Senator Chuck Grassley had surgery over the weekend to remove gallstones. He is recovering and plans to return to work in the Senate as soon as he can.
Key Facts
Senator Chuck Grassley is 92 years old.
He had surgery to remove gallstones. Gallstones are small stones that form in the gallbladder and can cause pain or other health issues.
The surgery took place in Iowa.
Grassley is a nine-term senator, meaning he has served nine times in the U.S. Senate.
He is the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Grassley updated the public by posting on the social platform X (formerly Twitter).
He expects to return to Capitol Hill soon after his recovery.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen vetoed a bill that would have given paid maternity leave to more state employees. Currently, only state workers covered by union contracts get paid maternity leave, and the bill sought to expand this benefit to all qualifying employees.
Key Facts
Nebraska state employees only get paid maternity leave if their union contracts include it.
About 12,000 union-covered state employees receive six weeks of paid maternity leave.
Some workers, like state troopers and correctional guards, currently do not get paid maternity leave.
The bill aimed to provide six weeks of paid leave to all qualifying state employees.
Governor Pillen vetoed the bill, saying employee benefits should be decided through union negotiations, not laws.
The state legislature tried but failed to override the governor’s veto.
Federal law (FMLA) allows up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave but does not require paid maternity leave.
Paid maternity leave in the U.S. depends on state laws, employer policies, or union agreements, so access varies widely.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Kevin Warsh, nominated by President Trump to lead the Federal Reserve, will face questions in a Senate hearing about his views on inflation, interest rates, and the Fed's balance sheet. The Senate Banking Committee must approve his nomination before it moves to a full Senate vote, where a simple majority is needed for confirmation.
Key Facts
Kevin Warsh is President Trump’s pick to replace Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chair.
The Senate Banking Committee will hold a hearing to question Warsh on economic topics like inflation and interest rates.
A majority of the 24-member committee must vote to advance the nomination to the full Senate.
Warsh served as a Fed board governor from 2006 to 2011 and was known for favoring tighter monetary policy to control inflation.
Recently, Warsh has suggested that artificial intelligence (AI) could help reduce inflation by improving productivity.
President Trump supports Warsh and expects interest rates to be lowered once Warsh takes office.
The Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions are made by a committee, so Warsh will not have sole control over rates.
Warsh may also be asked about his support for shrinking the Fed’s balance sheet to help control inflation and improve lending conditions.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
FBI Director Kash Patel has sued The Atlantic and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick for defamation over an article accusing him of drinking problems that could threaten US national security. The Atlantic denies the allegations and says it will defend itself, while Patel seeks $250 million in damages and claims the article contained false information.
Key Facts
Kash Patel is the FBI Director and filed a defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick.
The article alleged Patel had a drinking problem affecting his job and national security.
The Atlantic published the story relying on more than two dozen anonymous sources.
Patel and the FBI denied the allegations, calling them false.
Patel’s lawsuit claims The Atlantic ignored his legal team's detailed refutations before publishing.
The article’s original title suggested Patel’s erratic behavior might cost him his job; it was later changed online.
The lawsuit alleges The Atlantic acted with “actual malice,” meaning knowingly publishing falsehoods or recklessly ignoring doubts.
The lawsuit seeks $250 million in damages and was filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A recent poll from Bowling Green State University shows that Vivek Ramaswamy, the leading Republican candidate, and Amy Acton, the likely Democratic candidate, are nearly tied in the race for Ohio governor. The poll surveyed 1,000 registered voters in Ohio.
Key Facts
The poll was done by Bowling Green State University.
It included 1,000 registered voters in Ohio.
Vivek Ramaswamy is the leading Republican candidate for governor.
Amy Acton is the expected Democratic candidate for governor.
Both candidates have about 48% support among those polled.
The race for Ohio governor is very close according to this survey.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump posted several messages on social media during the day. In his posts, he criticized some media outlets and spoke about his success in a war.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump shared multiple posts on social media in one day.
He referred to himself as winning a war in these posts.
He criticized various media outlets in his messages.
The news report was summarized by Al Jazeera’s Hanna Mike.
The article focuses on the content of President Trump’s social media activity.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Trump and members of his Cabinet have given different statements about when gas prices will go down. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said prices might not fall below $3 per gallon until next year, causing concern among Americans about the economic effects of the war in Iran.
Key Facts
President Trump and his Cabinet have made mixed statements about gas prices.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright spoke to CNN about gas prices on Sunday.
Wright said gas prices might not drop below $3 per gallon until next year.
There is uncertainty about when gas prices will fall.
Americans are worried about how the war in Iran is affecting the economy.
The government is monitoring the situation as it impacts fuel costs.
Gas price changes are linked to global events like the Iran conflict.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
An Idaho mother of three, Elise Franklin, shared her feelings about the difficult stage when children grow up and become more independent. She described this time as both proud and sad because her children no longer need her in the same way.
Key Facts
Elise Franklin is a 43-year-old mother from Idaho with three children.
She reflected on a past moment when her kids were young and she enjoyed driving them around.
Her eldest daughter is 22 and getting married, her middle son is 20 and serving a mission in El Salvador, and her youngest son is 16 and learning to drive.
Franklin described this stage as a "beautiful heartbreak" because children face challenges parents can no longer fix.
She said many parents do not talk about this stage because it involves grown children.
Franklin misses the times when her kids needed her more, like when she was the "carpool mom."
She now looks forward to grandchildren and hopes to stay close to her children.
Franklin is rediscovering her own interests and enjoying more time with her husband.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Two teenagers died and several others were hurt after a shooting near a middle school in North Carolina on Monday morning. The violence started after a fight broke out.
Key Facts
The incident happened near a middle school in North Carolina.
A fight occurred before the shooting.
At least two teenagers were killed in the shooting.
Several other people were injured.
Police are investigating the incident.
The event took place on a Monday morning.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
George R. Ariyoshi, the first Asian American governor in the United States and former Hawaii governor, died at 100 years old. He served as Hawaii’s governor from 1973 to 1986 and was known for his leadership during a time of growth in the state.
Key Facts
George R. Ariyoshi was the first Asian American governor in the U.S.
He served as Hawaii’s governor for three terms, from 1973 to 1986.
Ariyoshi first became lieutenant governor in 1970 and became acting governor in 1972.
Hawaii now has a two-term limit for governors, which did not limit Ariyoshi.
He was born in 1926 in Honolulu to Japanese immigrant parents.
Ariyoshi served in the U.S. Army military intelligence in Japan after World War II.
He earned degrees from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan Law School.
His time as governor included managing Hawaii’s rapid growth as a tourist destination.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A new NBC News poll shows that President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped the most among young adults under age 30. In this poll, 76 percent of people in this age group said they disapprove of how the president is doing his job.
Key Facts
The poll was conducted by NBC News Decision Desk and Survey Monkey.
76 percent of Americans under 30 disapprove of President Trump’s job performance.
Only 24 percent of voters under 30 approved of the president in this poll.
The approval drop is the largest seen among any age group in this poll.
The poll results were released on a Sunday.
The survey reflects current opinions on President Trump’s leadership.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A hot air balloon carrying 13 people made an emergency landing in a backyard in Temecula, California, after running low on fuel. No one was hurt, and the pilot managed to avoid hitting trees or the house.
Key Facts
The emergency landing happened in a backyard in Temecula, California.
There were 13 people on the hot air balloon at the time.
The pilot said the balloon was running low on fuel, forcing the emergency landing.
No injuries were reported from the landing.
The balloon narrowly missed hitting a tree, the house, and was very close to a fence.
Residents found the balloon in their backyard early Saturday morning.
The event was reported recently and is related to local U.S. news.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Betty Yee, a former California State Controller, has ended her campaign for governor. She decided to drop out because her poll numbers were low and there was little time left before the primary election.
Key Facts
Betty Yee was running for governor of California.
She served as California State Controller before.
She was favored by Democratic Party insiders.
Despite support from insiders, she did not gain strong public backing.
She announced dropping out on a Monday morning.
Low poll numbers influenced her decision.
The upcoming primary election date was soon.
Yee suspended her campaign, meaning she stopped actively running.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senate Democrats led by Elizabeth Warren and Chris Van Hollen questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding recent cuts to military offices that help reduce harm to civilians during attacks. They raised concerns about how these reductions might have affected the U.S. strikes inside Iran.
Key Facts
11 Senate Democrats signed a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The letter focused on cuts to offices that work to protect civilians during military operations.
These offices aim to reduce civilian casualties in U.S. military strikes.
The inquiry is about the role these cuts played in recent strikes inside Iran.
Senators involved include Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts) and Chris Van Hollen (Maryland).
The issue relates to U.S. defense policy under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Right-wing commentator Alex Jones said President Donald Trump will likely be impeached for a third time if Democrats regain control of the House in the upcoming midterm elections. However, impeachment requires the Senate to convict, which remains unlikely since Republicans control the Senate. Recent polls show declining support for Trump, especially among young voters.
Key Facts
Alex Jones predicted President Trump will be impeached if Democrats take back the House in November.
Impeachment proceedings start in the House, but conviction and removal require a Senate vote.
President Trump was impeached twice before but acquitted both times by the Senate.
Democrats face challenges in convicting Trump due to Republican control of the Senate.
White House officials dismissed the likelihood of impeachment as politically motivated talk.
Polls show Trump’s approval rating is at a low point, especially among voters aged 18 to 29.
Some Democratic lawmakers question whether pursuing impeachment is productive.
The 25th Amendment allows removal of a president if the vice president and Cabinet agree the president is unfit, but this has not been pursued.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A man in Shreveport, Louisiana, fatally shot eight children, including seven of his own, in a mass shooting. A woman and a child escaped by jumping from the roof of the house, and the suspect died after a gunfight with police.
Key Facts
The shooting happened early Sunday morning in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The shooter, identified as Shamar Elkins, killed eight children aged 3 to 11.
The children were siblings and one cousin.
A woman and a child jumped from the roof to escape and were in stable condition.
Two adult women, including the children's mother, were injured and hospitalized.
Police exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who was found dead at the scene.
The weapon used was described as an assault-style gun.
Authorities believe the shooting began as a domestic dispute and the suspect had a criminal record.
The suspect was reportedly going through a divorce and had a court date coming up.
The community recently opened a domestic violence center just days before this tragedy.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Federal immigration agents arrested Deisy Rivera Ortega, wife of US Army Sgt. First Class Jose Serrano, despite her legal protection from deportation granted in 2019. Riverside Ortega has lived in the US since 2016 and had a valid work permit before her detention in El Paso, Texas.
Key Facts
Sgt. Jose Serrano has served in the US Army for 27 years, including deployment to Afghanistan.
Deisy Rivera Ortega, a Salvadoran national married to Serrano in 2022, was detained by ICE during an immigration office appointment.
Rivera Ortega was granted legal protection in 2019, which should bar her deportation to El Salvador.
The Department of Homeland Security said Rivera Ortega entered the US illegally and called her a “criminal illegal alien” due to a misdemeanor conviction for illegal entry.
Rivera Ortega may be removed to Mexico, although she has no ties or family there.
ICE’s immigration enforcement has increasingly affected relatives of military service members.
Serrano expressed distress over the situation and criticized ICE, stating the army supported him but ICE is “out of control.”
Another similar case involved Annie Ramos, wife of a US Army sergeant, who was detained but later released after media coverage.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that Olly Robbins deliberately hid information about security vetting problems regarding Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to Washington. Starmer blamed the Foreign Office for not informing him or others in government about the vetting failure and announced an investigation into the case.
Key Facts
Keir Starmer said Olly Robbins repeatedly blocked truth about Mandelson’s security vetting failure.
Peter Mandelson failed security vetting, but Starmer was not told before appointing him ambassador.
The Foreign Office did not brief the prime minister or Downing Street about the vetting advice.
The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) is reviewing vetting documents and will report findings soon.
Olly Robbins did not inform senior officials, including cabinet secretaries, about Mandelson’s vetting failure.
Robbins overturned the original security vetting failure decision within 24 hours, allowing Mandelson’s appointment.
The Foreign Office has lost the power to overturn vetting decisions after this incident.
Starmer denies misleading Parliament, stating he was deliberately kept in the dark by officials.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The House Ethics Committee shared a list of 28 investigations into U.S. House members accused of sexual misconduct over many years. Some cases resulted in members leaving Congress, while others ended without a conclusion when the member left office.
Key Facts
The House Ethics Committee aims to keep Congress free from sexual misconduct.
The list includes cases from the 1990s to 2026, covering various allegations.
Some members faced allegations involving staffers, minors, or lobbyists.
Outcomes varied: some investigations ended due to members leaving, others had public reports finding misconduct or no violations.
Recent resignations include Representatives Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales amid these issues.
Several high-profile lawmakers like Matt Gaetz and Ruben Kihuen had findings of sexual misconduct violations.
Many cases remain unresolved or ended without full findings due to committee jurisdiction limits.
The committee acknowledges that other unreported cases may exist.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
