Solar power in the United States has reached new levels, producing more electricity than coal for the first time in May 2026. This growth happens even as President Donald Trump supports coal by investing nearly $700 million to boost coal power plants and coal exports.
Key Facts
In May 2026, solar power generated 12.8% of U.S. electricity, surpassing coal’s 12.2% share.
Solar power became the third-largest electricity source in the U.S., after natural gas and nuclear energy.
Coal electricity output hit a record low in April 2026 and only slightly increased in May.
Electricity demand in the U.S. is rising due to growth in artificial intelligence, manufacturing, and electric transportation.
President Trump announced a plan to spend nearly $700 million to support the coal industry.
Despite federal support for coal, solar power continues to grow as investors seek profitable energy sources.
Wind and solar combined have surpassed coal generation before, with wind sometimes generating more power during windy months.
Globally, renewable energy is expected to provide about 45% of electricity by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency.
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Graham Platner won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate in Maine and will challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in the general election. Despite past controversies, Platner pledged to earn voters’ trust and focus on issues like cost of living and healthcare, while Collins emphasized her experience and work for Maine communities.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is a U.S. Army veteran and oyster farmer.
He won the Maine Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday.
Platner faces Republican Senator Susan Collins in the November election.
Platner’s campaign dealt with controversies including past explicit messages, allegations of intimidation, and offensive online posts.
Platner apologized for past comments and explained some were linked to mental health struggles.
Collins is the longest-serving senator from New England and chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Platner focuses his campaign on affordability, healthcare, and housing, with early support from Senator Bernie Sanders.
Maine uses ranked-choice voting for some races, with other Democratic nominations still being decided.
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Students at the University of Nottingham are worried that a staff boycott of grading will harm their final degree results. The university plans to use earlier grades to estimate final marks, which some students say does not show their recent hard work.
Key Facts
University staff have begun a marking boycott to protest possible job cuts affecting about 2,700 employees.
The boycott means some students’ final grades may be estimated from earlier year results instead of fully marked final-year work.
Abigail Maguire, a student, is concerned her high final-year marks won't count, making her earlier lower grades more important.
Students can choose to delay accepting estimated grades to wait for marking, but this could delay graduation.
The university says it has processes to support students with personal difficulties and to ensure fair grading.
Students unhappy with results can appeal and request an independent review.
The university’s contingency plan uses actual marks first, then marks from completed work, and as a last resort, derived marks from overall performance.
The uncertainty around grading is stressful for students worried about future job offers or postgraduate plans.
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Retired Lt. Col. David Flippo, who has President Trump's endorsement, is expected to win the Republican primary in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District. This district's current representative, Mark Amodei, is retiring after 15 years in the seat.
Key Facts
David Flippo is a retired lieutenant colonel.
President Donald Trump endorsed David Flippo in the primary race.
Flippo is projected to win the Republican primary in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District.
The seat is currently held by Mark Amodei.
Mark Amodei is retiring after serving 15 years.
The 2nd Congressional District is Nevada’s only Republican-held seat in Congress.
The primary election took place on a Tuesday.
Decision Desk HQ reported these election projections.
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Bill Gates will testify to a congressional panel investigating Jeffrey Epstein, becoming the latest high-profile figure connected to Epstein to do so. The House Oversight Committee is examining documents that show Gates had a professional relationship with Epstein from 2011 to 2014, mainly about philanthropy, but Gates denies any wrongdoing.
Key Facts
Bill Gates is scheduled to appear before a House Oversight Committee panel investigating Jeffrey Epstein.
The investigation looks into connections between Epstein and powerful individuals in tech, finance, and politics.
Documents show Gates and Epstein met multiple times and communicated about charitable projects.
Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 for soliciting a minor and was later indicted in 2019 for sex trafficking of minors.
Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial.
Gates has denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and said his association with Epstein was a mistake.
The Gates Foundation said a few employees met Epstein but never created a fund or paid him.
Other prominent figures like former President Bill Clinton have also testified or been questioned about their ties to Epstein.
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A burning cross was seen in Chicago’s Grant Park, drawing concern from people who witnessed it. Police and firefighters responded to the scene, and authorities are investigating the incident and its motive.
Key Facts
A burning cross was spotted in Grant Park, Chicago, on a Tuesday afternoon.
The fire department put out the flames around 2:30 p.m. after the cross and a nearby tree were set on fire.
Police spent about three hours investigating but have not released many details or confirmed if anyone was arrested.
Passersby expressed shock and sadness, noting the cross burning’s historical connection to racism and intimidation.
It is unclear if the incident was racially motivated or related to another cause.
The fire did not spread beyond the cross and the tree, avoiding further damage or safety risks.
Witnesses said they did not see who started the fire but were disturbed by its presence in a public place.
Authorities continue to work on understanding why the cross was burned in Grant Park.
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Rep. Nancy Mace from South Carolina has endorsed Attorney General Alan Wilson for governor after losing in the state's Republican primary. She said she supports Wilson because she wants a governor who focuses on law and order.
Key Facts
Nancy Mace is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina.
Alan Wilson is the Attorney General of South Carolina and a Republican candidate for governor.
Mace lost in the initial South Carolina GOP primary for governor.
After the primary, Mace publicly endorsed Wilson for governor.
Mace described Wilson as a candidate who supports law and order.
The endorsement was given shortly after polls closed on the primary election day.
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Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford won Nevada’s Democratic primary and will run against Republican Governor Joe Lombardo in the November election. The race is expected to be close, with polls showing nearly even support for both candidates in this important battleground state.
Key Facts
Aaron Ford won the Democratic primary with about 66% of the vote.
Joe Lombardo won the Republican primary with over 91% of the vote.
Nevada supported President Donald Trump by about 3 points in the 2024 election.
The Cook Political Report calls the Nevada governor race a “toss up.”
Ford would be Nevada’s first Black governor if he wins.
Polls show Lombardo and Ford nearly tied, each with around 40% support.
Ford has stronger support among Hispanics and women.
Governor Lombardo is somewhat more well-known and has a higher favorability rating.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris endorsed Aaron Ford.
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Graham Platner won the Democratic primary in Maine to challenge Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming Senate race. His campaign faced problems after reports about a sexting scandal and accusations of bad behavior from former girlfriends.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is a progressive oyster farmer.
He won the Democratic primary in Maine on Tuesday.
His win sets up a Senate race against Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Platner was expected to win before the race started.
His campaign was hurt by news of a sexting scandal.
Some ex-girlfriends accused him of toxic behavior.
Despite these issues, Platner won the primary easily.
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A carriage horse named Deniz died suddenly in Central Park while still attached to the carriage, raising calls for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to ban horse-drawn carriages in the city. Though Mamdani supports ending carriage rides, he says the City Council must pass the law, and a past proposal to ban carriages was defeated.
Key Facts
Deniz, a 16-year-old carriage horse, collapsed and died in Central Park on Tuesday evening.
Bystanders tried to free Deniz from the carriage as he lay on his side.
A heat advisory was in effect in New York City at the time of Deniz’s death.
The exact cause of Deniz's death is unknown; a necropsy (animal autopsy) will be performed.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani supports removing horse carriages but says only the City Council can pass a ban.
Ryder's Law, a 2022 proposal to ban horse carriages and replace them with electric carriages, was rejected by the City Council.
Animal rights activists and some public figures have called for immediate action to end carriage horse rides due to concerns about animal welfare.
The New York City Police Department’s veterinarian unit had inspected Deniz earlier in the year and deemed him fit for work.
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Maine Democrats chose Graham Platner to run for Senate against Republican Senator Susan Collins in November. Despite personal scandals, Platner won easily in the primary, signaling a tough and expensive race ahead. Meanwhile, former President Trump’s pick advanced in South Carolina’s governor race.
Key Facts
Graham Platner, a progressive Democrat, won the Maine Senate primary with about 72% of the vote.
Platner has faced scandals including a Nazi-linked tattoo and sending inappropriate texts, but these did not hurt his primary chances.
Platner will challenge Senator Susan Collins, a five-term Republican incumbent, in the November general election.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer initially supported another candidate but later backed Platner after his win.
Platner’s victory reflects a split in the Democratic Party between progressives and moderates.
Republicans, led by the party establishment and President Trump, are preparing strong attacks against Platner.
In South Carolina, President Trump’s endorsed candidate for governor, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, advanced to a runoff, while Rep. Nancy Mace placed fifth.
The Maine race is seen as critical for control of the U.S. Senate and could become very contentious and costly.
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Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, a Republican, and Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democrat, won their parties’ primaries and will compete in the November governor’s race. The election is expected to be very close and will focus on issues including the economy and reactions to President Trump’s policies.
Key Facts
Aaron Ford, Nevada’s Attorney General and a Democrat, won his party’s primary.
Joe Lombardo, the current Republican governor, won his party’s primary.
The November race is considered highly competitive and is rated a toss-up by political analysts.
Tourism, a major part of Nevada’s economy, has declined sharply, hurting jobs in the state.
Ford has challenged President Trump’s policies by joining over 40 lawsuits against the Trump administration.
The election is seen as a referendum on President Trump’s influence in Nevada.
Nevada has generally voted Democrat in recent presidential elections but voted for President Trump in 2024.
Lombardo expressed concern about his reelection and the future of Nevada.
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Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, a Republican, won his party’s primary and is expected to run against Democratic State Attorney General Aaron Ford in the upcoming governor’s race. Lombardo is seeking a second term as Nevada’s top official, but the race is expected to be competitive.
Key Facts
Joe Lombardo is the current governor of Nevada.
He is a member of the Republican Party.
Lombardo won the Republican primary election.
Aaron Ford is the Democratic candidate and currently Nevada’s Attorney General.
The race is for governor of Nevada, also known as the Silver State.
Lombardo is running for a second term as governor.
Experts expect the election to be closely contested.
The primary election took place recently on a Tuesday.
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Mark Smith and Jenny Honeycutt are expected to move to a runoff election for the Republican nomination in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District. The Democratic primary in the same district will also have a runoff on June 23 between Nancy Lacore and another candidate.
Key Facts
Mark Smith and Jenny Honeycutt lead the Republican primary for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District.
Neither candidate won enough votes to avoid a runoff, so they will compete head-to-head next.
The runoff will decide who the Republican nominee will be for the House seat.
The Democratic primary in this district is also going to a runoff on June 23.
Former Navy Admiral Nancy Lacore is one of the candidates in the Democratic runoff.
The election is to replace or succeed the seat currently held by Representative Mace.
Decision Desk HQ is the source projecting the runoff results.
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Pastor Willy Rice was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) at their 2026 meeting. His leadership marks a shift toward more conservative views in the denomination and he has criticized the church’s recent focus on social justice issues.
Key Facts
Willy Rice is the senior pastor of Calvary Church in Clearwater, Florida.
He won the SBC presidency with about 57% of the vote, defeating Josh Powell.
Rice supports traditional views like banning women pastors and stricter church doctrines.
He has criticized the church for being too influenced by social justice movements, calling it “woke.”
Rice’s election is seen as a win for conservatives who want the church to return to older values.
He previously withdrew from the 2022 SBC presidential race due to a sexual misconduct issue involving a church deacon.
Rice was supported by a staff member from President Donald Trump’s administration.
He has been a pastor for over 35 years and holds advanced degrees in theology.
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California Representative Ro Khanna said that Maine voters gave Senate candidate Graham Platner a second chance after he won the Democratic primary election. Platner emphasized the importance of earning voters' trust and expressed gratitude for their support.
Key Facts
Graham Platner won the Democratic primary election for the Maine Senate seat.
Voters in Maine gave Platner what Khanna called a "chance at redemption" or a second chance.
Platner spoke about the need to earn votes and appreciated the voters’ support.
Ro Khanna, a California Congressman, commented on the primary result.
The primary election took place on a Tuesday evening.
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A Michigan appeals court overturned Joseph Morrison’s conviction related to the 2020 kidnapping plot against Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The court ruled that kidnapping is not a violent felony that supports a terrorism charge under state law. Prosecutors have said they will appeal the decision.
Key Facts
Joseph Morrison was originally convicted in 2022 for supporting a terroristic act as part of the Wolverine Watchmen group.
The 2020 plot aimed to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer, but she was never physically harmed.
Morrison, Pete Musico, and Paul Bellar were accused of conducting gun training with key plot members.
Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr., leaders of the group, were sentenced to 16 years in prison.
The Michigan Court of Appeals reversed Morrison’s conviction in a 3-0 decision, saying kidnapping is not a violent felony under the state terrorism law.
Michigan Attorney Dana Nessel described the ruling as flawed and plans to appeal.
Undercover FBI agents were involved in the investigation that led to 14 arrests in 2020.
Of the 14 men charged, nine were convicted and five were acquitted or had charges dropped.
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Steve Hilton, a former adviser to UK Prime Minister David Cameron and a Fox News host, will advance to the November election for California governor. He will face Democrat Xavier Becerra, former health secretary under President Biden, in the race to replace Governor Gavin Newsom.
Key Facts
Steve Hilton secured his place to run for California governor after the primary election in June.
Hilton is backed by President Donald Trump and would be the first Republican governor in California in 15 years if elected.
Xavier Becerra, a Democrat and former California attorney general and U.S. health secretary, is Hilton’s opponent in the general election.
More than 60 candidates mostly Democrats competed in the primary to replace Governor Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited.
Becerra would be California’s first Latino governor since 1875; Latinos are about 41% of the state’s population.
The race is the most expensive governor’s contest in California history, involving heavy spending and support for other Democratic candidates.
Hilton moved from the UK to the U.S. in 2012, became a U.S. citizen in 2021, and hosted a Fox News show from 2017 to 2023.
President Trump has expressed strong support for Hilton, claiming he will improve California and work well with the federal government.
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A Texas teenager named Karmelo Anthony was found guilty of killing another student, Austin Metcalf, during a high school track meet in April 2025. Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison after a trial that focused on whether he acted in self-defense or was the aggressor.
Key Facts
The incident happened in Frisco, Texas, during a high school athletic event.
Both Karmelo Anthony and Austin Metcalf were 17 years old at the time.
Anthony was charged as an adult under Texas law.
Prosecutors said Anthony threatened and intentionally killed Metcalf; the defense claimed self-defense.
A medical examiner testified that Metcalf had a large stab wound that pierced his heart.
The trial lasted several days and included nearly two dozen witnesses, including students and a track coach.
Anthony had high academic achievement with a 4.0 GPA.
The jury found Anthony guilty in under three hours and sentenced him to 35 years.
No jurors in the case were Black, noted a civil rights group that had supported Anthony.
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A study found that sick babies who were considered "unadoptable" were left to die at St Monica’s Maternity Home, a church-run home for unmarried mothers in Cumbria. Judith, a mother who lost her disabled baby there in 1964, was denied proper medical care for her son because he was disabled and born out of wedlock.
Key Facts
St Monica’s Maternity Home operated from 1918 to 1970 in Kendal, Cumbria, and was run by the Church of England.
Babies born to unmarried mothers were often hidden from society and sometimes forcibly adopted.
Judith’s son Stephen was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, serious medical conditions, and died after 11 weeks without hospital care.
A report by Dr. Michael Lambert found that disabled babies like Stephen were denied proper medical treatment because they were seen as unsuitable for adoption.
The culture at the home prioritized secrecy and giving healthy babies up for adoption over medical care for sick infants.
After losing her son, Judith became a nurse but was deeply traumatized and died by suicide in 2006.
The report and findings have been passed on to Cumbria Police for further investigation.
At least 400 babies were adopted from St Monica’s during its operation, but some were allowed to die because they were "undesirable."
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