Senator Mitch McConnell is still in a rehabilitation center undergoing physical therapy and has not been cleared by doctors to leave. He will miss Kentucky’s annual Fancy Farm picnic but plans to return to the Senate and finish his term.
Key Facts
Senator Mitch McConnell, age 84, is currently in rehab receiving physical therapy.
He was hospitalized on June 14 due to a fall.
McConnell had polio as a child, which affects his mobility.
The Office of Attending Physician says he is not yet well enough to leave rehab.
McConnell will miss the Fancy Farm picnic, a key political event in Kentucky.
He is not running for re-election but plans to complete his current Senate term.
McConnell expressed gratitude for the support he has received.
His therapy includes multiple sessions daily to regain strength and prevent future falls.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A man in Michigan killed his wife and six children before taking his own life. Their bodies were found after a fire was set in their home, which is still under investigation.
Key Facts
The incident happened in Grand Haven Township, Michigan.
The family included a man, his wife, and six children aged 5 to 15.
All family members died from gunshot wounds.
The man, Kristopher Karolkiewicz, killed his family and then himself.
A fire was set in multiple parts of the home after the killings.
The family pets also died in the fire.
Amanda Karolkiewicz, the wife, was known to be a substitute teacher praised for her care toward students.
Officials continue to investigate how the fire began.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Seattle police are looking for a second suspect connected to a deadly shooting at a food festival near the Space Needle. Authorities continue to investigate the incident to find those responsible.
Key Facts
A shooting occurred at a food festival in Seattle near the Space Needle.
The shooting resulted in at least one death.
Police have identified and are searching for a second suspect.
The investigation is ongoing.
The incident took place during a public event with many attendees.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing new signs near the National Museum of American History. These signs will warn visitors about what the White House calls "ideological capture," accusing the museum of sharing a biased view of American history. Museum officials disagree with these claims and say they present accurate and fair information.
Key Facts
President Trump issued an executive order for signage outside the National Museum of American History.
The signs will warn visitors of "ideological capture," a term used by the White House to criticize the museum’s presentation of history.
A July 4 White House report accused the museum of promoting "a radical view of American history."
The report lists examples of exhibits the White House considers "radical activism."
The Department of the Interior and National Park Service were ordered to install these signs on public walkways near the museum.
New signage will also correct information about the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, whom the White House says the museum did not properly honor on the 250th anniversary.
National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig testified before Congress opposing the White House’s report, stating the museum remains neutral and accurate.
The Smithsonian is reviewing the report’s claims but says it does not fairly represent their work.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
With less than 100 days before the 2026 midterm elections, Democrats face a tough challenge to win control of the U.S. Senate. Polls show close races in states like Alaska, Maine, North Carolina, and Texas, but Republicans currently hold a Senate majority and are favored to keep control.
Key Facts
Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate.
Democrats are targeting Republican-held seats in Maine and North Carolina as key opportunities to flip the Senate.
Republicans are aiming to win Democratic-held seats in Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, and New Hampshire.
President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped amid concerns about the economy and inflation.
Recent polls show Democrats leading in the generic ballot by 8 to 11 points.
Prediction markets currently give Republicans a 55-56% chance of keeping control of the Senate.
Alaska has been a Republican state since 1964, but Democrat Mary Peltola’s candidacy has raised hopes for Democrats there.
Democrats need to win seats in states with strong Trump support to gain a Senate majority.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump imposed new tariffs on imports from more than 80 countries, effective July 2026. These tariffs are set at 10% or 12.5%, replacing a previous 10% global tariff that expired. The move aims to address forced labor concerns and may increase federal revenue, though it could raise prices on some goods for consumers.
Key Facts
The new tariffs affect imports from over 80 countries.
Tariffs are either 10% or 12.5%, depending on each country’s progress on forced labor issues.
The previous 10% global tariff expired the same day the new tariffs took effect.
About 99% of all U.S. imports come from the affected countries, but some products like food, fuel, and goods under the US-Mexico-Canada trade deal are exempt.
Analysts say these tariffs might lead to higher prices for shoppers and add to inflation pressures.
The tariffs have a new legal basis, aiming to last longer than previous tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court.
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates these tariffs could bring in up to $900 billion in federal revenue over 10 years.
This extra revenue may slightly reduce the national debt compared to previous projections.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The article discusses how Congress did not challenge President Trump under the War Powers Act regarding actions related to Iran. It suggests that Congress has not acted to hold the president accountable in this situation.
Key Facts
The War Powers Act is a law that limits the president's ability to engage in military actions without Congress's approval.
Congress did not challenge President Trump’s actions concerning Iran under this law.
The article implies that Congress is expected to hold the president accountable but has not done so.
The situation involves the use of military or war powers by President Trump related to Iran.
The focus is on the relationship between the president and Congress regarding decisions on military force.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
James Comey, former FBI Director, asked a judge to drop charges that he threatened President Donald Trump. Comey's lawyers say his Instagram post with seashells forming "86 47" is political speech protected by the First Amendment and does not threaten violence.
Key Facts
Comey faces two charges of threatening to kill President Trump based on a seashell Instagram post.
The post showed shells arranged as "86 47," which prosecutors say implies harm to the president.
Comey deleted the post and said he opposed any violence.
His defense argues the phrase "86" means "to get rid of" and is usually nonviolent slang.
Lawyers say even if the post hints at violence, it is political exaggeration, which is protected speech.
They warn that allowing the case to continue could harm free political expression by causing fear of prosecution.
Comey has been a frequent critic of President Trump and was involved in the Russia investigation started during Trump's first term.
Previous charges related to Comey were dismissed due to issues with the prosecutor’s appointment, and the Justice Department has appealed that dismissal.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A family of eight was found dead in their burning home in Grand Haven Township, Michigan. Authorities said the father shot his wife and six children before setting the fire and then killing himself.
Key Facts
The family included six children aged 5 to 15 and their parents.
All eight family members died from gunshot wounds.
The father, Kristopher Karolkiewicz, 47, died by suicide.
The mother, Amanda Karolkiewicz, 39, and the children died by homicide.
Four children were biological, and two were adopted.
The fire was started intentionally in multiple places inside the house.
No other suspects are involved, and the case is considered a murder-suicide.
Local schools offered support and shared suicide crisis helpline information after the incident.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Mitch McConnell remains in a rehabilitation facility after a fall on June 14 that required hospitalization. His office said he will miss a political event in Kentucky because he is still undergoing physical therapy and is not yet cleared to return to work.
Key Facts
Mitch McConnell fell on June 14, which led to his hospital stay.
He is currently in a rehab facility receiving physical therapy.
McConnell is not allowed to leave rehab or return to his office yet.
He will miss an upcoming political event in Kentucky due to his recovery.
The statement about his condition came from both his office and the Office of the Attending Physician.
McConnell was last seen publicly on May 19, 2026, at a hearing in Washington.
No specific details were given about the nature or severity of his injuries.
Updates about his condition may be provided as the situation develops.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
James Comey's lawyers have asked a court to dismiss charges against him. He is accused of posting a photo with seashells arranged to spell "8647," which prosecutors say was a threat against President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
James Comey is the former FBI Director.
He posted an Instagram picture showing seashells arranged to spell "8647."
Federal prosecutors say this post was a threat to President Donald Trump's life.
Comey's lawyers have filed a motion to dismiss the charges against him.
The case is ongoing and updates may follow.
The post and indictment relate to actions taken by Comey in 2026.
The situation involves federal criminal allegations.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Mitch McConnell will not attend the Fancy Farm picnic in Kentucky this year because he is still recovering from a fall he had last month at his home. Although he has left the hospital, his doctor says he is not yet ready to return to work in the Senate.
Key Facts
Senator Mitch McConnell represents Kentucky and is a Republican.
He has attended the Fancy Farm picnic, a major political event in Kentucky, for over 40 years.
McConnell fell seriously at his Washington home last month.
He was hospitalized but has since been discharged.
His doctor has not cleared him to return to the Senate yet.
McConnell announced he will skip this year’s Fancy Farm picnic due to his recovery.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Mitch McConnell is still recovering from a fall he had in June and is not yet able to return to his Senate office. He is undergoing daily physical therapy to regain strength and manage his mobility issues, partly caused by childhood polio.
Key Facts
McConnell released a new photo and health update with his wife, Elaine Chao.
He has not been medically cleared to leave the rehabilitation facility.
He is doing multiple physical therapy sessions daily to rebuild strength.
His recovery is closely monitored by his doctors, who visit him every day.
Childhood polio affects his current mobility.
McConnell missed the Fancy Farm Picnic, a Kentucky political event, due to his recovery.
Governor Andy Beshear and others have asked McConnell to publicly address his health, but he has not responded.
McConnell is Kentucky’s longest-serving senator and hopes to return to work soon.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Former FBI Director James Comey asked a court to dismiss a case that accused him of threatening President Donald Trump. The case involves a photo showing seashells arranged to spell “86 47,” which Comey says is not a real threat.
Key Facts
James Comey is the former director of the FBI.
He faces a legal case accusing him of threatening President Trump’s life.
The accusation is based on a photo of seashells that spell “86 47.”
Comey argues that this photo does not count as a “true threat.”
The case is in the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Comey made the court request on Monday.
The phrase “86 47” was interpreted by others as a threat but Comey denies this.
Comey was at a beach in North Carolina when the photo was taken.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Samuel Tunick, an activist returning to the US, was asked by border agents to unlock his Pixel phone but used a special security feature that erased all data instead. He now faces federal charges for destroying property to avoid seizure during a border inspection.
Key Facts
Tunick was returning to the US in early 2025 after a trip abroad.
Customs agents wanted to search his Google Pixel phone running GrapheneOS, a privacy-focused software.
Tunick used a built-in "duress code" that erases all data on the phone to prevent access.
He is charged with a felony for knowingly destroying property to prevent it from being seized.
The government said the phone search was a routine border inspection looking for illegal content.
Tunick’s lawyers claim he was targeted because of his activism against a law enforcement training facility called Cop City.
Tunick was denied legal counsel despite requesting it during the interrogation.
If convicted, Tunick could face up to five years in prison.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A group of Republican senators wants to cancel the Senate’s August recess to pass the SAVE Act, a voting law supported by President Donald Trump. The bill would require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote but faces strong opposition in the Senate, making its approval uncertain.
Key Facts
Senators Mike Lee, Rick Scott, Jim Banks, and Ashley Moody are asking the Senate to stay in session until the SAVE Act passes.
The SAVE Act requires people registering to vote in federal elections to show proof of U.S. citizenship.
Supporters say the law is needed to secure elections; opponents say it could block eligible voters and targets a rare problem.
The House has passed versions of the bill, but it keeps stalling in the Senate.
The Senate filibuster rule means 60 votes are needed to end debate, but Republicans have only 53 seats.
Four Republican senators joined Democrats to block the SAVE Act when it was attached to an immigration funding bill.
Some conservatives want to change filibuster rules, but Senate leaders say there are not enough votes for that.
Senator Rick Scott suggested trying to pass parts of the SAVE Act through other bills instead of one big vote.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Anthony Fauci kept diary entries during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic that showed his frustration with President Donald Trump’s handling of the crisis. Fauci described Trump with strong negative words and noted Trump often downplayed the virus despite warnings. The diaries were made public by Senator Rand Paul, who has been critical of Fauci’s pandemic response.
Key Facts
Fauci described President Trump as “rambling,” “crazy,” “desperate,” “incompetent,” and other harsh terms in his diary.
In February 2020, Fauci warned Trump not to underestimate the seriousness of Covid-19 to avoid appearing to cover it up.
Fauci noted Trump’s focus on publicity and media ratings rather than pandemic control.
By May 2020, Fauci wrote that Trump was pushing to reopen the country mainly for re-election reasons.
Fauci called Trump “a true embarrassment” and “an obnoxious adolescent” after watching his pandemic and post-election behavior.
Fauci provided background information to journalist Bob Woodward for a book on the early U.S. Covid response.
Senator Rand Paul released Fauci’s diaries and has accused Fauci of mishandling the pandemic and hiding the virus’s origins.
Fauci and Paul have publicly clashed, with Fauci stating that Paul’s attacks put his family at risk.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A Chinese-American mother who moved from Los Angeles to Nice, France, described the major differences between school lunches in the U.S. and France. She highlighted that French school meals include balanced courses with fresh, healthy ingredients, while many American parents are concerned about the quality of school lunches in the U.S.
Key Facts
Marissa Fortson moved with her family from Los Angeles to Nice, France, for a healthier lifestyle and cultural experience.
She remembers typical U.S. school lunches as chicken nuggets, pizza, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese.
A 2024 study found that fewer than half of California parents think U.S. school lunches are good quality, tasty, or healthy.
French school lunches often have three courses: a salad, a main dish, and a dessert.
Typical French school meals include items like green salad, chicken curry with rice, salmon pasta, and fresh bread.
French schools teach children about food, encourage trying different flavors, and emphasize eating with proper utensils.
There is a strong focus in France on fresh ingredients, sustainability, and organic foods in school meals.
Fortson’s TikTok video about French school lunches received 1.2 million views, sparking discussion about school meal quality differences.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Colt Gray, a 16-year-old who killed two students and two teachers in a 2024 school shooting in Georgia, pleaded guilty to 55 charges including murder. A psychologist testified that Gray had a troubled childhood and became deeply interested in mass shootings online, but planned the attack intentionally without hallucinations or delusions.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at Apalachee High School in Georgia on September 4, 2024.
Four people died: two teachers (ages 39 and 53) and two 14-year-old students.
Several others were injured, with seven wounded by gunfire.
Colt Gray pleaded guilty without a plea deal to 55 charges, including murder.
A judge will decide if Gray can be eligible for parole after hearing more evidence.
Gray had a chaotic and lonely childhood marked by family drug use, fights, financial problems, and frequent moves.
He was paranoid and feared teachers and others were against him, also suspecting hacking on his computer.
The psychologist said Gray planned the shooting carefully and was not driven by hallucinations or mental illness symptoms at the time.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Homeless families in temporary housing in London were told they could not use the building’s air conditioning, as it was not offered as part of their rental agreement. This led to some children getting sick during heatwaves, but management has since allowed tenants to use the air conditioning with advice to limit use due to high costs.
Key Facts
Homeless families in Britannia Point, London, could not use built-in air conditioning because it was not provided as an amenity in their temporary housing contracts.
Two children were hospitalized during recent heatwaves due to the extreme heat inside these buildings.
The building is owned by Criterion Capital and the tenancies are managed by agencies, including Aura Assets Management.
Residents were told that using air conditioning could result in high bills, up to £500 for the summer, due to standing charges.
Windows in the glass-fronted building open only slightly, making it difficult to cool the flats without air conditioning.
After complaints, the management restored air conditioning for tenants but requested sensible use to avoid large utility bills.
Local politicians expressed concern about the health risks and urged immediate restoration of air conditioning.
Aura Assets Management explained the earlier ban on air conditioning was based on previous operational rules but has since changed.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
