Bronx Lacrosse is a nonprofit organization started in 2018 that uses lacrosse to help middle and high school students in the South Bronx stay motivated in school and life. The program combines sports with academic support, mentorship, and life skills coaching to help kids improve attendance, grades, and confidence.
Key Facts
Bronx Lacrosse was founded by Dan Leventhal, a former college lacrosse player and Teach for America member.
The program is free, runs year-round, and serves middle and high school students in the South Bronx.
Students must attend class regularly and keep good grades to join the lacrosse activities.
The staff includes college lacrosse players and coaches who work with students continuously, not just in sports season.
In addition to lacrosse, the program offers tutoring, mentorship, emotional skill development, and help with high school and college applications.
Since the pandemic, the program has focused heavily on reducing absenteeism, even helping by personally ensuring students get to school.
The program started with boys but expanded to include girls’ lacrosse two years later.
Participants gain important skills like leadership, teamwork, accountability, and build confidence that helps them beyond sports.
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The House of Representatives passed a $1.15 trillion defense bill called the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a narrow vote of 216-212. The bill includes a large increase in military spending and contains a proposal supported by President Donald Trump to restrict voting methods. The bill now moves to the Senate.
Key Facts
The NDAA passed in the House with most Democrats opposing and a few Republicans breaking ranks to vote against it.
The bill authorizes $1.15 trillion for defense, a nearly 30% increase from last year.
Some Democrats criticize the bill for funding a war with Iran and increasing military spending while many Americans face financial difficulties.
The bill includes the Save America Act, a Trump-backed plan to ban mail-in ballots and add voter ID rules.
This voting restriction measure caused controversy and opposition from Democrats.
Certain Republicans opposed the bill due to Section 219, which involves US-Israel defense technology cooperation.
The Senate will now consider the bill, but there is ongoing debate about the war, spending, and voting laws included.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth estimated $37.5 billion has already been spent related to the conflict with Iran.
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A federal judge in New Jersey ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to release a Colombian man detained despite having permission to leave the U.S. voluntarily by a set deadline. The judge found ICE violated his legal rights by stopping him from leaving, then using his failure to depart on time as a reason to keep him detained.
Key Facts
Marlon Andres Torres Gomez was allowed by a judge to leave the U.S. voluntarily by June 11.
Torres Gomez tried to coordinate his departure with ICE and bought a flight ticket for June 10.
ICE kept Torres Gomez detained and did not let him board his flight.
After June 11, ICE claimed Torres Gomez was subject to mandatory detention for not leaving on time.
The judge ruled this detention violated Torres Gomez’s constitutional due process rights.
The court rejected ICE’s arguments that legal injunctions or extensions justified the detention.
This case challenges the Trump administration’s enforcement of voluntary departure orders.
The ruling adds to several recent court decisions criticizing ICE’s treatment of detainees.
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New Jersey found 6,600 noncitizens registered to vote because of a software mistake, with fewer than 400 actually voting. Although some political figures have used this to claim widespread election fraud, experts say the numbers are very small compared to the total voters and do not prove fraud.
Key Facts
New Jersey has automatic voter registration when people interact with motor vehicle offices.
A software error led to 6,600 noncitizens being registered to vote in New Jersey.
Fewer than 400 of these noncitizens cast a ballot in elections.
These noncitizen registrations are a very small part of the state’s 6.6 million registered voters.
Both Democrats and Republicans were among those incorrectly registered; most were unaffiliated with any party.
Experts say such administrative errors are rare and do not indicate widespread fraud.
The Department of Homeland Security’s reported numbers on noncitizen registrations are uncertain and have not been fully explained.
Claims of large-scale noncitizen voting have been challenged by election officials and researchers as misleading.
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Since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was passed in July 2025, more than 1 million children across 19 states have lost SNAP benefits. Overall, SNAP participation dropped by about 5 million people nationwide, with large declines in several states, especially Texas, Arizona, California, and Louisiana.
Key Facts
SNAP is a federal program that gives food assistance to low-income households.
SNAP participation fell from 42 million people in early 2025 to about 37 million by April 2026.
Over 1.06 million children lost SNAP benefits in 19 states after the OBBBA became law.
Total SNAP enrollment dropped by 2.44 million people (12%) in these 19 states.
Texas had the largest decline in both overall and child SNAP recipients, losing over 317,000 children.
Arizona saw a 48% overall drop in SNAP participation and a 49% drop for children.
The OBBBA expanded work requirements to adults up to age 64 and ended some previous exemptions.
States such as New Jersey, South Dakota, and New Mexico had the highest shares of children in their overall SNAP enrollment declines.
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The overall murder rate in the United States kept going down in the first half of 2026, continuing a long-term decline. However, some cities like San Francisco and Dallas saw increases in homicides compared to last year, according to a new study by the Council on Criminal Justice.
Key Facts
The national homicide rate in the U.S. declined from January to June 2026.
21 out of 30 cities surveyed showed an average 18% drop in homicides during this time.
Eight cities, including San Francisco, Dallas, and Norfolk, saw increases in homicide rates compared to 2025.
San Francisco’s homicide rate reportedly rose by 55%, but police reported only a small increase from 13 to 16 homicides.
Dallas experienced a reported 30% rise in homicides in the study, but local police data do not fully agree with this figure.
Other cities like Austin saw smaller increases, while cities including Denver, Chicago, and Charlotte saw single-digit rises.
The study found nine types of crimes decreased overall, with the biggest drop in carjackings.
Researchers noted no single reason explains the drop in murders but mentioned factors like technology changes and less alcohol abuse.
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Greater Manchester police apologized for missing important information on the phones of Jihad al-Shamie before he attacked a synagogue in October 2025. The police chief said the data on the phones could have led to further investigation and possibly prevented the attack.
Key Facts
Jihad al-Shamie attacked a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur, October 2, 2025.
Police had seized Shamie’s phones during two arrests earlier in 2025 but did not review the data before the attack.
The data likely showed evidence of extremist views.
Mohammad Bashir, a friend of Shamie, was jailed for life with a minimum of 17 years for planning a terrorist act with Shamie two months before the attack.
Both men traveled to the UK Defence Academy in August 2025 to conduct a hostile reconnaissance mission.
Shamie was shot dead by police during the synagogue attack.
Greater Manchester Police’s chief constable expressed regret and apologized for the missed opportunity.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is reviewing the police’s handling of Shamie’s case.
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A recent poll shows that President Donald Trump's approval rating is at its lowest point. Only 30 percent of Americans said they approve of how he is doing his job, while 67 percent disapprove.
Key Facts
The poll was done by the American Research Group from July 16 to July 20.
30% of Americans approved of President Trump's job performance.
67% of Americans disapproved of his job performance.
The net approval rating is -37%, meaning more people disapprove than approve by a large margin.
In June, a similar poll showed 30% approval and 66% disapproval.
This is the lowest approval rating President Trump has had so far.
The story is still developing and may have updates later.
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President Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, said ICE is setting records with the highest numbers of arrests in its history, continuing a strong immigration enforcement push. ICE detention numbers and removals have also increased, while the agency faces criticism over enforcement tactics and recent fatal shootings during operations.
Key Facts
ICE had its highest monthly arrest total ever in June 2024, with July exceeding that number.
The agency is fully funded and is maximizing deportations.
ICE detained about 65,765 people as of July 11, 2024, up from 60,300 in April and nearing the year's record of 70,700.
Arrests in early July averaged 1,474 per day, more than June's 1,300 per day.
The largest group in ICE detention currently has no criminal history and are held solely for immigration violations.
Immigration judges ordered thousands of detainees released, with over 2,000 released in May 2024 alone.
Two fatal shootings during ICE traffic stops in July (Houston and Maine) raised concerns, as body cameras were not activated in either incident.
ICE will require officers in future traffic stops to wear body cameras and has begun training for their use.
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Democratic lawmakers in the US have proposed a bill to create a new bank funded by tariffs on imports from China. This bank would provide up to $15 billion a year to support American manufacturers, especially in areas where industry has declined.
Key Facts
The bill is called the Industrial Bank for American Manufacturing Act.
It would use up to 50% of the tariffs collected on goods from China, capped at $15 billion annually.
The bank would offer grants, loans, and investments to small and medium-sized manufacturers.
Loan amounts above $100 million would need congressional approval; loans are capped at $500 million.
The funds would target regions hit hard by manufacturing job losses, like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan.
Tariffs on China began under President Trump in 2018 and continued with adjustments during his second term.
US manufacturing jobs have dropped from nearly 20 million in 1979 to about 12.6 million in 2026.
The bill aims to help businesses that struggle to get capital to produce goods domestically instead of importing them.
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The Pentagon identified three U.S. service members killed and a fourth likely killed in the Middle East amid rising attacks involving U.S. and Iranian forces. These deaths increase the total U.S. military fatalities since February to 18, with hundreds of troops also injured in the conflict.
Key Facts
Three U.S. service members were confirmed killed and a fourth believed killed this week in the Middle East.
The total U.S. military deaths since late February, linked to U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, have reached 18.
Nearly 100 U.S. troops have been injured since early July; 96% of them have returned to duty.
Sergeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, was killed disposing of a downed Iranian drone at Erbil airbase in Iraq.
Swinton enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2017 and was part of the 55th air defense artillery regiment based at Fort Bragg.
President Donald Trump attended the dignified transfer of the fallen service members at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
Swinton is survived by his wife and two young children; he will be posthumously promoted to staff sergeant.
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The Trump administration has subpoenaed New York Times reporters in a leak investigation related to a story about problems with a plane gifted to President Trump by Qatar. This legal action includes seeking phone records of reporters and their family members and appears focused more on punishing journalists than on finding the source of the leak.
Key Facts
In 2015, media experts thought technological advances would reduce government subpoenas of reporters in leak investigations.
The Trump administration subpoenaed New York Times reporters over a story about security issues with a Qatar-provided plane.
The administration is also seeking the phone records of reporters and their family members for several months.
The story reported on President Trump choosing not to use the gifted plane due to security problems.
Trump’s administration claims the story revealed sensitive national security information.
The case reflects a broader trend of leak investigations increasingly targeting reporters to intimidate the press.
Leak investigations causing reporters to be subpoenaed became more common after 9/11, with the 2003 Plame case marking a turning point.
The article suggests this subpoena effort is an example of potential government abuse of power to punish news organizations.
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The main Democratic Senate super PAC, Senate Majority PAC, is spending an extra $54 million on TV ads targeting four Republican Senate seats ahead of the midterm elections. This shows where Democrats believe they have a chance to win seats currently held by Republicans.
Key Facts
Senate Majority PAC is adding $54 million in TV ads for four Republican-held Senate seats.
The seats targeted are in Ohio, Iowa, North Carolina, and Alaska.
Ohio gets $24 million more for former Senator Sherrod Brown, totaling $60 million.
Iowa gets $17 million more for state Senator Josh Turek, totaling $30.5 million.
North Carolina gets $11 million more for former Governor Roy Cooper, totaling $42.5 million.
Alaska gets $2 million more for former Representative Mary Peltola, totaling $11 million.
The Republican-aligned Senate Leadership Fund has more money, with $238 million cash on hand compared to $126 million for Senate Majority PAC.
Senate Majority PAC plans more ad spending before Election Day but has not revealed digital ad plans.
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The Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency dissolved the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) last year. This action has caused delays in the federal response to a large outbreak of cyclosporiasis infections.
Key Facts
USAID was dismantled last year by President Trump’s administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
USAID provided funding to important parts of the government that handle disease outbreaks.
Without USAID, the federal government’s response to cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection, has been slow.
Cyclosporiasis infections recently reached a record high in the U.S.
The lack of timely response has affected efforts to control the spread of the disease.
USAID’s role included supporting health programs and disease prevention initiatives.
The changes were part of an effort to streamline government operations.
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A new Emerson College Poll shows that 53% of voters support Democrats on a generic congressional ballot, while 42% support Republicans. This gives Democrats an 11-point lead as the midterm elections approach.
Key Facts
The poll was conducted by Emerson College Polling.
Democrats have 53% support on the generic congressional ballot.
Republicans have 42% support in the same poll.
The Democrats’ lead increased by 3 points compared to last month.
The poll reflects voter preference for control of the House and Senate.
The ahead time is during the midterm election campaign.
The generic ballot measures general party support without naming specific candidates.
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A new bill called the Ratepayer Protection Act is getting more support in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill aims to address concerns about high electric bills by making sure that tech companies with large data centers pay more of the costs instead of regular electric customers.
Key Facts
The bill is named the Ratepayer Protection Act.
It is gaining momentum in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The bill responds to backlash over the high electricity use of large data centers.
It would require states to consider rules that make tech companies pay some electricity costs.
The goal is to reduce the financial impact on regular electric customers.
The bill has support from both political parties (bipartisan support).
Data centers are important for AI technology but consume a lot of electricity.
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Senate Republicans are worried about the lack of a clear plan for ending the military conflict with Iran. They say rising U.S. military deaths and high gas prices could negatively affect their party in upcoming elections.
Key Facts
Senate Republicans held a hearing focused on the conflict with Iran.
GOP lawmakers felt the hearing did not provide a clear exit strategy from the conflict.
U.S. casualties in the conflict with Iran are increasing.
Gas prices in the U.S. remain high.
Republicans believe these issues could hurt their chances in the midterm elections.
The hearing took place on a Tuesday.
Concerns about the Iran situation are growing within the Senate Republican Party.
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A fountain in the German-American Friendship Garden on the National Mall was damaged after a contractor vehicle drove over it, breaking the stonework. The garden recently underwent major restoration, and repairs to the damaged fountain are now in progress.
Key Facts
The damaged fountain is located in the German-American Friendship Garden, between the White House and the Washington Monument.
The fountain was broken when a contractor vehicle drove over it after protective barriers were moved.
Large sections of stone around the fountain were displaced, creating a hole in the center.
The garden commemorates 300 years of German immigration to America and was established in 1988.
The garden was recently restored from 2019 to 2022 by partners including the National Park Service, the German Embassy, and Volkswagen.
President Donald Trump’s administration is focusing on many Washington, D.C. monument and public space renovations as part of the "Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Act of 2026."
Other projects include the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which has faced some problems since reopening.
Repairs to the damaged fountain are currently underway with safety measures in place.
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Florida State Representative Angie Nixon criticizes the Trump administration for policies she says harm Black people, immigrants, and marginalized groups. She urges elected officials to take stronger actions instead of just words and highlights recent events involving immigration enforcement and voting rights.
Key Facts
Angie Nixon is a Florida State Representative and a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate.
She believes the Trump administration promotes division and hatred toward marginalized communities.
Nixon calls for public officials to do more than speak out—they must act to protect rights and justice.
Over 400,000 people in Florida with Temporary Protected Status face uncertainty due to changes under President Trump.
Three men died in interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers recently in Florida.
The Voting Rights Act was weakened in the spring, leading to concerns about fair representation and gerrymandering.
Nixon says she is committed to actively defending her constituents and fighting against policies she views as harmful.
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A new report shows that homicide rates have dropped by 18% in 30 American cities from 2025 to 2026, potentially leading to the lowest yearly homicide levels in over 100 years. The report also shows declines in many other crimes, although some, like shoplifting and domestic violence, increased slightly.
Key Facts
Homicides fell by 18%, about 215 fewer deaths, in 30 cities from 2025 to 2026.
This trend could bring the lowest homicide rate in more than a century if it continues.
Nine out of 13 tracked crime types, including carjackings and burglaries, decreased.
Some crimes, such as shoplifting, domestic violence, sexual assaults, and drug offenses, rose slightly.
The decrease in crimes happened across cities with different political and economic backgrounds.
Violent crimes also became less deadly, with a 23% drop in the share that were fatal.
Roughly one-third of cities saw increases in homicides, including Norfolk, VA, and San Francisco.
Compared to 2019, only a few cities had more homicides in 2026, including Norfolk, Austin, Pittsburgh, and Minneapolis.
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