US News - The Actual News

Mass layoffs at HHS were likely unlawful and must be halted, federal judge says

July 01, 2025

A federal judge ruled that recent large layoffs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) were likely against the law. The judge stopped the Trump administration from continuing these layoffs and restructuring, following a lawsuit by attorneys general from 19 states and the District of Columbia.

Key Facts:

A federal judge stopped the Trump administration from proceeding with mass layoffs at HHS.
The judge's decision was based on a lawsuit by attorneys general from 19 states and Washington, D.C.
The layoffs had affected more than 10,000 employees and involved consolidating 28 agencies into 15.
The judge called the layoffs "arbitrary and capricious" and against legal standards.
The lawsuit argued that the restructuring harmed essential health programs and shifted costs to states.
The affected HHS parts include the CDC, the Center for Tobacco Products, the Office of Head Start, and others.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had said 20% of the layoffs might be reversed due to mistakes.
HHS must report the status of the situation by July 11, according to the judge's order.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

US Senate Republicans narrowly pass Trump's 'big, beautiful' bill

July 01, 2025

Senate Republicans passed a major tax and spending bill, which involved Vice-President JD Vance breaking a tie vote. The bill, part of Trump's plans, now returns to the House of Representatives, where its future is uncertain due to various concerns, including its potential to increase the national deficit.

Key Facts:

Republicans in the Senate passed a tax and spending bill after 24 hours of debate.
Vice-President JD Vance cast the deciding vote in a 50-50 tie in the Senate.
The bill must now be approved by the House of Representatives.
Trump's goal was for the bill to be ready by July 4, but opposition may cause delays.
The bill proposes to make permanent tax cuts and reduce spending on programs like food subsidies and healthcare.
Some Republicans and Democrats oppose the bill due to concerns about increased national debt and cuts to social programs.
The Senate version of the bill might add $650 billion to the yearly national deficit.
Opposition includes fiscal conservatives, Democrats, and figures like Elon Musk, who disagree with parts of the bill.

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BBC US

President Trump's tax and spending bill's fate rests with the House

July 01, 2025

The future of a tax and spending bill supported by former President Trump depends on the decision of the House of Representatives. NPR's Juana Summers discusses the bill's chances with Michael Ricci, a former congressional advisor and current professor.

Key Facts:

The bill involves both tax changes and government spending.
The decision about the bill will be made by the House of Representatives.
Juana Summers from NPR is discussing the bill's prospects.
Michael Ricci, who is a professor and a former advisor to congressional Republicans, provided insights.
The bill is supported by former President Trump.
The date of the discussion was July 1, 2025.

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NPR National

Watch: Father and daughter rescued after fall from Disney cruise ship

July 01, 2025

A father jumped into the ocean to rescue his daughter after she fell overboard from a Disney Cruise Line ship. Both were safely rescued by crew members near the Bahamas as the ship headed to Florida.

Key Facts:

A girl fell from a Disney cruise ship while her father took a picture.
Her father jumped into the ocean to save her.
The rescue happened on the last day of the cruise.
They were traveling from the Bahamas to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Crew members rescued both the father and daughter after they were in the water for 10 minutes.

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BBC US

Senate pulls AI regulatory ban from GOP bill after complaints from states

July 01, 2025

The U.S. Senate voted 99-1 to remove a proposal that aimed to prevent states from regulating artificial intelligence (AI) for ten years from a larger bill related to tax breaks and spending cuts. The proposal faced opposition from both Republicans and Democrats, who argued it restricted states' ability to regulate AI effectively. The vote took place after an overnight session, and the amendment to strike the provision was introduced by Senators Marsha Blackburn and Maria Cantwell.

Key Facts:

The proposal tried to stop states from regulating AI for ten years.
The proposal was connected to federal funding, offering subsidies only to states that did not regulate AI.
The Senate voted 99-1 to remove this proposal from the bill.
The provision faced criticism from both Republican and Democratic governors and state officials.
A last-minute effort to save the measure was abandoned after amendments proposed by Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Sen. Maria Cantwell.
Prominent tech leaders initially supported the idea, fearing complex compliance with varied state laws.
Opponents argued that the proposal benefited the AI industry by reducing accountability.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders led a group of GOP governors in opposing the measure.
A group of parents urged lawmakers to strike the proposal, citing safety concerns related to harmful AI products.

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PBS NewsHour

US Senate Republicans struggle to push Trump's budget bill over finish line

July 01, 2025

Senate Republicans are facing challenges in passing a major tax and spending bill linked to President Trump's agenda. Four Republican senators currently do not support the bill, making it difficult to secure enough votes. If the Senate approves the bill, it must return to the House of Representatives, where it will face another vote.

Key Facts:

Senate Republicans are trying to pass a large tax and spending bill.
Four Republican senators opposed the current version of the bill.
Vice-President JD Vance is expected to cast tie-breaking votes if needed.
The bill aims to extend tax cuts from Trump's first term.
Republicans want to cut spending on programs like healthcare and food aid to balance the budget.
The House of Representatives passed their version of the bill by a narrow margin.
If approved by the Senate, the bill will need another vote in the House.
President Trump initially wanted the bill by July 4th but acknowledged it might not happen by then.

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BBC World

Zohran Mamdani’s victory in NYC mayoral primary confirmed after ranked choice vote count

July 01, 2025

Zohran Mamdani won New York City's Democratic mayoral primary, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo by 12 percentage points. Mamdani will face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, independent candidate Jim Walden, and Republican Curtis Sliwa in the general election. Cuomo may run as an independent in the general election.

Key Facts:

Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor.
Mamdani defeated Andrew Cuomo by 12 percentage points in the primary.
Mamdani will compete against current Mayor Eric Adams and others in the general election.
Cuomo is considering running in the general election as an independent.
Ranked choice voting was used, allowing voters to rank candidates by preference.
Mamdani is 33 years old and a democratic socialist, previously a member of the state Assembly.
If elected, Mamdani would be New York City's first Muslim and first Indian American mayor.
Mamdani's campaign focused on reducing the cost of living and included populist ideas.

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PBS NewsHour

The White House took down the nation's top climate report. You can still find it here

July 01, 2025

The Trump administration took down the website for the National Climate Assessment, a key report on how climate change affects the U.S. The report is still accessible through other websites, despite the original site being offline. Congress requires these reports to be updated every four years, but work on the next edition has stopped.

Key Facts:

The National Climate Assessment website has been taken down by the Trump administration.
This report is an important source for understanding the effects of climate change in the U.S.
The assessment site previously offered a searchable atlas for specific local climate information.
The Trump administration halted work on the next report edition due out in 2027.
Congress mandates a new National Climate Assessment every four years.
Past and current reports are available on NOAA's and will be on NASA's websites.
Archived versions, including an interactive atlas, are on the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine and Esri’s platform.

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NPR Home

The Trump admin is withholding over $6 billion in education grants for schools

July 01, 2025

The Trump administration is holding back over $6 billion in federal education grants for schools, one day before the funds were expected to be distributed. This affects programs across the country, including those for teacher training and student activities, while the administration reviews the funding.

Key Facts:

The Trump administration is delaying over $6 billion in federal grants for schools.
These funds were originally set to be given out by July 1, 2025.
The Education Department is reviewing these funds due to a change in administration priorities.
Impacted programs include migrant education and services for English language learners.
About $2.2 billion of the funds are typically used for teacher training.
Some public schools' major funding sources, like Title I and IDEA, are not affected by this delay.
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, supporting after-school programs, is part of the freeze.
The delay is described as unprecedented and disruptive for school planning and budgeting.

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NPR Home

Senate passes Trump’s reconciliation bill with Vance casting tie-breaking vote

July 01, 2025

Senate Republicans passed a tax and spending bill by a 50-50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting the decisive vote. The bill, which includes tax cuts and spending reductions, now returns to the House for further approval and changes, especially those affecting Medicaid, may face more challenges.

Key Facts:

The vote on the bill was tied at 50-50, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.
Three Republican senators and all Democrats voted against the bill.
The bill is known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" and mainly focuses on tax cuts and spending reductions.
Changes were made to Medicaid in the Senate version, leading to concerns about millions losing health care.
The bill is now sent back to the House, which had previously approved a different version.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated the bill could increase the deficit by nearly $3.3 trillion over ten years.
The bill could result in 11.8 million more Americans becoming uninsured by 2034.

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PBS NewsHour

Why is Musk calling for a new America Party over the Big Beautiful Bill?

July 01, 2025

Elon Musk announced he would consider creating a new political party, called the America Party, if Congress passes a bill that includes tax breaks and cuts to healthcare and food programs. Musk has criticized the bill due to concerns about increasing national debt and its effects on electric vehicle tax credits.

Key Facts:

Elon Musk plans to form a new political party called the America Party if a controversial bill passes.
The bill proposes tax breaks and cuts to healthcare and food programs.
Musk opposes the bill, saying it will raise the national debt and eliminate electric vehicle tax credits.
The US national debt is currently more than $36 trillion.
The bill would reportedly increase the national debt by $3.3 trillion from 2025 to 2034.
Musk has a history of expressing dissatisfaction with both major US political parties.
Musk's social media poll showed support for a new political party, but such polls may not represent wider public opinion.
The bill, as currently amended, would end tax credits for electric vehicles, potentially affecting consumer demand.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

WATCH LIVE: Senate narrowly votes for Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ budget

July 01, 2025

The Senate is trying to pass a major tax and spending bill backed by President Trump. Republican leaders are dealing with internal disagreements, mainly about healthcare cuts and the bill's potential to increase national debt. The bill needs approval by both the Senate and the House before the approaching deadline.

Key Facts:

The Senate held a long session to discuss a tax and spending bill supported by President Trump.
Republican leaders are seeking to gain support for the bill within their party.
The bill includes tax breaks and spending cuts, with debates focusing on reductions to Medicaid.
Vice President JD Vance may need to break a tie in the Senate vote.
The bill is titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and is 940 pages long.
House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated possible challenges when the bill returns to the House.
President Trump expressed reservations about too many cuts in the bill.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated the bill could leave 11.8 million more Americans without insurance by 2034.
According to the CBO, the bill would increase the deficit by about $3.3 trillion over ten years.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Senate GOP passes Trump's sweeping policy bill, setting up decisive vote in the House

July 01, 2025

Senate Republicans passed a major policy bill initiated by President Trump, focusing on major tax cuts and reductions in spending on programs like Medicaid and food assistance. The bill narrowly passed with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie and now heads to the House, where it faces opposition and debate.

Key Facts:

The Senate voted 51-50 to pass President Trump's domestic policy bill.
Vice President JD Vance broke the tie in the Senate vote.
The bill proposes large tax cuts and reduces spending on Medicaid and food assistance programs (like SNAP).
An estimated 11 million people might lose Medicaid coverage under this bill.
The bill aims to prevent the expiration of 2017 tax cuts at the end of the year.
Three Republican senators, Susan Collins, Thom Tillis, and Rand Paul, voted against the bill.
The bill used a process called reconciliation to avoid a Democratic filibuster, allowing it to pass with a simple majority.
The bill will now be voted on in the House, where there is some opposition and debate expected.

Source Information

NPR Home

Powell sticks to ‘wait and see’ approach as Trump ramps up criticism

July 01, 2025

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stated that the Federal Reserve will keep its interest rates unchanged for now to observe the impact of President Trump’s tariffs on the economy. Although President Trump wants the Fed to lower rates, Powell emphasized the importance of gathering more information on how these tariffs could affect inflation and the broader economy before making any changes.

Key Facts:

Jerome Powell is the Chair of the Federal Reserve.
Powell said the Fed will hold interest rates steady to see the effects of tariffs on the economy.
President Trump has criticized the Fed, asking for lower interest rates.
Trump argues lower rates could reduce government debt interest costs and boost the economy.
Powell mentioned that the Fed might have reduced rates without the tariff situation.
Most economists believe the Fed will not lower rates before September.
The Federal Reserve's key short-term interest rate is about 4.3%.
Powell did not rule out a possible rate cut at the next policy meeting scheduled for July 29-30.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Farewell to USAID: Reflections on the agency that President Trump dismantled

July 01, 2025

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) officially closed on July 1st, after the Trump administration dismantled it since January. The remaining functions of USAID will now be managed by the State Department, raising concerns about whether it can handle the agency’s large-scale aid programs.

Key Facts:

USAID began in 1961 to provide humanitarian aid and development programs worldwide.
President Trump’s administration decided to close USAID, officially shutting it down on July 1st.
Thousands of USAID contracts were canceled, and many employees were laid off.
The State Department will take over the duties of USAID, but there are doubts about its capability to manage aid programs.
Former USAID officials expressed concerns over the closure's impact on global aid and famine response.
Approximately 94% of USAID's 13,000 staff members were laid off.
USAID historically played a crucial role in managing global famine responses and disaster aid.
Experts worry about increasing hunger and famine since USAID's closure.

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NPR Home

Republicans “afraid of” Trump will vote for “Big Beautiful Bill”

July 01, 2025

Bill Schneider, a journalist and professor, discusses the high chances of passing a US budget plan called Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” even though both political parties have concerns about it.

Key Facts:

Bill Schneider is a journalist, author, and professor emeritus.
The US budget plan is referred to as Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.”
There is opposition to this budget plan from both major political parties.
Despite the opposition, the bill is likely to pass.
The article discusses reasons for the bill's potential success.

Source Information

Al Jazeera

Iran says its nuclear sites were ‘seriously damaged’ by U.S. strikes

July 01, 2025

Iran is evaluating the impact of recent airstrikes by the US and Israel on its nuclear sites and has indicated it may still engage in talks with the US concerning its nuclear program. Key locations like Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz suffered significant damage, and Iran reports a high death toll from the conflict. Satellite images show Iranian activity at the Fordo site, where officials might be assessing the damage.

Key Facts:

Iran's nuclear sites were hit by US and Israeli airstrikes, causing serious damage.
Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz are key sites affected by the strikes.
Iran's government reports 935 Iranian deaths from the conflict, including civilians and children.
US intelligence previously stated that Iran's organized nuclear weapons program ended in 2003.
Tehran is open to possibly resuming talks with the US about its nuclear program.
Satellite images show activity at Fordo, suggesting damage assessment is underway.
Questions remain about whether Iran moved any nuclear materials before the strike.

Source Information

PBS NewsHour

Senate works a tense overnight session as Republicans seek support for Trump’s big bill

July 01, 2025

The Senate held an all-night session to work on President Trump’s proposed bill involving tax breaks and spending cuts. Republican leaders are trying to gain support amidst concerns about Medicaid cuts and possible issues in the House if the Senate approves the bill.

Key Facts:

The Senate session lasted overnight, focusing on a bill for tax breaks and spending cuts proposed by President Trump.
Republican leaders are trying to gain enough support for the bill, facing resistance mostly from Democrats.
Concerns exist about potential Medicaid cuts affecting millions; some Republican senators oppose this.
The bill needs quick resolution before Trump's holiday deadline on Friday.
Vice President JD Vance was present to potentially break a tie in the Senate vote.
The bill, named the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” has a priority status in Congress.
House Speaker Mike Johnson warned the bill might face challenges when it returns to the House.
Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins focus on protecting Medicaid from severe cuts.
A small group of conservative Republican senators is pushing for deeper spending cuts to control the deficit.

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PBS NewsHour

Musk says he’ll work to primary members of Congress who vote for Trump’s big bill

July 01, 2025

Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump are in a public disagreement over a new political bill. Musk criticized the bill, saying it would harm job creation and new industries, and expressed his intention to oppose politicians who support it.

Key Facts:

Elon Musk and Donald Trump are clashing over a political bill involving tax changes.
Musk criticized the bill, saying it would harm jobs and new industries.
Musk suggested he might create a new political party.
He also indicated he would work against members of Congress who support the bill.
Musk's social media post on this topic was viewed 26 million times.
Trump criticized Musk over electric vehicle subsidies.
Republican senators are trying to pass the bill quickly through Congress.
Musk is the CEO of both Tesla and SpaceX.

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PBS NewsHour

Trump plans to visit Florida's new migrant detention center, 'Alligator Alcatraz'

July 01, 2025

President Trump plans to visit a new migrant detention center in Florida called "Alligator Alcatraz." This facility is located in the Everglades and will process and hold migrants before deportation flights. The site has a capacity of 10,000 beds and is part of the effort to increase migrant detention spaces across the U.S.

Key Facts:

The detention center is located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in the Everglades.
The nickname "Alligator Alcatraz" refers to both a famous island prison and the wildlife in the Everglades.
The center will use tents and trailers, not permanent buildings, and will open with 5,000 beds.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed federal approval for the center's rapid setup.
The facility will prepare migrants for deportation flights directly from its runway.
Running the center will cost about $450 million annually, with partial funding from FEMA.
The plan is part of a larger strategy to increase detention capacity to 100,000 beds nationally.

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