Republican Senator Susan Collins faces a tougher reelection in Maine after Graham Platner, a key Democratic candidate, announced he is suspending his campaign amid new allegations against him. With Platner likely withdrawing, Democrats’ chances of winning the seat have increased, making the race more competitive ahead of the November election.
Key Facts
Graham Platner said he is suspending his campaign but had not officially withdrawn as of Thursday morning.
Maine law allows candidates to withdraw until July 13 and lets parties choose a new nominee if they do.
Democrats see Maine’s Senate seat as important to gain control of the U.S. Senate.
Susan Collins is a strong incumbent known for broad appeal across parties.
Platner’s departure has improved Democrats’ chances to win, according to prediction markets.
Several other Democrats have declared or may enter the race to replace Platner.
Prediction markets show Democrats now have about a 63% chance to beat Collins, up from about 51% earlier.
The race remains competitive and important for control of the Senate in the upcoming election.
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A New York City artist named Justin Gignac collected trash from outside Madison Square Garden on the day of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding. He turned the trash into small cubes called "Pocket Garbage" and sold them online for $25 to $100 each.
Key Facts
Justin Gignac is an artist based in New York City.
He collected garbage outside Madison Square Garden during Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding day.
The collected trash was made into small cubes called "Pocket Garbage."
He posted a video about the collection on TikTok.
The "Pocket Garbage" cubes sold out online quickly.
Prices for the cubes ranged from $25 to $100.
The event took place recently, as the news was published 16 minutes ago.
The story is connected to Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and New York City.
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Several California public universities have military-grade weapons like AR-15 rifles and stun grenades for campus police to help keep campuses safe. A 2021 state law requires transparency about this equipment, including annual reports and public meetings, but many campuses are not fully following these rules.
Key Facts
California law allows campus police to have military equipment only if necessary for civilian safety.
Schools must report their military equipment yearly and hold public forums for feedback.
Not all 148 public California campuses consistently publish or fully detail these reports online.
Some universities, like San Jose State and San Francisco State, have AR-15 rifles despite unclear authorization under policies.
Several campus police departments failed to hold required public meetings in 2025 or provide details about them.
The University of California delayed publishing its police equipment list until after being asked multiple times.
Cal State’s board has not reviewed the systemwide weapon policy publicly since 2022.
Some campuses do not send their required reports to governing bodies as the law demands.
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Former Olympian David Hearn pleaded not guilty to vandalism charges for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington DC. He is accused of causing about $1,000 in damage to the pool's coating and faces a felony charge of destruction of property.
Key Facts
David Hearn, 67, a three-time Olympic canoeist, was charged with vandalizing the Reflecting Pool.
Authorities say Hearn touched and ripped a piece of the pool’s recently applied sealant on June 19.
Hearn denies causing any damage, saying he only touched material already coming off.
Five other people have been arrested and five issued citations related to vandalism at the Reflecting Pool.
The Reflecting Pool underwent a $13 million renovation this spring to fix leaks and repaint.
Despite repairs, the pool has faced problems like algae growth and peeling sealant.
President Donald Trump has blamed vandals for damage to the pool’s new coating.
Hearn’s lawyers say the charges are an attempt by the Trump administration to shift blame for the pool’s issues.
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Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell has been hospitalized since June 14 with an undisclosed medical condition and has not appeared publicly since. Some Republicans and the Kentucky governor are calling for more information and transparency about his health.
Key Facts
Senator Mitch McConnell was admitted to the hospital on June 14.
McConnell has not been seen publicly or provided detailed updates about his condition.
Republican Representative Marlin Stutzman publicly questioned if McConnell is still alive.
Stutzman and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear have asked McConnell’s office for clearer health updates.
McConnell’s office said he is recovering and continuing to work while Congress is out of session.
There is growing concern from both political parties about the lack of information.
McConnell is Kentucky’s longest-serving senator.
The senator’s office last issued a statement saying he is improving and appreciates support.
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Migrants deported from the U.S. are being held in a hotel in Equatorial Guinea, which is also reportedly used to quarantine suspected Ebola patients. Lawyers and deportees say health and safety measures at the facility are inadequate, and the U.S. government has agreements with Equatorial Guinea to deport migrants to third countries.
Key Facts
The hotel in Equatorial Guinea is owned by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo’s family.
It currently holds 17 migrants deported from the U.S., including women and men from Angola, Mauritania, and Ethiopia.
At least one man and one woman suspected of having Ebola have been quarantined on a floor below the detainees.
Ebola is currently causing an outbreak in Congo, with neighboring Uganda affected as well, but no Ebola cases have been confirmed in Equatorial Guinea.
Migrants and lawyers report poor hygiene and lack of protective supplies like masks or disinfectants.
The U.S. government, under President Trump, has agreements to deport migrants to third countries, sometimes bypassing protections given by U.S. courts.
Equatorial Guinea is one of at least eight African nations that have such deportation deals with the U.S.
Lawyers have filed a case accusing Equatorial Guinea of violating human rights by forcing deportees back to their home countries.
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Democratic candidate Graham Platner is withdrawing from the Maine U.S. Senate race after a sexual assault allegation, which he denies. Maine Democrats must choose a new nominee by July 27 to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming election.
Key Facts
Graham Platner won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Maine but plans to withdraw following an allegation of sexual assault.
The allegation states Platner forced sex while drunk despite the woman's refusal; Platner denies this claim.
Maine Democrats have until July 27 to select a replacement candidate for the Senate race.
The party will hold a nominating convention involving hundreds of delegates from across Maine to pick the new nominee.
Troy Jackson, a former Maine state Senate president, and Nirav Shah, former director of Maine's CDC, have announced or indicated interest in running.
Jackson is backed by the progressive group Our Revolution and positions himself as a progressive fighter.
Nirav Shah is considered a moderate candidate and finished second in Maine's recent Democratic governor primary.
This Senate seat is important for control of the narrowly divided U.S. Senate, and Democrats want a strong candidate to face incumbent Republican Susan Collins.
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Texas State Representative James Talarico has raised $30 million in three months for the 2026 Senate race, more than three times the $9 million raised by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Polls show the race is very close, with no clear leader, and the election is expected to be competitive in November.
Key Facts
James Talarico raised $30 million between April and June 2026.
Ken Paxton raised about $9 million in the same period.
Talarico’s fundraising is a record for a U.S. Senate candidate in Texas for the second quarter of an election year.
Recent polls show a tight race, with some surveys giving Talarico a small lead and others showing Paxton ahead.
An A2 Insights poll showed Talarico at 48.4% and Paxton at 46.1%.
A SoCal Strategies poll showed Paxton leading with 49% over Talarico’s 47%.
Prediction markets give Paxton about a 61% chance to win and Talarico about 41%.
Texas has historically been Republican but has become more competitive due to demographic and political changes.
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Nolan Wells, a teenager who went missing during a Fourth of July trip with friends, was found dead on Horn Island in Mississippi. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
Key Facts
Nolan Wells was reported missing during a Fourth of July trip.
He was with friends at the time of his disappearance.
His body was found on Horn Island, Mississippi.
Police are currently investigating what happened.
Horn Island is located in the state of Mississippi.
The news was reported by CBS News correspondent Skyler Henry.
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James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Texas, raised over $30 million in the second quarter of this year. He aims to become the first Democrat elected to the Senate from Texas in almost 40 years.
Key Facts
James Talarico is a 37-year-old Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Texas.
His campaign raised more than $30 million in the second quarter of 2024.
This fundraising amount is a record for Texas Senate candidates.
Talarico aims to break a nearly 40-year streak of no Democrats winning Texas Senate seats.
The funds will support his campaign efforts for the upcoming Senate election.
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Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie said that since health insurance premiums are rising and Republicans have not repealed the Affordable Care Act (also known as ObamaCare), the law could be called “Trumpcare.” He criticized his party for not taking serious action to replace or change the health law after winning control of the government.
Key Facts
Thomas Massie is a Republican Representative from Kentucky.
He commented on the Affordable Care Act, also called ObamaCare.
Massie said health insurance premiums are increasing under the current system.
He claimed Republicans have not made serious efforts to repeal the ACA.
Massie suggested the law could be renamed “Trumpcare” because of the current situation.
The Affordable Care Act was meant to provide affordable health insurance.
Republicans control parts of the government but have not replaced or repealed the ACA.
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A recent national poll shows Vice President Kamala Harris leading California Governor Gavin Newsom by nearly 18 points among possible Democratic candidates for president in 2028. The poll suggests Harris is the early favorite, while other Democrats are split across several candidates.
Key Facts
Vice President Kamala Harris leads Gavin Newsom by 17.6 percentage points in a July 2024 poll.
Harris has 35.3% support; Newsom has 17.7%.
Pete Buttigieg and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez each have about 12-11% support.
Other Democratic candidates, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, have less support.
The poll surveyed 1,140 likely voters with a margin of error of ±2.9%.
No Democratic candidates have officially entered the 2028 race yet.
On the Republican side, Vice President JD Vance leads with 42.2%, followed by Marco Rubio at 25.9%.
Similar previous polls have also shown Harris leading Newsom by double digits.
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Research shows that efforts to improve health outcomes for Black mothers and babies often fail when they do not consider race. A lawsuit is opposing efforts aimed at addressing these racial health disparities.
Key Facts
Black mothers and babies face health challenges linked to racial disparities.
Studies suggest ignoring race in health efforts leads to failure.
A legal case is attempting to block measures meant to address these inequalities.
Addressing race is important to improve health outcomes in affected communities.
The issue focuses on how the US handles health disparities for Black families.
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A Democratic congresswoman, Valerie Foushee, has asked the National Park Service (NPS) to review the Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument in Washington, D.C., due to concerns about how some exhibits are maintained and displayed. She highlighted a handwritten note used as a plaque in the museum and wants an audit and possible improvements made to the site.
Key Facts
Representative Valerie Foushee of North Carolina sent a letter to the NPS requesting a review of the Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument.
Foushee raised concerns about the condition and presentation of exhibits, especially a handwritten note used as a plaque above Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s desk.
The monument was designated by President Barack Obama in 2016 and preserves the former headquarters of the National Woman's Party.
The site tells the story of the women's suffrage and equal rights movements in the U.S.
Foushee’s letter asks if the NPS will conduct an audit, identify needed repairs or improvements, and estimate the costs.
The monument holds important artifacts linked to leaders like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a key figure in the women’s rights movement.
Foushee emphasized that the monument should be maintained to the highest standard to properly educate visitors about equality.
This request comes amid broader federal attention on historic sites and monuments in Washington, D.C.
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Democrat Graham Platner stopped his campaign for the U.S. Senate in Maine after being accused of sexual assault. He denied the accusation. The Democratic Party is now looking for a new candidate to run in his place.
Key Facts
Graham Platner was running for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine as a Democrat.
He suspended his campaign after a sexual assault allegation was made against him.
Platner strongly denied the sexual assault claim.
The Democratic Party needs to find a replacement candidate quickly.
The news was reported by CBS News with input from a political consultant.
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will officially open a new bridge in East Tennessee named after President Donald Trump. On the same day, an airport in Palm Springs, Florida, will also be renamed in honor of President Trump.
Key Facts
A new bridge in East Tennessee has been named the Donald J. Trump Bridge.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will unveil the bridge on Thursday afternoon.
An airport in Palm Springs, Florida, will also be renamed after President Donald Trump on the same day.
Naming public places after President Trump has led to controversy and public disagreements in some cases.
These acts are part of broader efforts to recognize President Trump by naming buildings and infrastructure after him.
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Senator John Fetterman criticized Senator Bernie Sanders for supporting many left-wing candidates. This response came after Maine’s Democratic nominee, Graham Platner, ended his campaign due to a rape allegation. Fetterman said Sanders should apologize to Maine voters and donors.
Key Facts
Senator John Fetterman is from Pennsylvania and a Democrat.
Senator Bernie Sanders is an Independent from Vermont who supports left-wing candidates.
Graham Platner was the Democratic nominee for the Senate in Maine.
Platner suspended his campaign because of a rape allegation.
Fetterman directly addressed Sanders, asking him to apologize for his support of these candidates.
The criticism focuses on the impact of backing candidates who face serious accusations.
This situation highlights tensions within the Democratic Party and its allies.
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The U.S. Army has finished investigating an Iranian missile and drone attack in Kuwait that killed six American soldiers in March. The Army plans to share the investigation results with the families of the fallen soldiers, addressing possible failures in the unit’s defense and leadership before and after the attack.
Key Facts
Six U.S. soldiers died in the March 1 Iranian attack at the Port of Shuaiba in Kuwait.
The attack was part of a series of strikes after the U.S. and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
The Army’s investigation was ordered to find out what happened and why.
Survivors and witnesses said the unit was unprepared and had little to no defense against drones.
Intelligence showed Iran was targeting the unit before the attack, but concerns were allegedly ignored.
Some soldiers blame their commanders for moving troops into a dangerous area despite warnings.
The Pentagon says the facility was fortified and denies trying to downplay the attack.
Results of the probe will be briefed to Gold Star families, the relatives of soldiers who died in combat.
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A Maine state lawmaker said that Senate candidate Graham Platner asked her to enter the race to take his place on the ballot. Platner suspended his campaign after allegations of sexual assault became public.
Key Facts
Graham Platner was running for Senate in Maine.
He stopped his campaign after sexual assault accusations surfaced.
State Rep. Valli Geiger said Platner encouraged her to replace him as a candidate.
This conversation happened shortly before Platner ended his campaign.
Geiger shared this information with a local news outlet, WMTW.
The events took place in Maine, involving local lawmakers.
Platner is a member of the Democratic Party (D).
Geiger is also a Democrat and a state representative.
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Nearly 1,000 people in Michigan have been diagnosed with cyclospora, a parasite that causes long-lasting diarrhea. The Michigan health department reported 992 cases and 40 hospital stays related to this infection.
Key Facts
Cyclospora is a parasite that causes watery diarrhea lasting for weeks.
Michigan has confirmed 992 cases of cyclospora in this outbreak.
40 people have been hospitalized due to this infection.
This is one of the largest cyclospora outbreaks in Michigan's history.
Cyclospora infections can spread through contaminated food or water.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is monitoring the situation.
Symptoms often include diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea.
Cyclospora outbreaks have also occurred in other parts of the United States.
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