New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke out after a 12-year-old boy was shot and killed in the Bronx. He emphasized that gun violence should not be accepted as normal and promised to hold those responsible accountable.
Key Facts
A 12-year-old boy was fatally shot in the Bronx while riding his bike on Saturday.
Two other people, a 34-year-old and a 25-year-old, were wounded but expected to survive.
The shooting happened near Elliot Place and Walton Avenue, with police investigating the scene.
Mayor Mamdani expressed sympathy for the victims and criticized the normalization of gun violence.
Since January, NYC has had 322 shooting incidents and 381 victims, according to police.
Several recent shootings involved children, including a 7-month-old baby fatally shot in Brooklyn in April.
Mamdani took office on January 1 and has frequently spoken about the urgent need to reduce gun crimes.
Arrests have been made in some cases, such as Robert Smith charged in a July shooting at a Brooklyn barbecue.
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Brandon Newsom, a senior Pentagon official, is no longer working for the Department of the Navy after hidden-camera footage showed him criticizing President Donald Trump. The Navy did not say if he was fired or left on his own.
Key Facts
Brandon Newsom was placed on administrative leave after undercover footage surfaced.
The footage showed Newsom criticizing President Donald Trump and discussing undoing his policies.
Newsom called Trump "a textbook narcissist" and criticized the conflict with Iran.
The video was released by conservative activist James O'Keefe.
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed Newsom is no longer employed by the Navy.
The Navy said Newsom’s conduct was inappropriate and against its standards.
It was not disclosed whether Newsom was fired or resigned.
Newsom’s remarks included issues with Pentagon religious services and federal employee changes.
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Since May, there have been over 11,000 reported cases of cyclosporiasis, an illness caused by a parasite, across 41 states. Experts link this outbreak to cuts and changes made by the Trump administration to food safety programs and rules.
Key Facts
More than 11,000 cyclosporiasis cases have occurred since May in 41 U.S. states.
The Trump administration reduced staff at the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
A national advisory committee focused on preventing germs in food was disbanded.
An early-warning program that tracked certain harmful germs was cut back.
A rule to trace food contaminants from farms to stores was delayed.
Experts say these changes have weakened food safety and call for national attention to improve it.
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The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) plans to remove a 50-year-old safety rule called ALARA, which aimed to keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably possible. While the maximum radiation limits will stay the same, the NRC wants to replace ALARA with a new system that adjusts safety steps based on radiation risk.
Key Facts
ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) is a safety principle used for 50 years to minimize radiation exposure.
NRC proposes to remove ALARA but keep maximum radiation dose limits unchanged.
The new approach is called a "graded approach" with safety measures depending on potential radiation exposure.
This change aligns with President Donald Trump’s goal to expand nuclear energy production in the U.S.
The Energy Department has already stopped using the ALARA standard.
NRC officials say the changes will clarify safety rules, not weaken them.
Current nuclear plants likely won’t see big changes, but new smaller reactors may be built faster.
Radiation limits remain below levels known to cause health issues like cancer.
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Rural areas in the United States are aging faster than cities, with many seniors wanting to stay in their small towns despite challenges like loneliness and limited resources. Programs like Aging in Community, supported by President Trump's Rural Health Transformation Program, help connect neighbors to support elderly residents and improve their quality of life.
Key Facts
Rural America has many seniors, with some counties having over 20% of residents aged 65 or older.
Loneliness and social isolation are common health risks for older people in rural areas.
Some seniors prefer to stay in their small towns rather than move to cities.
President Trump’s "Big Beautiful Bill" includes a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program to improve healthcare access for rural seniors.
Jane Strommen from North Dakota State University leads the Aging in Community program, which organizes neighbors to help elderly people.
Retired nurse Kyla Sanders visits isolated seniors, helps with small tasks, and organizes social activities.
These local efforts aim to provide support that federal healthcare programs may not fully offer, improving seniors' sense of belonging and well-being.
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Many rural counties in the United States have a growing number of older adults, with at least 20% of residents over 65 in these areas. A program in North Dakota called Aging in Community helps older people in these rural places stay connected with their neighbors to reduce loneliness and improve health.
Key Facts
Since 2010, the number of counties with at least 20% of residents aged 65 or older has nearly tripled.
This increase mainly affects rural areas in the heartland of the U.S.
Older adults in these areas face higher risks of loneliness and social isolation.
A program named Aging in Community operates in North Dakota to help rural seniors.
The program works by encouraging neighbors to build social connections.
Reducing loneliness is important for improving the health of aging seniors.
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Most Americans say the conflict with Iran is harder than President Donald Trump expected and expect it to last months or years. People feel uncertain and frustrated about the situation, especially because they don’t have clear information about what is happening daily in the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Facts
Many Americans want to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and stop Iran’s nuclear program and threats in the region.
Most people prefer ending the war rather than pushing for more demands from Iran.
Republicans are more likely now to support continuing the conflict after a ceasefire deal failed.
Younger Americans are more likely than those over 65 to want the war to end soon.
People feel they do not get clear daily updates about the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Most believe President Trump presents the conflict more positively than reality.
Approval of the military action remains low and stable, with mixed opinions on which side has the advantage.
Economic concerns like rising gas prices and inflation influence people’s views on the conflict and the president’s handling of it.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. military will test the testosterone levels of service members aged 30 and older every year. Those with low levels may be offered testosterone replacement therapy, but the policy is new and some medical experts say measuring and treating low testosterone is complicated.
Key Facts
The new policy requires military members 30 and older to get annual testosterone level tests.
Service members under 30 can choose to take the test voluntarily.
Testosterone replacement therapy is optional if a soldier is found to have low levels.
Low testosterone means a hormone level below about 280 to 320 nanograms per deciliter in men, but exact thresholds vary.
Testosterone levels naturally decline by about 1% to 2% each year starting around age 30 to 40 in men.
Symptoms of low testosterone can include low sex drive, fatigue, and loss of muscle mass.
Medical experts note that testosterone levels change a lot and not everyone with low levels needs treatment.
The Defense Department has not fully explained how the policy will work in detail.
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A pediatric doctor compares the TV series "The Pitt" and "The Bear" in how they show hospital and medical work. The doctor says "The Bear" better captures the intense, stressful training and teamwork doctors experience.
Key Facts
The doctor works in a pediatric intensive care unit.
"The Pitt" shows emergency room staff fighting issues like insurance problems, shootings, and mental health.
The doctor helped advise "The Pitt" to make it realistic.
"The Bear" more accurately shows the hard, demanding training for chefs and doctors.
Both chefs and doctors face long training, exhaustion, and sometimes mental health challenges.
The doctor relates a harsh chef boss in "The Bear" to tough medical mentors during training.
Both professions strive for perfection despite stress and sleep deprivation.
The shows illustrate the strong teamwork needed in hospitals and kitchens.
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Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician and Democrat, has been campaigning to unseat Republican Senator Lindsey Graham in South Carolina. After Senator Graham’s death, his sister Darline was appointed to his seat, but Andrews plans to continue her campaign focused on healthcare and other local issues.
Key Facts
Lindsey Graham, a longtime Republican senator from South Carolina, recently passed away at age 71.
Dr. Annie Andrews is a 45-year-old pediatrician running as a Democrat to take Graham’s Senate seat.
Andrews has spent 20 years working in healthcare and sees political solutions as key to fixing public health problems.
After losing a 2022 congressional race, Andrews started a group targeting climate change, gun violence, and childhood poverty.
Andrews became more motivated to run after President Trump nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
Kennedy has promoted anti-vaccine views, which Andrews sees as dangerous to children’s health.
Measles cases in the US are at a 35-year high, partly due to vaccine misinformation.
Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister, was appointed to serve the rest of his term and will run in a Republican primary soon.
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The CBS News program "Sunday Morning" on July 26 covers several stories, including aging in rural America, food safety issues, and profiles of people in arts and culture. The show features interviews and segments on supermodel Lauren Hutton, singer Corinne Bailey Rae, artist Derrick Adams, as well as topics like worm grunting and how plants respond to touch.
Key Facts
The program aired on July 26 and is hosted by Mo Rocca.
One segment focuses on the challenges of aging in rural areas of the United States.
The show discusses compromises affecting food safety.
It includes a feature on supermodel and actress Lauren Hutton.
Singer Corinne Bailey Rae is profiled.
Artist Derrick Adams is also featured.
The program explores the unusual practice of worm grunting.
Another story explains how plants react when touched.
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Many Americans are paying close attention to the current cyclospora outbreak and about 40% say they are now eating or buying less fresh produce because of it. People are somewhat divided in their trust in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to handle the outbreak, with more Republicans trusting the agency than Democrats.
Key Facts
Most Americans are following news about the cyclospora outbreak at least somewhat closely.
Around 4 in 10 people report reducing their consumption or purchase of produce due to the outbreak.
Women and older adults are more likely to eat less produce than men and younger people.
Interest in news about cyclospora is nearly as high as interest in the conflict with Iran.
People paying very close attention to the outbreak are more likely to eat less produce.
More Americans have confidence than not in the FDA’s ability to manage the outbreak, but few have high confidence.
Republicans express more confidence in the FDA than Democrats.
The survey was done with 2,193 U.S. adults between July 22-24, 2026, and has a margin of error of ±2.7 points.
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The article discusses how modern plea bargains affect the constitutional right to a jury trial in the United States. It highlights concerns that plea deals may limit defendants' access to their trial rights.
Key Facts
The United States recently celebrated 250 years of independence.
The constitutional right to a jury trial is a key part of American legal values.
Plea bargains are agreements where defendants plead guilty to a lesser charge to avoid a trial.
Many cases today end with plea bargains instead of going to trial.
Plea bargains can shorten legal processes but may reduce the chance for a defendant to have their case heard by a jury.
Critics argue this trend challenges the original intent of guaranteeing a jury trial.
Supporters say plea bargains help manage court workloads and provide quicker resolutions.
The issue raises questions about balancing efficiency with protecting legal rights.
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The 2026 midterm elections are 100 days away. Democrats hold a slight advantage in polls for the House, but Republicans have structural benefits from redistricting. In the Senate, Republicans have a favorable map, while Democrats face tough races in states like Maine, Ohio, and Michigan.
Key Facts
The House currently has 218 Republicans, 212 Democrats, 1 independent, and 4 vacancies.
Fox News polls show Democrats ahead by about 7 points on the generic ballot.
Inflation and high gas prices, linked to President Trump’s war in Iran, help Democrats politically.
Redistricting in nine states may create 6 to 9 new Republican seats in the House.
Democrats have 23 candidates running in districts that President Trump won, while Republicans have 8 candidates in districts won by Vice President Kamala Harris.
Iowa is a key battleground where Democrats aim to win up to three of four Republican-held House seats.
The Senate currently has 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats, and 2 independents who caucus with Democrats.
Senate races in Maine, Ohio, Alaska, Texas, Iowa, and Michigan will be crucial for control of the Senate.
Michigan’s Democratic primary features a close race between Rep. Haley Stevens and progressive Abdul El-Sayed.
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Maine Democrats have chosen Troy Jackson as their candidate to run against Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming November midterm elections. This sets up a close race for a Senate seat that could affect control of Congress.
Key Facts
Troy Jackson is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine.
He will challenge incumbent Senator Susan Collins, a Republican.
The midterm elections are scheduled for November.
Control of the U.S. Congress is at stake in these elections.
The parties have about 100 days to campaign before the election.
Senator Collins is considered vulnerable in this race.
The article also mentions cyclospora tests connected to the Trump administration but does not provide details.
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Many American workers rely on union contracts to protect them from the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) at work. Since most U.S. workers are not in unions, only those with union support can negotiate rules about AI use, like preventing job cuts or unfair AI tools.
Key Facts
About 90% of U.S. workers are not in unions, leaving approximately 130 million workers without AI protections through collective bargaining.
The NewsGuild union has 85-90 contracts that include specific rules about AI.
Some unions have stopped companies from using AI tools that replace workers without agreement, such as SAG-AFTRA protecting actors from AI replicas.
AI protections are growing mostly in industries with strong unions, like manufacturing, journalism, and entertainment.
Tech workers are increasingly organizing after realizing AI and layoffs threaten their jobs, even if they perform well.
Current labor laws were created before AI and remote work, making them less effective for today's challenges.
In 2025, only about 11.2% of U.S. workers were unionized, with large differences between industries.
Congress has made little progress on AI workplace rules, while some states are starting to create their own laws.
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President Donald Trump urged Republican senators to end the filibuster rule so they can pass his voting bill and other laws more easily. He warned that Democrats will remove the filibuster if they gain control, so Republicans should act first.
Key Facts
President Trump called on all Republican senators to end the filibuster.
The filibuster is a Senate rule that allows a minority to block bills by extending debate.
Trump wants to pass the "Save America Act," which includes his voting reform proposals.
He warned that Democrats will remove the filibuster if they get the chance.
Trump made this statement late on a Saturday night.
Ending the filibuster would allow bills to pass with a simple majority instead of needing 60 votes.
The filibuster has been a central issue in Senate debates about voting laws and other legislation.
Trump’s message was aimed at speeding up legislative action before Democrats possibly change Senate rules.
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Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York City, often wears a formal suit, even while doing activities like swimming and playing football. His consistent choice of suits aims to show he is serious and always working for the city.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani usually wears dark suits with formal ties and black boots.
He wore a suit while cheering for the New York Knicks and even put the team jersey over his shirt and tie.
On New Year’s Day 2025, Mamdani wore a suit while swimming in the cold Atlantic Ocean during a traditional event.
He also jumped into a swimming pool fully dressed in a suit to announce the opening of New York City’s pools.
Previous mayors like Bill De Blasio and Eric Adams dressed more casually, favoring shorts, polo shirts, or cardigans.
Mamdani’s choice to always wear a suit may be to show he is constantly working and committed to his job.
Some believe Mamdani’s suit symbolizes his identity as a young, Muslim, socialist mayor.
Wearing formal clothes can increase how seriously people take political figures and speakers, especially those from minority groups.
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President Donald Trump endorsed Republican Alexander Kolodin for Arizona's secretary of state race in November. Kolodin, who won the Republican nomination, will compete against Democrat Adrian Fontes and is known for challenging past election results, including supporting Trump's claims of election fraud.
Key Facts
President Trump gave his full endorsement to Alexander Kolodin for Arizona secretary of state.
Kolodin won the Republican nomination, defeating former GOP chair Gina Swoboda.
Kolodin will face Democrat Adrian Fontes in the November general election.
The secretary of state role includes overseeing elections and certifying results in Arizona.
Kolodin is part of the right-wing Freedom Caucus and has questioned past election outcomes.
He represented Trump's campaign in a dismissed lawsuit claiming election fraud in Arizona.
Prediction markets gave Kolodin an 18.1% chance of winning after Trump's endorsement.
The race is important as Arizona will be a key battleground state in the 2028 presidential election.
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Cori Bush and Wesley Bell, two Black Democratic politicians from Missouri, are competing in a primary rematch after Bush lost to Bell two years ago. Their race highlights changes in the Democratic Party, including debates over party leadership, views on Israel, and the influence of progressive activists.
Key Facts
Cori Bush is a progressive politician who began as a Black Lives Matter organizer in Ferguson.
Wesley Bell is a moderate prosecutor who defeated Bush in the last primary by less than six points.
Both candidates have backgrounds connected to the civil rights movement following the 2014 police shooting of Michael Brown.
Bush blames her previous loss partly on spending by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
Bush criticizes the war in Gaza and some Democratic leaders, gaining support from progressive groups.
Bell emphasizes his work for St. Louis and has the support of Democratic leaders like Nancy Pelosi.
The primary vote takes place on August 4, with early voting already started.
The race is seen as a test of the Democratic Party’s direction on issues like establishment support and democratic socialism.
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