The House Appropriations Committee approved a $1.1 trillion defense budget bill for fiscal year 2027. The bill includes a proposal to change the name of the Defense Department to the Department of War.
Key Facts
The bill covers spending for the U.S. defense budget in fiscal year 2027.
The total amount in the bill is $1.1 trillion.
The committee vote was 34 in favor and 27 against, mostly along party lines.
The bill proposes renaming the Defense Department as the Department of War.
President Donald Trump supports this name change and this marks his third attempt to push it.
The bill now moves forward after approval by the House Appropriations Committee.
The name change is part of President Trump’s broader defense agenda.
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President Donald Trump urged House Republicans to come together and work as a team. The U.S. Supreme Court made important decisions about major immigration cases.
Key Facts
President Trump called for unity among House Republicans.
The goal is for House Republicans to cooperate on political matters.
The Supreme Court released rulings on important immigration issues.
These rulings impact how immigration laws are applied.
The news was covered on CBS News by Major Garrett on June 25.
Viewers can watch this coverage through the CBS News app or online.
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Karl Stefanovic is leaving the Nine Network immediately, ending his role as host of the Today show after controversy from his podcast interview with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Nine said Stefanovic and the network agreed he could not continue hosting Today while running his independent podcast.
Key Facts
Karl Stefanovic has worked with Nine for over 20 years and hosted the Today show.
Stefanovic was going to leave Today at the end of this year but will now leave immediately.
The immediate departure follows controversy over a podcast episode where Stefanovic interviewed Tommy Robinson, a far-right activist.
Nine stated Stefanovic cannot host Today and run his independent podcast at the same time.
Stefanovic said on social media he supports freedom of speech and wants listeners to hear different perspectives.
Nine CEO Matt Stanton said it is the right time for Stefanovic to move on from the network.
News chief Fiona Dear emphasized the importance of freedom of speech and maintaining trust and respect in Nine’s journalism.
Nine plans to announce updates about the future of the Today show soon.
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Utah Governor Spencer Cox has issued an emergency order banning fireworks across the state until July 5 due to very high wildfire risks caused by hot, dry, and windy weather. The ban allows some cities to set safe areas for fireworks but aims to prevent new fires amid ongoing large wildfires and drought conditions.
Key Facts
The fireworks ban is in effect statewide until July 5, with possible extension around July 24 (Pioneer Day).
The order authorizes the state forester to restrict fireworks use to reduce wildfire risks.
Utah is experiencing extreme wildfire danger because of dry plants, drought, strong winds, and low humidity.
The Iron Fire near Eureka has burned over 37,000 acres and is believed to have started from illegal fireworks.
Officials say 80 percent of Utah’s wildfires this year were caused by human activity, including fireworks.
Some cities can still designate specific safe zones for fireworks during the ban.
Public safety power shutoffs may occur to prevent power line sparks from causing fires.
The governor emphasized the importance of protecting lives and property during one of the most dangerous fire seasons in state history.
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A federal judge in Washington, D.C. temporarily stopped the Education Department from enforcing new limits on student loans for graduate and professional students. The judge said the new rules broke a law called the Administrative Procedure Act because they added new requirements improperly.
Key Facts
The ruling took place on a Wednesday in Washington, D.C.
The judge involved is U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell.
The Education Department planned new borrowing limits for graduate and professional students.
These new limits were about to start in one week.
The judge blocked the limits from going into effect temporarily.
The reason for blocking was a violation of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
The APA says agencies must follow certain procedures before changing rules.
The judge found the department added new requirements without proper procedure.
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The Sioux Falls mayoral race is extremely close, with Christine Erickson leading Jamie Smith by just two votes. A recount is expected because the vote difference is very small, and both candidates support a fair and transparent process.
Key Facts
Christine Erickson leads Jamie Smith by two votes in the Sioux Falls mayoral race.
Sioux Falls has over 210,000 residents, making it South Dakota's largest city.
Final vote counts showed Erickson with 18,280 votes and Smith with 18,278.
A recount can be requested and will be automatic if the vote difference is less than 2%.
Erickson is a former South Dakota House representative focusing on public safety.
Smith is a current state senator and was the 2022 Democratic nominee for governor.
Both candidates emphasize the importance of every vote and trust in the recount process.
Both candidates remain active and hopeful as they prepare for the recount.
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The Trump administration is planning to quickly deport over 500 migrant children who arrived without adults. A Democratic senator warned that this plan may skip important legal protections for the children.
Key Facts
The Trump administration aims to deport more than 500 unaccompanied migrant children soon.
These migrant children arrived without adults to care for them.
Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, raised concerns about the plan.
Wyden sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with his concerns.
The senator said he has trustworthy information about a list of children targeted for deportation.
The warning highlights possible legal protections being overlooked.
The situation involves the Department of Health and Human Services, which manages migrant children’s care.
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A new study found that teenage girls in U.S. states with total abortion bans are more likely to have suicidal thoughts. This trend was not seen in boys, suggesting the mental health effects may mainly affect girls.
Key Facts
The study analyzed data from over 330,000 high school students between 2017 and 2023.
It compared suicide risk before and after states implemented total abortion bans.
Female students in those states showed a sharp increase in suicidal thoughts after bans were introduced.
Male students did not show similar increases in suicidal ideation.
Researchers noted a possible rise in suicide attempts among girls, but the data was less clear.
The findings suggest that abortion laws may impact adolescent girls' mental health by affecting their sense of control and future options.
The study does not prove cause and effect but highlights a concerning link between restrictive reproductive policies and girls’ mental well-being.
Experts recommend strengthened mental health support and early intervention for teens at risk.
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Darializa Avila Chevalier won a surprising victory in the Democratic primary for New York’s 13th Congressional District, defeating a long-time incumbent. She is known for her strong criticism of President Donald Trump, her support for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and her call to end U.S. support for Israel.
Key Facts
Avila Chevalier defeated five-term incumbent Adriano Espaillat with about 49% of the vote.
She is a 32-year-old activist, first-time candidate, and doctoral student.
She has backing from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Avila Chevalier opposes President Trump’s policies and vows not to back down from challenging him.
She wants to abolish ICE, the agency that enforces immigration laws.
She supports ending U.S. support for Israel.
Her victory reflects growing influence of a progressive, confrontational wing within the Democratic Party.
She is involved in immigrant advocacy and pro-Palestinian activism.
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The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has asked the Justice Department’s internal watchdog to investigate claims that DEA agents allowed fentanyl pills to reach the streets in New Mexico. This follows reports that agents monitored but did not seize large shipments of fentanyl from 2023 to 2025 to build bigger criminal cases.
Key Facts
The DEA requested an investigation after a whistleblower claimed agents let fentanyl pills be distributed in New Mexico.
Agents reportedly watched shipments of fentanyl but did not seize them, aiming for larger criminal cases.
DEA administrator Terry Cole said the probe is needed due to public concern about the agency’s actions.
The internal report highlighted a delivery of 74,000 fentanyl pills witnessed but not stopped by agents in Albuquerque.
Whistleblower DEA agent David Howell raised concerns in 2023 about this strategy harming public safety.
The DEA maintains that it did not knowingly allow fentanyl to reach communities.
New Mexico’s governor asked the state attorney general to investigate whether DEA actions broke state laws.
Fentanyl is a deadly synthetic opioid and considered a major public health threat and a “weapon of mass destruction” by the White House.
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There is a disagreement between Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer about Immigration Minister Mike Tapp's future. Tapp wrote an article supporting care workers already in the UK to have quicker access to settlement, which Mahmood saw as breaking rules, but Downing Street says he will stay in his post.
Key Facts
Immigration Minister Mike Tapp wrote an article supporting faster settlement for foreign care workers in the UK.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood was unaware of the article until contacted by the newspaper.
Mahmood believes Tapp broke ministerial rules and should be sacked.
Downing Street says there are no plans to remove Tapp from his position.
The Ministerial Code expects ministers to argue privately but present a united front publicly.
The government plans to introduce strict immigration reforms, increasing wait times for permanent residence.
Care workers could face a 15-year wait for permanent residency under new rules.
Some Labour MPs oppose these immigration changes, but Mahmood continues to support them.
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Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, wants to fire her junior minister, Mike Tapp, for breaking government rules by writing an article without permission. Downing Street has not yet decided whether to sack Tapp, who called for changes to immigration rules for overseas care workers.
Key Facts
Mike Tapp wrote an article supporting easier permanent settlement rules for migrant care workers.
Tapp did this without Shabana Mahmood’s knowledge or approval.
Mahmood demands Tapp’s dismissal for breaching the ministerial code.
The ministerial code requires ministers to keep united on decisions and avoid public disputes.
Downing Street says no decision has been made yet about firing Tapp; it is the prime minister’s call.
Tapp may have used ideas from private government talks in his article and claimed them as his own.
The dispute reveals tensions within the Labour Party as they prepare for a potential new government.
Labour figures disagree on immigration policies, especially regarding how long migrant care workers wait to settle permanently.
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Rep. Mike Lawler urged the government to extend temporary legal protections for Haitian immigrants. He warned that ending these protections, following a Supreme Court decision, could lead to serious problems.
Key Facts
Rep. Mike Lawler is a Republican from New York.
He supports extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Haitian immigrants.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the Trump administration can end TPS for Haitians and Syrians.
TPS is a program that lets immigrants stay in the U.S. temporarily for safety reasons.
Ending TPS protections could result in large numbers of Haitian immigrants facing deportation.
Lawler said ending TPS protections would create a crisis.
The Supreme Court decision affects immigrants from at least Haiti and Syria.
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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration can refuse asylum seekers who wait outside U.S. ports of entry along the Mexico border. The court said migrants only legally "arrive" when they cross into the U.S., allowing border agents to turn away those still in Mexico.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court decision was 6-3 in favor of allowing the policy.
Justice Samuel Alito wrote the majority opinion explaining the legal reasoning.
The ruling reverses a lower court decision that blocked the policy.
The decision means asylum seekers outside U.S. territory can be denied entry.
Asylum seekers must be physically on U.S. soil to be granted the chance to apply for asylum.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor and two other justices dissented, warning the policy harms vulnerable people.
The dissent referenced history when Jews fleeing the Holocaust were turned away from the U.S.
The ruling allows the government to reinstate a Trump-era policy that was paused in 2021.
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FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has accused Disney of spreading false information while defending itself against two FCC investigations. The investigations focus on whether ABC’s show The View broke political rules and whether ABC can renew licenses for its local TV stations.
Key Facts
Brendan Carr is the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and aligned with President Trump.
Disney-owned ABC faces two FCC investigations: one about political candidate appearances on The View, and another about renewing licenses for eight local TV stations.
ABC launched ads asking viewers to support the network by sending public comments to the FCC.
The FCC has received over 51,000 comments on the political fairness investigation and nearly 40,000 on the license renewals.
Carr says Disney is using a standard public relations tactic and spreading misinformation in its ads.
Carr stated the FCC is applying the law and has not yet decided on the license renewals.
FCC Commissioner Anna M Gomez, appointed by Democrats, believes the investigations are meant to pressure ABC politically and doubts public comments will affect the outcome.
The license renewal process could take more than a year, possibly leaving ABC’s future uncertain for some time.
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President Donald Trump and House conservative members are blocking other bills in Congress until the Senate passes the SAVE America Act, a voting rules bill. Senate Republicans say they do not have enough votes to pass the bill, but President Trump is pushing strongly for it, even delaying signing widely supported legislation like a housing affordability bill.
Key Facts
President Trump wants Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which includes voting rules like requiring proof of citizenship and limits on mail-in ballots.
The SAVE America Act has not gotten enough support in the Senate to reach the needed 60 votes.
President Trump canceled the signing of a popular housing bill to pressure lawmakers to pass the SAVE America Act.
The House has passed earlier versions of the bill with some Democratic support, but the Senate remains divided.
Senate Republican leaders, including John Thune, have said they will not change Senate rules to pass the bill.
Some Senate Republicans say holding up other laws for this bill is hurting President Trump’s agenda.
The House Freedom Caucus criticized the Senate for leaving early instead of pushing the bill forward.
House Speaker Mike Johnson met with President Trump to discuss how to move the agenda ahead.
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President Donald Trump’s motorcade drove across the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in May 2026, sparking questions about whether this caused damage to the pool’s surface that appeared afterward. Though damage, including peeling of the pool’s blue coating and cuts to its liner, has been reported, experts say it is not yet clear if the motorcade caused these problems.
Key Facts
In May 2026, President Trump’s motorcade drove over the drained, newly sealed Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial.
The pool had recently been repainted with a special blue coating made of polyurea for the nation’s 250th anniversary.
After the motorcade event, the pool showed signs of damage such as peeling coating and algae growth turning the water green.
Some damage was caused by a sharp object cutting the pool’s liner, according to a National Park Service report from June 9, 2026.
About 70 fence post tops were also thrown into the pool as part of the reported damage.
President Trump has blamed vandalism for the damage without providing evidence.
Experts say there is no definite proof that the motorcade or construction vehicles caused the coating to fail, but it remains one possible factor.
The National Park Service and the Interior Department are involved in a lawsuit concerning the pool’s damage.
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Dive team operations at Lake Mead National Recreation Area have been paused due to not having enough staff, equipment, and training. While paused, other local agencies are handling dive emergencies, and no date has been set for the team to restart. Lake Mead is very popular and has many visitors, but it is also one of the deadliest national parks, mostly because of drownings.
Key Facts
Lake Mead dive team stopped operations due to staffing shortages and lack of equipment and training.
Dive emergencies are now handled by nearby groups like the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Search and Rescue Dive Team.
The National Park Service (NPS) said the team was not meeting safety and readiness standards.
Lake Mead had over 6 million visitors in 2025, making it one of the top 10 most-visited national parks.
The park covers 1.5 million acres with large reservoirs used for boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, and camping.
Lake Mead is known as the deadliest national park in the U.S., with about 20 deaths per year, mainly from drowning.
Unsafe conditions include sudden lake changes, no lifeguards, dangerous pool toys, and challenging weather like strong winds and extreme heat.
Declining water levels due to drought have exposed more infrastructure and made boating access harder and more costly.
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A new study led by USC estimates that dementia will cost the U.S. about $818 billion in 2026. This number includes medical care, lost earnings, unpaid caregiving, and declines in quality of life for patients and their families.
Key Facts
The study estimates 5.7 million Americans will have dementia in 2026, mostly people aged 65 and older.
The biggest cost, $320 billion, comes from reduced quality of life for people with dementia.
Family and friends provide 6.8 billion hours of unpaid care yearly, valued at $237 billion.
Medical and long-term care expenses total $222 billion, with Medicare and Medicaid paying about 70%.
Patients and families pay roughly $46 billion out of their own pockets.
People with dementia and their caregivers lose $23 billion yearly in earnings.
Early detection and lifestyle changes may reduce dementia cases and lower costs.
The research is funded by the National Institute on Aging and uses detailed modelling to estimate costs.
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President Donald Trump will meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson on Thursday. This meeting comes one day after a tense discussion between President Trump and Republican senators.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson.
The meeting is scheduled for Thursday.
It follows a difficult meeting with Republican senators.
The earlier meeting was described as contentious or tense.
CBS News is reporting on these developments.
Caitlin Huey-Burns is the CBS News congressional correspondent covering the story.
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