school lessons about sexual behavior or attitudes.
Key Facts
The Department of Education is looking into Bethel School District in Washington and Denver Public Schools.
A Denver teacher allegedly required students of the same sex to kiss in front of the class.
The Bethel district showed vials of testosterone in a Pride month display, which were removed and given to local law enforcement.
Testosterone is typically used for gender-affirming medical treatment.
The investigation will check if these actions violated parents' rights to control their children’s education on sensitive topics.
Bethel School District says the testosterone display was not approved by administrators and they will cooperate fully with the investigation.
The Education Department linked these cases to National Parents’ Day and plans more actions on parental rights laws.
The Trump administration has increased investigations related to transgender and LGBTQ+ school policies.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said there is almost no chance that Congress will pass President Donald Trump’s voter reform bill, known as the SAVE Act, before the August recess. DeSantis shared this opinion on the social media platform X.
Key Facts
The SAVE Act is a voter reform bill promoted by President Donald Trump.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed doubt about the bill passing soon.
DeSantis said the chance of passage before the August recess is “basically zero.”
He shared his view in a post on the social platform X (formerly Twitter).
The August recess is a scheduled break for Congress.
DeSantis said he would be happy to be proven wrong about the bill’s chances.
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A 25-year-old Utah woman, Lenita Moreno, is accused of starting a fire in the church where she was to be married the next day. Authorities say the fire caused $108,000 in damage and was started using unusual items like a tampon. Moreno was arrested on charges including arson and theft and is being held without bail.
Key Facts
Lenita Moreno reportedly set fire to a church in Kaysville, Utah, on July 10.
The fire damaged the building, causing losses estimated at $108,000.
The blaze started in a room used by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Investigators say Moreno used items including a tampon to start the fire.
Moreno was caught on video stealing lighters from a hardware store the same day.
She faces charges of aggravated arson, retail theft, and giving false information to police.
Moreno did not have a marriage license for the wedding planned the day after the fire.
She was held without bail as of the latest report.
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A former aide to California Governor Gavin Newsom has written an essay in Vanity Fair describing their affair from many years ago. The aide, Ruby Rippey, worked for Newsom when he was mayor of San Francisco and is now sharing more details about their past relationship.
Key Facts
Ruby Rippey was Gavin Newsom’s appointments secretary when he was mayor of San Francisco.
Rippey’s essay about their affair was published in Vanity Fair on Tuesday.
The relationship took place decades ago and has had an impact on San Francisco politics.
Gavin Newsom is currently the Governor of California.
The essay revisits personal and political aspects of their past connection.
This is the first detailed public account from Rippey about their affair.
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