The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal agency focused on reducing jobs and cutting funding in the government, officially ended its operations on July 4. DOGE shared a farewell message quoting former President Teddy Roosevelt about the value of meaningful work.
Key Facts
DOGE was a federal government department.
Its main role was to lead job and funding cuts across the government.
The department stopped working on July 4.
DOGE posted a farewell message on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
The message included a quote from former President Teddy Roosevelt.
The quote emphasized the value of working hard at important tasks.
DOGE’s closure marks the end of its mission to boost government efficiency.
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Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Maine, denied a sexual assault allegation made by a former girlfriend. He said the claim is "categorically false" and that he is thinking about the best way to continue his campaign.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is running for Senate in Maine as a Democrat.
A former girlfriend, Jenny Racicot, accused Platner of forcing her to have sex without consent five years ago.
Platner called the allegation false and denied the accusation.
The allegation was reported by Politico on July 6, 2026.
ABC News has not confirmed the details of the Politico story.
Platner stated he is reflecting on how to proceed with his campaign.
The story is still developing and may have updates later.
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A woman who dated Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner about five years ago says he forced her to have sex without her consent. This accusation was reported by Politico and adds to previous allegations against Platner.
Key Facts
The woman says Graham Platner forced her to have sex against her will.
The incident reportedly happened nearly five years ago.
Graham Platner is running for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat in Maine.
Politico is the news outlet that published this report.
This is not the first accusation made against Platner.
The claim relates to behavior during their past relationship.
CBS News also provides coverage of this story.
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A woman who used to date Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner accused him of forcing her to have sex while drunk, even after she told him to stop. Platner denied the claim and said his campaign is deciding what to do next.
Key Facts
The accusation was reported by Politico on Monday.
The woman said Platner forced sex on her while he was drunk.
She asked him to stop, but the alleged assault continued.
Graham Platner is running for the U.S. Senate in Maine.
Platner has denied the allegation.
Platner's campaign is currently deciding how to respond to the situation.
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Washington, D.C. declared a "Code Red" air quality alert on Sunday morning. This alert came shortly after a large fireworks show took place on the National Mall.
Key Facts
The "Code Red" alert means very unhealthy air quality.
The alert was issued on Sunday morning.
It followed a record-setting fireworks event at the National Mall.
Fireworks release smoke and particles that can pollute the air.
The alert warns people to limit outdoor activities to protect their health.
D.C. officials monitor air quality and issue alerts when pollution is high.
Events like fireworks can temporarily worsen air pollution in cities.
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A mother won an appeal against a family court judge who had allowed her ex-partner, under police investigation for rape, to have overnight contact with their children. The High Court ruled the judge was wrong to dismiss the serious allegations without waiting for the police investigation, and the case will be heard again.
Key Facts
A family court judge, Robin Tolson KC, allowed a father accused of rape and domestic abuse to have overnight contact with his children.
The father admitted to domestic abuse including violence and controlling behavior.
Police were investigating the father for rape at the time of the court decision.
The mother appealed the decision, asking for only limited supervised contact between the father and the children.
High Court Judge Michael Keehan said the original judge was wrong to ignore the ongoing police investigation.
Judge Tolson has been criticized before for his views on rape and domestic abuse and has had multiple decisions overturned.
He stepped down from his senior judge role in London after previous controversies.
The government is working to improve how family courts handle cases involving domestic abuse and serious offenses.
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A woman accused Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner of sexually assaulting her in 2021 after he was drunk. Platner denied the allegation and said he is considering his next steps in his campaign.
Key Facts
Jenny Racicot, a woman from Maine, said Platner forced her to have sex after she told him to stop.
Racicot says she had an on-and-off relationship with Platner but cut contact after the incident.
Platner released a video denying any non-consensual behavior.
Platner has canceled several campaign events since the allegation became public.
Some of Platner’s supporters, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ro Khanna, have not commented yet.
Platner was recently nominated as the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine.
Maine law allows Democrats to replace a candidate if they withdraw before July 13.
The party must name a replacement candidate by July 27 if Platner steps down.
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Prosecutors in Utah have started presenting evidence against Tyler Robinson, who is accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk last September. The preliminary hearing will decide if there is enough evidence for Robinson to go to trial.
Key Facts
The hearing began on Monday and will last five days.
Prosecutors want a judge to approve a trial for Robinson, accused of killing Charlie Kirk.
Robinson has not said if he is guilty or innocent and has not entered a plea.
Robinson’s lawyers tried to stop the death penalty from being an option but failed.
President Donald Trump supports imposing the death penalty for Robinson.
Evidence includes a possible confession note, text messages, and video testimony from Robinson’s roommate.
Ballistics tests could not clearly link the bullet that killed Kirk to the alleged murder weapon.
Charlie Kirk was a conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, encouraging young voters to support Trump.
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A woman named Jenny Racicot has accused Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine, of sexual assault, which he denies. Platner has faced previous controversies and is preparing to continue his campaign against Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Key Facts
Jenny Racicot, 41, alleges Platner forced her to have sex in late 2021 despite her objections.
Platner denies the sexual assault claims, calling them false and politically motivated.
Racicot and Platner had an on-and-off relationship lasting more than two years.
The report includes supporting evidence like messages and accounts from other individuals.
Platner secured the Democratic nomination and will face Senator Susan Collins in the general election.
Platner has been involved in past controversies, including a covered-up tattoo linked to Nazi imagery.
The campaign claims the allegations are coordinated attacks by political opponents.
Maine Democrats have until July 13 to replace Platner as a nominee, with a two-week window to choose a replacement.
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Graham Platner, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine, said he is thinking about whether to continue his campaign after a woman accused him of sexual assault from 2021. Platner denied the claim but has not made a final decision about staying in the race against Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is the Democratic nominee for Maine’s U.S. Senate seat.
A woman accused Platner of forcing her to have sex against her will about five years ago.
Platner denies the allegation.
He said he is taking time to decide his next steps in the campaign.
Platner wants to continue his goal of defeating Senator Susan Collins.
He showed some uncertainty by referring to the campaign in the past tense.
The story is still developing and may change as new information comes out.
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Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine, responded to a news report featuring a woman who accused him of sexual assault during their previous relationship. Platner said the allegations are false and that he and his team are considering how to proceed with his campaign.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is running as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate seat from Maine.
A woman who dated Platner accused him of sexual assault.
The accusation was made public in a Politico news report.
Platner called the allegations false and serious.
He stated that he and his campaign are taking time to think about the best way forward.
Platner is an oyster farmer by profession.
This development could affect his Senate campaign.
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The US Supreme Court allowed Texas to enforce a law requiring app stores to check users’ ages and get parental permission before minors download apps or make purchases. The law is still being challenged in lower courts over its impact on free speech rights.
Key Facts
Texas passed the App Store Accountability Act in 2025, signed by Governor Greg Abbott.
The law requires app store accounts for users under 18 to link to a parent or guardian.
Parents must be notified of an app’s age rating and approve downloads for minors.
Texas argues the law protects children from harmful online content.
Opponents say it violates free speech by forcing proof of age before accessing apps.
Apple, Google, and student groups are among those challenging the law.
A federal judge previously blocked the law, comparing it to forcing bookstores to check age.
A federal appeals court allowed the law to take effect during the ongoing legal fight.
The Supreme Court did not stop the law from being enforced while cases continue.
This law is part of a wider effort to increase parental control over children’s online use.
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A heat wave in New York City and the Northeast ended as heavy rain and storms caused flash flooding and property damage. Officials warned of dangers like rising water in basements and investigated possible heat-related deaths in New Jersey.
Key Facts
Flash flood warnings were issued for parts of New York, Philadelphia, and New Jersey due to heavy rain.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani advised people to leave basement apartments if water levels rose.
The roof of a BJ’s Wholesale Club in Ocean Township, New Jersey, partially collapsed because of the rain.
Two people were trapped briefly at the store but escaped unharmed.
The heat wave brought record highs, such as 104°F (40°C) at LaGuardia Airport in New York.
At least 29 possible heat-related deaths are being investigated in New Jersey.
About 450,000 people across the U.S. experienced power outages due to storm damage.
The heat dome kept nighttime temperatures high, preventing cooling during the nights last week.
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President Donald Trump talked about renovation work he is doing at the White House during a Rose Garden lunch. He mentioned that paint is being removed from the entrance columns as part of the improvements.
Key Facts
President Trump is overseeing renovation projects at the White House.
The renovations include removing many layers of paint from the columns at the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance.
He mentioned spending "a lot of love" on the White House updates.
The event took place during a lunch on the Rose Garden patio.
The lunch was for his investment accounts named for children born during his second term.
Trump also referenced the launch of "Trump Accounts" designed for kids.
The event included ringing the opening bell on Wall Street.
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The number of people covered by Obamacare health insurance dropped a lot in many states over the past year, according to new data from the federal government. This drop happened after special government help to pay premiums ended in January, causing millions of Americans to lose coverage.
Key Facts
Ohio and Oklahoma lost about one-third of their Obamacare enrollees in the past year.
Nationwide, 2.6 million fewer people had Obamacare plans in February compared to the previous year.
The data include people who signed up, renewed, and paid their first premiums in 2026.
The decline followed the end of enhanced premium subsidies that helped lower monthly insurance costs.
Health insurance costs increased sharply after the subsidies expired, causing some to stop coverage.
States like Arizona, South Carolina, Minnesota, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Missouri also lost more than a quarter of their enrollees.
Florida still has many people using Obamacare, partly because it did not expand Medicaid and has many gig workers.
The federal government suggested fraud reduction efforts might have affected enrollment numbers, but analysts say the main cause was subsidy expiration and stricter immigrant eligibility.
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The U.S. Supreme Court refused to stop Texas from enforcing a law that requires app stores to verify the age of users and get parental permission before minors can download apps or make in-app purchases. This law, called the Texas App Store Accountability Act, aims to protect children but has been challenged by groups who say it violates free speech rights.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court denied petitions to block the Texas law on June 29, 2026.
The law requires app stores to check the age of users and get parents' consent for minors.
A 5th Circuit Court of Appeals panel allowed the law to take effect, reversing a lower court ruling.
Plaintiffs include the Computer & Communications Industry Association and a group called Students Engaged in Advancing Texas.
The plaintiffs argue the law restricts access to free speech material like news and education.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defends the law, saying it protects children from inappropriate content and privacy risks.
Supporters say children can face privacy invasions and be exposed to harmful content without parental knowledge if the law is not enforced.
The case highlights a conflict between protecting children and protecting free speech online.
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New federal data shows many states had big drops in the number of people with Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) health plans over the past year. Ohio and Oklahoma each lost about one-third of their enrollees after enhanced financial help ended in January, causing about 2.6 million fewer people nationwide to be covered in February compared to last year.
Key Facts
The Affordable Care Act enrollment fell sharply in many states during the past year.
Ohio and Oklahoma each lost nearly one-third of their Obamacare enrollees.
The data covers all 50 states and is the first complete report showing these declines.
The drop happened after enhanced subsidies (extra financial help) ended in January.
Overall, about 2.6 million fewer Americans had Obamacare plans in February versus the previous year.
The data was released in late June by the Trump administration.
The report was first covered by The Associated Press.
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Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Maine, faces a new sexual assault allegation from a woman who claims he forced her to have sex in 2021. Platner denies the accusation but is considering how it may affect his campaign against Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Key Facts
A woman named Jenny Racicot accused Platner of sexual assault in 2021.
Platner denies the claim, calling it false and serious.
Platner won the Democratic primary in Maine and is running against Senator Susan Collins.
The allegation coincides with Maine’s deadline for replacing general election nominees, which is July 13, 2026.
A recent poll shows 75% of voters want Platner to quit if new negative stories appear.
Platner has faced previous controversies, including offensive comments and a tattoo criticized as resembling Nazi imagery.
Racicot said she delayed going public because she did not want to be known as a rape victim but later felt voters should know more about Platner’s character.
Platner is reflecting on whether to continue his campaign amid the new allegation and political pressure.
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A group of lawmakers from both parties wants to change Social Security rules so that wealthy Americans pay taxes on all their earnings, not just up to a certain limit. This proposal aims to prevent Social Security funds from running out, which could happen by 2032, and would raise money mainly from high earners.
Key Facts
Social Security's trust fund might run out by late 2032, risking cuts to benefits.
Currently, workers and employers pay a 6.2% tax on income up to $184,500 (in 2026).
Income above $184,500 is not taxed for Social Security.
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Moreno want to remove this tax cap so rich people pay on all income.
About 6% of workers earn above the current tax limit and would be affected.
Raising or removing the cap could bring in about $3 trillion over 10 years.
This change could cover roughly two-thirds of Social Security’s 75-year funding gap.
Some lawmakers propose increasing taxes on high earners instead of cutting benefits.
There is a bipartisan discussion, but some Republicans oppose raising taxes on the wealthy.
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Senator Mitch McConnell is still recovering in the hospital after being admitted on June 14. His office has not shared many details about his health or if he will attend the Senate when it meets again next week.
Key Facts
Senator Mitch McConnell was hospitalized starting June 14.
His office said he is receiving excellent care.
He has been in the hospital for several weeks.
A statement said he would not vote during the recent Senate session.
His most recent update says he is improving.
No details have been given about the cause of his hospitalization.
It is unclear if he will be present when the Senate returns next week.
McConnell’s office thanked people for their support during his recovery.
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