Over 50 university professors sent a letter to Congress asking lawmakers to bring back independence for government agencies. This follows a recent Supreme Court decision that lets President Donald Trump fire leaders of independent agencies without needing a reason.
Key Facts
More than 50 academics signed a letter to congressional leaders.
They want independent government agencies to have their independence restored.
The letter was sent after a Supreme Court ruling last month.
The ruling allows President Donald Trump to fire agency commissioners without cause.
One example mentioned is the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The professors believe the ruling has caused delays or problems in agency work.
The letter asks Congress to take action to fix this situation.
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President Donald Trump visited the state of Michigan to campaign ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. His visit took place less than 100 days before voters go to the polls.
Key Facts
President Trump traveled to Michigan on Monday.
Michigan is considered a battleground state, meaning it could vote for either major party.
The visit happened with fewer than 100 days remaining before the midterm elections.
The midterm elections will determine control of Congress.
Campaigning in key states like Michigan is important for both parties.
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President Donald Trump decided not to increase military action against Iran after meetings with top advisers, including Vice President JD Vance and General Dan Caine. The U.S. is trying to revive diplomacy focused on the Strait of Hormuz while managing concerns about military and diplomatic risks.
Key Facts
President Trump held off on escalating military conflict with Iran following a White House meeting with advisers.
Vice President JD Vance and General Dan Caine expressed concerns about war escalation and military supply issues.
The U.S. and Iran had signed an agreement more than a month ago to work towards a deal in 60 days, but recent fighting resumed.
Trump denied shortages in military munitions, saying the U.S. has more than any other country and is increasing production.
There is ongoing diplomatic engagement at technical levels aiming to make progress on issues like the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite tensions, Vice President Vance continues to support diplomatic solutions.
The U.S. military leadership does not publicly discuss confidential advice given to the president.
Iranian officials say their delegation has not made new requests related to continuing talks.
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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called the Trump administration’s plan to deport Haitian migrants a mistake, saying it could harm Ohio’s economy and put Haitians in danger. More than 300,000 Haitians are losing Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a program that allowed them to stay and work in the U.S. because of unsafe conditions in Haiti.
Key Facts
The Trump administration plans to increase arrests and deportations of Haitian migrants after the Supreme Court approved ending TPS for Haitians.
TPS protected over 300,000 Haitians from deportation and let them work legally in the U.S.
Many Haitians live in Ohio, especially in Springfield, where they have helped fill jobs and opened businesses.
Governor DeWine said deportations would hurt Springfield and Ohio’s economy.
Haiti faces political instability and violence, with gangs controlling many areas and the U.S. government warning against travel there.
The Department of Homeland Security said Haiti’s situation has improved enough for Haitians to return safely.
TPS was originally given to Haitians after a 2010 earthquake and was extended by the Biden administration due to ongoing problems in Haiti.
Lawsuits challenged the Trump administration’s decision to end TPS, but the Supreme Court allowed the government to proceed.
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David Hearn, a former Olympic athlete, is charged with damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. He is asking the court to review the secret grand jury testimony because his lawyers believe there were problems with how the charges were presented.
Key Facts
David Hearn pleaded not guilty to one felony count of property destruction related to the Reflecting Pool.
The charge claims Hearn caused at least $1,000 in damage, which could lead to up to 10 years in prison.
Hearn’s lawyers request the full transcript of grand jury proceedings and instructions given to jurors.
A National Park Service official said the pool was already damaged before Hearn’s actions and that needed repairs would have happened regardless.
Hearn’s defense says the government did not preserve key evidence from the pool properly.
The case is connected to a multi-million dollar renovation project supported by President Donald Trump.
President Trump stated that the pool liner was cut by a “sick person” but mentioned repairs are underway and the pool will reopen soon.
Hearn and his supporters suggest the prosecution is politically motivated and aimed at shifting blame for the pool damage.
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Bryan Kohberger, who was convicted of killing four University of Idaho students, is now asking a court to allow him to take back his guilty plea and go to trial. He says his lawyers pressured him into pleading guilty by promising better prison life and misrepresenting conditions on death row.
Key Facts
Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty to stabbing four University of Idaho students in 2023.
He is serving four life sentences without parole at Idaho Maximum Security Penitentiary.
Kohberger filed a hand-written request to withdraw his guilty plea, claiming his lawyers manipulated him.
He says his lawyers promised better prison conditions and told him misleading information about death row.
Kohberger originally pleaded guilty voluntarily in court and admitted guilt to the judge.
He waived his rights to appeal as part of the plea deal, which spared him the death penalty.
Idaho law makes it difficult to withdraw a guilty plea after sentencing unless serious errors or injustice are shown.
Kohberger’s attorneys fought for years to avoid the death penalty citing autism and questioning some evidence.
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Sara Gilson, a social media influencer, was killed along with her husband, Jeremiah Duffy, in Oklahoma in a suspected murder-suicide. Gilson had accused Duffy publicly of child sexual abuse and had filed several protective orders against him before her death.
Key Facts
Sara Gilson accused her husband, Jeremiah Duffy, of child sexual abuse in a video on TikTok.
Twelve days after the accusation, police found both Gilson and Duffy dead from gunshot wounds.
Gilson had filed multiple protective orders against Duffy, with the most recent one requiring him to stay away from her home.
Gilson’s ex-husband said she was trapped in an abusive relationship and had tried but struggled to leave Duffy.
Duffy was accused of inappropriate behavior with a 15-year-old girl whom he coached, including sending explicit messages and paying her to stay silent.
Police had difficulty locating Duffy after the abuse allegations were reported, tracking his phone signals and using drone searches.
Because some alleged crimes occurred on Cherokee land and Duffy was a member of the Osage tribe, the investigation was passed to the US attorney’s office handling tribal land crimes.
Authorities including the FBI and the US attorney’s office had not given public comments at the time of the report.
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Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old, was found dead on Horn Island, Mississippi, on July 6, 2026. Witnesses said he had been drinking a lot before he went missing, but the cause of his death is still unknown and under investigation.
Key Facts
Nolan Wells was 18 years old.
He was on Horn Island in Mississippi.
Witnesses reported that Wells had consumed a large amount of alcohol.
Wells went missing on July 4, 2026.
His body was found on July 6, 2026.
The official autopsy and toxicology test results are not yet available.
A private autopsy by Wells’ family said the cause and manner of death are "undetermined pending investigation."
Authorities and search teams were involved in trying to locate him after he disappeared.
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Savannah Guthrie, a TV host, made a public plea for help finding her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, who disappeared near Tucson, Arizona, on February 1. Authorities believe Nancy was kidnapped, and the FBI is investigating ransom notes related to her disappearance.
Key Facts
Nancy Guthrie went missing from her home near Tucson, Arizona, on February 1.
Blood was found near the front door of her house.
FBI released video showing a masked man on the porch the night Nancy disappeared.
Search teams and volunteers have looked for Nancy in the nearby desert and near the Arizona-Mexico border.
Multiple ransom notes were received by news organizations; the FBI considers some scams but is investigating others.
Savannah Guthrie and her family offered a $1 million reward for information about Nancy.
Savannah has publicly appealed to the kidnappers to reveal her mother's location.
Savannah acknowledged the possibility that her mother might not be alive but remains hopeful.
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The U.S. Secret Service is investigating a video linked to Iran that targets First Lady Melania Trump. The agency monitors any possible threats to those it protects, but has not confirmed a specific threat from this video.
Key Facts
The video was circulated by a media channel connected to the Iranian government.
The Secret Service said it is aware of the video and reviews content that could threaten protected people.
Melania Trump and her son Barron receive full-time Secret Service protection.
The agency did not provide details about the video or confirm a direct threat.
This video broadens the focus of hostile messages that have mostly targeted President Trump.
President Trump has publicly stated he believes Iran poses a threat to him.
Security concerns related to Iranian threats have influenced President Trump’s travel choices.
The White House and the Office of the First Lady had not commented on the video at the time.
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Vice President Kamala Harris endorsed Troy Jackson, the new Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine. Jackson was chosen after the original nominee withdrew, and Harris highlighted the challenge of entering a race with little time before the election.
Key Facts
Troy Jackson became the Democratic nominee for the Maine U.S. Senate race after a last-minute party convention.
The original nominee, Graham Platner, withdrew following sexual assault accusations, which he denied.
Jackson will face Republican Senator Susan Collins in the general election.
Kamala Harris endorsed Jackson two days after his nomination, sharing her experience of running with little preparation time.
Jackson has 101 days from his nomination to the election day to campaign.
Jackson is a fifth-generation logger and former Maine Senate president.
He previously ran for governor but lost in the primary before becoming the Senate candidate.
Jackson’s campaign has raised $2 million since nomination; Collins has raised over $16 million.
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The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is facing money problems and internal conflicts less than 100 days before the November midterm elections. Chair Ken Martin is under pressure because of financial struggles, management concerns, and recent incidents within the party.
Key Facts
The DNC is about $2 million in debt, while the Republican National Committee has around $130 million in cash available.
The DNC used its Washington DC headquarters as collateral for a $15 million credit line last year to support election activities.
There have been reports of internal disputes and an HR investigation after Ken Martin threw his phone near a junior aide’s desk in July.
Some DNC members question Martin’s transparency about the finances and worry about his ability to lead.
The DNC asked vendors to delay sending invoices until after the November elections to manage cash flow.
Martin said the DNC chose to spend money on election efforts instead of saving cash, and highlighted more donations from wealthy donors.
Former Democratic finance chair Rufus Gifford criticized Martin’s leadership and said the party needs to restore donor confidence to avoid becoming irrelevant.
Calls for Martin to resign have grown, but he has refused to step down.
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As the midterm elections get closer, the U.S. Senate is working on a busy and complex set of tasks while the House of Representatives is on summer break. One key item is the first vote on President Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence.
Key Facts
The Senate remains in session despite the House being on summer recess.
Congress has limited time before the midterm elections.
The Senate has a full and complicated agenda to address.
One important task is voting on President Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence.
The role of the Director of National Intelligence is to oversee U.S. intelligence agencies.
Lisa Desjardins reported on the situation at Capitol Hill.
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There are 99 days left until the 2024 U.S. midterm elections. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 seats in the Senate will be decided during this election.
Key Facts
The midterm elections will take place in 99 days.
Voters will choose representatives for all 435 House seats.
Voters will also decide on 35 Senate seats.
CBS News election experts Anthony Salvanto and Kyle Kondik provided analysis on the races.
The midterms will affect the balance of power in the U.S. Congress.
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Senator Rand Paul released many diary entries from Dr. Anthony Fauci before Fauci’s Senate testimony about the U.S. response to COVID-19. Senator Ron Johnson, a member of the Senate committee questioning Fauci, shared his thoughts on the released entries.
Key Facts
Senator Rand Paul is from Kentucky and is a Republican.
He released thousands of diary entries from Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Dr. Fauci is the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Fauci was set to testify before the Senate about the federal government’s response to COVID-19.
Senator Ron Johnson from Wisconsin is also a Republican and part of the Senate committee.
Johnson provided his reaction to the released diary entries.
The diary entries provide insight into Fauci’s actions and decisions during the pandemic.
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There is a rise in illnesses caused by cyclosporiasis and salmonella in the United States. These outbreaks are causing worry about the safety of food across many states.
Key Facts
Cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection caused by a parasite, are increasing.
A salmonella outbreak is currently affecting 17 U.S. states.
Both outbreaks are linked to contaminated food.
These events are raising public concern about food safety in the U.S.
William Brangham spoke with Caitlin Rivers, an expert in disease tracking from Johns Hopkins University, to discuss these issues.
Authorities are monitoring the outbreaks to understand their sources and limit further sickness.
Cyclosporiasis and salmonella both cause symptoms like diarrhea and stomach cramps.
The outbreaks highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring safe food supply in the country.
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The Senate approved a procedural step to move forward with President Trump’s nomination of Jay Clayton to be the head of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The vote was 51 to 43, and the Senate may hold the final confirmation vote as soon as Tuesday night.
Key Facts
President Trump nominated Jay Clayton to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).
The Senate vote to advance Clayton’s nomination was 51 in favor and 43 against.
This procedural vote allows the Senate to hold a final confirmation vote soon.
The final vote could take place as early as Tuesday night.
The ODNI oversees the United States intelligence community and coordinates intelligence activities.
Jay Clayton’s confirmation would lead him to become the top intelligence official in the U.S. government.
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The UK government will offer new technical education options for students aged 14 in England. These courses will focus on local jobs and industries and combine core subjects like English and math with practical skills and work experience.
Key Facts
New technical courses like manufacturing and AI will start from Year 10 (age 14) in England.
These courses link learning to jobs available in the students' local areas.
More than one million young people in the UK are currently not in education, employment, or training (called Neet).
The government plans to roll out these new education pathways in some areas by 2028.
Students will get hands-on experience through work placements with employers.
The program builds on local initiatives like the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate started in 2024.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell highlighted the goal of connecting education to real job opportunities.
Education is a devolved issue, so this plan applies only to England, but similar efforts exist in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
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Tamara Keith from NPR and Amy Walter from the Cook Political Report talked about the upcoming midterm elections. Both political parties are preparing for a costly and tough fight to control Congress, with less than 100 days left before voting day. They also discussed plans for the 2028 primary elections.
Key Facts
The midterm elections are happening in less than 100 days.
Both major political parties are getting ready for a strong competition.
The fight for control of Congress is expected to be expensive.
The discussion included information about the 2028 primary election schedule.
Tamara Keith and Amy Walter shared their insights on the political situation.
The conversation took place on a program hosted by Geoff Bennett.
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Weill Cornell Medicine agreed to spend $30 million to create a new program to prevent sexual abuse after one of its doctors was sentenced to life in prison for abusing patients over ten years. The medical school also settled civil claims by paying victims more than $1 billion and agreed to improve patient safety and reporting of sexual misconduct.
Key Facts
Doctor Darius Paduch was sentenced in 2024 to life in prison for sexually abusing patients from 2009 to 2019.
Paduch’s victims included boys as young as 13 with certain medical conditions.
Weill Cornell Medicine agreed to spend $30 million to start the Institute for Safe Patient Care and Patient Empowerment to prevent abuse.
The institution had previously agreed to pay over $1 billion to settle claims from victims.
Prosecutors found that Weill Cornell Medicine’s policies failed to detect and stop the abuse.
The medical school admitted its earlier prevention efforts were not enough.
Under new leadership, the school has made major reforms to patient safety and reporting rules.
Weill Cornell Medicine will maintain a top-level prevention program and report future cases of sexual misconduct to the federal government.
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