A North Carolina judge dismissed a 2001 driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge against Michele Hundley Smith after she was found alive in February, 25 years after she disappeared. Smith vanished after her arrest and did not appear in court, but she reconnected with her family following the dismissal.
Key Facts
Michele Hundley Smith disappeared in December 2001 after being charged with DWI in November 2001.
She was missing for about 25 years until February 2024 when authorities found her alive in North Carolina.
The original police file was missing, and the arresting officer retired, leading to the dismissal of her DWI charge.
Smith left her home for unknown personal reasons and did not contact her family during the years she was missing.
She had a blood alcohol level of .28 during her arrest and was found swerving on a road.
Smith’s location remains private at her request, but her family has been informed and reunited with her.
No charges relate to her disappearance, and she said she left due to "domestic issues."
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If you do not pay your federal student loans, the government can take part of your monthly Social Security benefits. This can be up to 15% of the payment through a program called the Treasury Offset Program. Private student loans usually do not have this rule.
Key Facts
The government can withhold up to 15% of Social Security benefits if you default on federal student loans.
This withholding is a percentage of your benefit, so people with larger payments lose more money.
Private student loan lenders cannot take money from Social Security benefits like the government can.
Many older Americans have federal student loans even during retirement.
Losing part of Social Security benefits can be serious, especially with rising living costs.
Borrowers should check their repayment options to avoid default and collection efforts.
Programs and rules about collections can change, so staying informed is important.
Taking action early may help prevent losing Social Security benefits to student loan debt.
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Several states held primary elections, including Maine where incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins and Democrat Graham Platner faced no serious competition. Platner, a veteran and oyster farmer, is trying to improve his reputation after controversies, while President Donald Trump’s influence was tested in South Carolina and Nevada through his endorsed candidates.
Key Facts
Primary elections took place in Nevada, South Carolina, North Dakota, and Maine.
In Maine, Senator Susan Collins (Republican) and challenger Graham Platner (Democrat) easily secured their party nominations.
Graham Platner is a veteran and oyster farmer with a campaign affected by controversy.
The Maine Senate contest is considered important and high-stakes.
President Donald Trump endorsed candidates in South Carolina and Nevada, testing his influence within the Republican Party.
Democrats aimed to build momentum in Nevada to regain key governor’s seats.
The article highlights mixed results regarding support for President Trump’s endorsed candidates.
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Graham Platner won the Democratic primary for the US Senate race in Maine despite facing several scandals during his campaign. He will run against Republican Senator Susan Collins in the November midterm elections.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is a former combat marine and oyster farmer.
His campaign was affected by several investigations into his past by national media.
Platner decided to stay in the race despite the scandals.
He won the Democratic primary in Maine on June 9.
Platner said he believes people and politics can change.
He will compete against Susan Collins, a longtime Republican senator from Maine.
The election is part of the US midterm elections held in November.
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Democrat Graham Platner won the primary and will challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in the 2026 Senate election in Maine. This race is expected to be closely watched.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is the Democratic candidate for the Maine Senate seat in 2026.
Susan Collins is the Republican incumbent senator running for re-election.
The primary election took place recently, and CBS News projected the results.
The Senate race in Maine is considered important and competitive.
This election will take place during the 2026 midterm elections.
Senator Collins has held her seat before and is seeking another term.
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The Trump administration asked a judge to deny a request to stop a UFC fight planned on the White House lawn. The Justice Department said the event is scheduled soon, so it is too late to change the plans.
Key Facts
The UFC fight is set to happen on June 14 on the White House South Lawn.
Two residents of Virginia tried to stop the event through the courts.
The Trump administration opposes their request to halt the fight.
The Justice Department filed legal papers asking the judge to reject the attempt.
The main reason given is that the event date is too close for any adjustments.
The UFC is a popular mixed martial arts fighting organization.
The event is unusual because it will take place at the White House.
The court decision on this matter has not been reported yet.
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Marjorie Taylor Greene, who was a member of Congress and supporter of President Trump but resigned in January, announced she will start a new series called "Life with MTG." She shared this news on the social media platform X, saying the series will be coming soon.
Key Facts
Marjorie Taylor Greene is a former member of Congress from Georgia.
She resigned from Congress in January 2024.
Greene used to be an ally of President Donald Trump.
She announced a new series titled "Life with MTG."
The announcement was made on the social media platform X.
The series is expected to start soon, according to her post.
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Bill Gates told a U.S. House committee that he has never harmed anyone and did not know about any crimes by Jeffrey Epstein. Gates spoke during a voluntary interview for the committee’s investigation into Epstein’s activities.
Key Facts
Bill Gates spoke to the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday.
The interview was voluntary as part of a probe into Jeffrey Epstein.
Gates said he never harmed or victimized anyone.
He stated he never saw any signs that Epstein committed crimes.
Epstein was a convicted sex offender who died before trial.
The committee is investigating Epstein’s connections and activities.
Gates prepared opening remarks for the interview.
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Rep. Joe Morelle, a Democratic congressman from upstate New York, is working to protect the upcoming midterm election from biased interference. He is focused on making sure the House majority is decided fairly through the Committee on House Administration.
Key Facts
Joe Morelle is a Democratic representative from upstate New York.
He is preparing for the midterm elections to ensure a fair process.
Morelle aims to prevent partisan attempts to change election outcomes.
He wants the House majority decided by the Committee on House Administration.
The Committee on House Administration oversees election-related matters in the House of Representatives.
Morelle is described as a hardworking and dedicated congressman.
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A man named Igor Lytvynchuk is going to trial in Hawaii for allegedly throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal named Lani in May 2026. He faces federal charges of harassing a protected animal, with potential jail time and heavy fines. The trial will start in November 2026.
Key Facts
Igor Lytvynchuk is 38 years old and from Covington, Washington.
The incident happened on May 5, 2026, in Lahaina, Maui.
Lytvynchuk allegedly threw a rock at an endangered monk seal called Lani, which startled the seal.
He is charged with harassing and attempting to harass the seal under federal wildlife protection laws.
If found guilty, he could face up to one year in prison per charge, supervised release, and fines totaling up to $170,000.
Lytvynchuk has pleaded not guilty and claims he did not want to harm the seal but tried to protect sea turtles nearby.
The trial is scheduled to begin on November 16, 2026, in Honolulu.
U.S. officials say they are committed to protecting endangered Hawaiian monk seals and will prosecute harassment cases quickly.
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Inflation in the United States reached its highest level in three years in May, mainly because gas prices went up. Consumer prices rose 4.2% compared to the previous year, causing concerns for the Federal Reserve and President Donald Trump’s administration ahead of the midterm elections.
Key Facts
Inflation rose to 4.2% in May compared to a year earlier.
This is the highest inflation rate in three years.
Consumer prices increased by 0.5% in May from the previous month.
Inflation had been falling before President Trump introduced tariffs in April 2025.
The tariffs increased the cost of many goods.
The war in Iran caused oil and gas prices to rise.
Rising prices are causing affordability problems for many people.
There is concern that higher prices could affect more parts of the economy.
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The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $70 billion bill to fund immigration enforcement agencies for the rest of President Donald Trump’s term. The bill now awaits President Trump’s signature after passing a closely divided vote.
Key Facts
The bill provides $70 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The House passed the bill with a vote of 214 to 212.
The Senate approved the bill earlier with a 52 to 47 vote, with all Democrats opposed.
Democrats had resisted funding ICE and CBP without major reforms after two American citizens were killed by federal agents during immigration operations.
The fight over funding led to a 76-day partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Republicans used a special legislative process called reconciliation to pass the bill without any Democratic votes.
Speaker Mike Johnson praised the bill’s passage, saying it ends a government shutdown and secures funding for ICE and CBP through President Trump’s term.
The bill prevents Democrats from defunding these agencies in the upcoming 119th and 120th Congress sessions unless new legislation is passed.
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A new forecast shows the U.S. Senate race is very close ahead of the 2026 midterms. Republicans have a slight lead with a 52% chance to keep control, while Democrats need to win at least four more seats to take the Senate.
Key Facts
The forecast is based on 25,001 simulations using polling, fundraising, and past voting data.
Republicans currently hold a narrow Senate majority.
Democrats are favored in some states like New Hampshire, Minnesota, Michigan, and Georgia.
Republicans still lead in strongholds like Texas, Iowa, Alaska, and Nebraska.
Key battlegrounds include North Carolina and Maine, where Democrats have a good chance to win seats.
The overall Senate control may come down to a few toss-up races.
The outcome will affect how much of President Donald Trump’s agenda can pass in his second term.
The vice president, a Republican, would break any 50–50 Senate tie.
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USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins will answer questions from the Senate Agriculture Committee about how the agency is managed and about President Trump's budget plan for fiscal year 2027. The hearing comes amid concerns over a new outbreak of screwworm, a harmful parasite that had been wiped out in the US since the 1960s.
Key Facts
Brooke Rollins is the current Secretary of the Department of Agriculture.
She will testify before the Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday morning.
The main topics are USDA oversight and President Trump's fiscal year 2027 budget proposal.
The Trump administration is dealing with a return of the screwworm parasite in the US.
Screwworm is an insect that had been eliminated from the US since the 1960s.
The Senate hearing is a chance for lawmakers to review the USDA's actions and plans.
The USDA is responsible for policies about farming, food safety, and rural development.
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The acting US attorney general announced that the government will stop audits by the IRS into President Trump, his family, and related businesses. This decision follows the cancellation of a $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate Trump’s political allies, which was criticized by Senate Republicans.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche, acting US attorney general and former lawyer for President Trump, announced the end of IRS audits on Trump and his associates.
The government had planned a $1.8 billion fund to pay Trump’s political allies who claimed unfair prosecution, but this plan was abandoned.
President Trump sued the US government for $10 billion over the unauthorized release of his past tax returns.
The Justice Department settled the lawsuit by creating the compensation fund and stopping IRS audits of Trump’s past tax returns.
The IRS immunity agreement could protect Trump from investigations dating back to 2010 and potentially save him over $100 million.
Laws exist to prevent presidents from interfering with IRS audits, created after abuses during Nixon’s administration.
It is unclear if Blanche had the legal authority to stop IRS audits, as the IRS reports to the Treasury Department.
This situation raises questions about possible conflicts of interest and the rule of law regarding IRS independence.
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The article says the United States should focus on building trust with its allies and friendly countries, not with Iran. It emphasizes the importance of strengthening relationships with partners around the world.
Key Facts
The U.S. should prioritize gaining trust from its friends.
Building trust with Iran is not seen as necessary.
Strong relationships with allies help the U.S. maintain global influence.
Trust helps countries work together on common goals.
The article suggests focusing efforts on positive partnerships rather than adversaries.
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Energy Secretary Chris Wright is testifying before the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology about President Trump’s budget plan for the Energy Department in 2027. The hearing happens amid rising tensions with Iran and near the Strait of Hormuz, an important shipping route.
Key Facts
Chris Wright is the current Secretary of Energy.
He is appearing before a House committee that focuses on science and technology issues.
The topic is the budget request for the Energy Department for the fiscal year 2027.
The budget and priorities relate to President Donald Trump’s plans.
There are growing tensions with Iran at this time.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for shipping oil, is experiencing increased conflict.
The hearing addresses how these events might impact energy policy and security.
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Florida voters will decide in November whether to approve a change that would reduce property taxes for many homeowners by increasing tax exemptions on their homes. Local governments warn this could lower their budgets by billions and may lead to higher sales taxes or cuts to public services.
Key Facts
The amendment would exempt the first $150,000 of a home's value from local property taxes (except school taxes) by 2027 and $250,000 by 2028.
This change could reduce property tax bills for many Florida homeowners to zero for non-school taxes.
Local governments fear losing about $4.8 billion per year under the $250,000 exemption level.
Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties would see the largest drops in revenue, with Miami-Dade losing over $460 million.
The proposal was passed by Florida’s Republican-controlled House and Senate as House Joint Resolution 1F.
The amendment requires new residents after January 1, 2027, to live in Florida for five years before qualifying for the tax exemption.
The proposal does not include a fund to help local governments cover essential services while property taxes are reduced.
If approved by at least 60% of voters on November 3, the amendment would take effect January 1, 2027.
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Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate in Maine, faced scrutiny over his controversial past and campaign scandals during the recent primary election. Despite this, many voters still supported him.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is a Democratic candidate in Maine.
He has a controversial past that some consider problematic.
His campaign has been involved in several scandals.
The recent primary election took place in Maine.
Many voters chose to support Platner despite these issues.
Political strategists Richard Goodstein and Alex Vogel discussed the election on CBS News.
The article focuses on voter reactions to Platner’s background and campaign problems.
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Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano is speaking before the House Ways and Means Committee. This hearing reviews how the agency is managed and comes just after the SSA released its yearly report on the Social Security Trust Fund’s status.
Key Facts
Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano is testifying before the House Ways and Means Committee.
The hearing focuses on oversight of the Social Security Administration (SSA).
The SSA recently released its annual report on the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund.
The report shows the Trust Fund will be able to pay 100% of its scheduled benefits for the coming period.
The OASI Trust Fund provides money to retirees and survivors as part of Social Security.
This hearing is part of Congress’s efforts to monitor and evaluate the SSA’s operations.
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