Republican Steve Hilton has won enough votes to move on to the November election for California governor. He will compete against Democrat Xavier Becerra.
Key Facts
Steve Hilton is the Republican candidate for California governor.
He has advanced to the general election in November.
Xavier Becerra is the Democratic candidate in the race.
The race is for the governor position in California.
The election will decide who leads California starting after November.
This information comes from ABC News projections.
The story may be updated as more results come in.
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A think tank called Third Way suggests that Democrats should change how they talk about foreign policy. This advice comes after big actions taken by President Donald Trump's administration, with the goal to show more strength and clear plans to voters.
Key Facts
Third Way is a think tank that studies political ideas and strategies.
They published a memo about Democratic messaging on foreign policy.
The memo says voters are uneasy about Republican actions described as chaotic and escalating.
However, some voters do not see Democrats as strong or decisive enough on foreign policy.
The think tank recommends that Democrats update their messages to better connect with voters.
These suggestions follow major moves made by President Donald Trump's administration in foreign affairs.
The focus is on improving how Democrats present themselves on issues related to other countries.
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Representative Lucy McBath from Georgia is asking Congress to pass a new federal law to expand red flag laws. These laws allow authorities to temporarily take guns away from people seen as dangerous. McBath says her bill will help reduce gun violence.
Key Facts
Rep. Lucy McBath is a Democrat from Georgia.
She introduced the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order (FERPO) Act.
Red flag laws let police or family members ask a court to remove guns from people who might harm themselves or others.
McBath’s son, Jordan Davis, was killed in a shooting, which motivates her work.
The goal of the bill is to prevent gun-related deaths and save lives.
The bill was highlighted during a press conference on Capitol Hill.
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Steve Hilton, a Republican and former adviser to a British prime minister, will compete against Democrat Xavier Becerra for California governor in November, CBS News reports. Hilton secured his spot by finishing second in the primary, beating billionaire Tom Steyer, while Becerra advanced after a late surge following Eric Swalwell’s exit.
Key Facts
Steve Hilton previously worked as a strategy adviser for former British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Xavier Becerra is a former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary and California attorney general.
Hilton and Becerra will face off in the November general election for California governor.
If elected, Hilton would be California’s first Republican governor since 2011.
President Donald Trump endorsed Hilton in April, boosting his campaign.
Several notable candidates, including Katie Porter and Antonio Villaraigosa, dropped out after the primary.
Hilton criticized California’s slow vote-counting system and promised faster counting if elected.
California’s current government has a Democratic supermajority in the state legislature.
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Republican Steve Hilton, a former UK political advisor and Fox News host, has advanced to the November general election for California governor. He will face Democrat Xavier Becerra, who led the primary vote and consolidated strong support among Democratic voters.
Key Facts
Steve Hilton is a recent immigrant from the UK who became a US citizen in 2021.
Hilton finished second in California’s nonpartisan primary election held on June 2.
Democrat Xavier Becerra led the primary and secured the most votes.
Hilton was endorsed by President Donald Trump during the race.
Trump prematurely declared Hilton the winner and later accused election rigging without evidence.
Hilton previously worked for UK Prime Minister David Cameron as a director of strategy.
California is a heavily Democratic state, with Democrats holding nearly two-thirds of the vote in recent governor races and most government positions.
Hilton aims to attract federal cooperation by showing he can work well with both parties.
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Nick Reiner is on trial for the murder of his parents, Rob and Estelle Reiner, which happened last December. During the trial, he asked a judge to allow him to access money from his trust fund.
Key Facts
Nick Reiner is accused of killing his parents, Rob and Estelle Reiner.
The alleged crime took place in December of the previous year.
Nick Reiner requested a judge to release funds from his trust fund.
The trust fund contains money set aside for him, typically managed by others until certain conditions are met.
This request is happening while the murder trial is ongoing.
The news was reported by CBS News correspondent Carter Evans.
The case is being covered by major news outlets.
Details about the judge's decision or next steps were not provided in the report.
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The House of Representatives passed a bill called the Faster Labor Contracts Act, which aims to speed up contract talks between employers and newly-formed unions. The bill passed with support from most Democrats and 20 Republicans who went against their party leaders.
Key Facts
The bill is called the Faster Labor Contracts Act and was introduced by Democratic Rep. Donald Norcross from New Jersey.
It passed the House with a 230 to 193 vote, including 20 Republicans voting in favor.
The bill requires employers to start contract talks within 10 days after a union asks in writing.
It sets a timeline for mediation and next steps if no contract agreement is reached after 90 days.
The bill uses a discharge petition, a way to bring a bill to a vote without leadership approval, which got enough signatures including from some Republicans.
Some Republicans say the bill increases government control over private businesses and weakens workers’ rights.
A similar bill was introduced in the Senate by Republican Sen. Josh Hawley with bipartisan support.
It is not clear if the Senate will vote on this bill soon.
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Voters are going to the polls in Nevada, South Carolina, North Dakota, and Maine, where a high-profile U.S. Senate race is taking place. In Maine, the Democratic candidate, Graham Platner, has admitted to a sexting scandal and is facing allegations from former girlfriends.
Key Facts
Elections are happening in four states: Nevada, South Carolina, North Dakota, and Maine.
The Maine race is for a U.S. Senate seat that is getting national attention.
Graham Platner is the Democratic candidate running in Maine.
Platner has admitted to being involved in a sexting scandal.
Several former girlfriends of Platner have made allegations against him.
Democrats hope to win back control of the U.S. Senate in the November elections.
Media coverage highlights the potential impact of Platner’s past on the election outcome.
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The House of Representatives passed the Faster Labor Contracts Act, which aims to shorten the time allowed for new unions to negotiate their first contracts. Some moderate Republicans joined Democrats to pass the bill despite opposition from Republican leaders.
Key Facts
The bill is called the Faster Labor Contracts Act.
It focuses on speeding up contract talks for new labor unions.
The House voted on the bill on a Tuesday.
The bill passed even though House Republican leaders opposed it.
Seven moderate Republicans sided with Democrats to pass the bill.
This vote was seen as a success for labor groups and some populist lawmakers.
It represents a setback for Republican House leadership.
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A jury in Texas found 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony guilty of murder for stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet last year. After the verdict, emotions were strong, and there was tension outside the courthouse.
Key Facts
Karmelo Anthony is 19 years old.
He was found guilty of murder by a Texas jury.
The victim, Austin Metcalf, was 17 years old.
The stabbing happened at a high school track meet.
The incident occurred last year.
After the verdict, people showed strong emotions.
Tension broke out outside the courthouse following the decision.
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South Carolina is holding primary elections, and one important race is for governor. Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette has received support from President Donald Trump, which is significant in a crowded race that also includes Representative Nancy Mace.
Key Facts
South Carolina is having its primary elections.
The governor’s race is a main focus during this primary.
Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette is running for governor.
Pamela Evette has the endorsement of President Donald Trump.
Representative Nancy Mace is also competing in the governor’s race.
The field of candidates for governor is large.
CBS News reporter Skyler Henry covered the story.
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A US federal judge has permanently blocked Alabama from using nitrogen gas to execute an inmate, ruling it unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment, which bans cruel and unusual punishment. The inmate, Jeffery Lee, was scheduled to be executed by nitrogen gas, but the judge said the state can use other approved methods like lethal injection, the electric chair, or Lee’s preferred firing squad.
Key Facts
Judge Emily C Marks stopped Alabama from executing Jeffery Lee with nitrogen gas.
The judge said nitrogen gas violates the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
Jeffery Lee was scheduled to be executed on Thursday at Holman Correctional Facility.
Alabama currently allows lethal injection, the electric chair, and proposed nitrogen gas as execution methods.
Lee asked for the firing squad as an alternative execution method, which the judge allowed.
The judge said all execution methods face possible legal challenges but pain-free death is not guaranteed.
Alabama’s Attorney General is considering appealing the judge’s decision.
The case might reach the US Supreme Court, which has allowed nitrogen gas executions before.
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A recent independent report on prisons in England and Wales reveals severe problems such as overcrowding, poor hygiene, violence, and lack of medical care. The government introduced emergency measures in 2024 to prevent the prison system from collapsing, but many issues, including drug-related violence and poor living conditions, remain.
Key Facts
Prisons are overcrowded, unsanitary, and often infested with vermin.
Inmates struggle to get enough food and medical help.
Violence and gang control are common, including threats over drug debts.
Essential repairs, like fixing broken toilets, can take weeks.
Some prisoners spend most of their day locked in cells without activities.
Several serious incidents were reported, including a death in a fire and injuries from spider bites.
Early release programs and changes in court processes were introduced in 2024 to reduce prison numbers.
Independent monitors say repeated warnings about prison conditions are often ignored by the government.
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A report revealed that staff at a UK immigration detention center wore England flags on their uniforms while guarding migrants, raising concerns about bias and intimidation. The report also found serious problems across prisons and detention centers, including poor conditions, unsafe practices, unlawful detention of children, and slow access to healthcare.
Key Facts
Staff at a UK immigration detention center pinned England flags to their uniforms, causing concern about bias and intimidation.
The flags used are linked to far-right and anti-migrant groups, raising worries among detainees and watchdogs.
The report found ongoing serious problems in prisons, detention centers, and young offender institutions, with conditions worsening.
Unlawful detention of children was found in a Home Office scheme that returns migrants to France, despite rules against it.
Selection criteria for migrants returned to France are secret and currently challenged in court.
Detainees faced delays and coercive conditions in accessing healthcare, including long waits for treatment and forced handcuffing to go to hospital.
Drug use and infestations harmed safety in prisons, with medical emergencies and hospitalizations reported.
Weapons and poor living conditions were found in young offender institutions, affecting young detainees’ wellbeing.
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Maine Democrats are deciding on their candidate for the U.S. Senate in an upcoming primary election. Graham Platner is the likely winner, although he has faced several controversies.
Key Facts
Voters in four states, including Maine, are voting in primary elections on Tuesday.
The main focus is on Maine's Democratic Senate primary.
Graham Platner is expected to win the Democratic nomination for Senate in Maine.
Platner has been involved in multiple controversies.
The article is from CBS News reporters Fin Gómez and Anthony Salvanto.
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Senator Bernie Sanders expressed support for Graham Platner, even though Platner has been involved in multiple scandals. Sanders acknowledged that no one in the U.S. Senate is without fault.
Key Facts
Senator Bernie Sanders spoke publicly in favor of Graham Platner.
Graham Platner has been involved in several scandals.
Sanders noted that no senators are perfect or without mistakes.
The comments were reported by CBS News.
The situation highlights challenges in U.S. Senate politics.
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A new poll from YouGov and The Economist shows President Donald Trump's approval rating on the economy has dropped to its lowest point during his time in office. Only 29 percent of Americans approve of how he is handling the economy, while 63 percent disapprove.
Key Facts
The net approval rating on the economy is -34 percent, the lowest for Trump in both his first and second terms.
The poll surveyed 1,603 adults from June 5-8, 2026, with a 3.6 percent margin of error.
At the same point in his first term, Trump had a positive net approval of 8 percent on economic issues.
Approval on the economy varies by group: 36% of men approve, 23% of women approve.
Among Hispanics, 22% approve and 66% disapprove of Trump’s economic handling.
66% of Republicans approve, while 30% disapprove.
Approval on inflation is lower, with 24% approving and 68% disapproving.
Trump’s overall approval rating is 35%, and disapproval is 60% nationwide.
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Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV star, ran for mayor of Los Angeles but lost to progressive city councilor Nithya Raman in the June primary. Pratt’s campaign focused on criticizing city leadership and highlighting issues like wildfires, homelessness, and housing costs, but his lack of government experience and Republican ties made it difficult to win in a largely Democratic city.
Key Facts
Spencer Pratt is known for appearing on MTV’s reality show The Hills.
He ran for mayor of Los Angeles in 2024, campaigning on addressing wildfires, homelessness, and housing problems.
Pratt is a registered Republican, which posed a challenge in the mostly Democratic city.
Nithya Raman, a progressive city councilor, won more votes than Pratt in the primary.
Raman will face the current mayor, Karen Bass, in the November election.
President Donald Trump endorsed Pratt’s campaign but Los Angeles voters are largely unfavorable towards Trump.
Pratt criticized city leadership, especially Bass, for the response to deadly wildfires in 2025.
Pratt has not conceded the election and made unproven claims about voter support for Raman.
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Democrats in Maine are close to officially selecting Graham Platner as their candidate for the U.S. Senate race. He will challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming election. Some voters are considering scandals related to Platner during the primary voting.
Key Facts
Maine is holding primary elections to choose candidates for the U.S. Senate.
Graham Platner is the leading Democratic candidate.
He is set to run against Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Voters are dealing with news about scandals involving Platner.
The primary voting day is coming to an end in Maine.
CBS News reporters Caitlin Huey-Burns and Robert Costa are covering the event.
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Democrat Graham Platner is running to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine in the upcoming election. Platner has faced multiple scandals during his campaign. Meanwhile, Republican and Democratic primaries are also happening in Nevada, North Dakota, and South Carolina.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is the Democratic candidate expected to run against Senator Susan Collins.
Susan Collins is a Republican and has served five terms as a senator.
Platner’s campaign has been troubled by several scandals.
Primaries for both Republicans and Democrats are taking place in Nevada, North Dakota, and South Carolina on the same day.
The main political attention is focused on the race in Maine.
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