A couple in Indiana renovating their 1890s home discovered several snakes living in the ceiling while removing the ceiling in their laundry room. They had to stop work until a pest control company safely removed the snakes, which turned out to be harmless rat snakes.
Key Facts
The couple, Tori Kanouse and her husband, are renovating a home built in the 1890s in Springport, Indiana.
They plan to use the home for a small homestead to raise animals and grow food.
During renovations, they found water leaks and termite damage that delayed work.
While removing the laundry room ceiling, they found many shed snake skins and then live snakes.
The snakes caused the work to stop for safety reasons until professionals removed them.
The snakes were identified as rat snakes, which are harmless and help control pests.
Additional unusual findings included a coiled snake skeleton, a 1939 newspaper, and old razors inside the walls.
The couple suspects the snakes entered through gaps near the roof flashing and sheltered in the insulation.
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YouTuber Jesse Ridgway and his wife faced strong reactions online after they shared that they chose to end a pregnancy due to a high chance the baby would have Down syndrome. Ridgway said the backlash from some people was very harsh, while others offered support.
Key Facts
Jesse Ridgway, known as @McJuggerNuggets online, and his wife decided to have an abortion after tests showed the baby might have Down syndrome (Trisomy 21).
They announced their decision publicly, which led to strong criticism from some pro-life activists, conservative voices, and others.
Some critics called the decision “evil” and Ridgway received threats from people opposed to abortion.
Ridgway said many women and couples face similar difficult decisions but often keep them private.
Research shows about 67% of pregnancies diagnosed with Down syndrome are ended in abortion.
Parents of children with Down syndrome responded by sharing positive stories and photos of their kids.
Ridgway highlighted that Down syndrome can cause serious health problems and shorter lifespans for some individuals.
The average life expectancy for adults with Down syndrome is around 60 years, shorter than the general population.
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Karmelo Anthony, a 19-year-old Black man, was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf, a white teenager, at a Texas track meet. The case has sparked debate about race and justice, with some, including U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett and rapper Cardi B, saying the verdict reflects racial bias in the legal system.
Key Facts
Karmelo Anthony was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison for stabbing Austin Metcalf, who died from the wound.
The stabbing happened at a track meet in Frisco, Texas, when both were 17 years old.
Anthony's lawyers said he acted in self-defense; prosecutors said he provoked Metcalf, who was unarmed.
None of the jurors in the case were Black, but some were people of color; Anthony is Black and Metcalf was white.
U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett argued the verdict shows racial bias and claimed the outcome would differ if the races were reversed.
Cardi B and civil rights activists criticized the sentence, saying it is unfair and shows systemic racism.
Anthony’s attorneys have filed an appeal against the conviction and sentence.
Sentencing for murder in Texas can range from 5 to 99 years depending on intent and circumstances.
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Former and current FBI agents are concerned about many agents leaving or being pushed out since President Donald Trump took office in 2025. They have created an FBI Support Network to help with mental health, job support, and to uphold the FBI’s traditional values amid leadership changes and political pressure.
Key Facts
The FBI Support Network was formed to help current and former FBI agents with mental health and job challenges.
Since January 2025, up to 2,800 FBI agents have left, including many in leadership roles.
The FBI’s leadership changed when Kash Patel, a Trump loyalist, became director and promised to remove a “deep state” culture.
Former acting FBI director Brian Driscoll, who tried to protect agents involved in investigations of Trump, was fired.
The network aims to protect the FBI’s core values and respond to what members see as efforts to weaken the bureau.
Mental health issues are affecting agents who feel pressured to go against their ethics.
Former FBI director Robert Mueller praised the bureau’s unique mission, and his death in 2025 was criticized by President Trump.
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Amanda Sloat writes about what her father taught her about death. Her father, a psychologist who was comfortable with death, helped her understand that death is a part of life and should not be feared. He died in a car accident in 2019.
Key Facts
Amanda and her dad made a list of unusual ways people can die, with being buried alive as their top fear.
Her father was raised on a farm and had early exposure to death, including stillborn siblings and animals dying around him.
He worked at a funeral home as a student, helping prepare bodies for burial.
The author experienced her first death at age three and was supported by her father when facing grief.
Her dad encouraged touching a dead body to understand death better and even took photos with deceased relatives to remember them.
They often talked about how life can be unpredictable and how small moments can change everything.
The father believed people often honor the dead but forget to appreciate others while they are alive.
He died in a car accident in 2019, his truck hitting icy roads after a snowstorm.
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Solar power in the United States generated more electricity than coal for the first time in May, reaching 12.8% of the nation's electricity compared to coal’s 12.2%. This milestone happened despite President Trump’s efforts to support coal through federal policies and funding. Solar is now the third-largest source of electricity in the country, behind natural gas and nuclear power.
Key Facts
In May, solar power supplied 12.8% of U.S. electricity, surpassing coal’s 12.2%.
Coal generation in the U.S. reached one of its lowest monthly shares ever in recent months.
Solar power has been the leading source of new electricity capacity in the U.S. for the past five years.
President Trump announced nearly $700 million to support coal power plants and coal exports.
The Trump administration has canceled some solar and wind projects and slowed clean energy development.
Solar and battery storage made up 91% of new electricity capacity built in the first quarter of the year.
Electricity demand in the U.S. is increasing due to growth in AI, manufacturing, and electric transportation.
Global renewable energy is growing fast and expected to supply almost 45% of the world’s electricity by 2030.
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President Donald Trump claimed without evidence that California’s recent elections were unfair and rigged against his preferred candidates. California’s election system, which includes widespread mail-in voting, often delays final results, leading to disputes and false fraud claims from Trump and his supporters.
Key Facts
President Trump accused Democrats of stealing California’s governor and Los Angeles mayor primaries.
California has an open primary where all candidates compete together and the top two move to the general election.
Democrat Xavier Becerra leads in the governor’s race; Trump-endorsed Republican Steve Hinton trails closely behind.
In the Los Angeles mayor race, Democrat Nithya Raman will face incumbent Democrat Karen Bass after beating Trump-supported Spencer Pratt.
California mails ballots to all voters, and mail-in ballots take longer to count than in-person votes.
Democrats tend to vote more by mail; Republicans vote more in person, causing shifts in vote tallies as counting progresses.
Slow vote counting in California often leads to early results favoring Republicans but later shifting to Democrats.
Trump’s false claims about election fraud are seen as a sign of similar conflicts expected in the November elections.
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The U.S. House of Representatives plans to vote on a short-term extension of a key spying law, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which is set to expire soon. The extension is likely to fail due to bipartisan concerns, especially after President Trump appointed Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, a choice that has caused controversy.
Key Facts
Section 702 allows the government to collect communications of non-U.S. citizens abroad without a warrant but can also collect Americans' data when they contact targeted foreigners.
The current authority is set to expire Friday after Congress delayed this issue twice.
The House will vote on a short-term extension until July 2, which requires a two-thirds majority but is expected to fail.
President Trump appointed Bill Pulte acting director of national intelligence, a choice opposed by many Democrats and some Republicans.
Democrats worry about Pulte’s lack of national security experience and past accusations he made against political opponents.
Negotiations on a long-term renewal have stalled due to worries about surveillance of Americans without warrants.
Trump asked Congress for a short-term extension to allow time to confirm a permanent intelligence director.
Experts warn losing the authorization could cause intelligence data to become outdated and disrupt cooperation from service providers.
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As the midterm elections approach, Republican leaders face challenges in keeping their party united. Some Republican candidates in key districts are distancing themselves from party leadership and President Donald Trump to attract more voters.
Key Facts
The focus is shifting from primary elections to the general midterm elections.
GOP leaders want to maintain party unity but face internal disagreements.
Some Republican candidates in battleground districts are not fully supporting party leaders or President Trump.
These candidates hope to appeal to a wider range of voters by taking different positions.
The situation could weaken the overall strength of the Republican Party in the elections.
Republicans want to be in the best position possible to win in November.
The tension reflects the challenge of balancing party loyalty with voter preferences in competitive areas.
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California is under pressure to speed up its vote counting after the recent primary election. Late-counted ballots changed the outcomes in some important races, raising questions about how fast election results should be reported.
Key Facts
California’s vote counting process takes a long time, which has led to criticism.
The recent primary election brought new attention to delays in counting ballots.
Late-counted ballots changed the results in several notable races, including the Los Angeles mayor’s race.
These delays have caused some voters and officials to question when election outcomes should be announced.
President Donald Trump has made claims about election fraud, increasing the pressure on California to speed up counting.
California election officials face challenges balancing thorough vote counting with timely results.
There is public debate about how to improve the vote counting system for future elections.
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President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace is encountering questions about where its money comes from and how it is used. Meanwhile, the main project of the board, the U.S. peace plan for Gaza, has not progressed due to several challenges.
Key Facts
The Board of Peace was launched by President Trump to promote peace efforts.
There are new concerns about the sources of the board’s funding.
Questions have also arisen about how the money is being spent.
The board’s main peace plan focuses on the Gaza region.
The peace plan is currently stalled and has faced many difficulties.
President Trump highlighted a U.S. funding pledge during the board’s first signing event in February.
The situation in Gaza remains complex, making peace efforts challenging.
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President Donald Trump moved up the start date for his nominee to lead U.S. intelligence agencies. This change has increased tensions between lawmakers, making it harder to quickly approve a renewal of key surveillance powers under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Key Facts
President Trump advanced the start date for his chosen intelligence chief.
The nominee is controversial and has caused disagreements in Congress.
Section 702 allows the government to collect foreign intelligence information.
Lawmakers are struggling to agree on renewing Section 702 surveillance powers.
The conflict is slowing down even temporary extensions of these spy powers.
Both the House of Representatives and Senate are involved in the debate.
The disagreement is part of a larger debate on privacy and national security.
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A recent poll from Emerson College shows that Democratic candidates for Congress have a 10-point lead over Republican candidates among likely voters. The poll found 50.3% support for Democrats, 39.5% for Republicans, and 10.2% of voters were undecided.
Key Facts
Democrats received 50.3% support among likely voters.
Republicans received 39.5% support.
10.2% of voters were undecided.
The poll was released on a Thursday by Emerson College.
This poll indicates Democrats have maintained their lead over Republicans.
The survey focused on the congressional ballot.
The polling results reflect the opinions of likely voters, not all registered voters.
The poll is part of ongoing monitoring of political support ahead of elections.
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The U.S. Senate is struggling to agree on government funding. Senators from different parties are blaming each other, especially over how much money to spend on defense compared to domestic programs.
Key Facts
The Senate is having trouble passing a government funding bill.
Senators are divided mainly on spending priorities: defense versus domestic needs.
Senate Appropriations Committee leaders are Senator Susan Collins (Republican) and Senator Patty Murray (Democrat).
Partisan disagreements mean lawmakers are not hopeful about a quick funding deal.
The funding impasse could affect government operations if not resolved soon.
This funding issue is a recurring challenge when Congress sets its budget.
Senators are publicly blaming the opposite party for the delay.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has blocked the promotions of several Navy and Air Force officers. Former military leaders say these blocks are unusual and a misuse of power. Most of the delayed Navy promotions involve women or minority officers.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stopped some officer promotions in the Navy and Air Force.
Nine Navy promotions are currently stalled.
Most of the blocked Navy promotions involve women or minority officers.
Former military leaders say this action is unprecedented.
These leaders believe the blocks damage trust and morale in the military.
The issue has drawn public and official attention.
The promotions involved are for key positions within the military services.
No official reason has been given for the promotion blocks yet.
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President Trump is facing increasing opposition from Senate Republicans about his approach to the military conflict with Iran. Some Republicans are supporting a resolution that would require the president to pull U.S. forces out of the conflict.
Key Facts
Senate Republicans are showing more disagreement with President Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict.
Democrats believe they have enough votes soon to pass a resolution about war powers.
The resolution would order President Trump to withdraw U.S. military troops from the situation with Iran.
Four Republican senators have already voted to move the war powers resolution forward.
The issue centers on the balance of power between Congress and the president regarding military actions.
This situation reflects growing concerns within the Senate about the current strategy toward Iran.
The war powers resolution is a legal tool to limit the president’s ability to engage in military conflicts without Congress’s approval.
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President Donald Trump made several public statements suggesting he is not concerned about Americans’ financial struggles or the upcoming midterm elections. These remarks have caused difficulties for Republican campaign efforts as Democrats use them to highlight economic issues. Trump emphasized that ending the war with Iran is his main focus, despite rising inflation and criticism from his party.
Key Facts
President Trump said, "I don't think about Americans' financial situation," referencing his focus on stopping Iran from getting nuclear weapons.
He also said, "I don't care about the midterms," implying the elections are less important than foreign policy goals.
When asked about inflation rising 4.2%, Trump responded, "I love the inflation," later clarifying he meant inflation is lower than expected during wartime.
Trump’s remarks have given Democrats campaign material to criticize Republicans on economic issues.
Republicans want Trump to focus more on cost-of-living concerns, but he prioritizes the Iran war effort.
Trump supported funding a White House ballroom and a fund linked to the Jan. 6 participants, which faced bipartisan criticism.
Only 29% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, the lowest rating during his presidency.
White House spokesman said economic relief like tax cuts and drug pricing deals remain priorities for the administration.
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California will implement a new housing law called Senate Bill 79 (SB 79) starting July 1, 2026. The law allows more homes to be built near public transit stops, aiming to increase housing supply and reduce traffic, but it may take years to make housing more affordable.
Key Facts
SB 79 permits denser housing near major rail stations and bus transit stops in California counties with many transit stations.
Local governments will have less power to block qualifying housing projects under the law.
The goal is to add over 1 million new homes close to public transportation systems.
Supporters say building near transit encourages public transport use and reduces car traffic and pollution.
Critics worry about changes to neighborhood character and pressure on local services like schools and roads.
The law focuses on permitting more apartments and condos in transit areas, often replacing low-rise buildings.
SB 79 does not limit rent prices or require affordable housing, so many new homes may be market-rate.
Housing affordability improvements are expected to happen gradually due to construction costs and other challenges.
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Nearly 3,000 patients in England had to be cared for in hospital corridors or temporary areas each day in May because there were not enough proper beds. The government calls this "corridor care" unsafe and wants to stop it by 2029. Nurses and patients report very difficult and undignified conditions.
Key Facts
On average, 2,241 patients daily experienced corridor care in emergency departments (A&E) in May.
Another 669 patients a day waited more than 45 minutes for a bed on wards, also counted as corridor care.
Corridor care means patients wait in hallways or temporary spaces without the right equipment or privacy.
Data shows a small number of NHS trusts have most of the corridor care cases.
The government published these data publicly for the first time to fix the problem.
Health Secretary James Murray said corridor care is unacceptable and the NHS will get help to reduce it.
Patients describe long waits over 24 hours with limited help, causing distress and danger.
Nurses report burnout and emergencies happening in corridors, with some patients dying unnoticed.
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Members of the U.S. Congress are proposing new laws to limit the building of data centers in communities across the country. These proposals respond to local concerns about environmental damage, high energy use, pollution, and increased utility costs caused by data centers.
Key Facts
Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.) introduced the "Local Control Protection Act" to restrict companies from suing cities that reject data center applications.
The bill would require data center developers to sign a "community benefit agreement" to qualify for federal tax breaks.
Many local communities oppose new data centers because of worries about noise, pollution, and high electricity use.
Over 350,000 people signed a petition against a data center near the Nashville Zoo.
Seattle has temporarily banned large new data centers for one year.
Both Republicans and Democrats have recently introduced over a dozen bills addressing data center impacts or limiting their construction.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) proposed a pause on all new data centers until laws protecting the public from AI risks are passed.
Despite these efforts, passing such laws is unlikely soon, partly because AI-related companies are spending heavily to influence Congress.
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