A building in Manhattan under construction was found unstable after two steel support columns bent, causing evacuations of the building and nearby areas. Officials are working to stabilize the building and say no one was hurt, but the situation is serious and could take days or weeks to resolve.
Key Facts
The building is a former Pfizer pharmaceutical site being converted into apartments.
Two steel columns on the 21st floor buckled, causing floor cracks and sagging.
The building is on East 42nd Street, between Second and Third avenues in Manhattan.
Fire department drones are being used to inspect and gather information.
City officials say the building is unstable but the collapse, if any, would be limited to a small area.
Nearby workers have been evacuated and may be away from their offices for days or weeks.
Construction company MetroLoft thanked officials for their quick response and confirmed no debris fell and no injuries occurred.
The affected area is a small part of one of the two buildings on the site.
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Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Jon Ossoff have gained support in prediction markets for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, while California Governor Gavin Newsom’s chances have decreased. Recent polls show former Vice President Kamala Harris leading the Democratic primary race.
Key Facts
Ocasio-Cortez’s chances of winning the 2028 Democratic nomination rose from 9% to 15% in prediction markets over one month.
Jon Ossoff’s chances more than doubled from under 6% to 14% in the same period.
Gavin Newsom’s chances dropped from 25% to 18% according to Polymarket.
Kamala Harris’s chances have remained steady around 8% in prediction markets but she leads in recent polls.
A FocalData poll showed Harris with 33% support, Newsom 15%, Ocasio-Cortez 9%, and Buttigieg 8%.
Another McLaughlin poll showed Harris at 26%, Newsom at 16%, and Ocasio-Cortez at 9%.
Prediction markets reflect trader sentiment based on political developments but do not guarantee election outcomes.
Polls surveyed registered voters nationwide in June 2023 to gauge early preferences for the 2028 Democratic primary.
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Senator Mitch McConnell has been in the hospital for about three weeks, with little public information about his health. Several Senate GOP leaders said they recently spoke with McConnell, who is recovering but remains hospitalized.
Key Facts
Mitch McConnell has been hospitalized for approximately three weeks.
Little official information has been released about the reason for his hospitalization.
Senate GOP leaders, including John Thune and John Barrasso, reported recent talks with McConnell.
These conversations included topics like national security and Senate matters.
Some online commentators have spread unverified claims about McConnell’s condition.
A recorded emergency call mentioned cardiac arrest and unconsciousness at McConnell’s home on the day he was hospitalized.
McConnell’s team says he is improving and staying involved with staff while recovering.
Kentucky law requires a special election if a Senate seat becomes vacant before August 3; otherwise, the seat is filled in the November general election.
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The U.S. Navy identified Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards as the sailor missing after a helicopter made an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea on July 1. Three crew members were rescued, but Edwards was not found, and the search was stopped after more than 102 hours. The cause of the emergency landing is still under investigation.
Key Facts
Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards was the commander of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5.
The helicopter involved was an MH-60S Sea Hawk with a four-person crew.
Three crew members were rescued and returned to the USS George H.W. Bush.
Edwards was declared missing, and the search covered over 14,000 square miles with many Navy and Air Force assets involved.
After extensive search efforts, the search for Edwards was suspended after about four days.
The Navy posthumously promoted Edwards to the rank of captain.
Edwards was from Oakland, Oregon, had served 20 years, and was a qualified helicopter pilot since 2008.
There was no sign the helicopter was shot down; the cause of the emergency landing remains unknown.
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Maryland lawmakers will hold a special session from August 3 to 5 to discuss a constitutional amendment about future congressional redistricting. The amendment, if passed, would go to voters in November and could allow for new district maps that make it easier for Democrats to win all eight seats.
Key Facts
Maryland lawmakers are meeting in August for a special session on congressional redistricting.
The session aims to consider a constitutional amendment related to redrawing districts.
Democrats currently hold 7 out of 8 U.S. House seats in Maryland; one seat is held by a Republican.
The amendment would clarify the state constitution after a 2022 court ruling struck down a previous district map.
If both state chambers approve the amendment by a three-fifths vote, it will be on the November ballot for voters to decide.
Maryland Republicans criticize the move as a way to increase Democratic seats in Congress.
Redistricting usually happens once every 10 years after the census but can be done more often for political reasons.
The governor of Maryland supports the effort to finalize the redistricting plan.
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A large crowd gathered in Newport Beach, California, on the Fourth of July after an online event called a “TikTok takeover.” The gathering turned violent, with fires, blocked roads, attacks on police, and about 400 people arrested.
Key Facts
Thousands of people came to Newport Beach for the Fourth of July, many responding to a social media meetup.
The crowd caused fires, blocked traffic, and threw fireworks and explosives at police and other people.
Police arrested 402 people, much more than the 60 arrests made the previous year over the same holiday.
Newport Beach firefighters responded to 102 emergencies, including 10 fires, and took 44 people to hospitals.
Most arrested were young people aged 15 to 25, many from outside Newport Beach, including Arizona, Nevada, and other parts of California.
Police used horses and called in help from 17 law enforcement agencies with over 350 officers.
Similar “takeover” events online are causing problems and violence in other cities, including Pensacola, Florida, and Chicago.
Officials in Washington, D.C. have increased efforts to hold parents responsible when minors cause trouble at these events.
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The Trump administration is thinking about permitting space launches and returns from areas off the coast of the United States. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced it is exploring the use of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf, which is underwater land near the coast, for space activities.
Key Facts
The Trump administration is reviewing rules for space launches and re-entries near U.S. coastlines.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published a notice about this on a Tuesday.
The Outer Continental Shelf is an area of submerged land off the U.S. coast.
BOEM is considering allowing space companies to use these offshore areas for launches.
Offshore launches would take place beyond the shoreline but still within U.S. jurisdiction.
This plan could open new locations for spaceflight activity outside of existing land-based launch sites.
The change aims to expand options for commercial and government space missions.
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Democrats are trying to salvage a Senate race in Maine after Graham Platner faced a new rape allegation. Platner denies the claim but is losing support, and his campaign is in trouble.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is a Democratic candidate in a Maine Senate race.
He has been accused of rape in a new allegation.
Platner denies the accusation.
He has not withdrawn from the race yet.
Platner is losing supporters because of the allegation.
Democrats see the race as important and winnable before this issue.
The future of Platner’s campaign looks uncertain.
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A federal appeals court has blocked a Florida law that stops public universities from teaching certain ideas labeled as "woke." The court said the state cannot control what professors say in classrooms or restrict unpopular ideas. The law aimed to ban teaching critical race theory and related topics, but the court ruled this violates free speech rights.
Key Facts
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a block on Florida's law banning certain "woke" teachings at public universities.
The law targeted instruction that might cause students to feel guilt over past racial or gender discrimination they did not personally cause.
The case was brought by university professors and supported by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida.
The law was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2022 to prevent what he called "indoctrination" in schools.
Three judges heard the case: two agreed to block the law, and one judge, appointed by Governor DeSantis, dissented.
The judges said hearing different ideas is not discrimination but a chance to learn or change views.
Past parts of the law banning workplace training on race and gender issues have been ruled illegal by other courts.
The main disagreement is whether the state can decide what professors are allowed to teach in public universities.
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A building in Midtown Manhattan, New York, had to be evacuated because bricks fell from the 21st floor of its 37 floors. Officials now say the building has stopped shifting or moving.
Key Facts
The building is located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.
It has 37 floors in total.
Bricks fell from the 21st floor, causing safety concerns.
People in several nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution.
Officials reported that the building is no longer moving.
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The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) pleaded not guilty to federal charges that it misled donors by not revealing some money was used to pay informants inside extremist groups. The Justice Department alleges the SPLC funded these groups while claiming to fight them, but the SPLC says the informant program helped gather important information for law enforcement.
Key Facts
The SPLC is known for tracking hate groups.
The organization faces federal fraud charges for hiding how donations were spent.
$4.1 million in donations were allegedly used to pay informants in extremist groups.
Some money was spent on recruiting members and buying Ku Klux Klan robes and materials for cross-burning events.
Informants included KKK members and white nationalists who sought help leaving those groups.
The SPLC claims the program provided valuable intelligence shared with law enforcement agencies.
The SPLC has accused the Justice Department of politically motivated prosecution related to President Donald Trump.
The case will go to trial in October, after a remote arraignment took place.
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Democrats are asking Graham Platner to quit his race for the U.S. Senate in Maine after a woman accused him of sexual assault from five years ago. Platner denies the accusation, calling it completely untrue.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is running for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine.
A woman accused Platner of raping her five years ago while he was drunk.
The alleged victim and the timing relate to a past dating relationship.
Platner says the accusation is "categorically false."
Democrats want Platner to end his campaign because of these allegations.
CBS News is covering the story, including a discussion with Dan Merica from the Washington Post.
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A federal immigration agent in Texas shot and killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national without legal status, after he tried to use his vehicle to harm the agent during an arrest attempt. The Department of Homeland Security said the agent acted in self-defense and the FBI is investigating the case.
Key Facts
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot by an ICE agent in Houston, Texas.
ICE agents tried to arrest Araujo as part of a targeted enforcement operation.
Araujo attempted to evade arrest and tried to run over an ICE officer with his vehicle.
The ICE agent fired their weapon in self-defense.
Araujo was taken to a hospital and died from his injuries.
The FBI is investigating the incident.
The Department of Homeland Security provided the details about the situation.
This is one of several lethal encounters between federal agents and civilians during President Donald Trump’s administration.
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President Donald Trump cannot lift U.S. sanctions on Turkey without help from Congress. These sanctions were put in place with support from both political parties because Turkey bought a missile defense system from Russia.
Key Facts
President Trump wants to lift sanctions on Turkey.
The sanctions were imposed due to Turkey’s purchase of a Russian missile defense system.
Both Democrats and Republicans supported these sanctions.
Congress approved the sanctions, so they must approve lifting them.
A University of Chicago professor, Paul Poast, explained this legal requirement.
The missile defense system purchase raised U.S. security concerns.
President Trump will need Congress’s help to change the current restrictions.
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Katherine Scarlett, a leading environmental adviser in President Donald Trump’s administration, has left her position. She was the head of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and led efforts to reduce federal environmental rules for building new infrastructure.
Key Facts
Katherine Scarlett was a top environmental policy adviser in President Trump’s White House.
She chaired the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ).
Scarlett led rollbacks on federal environmental standards affecting new infrastructure projects.
Her departure from the administration was confirmed by an official.
Scarlett plans to join a consulting firm after leaving the White House.
The news of her exit was first reported by Bloomberg Government.
The Council on Environmental Quality advises the White House on environmental matters.
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The U.S. Treasury Department has stopped plans to put Harriet Tubman’s image on the $20 bill. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the current administration is not moving forward with this change.
Key Facts
Harriet Tubman was planned to appear on the $20 bill.
The Treasury Department has canceled these plans.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke about this on Monday.
The decision was made under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The change to the $20 bill will not happen for now.
Harriet Tubman is a historical figure known for helping enslaved people escape on the Underground Railroad.
This plan had been previously discussed but now is delayed or canceled.
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A 37-story building under construction at 235 East 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan showed signs of structural instability, causing evacuations and street closures. Emergency crews found buckling columns and sagging floors but no injuries were reported as workers and nearby residents were safely evacuated.
Key Facts
The building is undergoing an office-to-residential conversion.
Firefighters responded after reports of bricks falling shortly before 8 a.m. on July 7, 2026.
Structural damage was observed, including buckled columns on the 21st floor and sagging floors up to the 26th floor.
No injuries were reported, and all workers were accounted for.
Surrounding buildings and a nearby school with about 400 children were evacuated.
Streets from 40th to 45th between First and Third avenues were closed to pedestrians and vehicles.
Emergency crews used drones to inspect the building and started installing emergency supports called trusses.
Officials said the steel-frame design reduces the risk of total collapse but remain concerned about localized collapse.
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A California judge dropped all charges against Dharmesh Patel, who was accused of trying to kill his family by driving off a cliff in 2023, after he completed a two-year mental health treatment program. Patel was diagnosed with episodic major depression and hallucinations at the time of the crash, qualifying him for a new California law that allows mental health diversion instead of a trial.
Key Facts
Dharmesh Patel drove his Tesla off a 250-foot cliff in San Mateo County on January 2, 2023.
Patel’s wife and two young children were injured but survived the crash.
He was charged with attempted murder but completed a two-year mental health program instead of going to trial.
The mental health program included treatment by a Stanford psychiatrist and a family therapist.
Patel was diagnosed with episodic major depression with hallucinations and had delusions about his children being kidnapped.
California law, effective in 2023, allows people with certain mental health conditions to receive treatment instead of criminal prosecution.
The judge dismissed the charges after Patel completed the program, wiping the charges from his record.
Prosecutors opposed the mental health diversion but are working to change the law to exclude serious crimes like attempted murder.
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A federal judge blocked the Justice Department from getting personal information about election workers in Fulton County, Georgia. The request was part of the DOJ’s investigation into President Donald Trump’s claims of fraud in the 2020 election.
Key Facts
The judge involved is U.S. District Judge William Ray.
The Justice Department wanted names and personal details of election staff in Fulton County.
This request was linked to investigating claims of election fraud made by President Trump after the 2020 election.
The judge ruled the DOJ could not use a grand jury subpoena to get this information.
The decision protects the privacy of election workers during the fraud investigation.
Fulton County, Georgia, was a key location in the 2020 presidential election.
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Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner in Maine is facing calls to quit the race following a sexual assault allegation, which he denies. If Platner withdraws, the Maine Democratic Party has until July 27, 2026, to choose a replacement candidate through a process that is currently unclear. Several Democrats, including former state official David Costello and state senator Troy Jackson, are potential replacement candidates.
Key Facts
Graham Platner faces a sexual assault allegation and may leave the Maine Senate race.
Maine Democrats want Platner to withdraw by July 13, 2026.
If Platner withdraws, the party has until July 27, 2026, to pick a new candidate.
Maine will not hold a new primary election for the replacement.
The state party committee or delegates might vote to choose the new candidate.
It is unclear if the replacement vote will be in person or virtual, or the exact voting method.
David Costello, who ran in the primary, said he would try again if Platner leaves.
Troy Jackson, a former state senator and gubernatorial candidate, is interested in replacing Platner.
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