President Donald Trump has criticized communities opposing datacenter projects in the US, saying they risk falling behind economically. Opposition to datacenters has grown due to concerns about environmental effects, higher utility bills, and noise, leading to delays or cancellations of many projects across the country.
Key Facts
President Trump said rejecting datacenters will make communities “backwards and poor.”
Many Americans oppose datacenters being built near their homes because of concerns like noise, higher utility costs, and environmental damage.
A recent poll found about 75% of Americans would oppose a datacenter near their home.
Datacenters are controversial because they require a lot of electricity and can increase local utility bills.
Vice President JD Vance said datacenters should add power back to the grid to reduce backlash.
Grassroots groups have blocked or delayed at least 75 datacenter projects worth $130 billion in the first three months of 2026.
Some local governments, like Monterey Park in California and counties in Virginia and North Carolina, have successfully resisted datacenter projects.
Environmental groups urge Congress to stop building datacenters to protect water resources and address climate change.
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President Donald Trump expressed strong support for data centers, saying they help communities grow rich and create jobs. He warned that opposing data centers would hurt the U.S. in the global race for artificial intelligence and criticized moves to limit their development.
Key Facts
President Trump urged communities to "let Data Reign" and support data centers for economic growth.
Data centers are essential for processing large amounts of information needed for artificial intelligence.
These centers require lots of land, water, and energy, which can strain local resources.
Vice President JD Vance said data centers are important for the AI economy but should be built with supporting power plants.
Vance acknowledged concerns about higher electricity bills caused by data centers but suggested deregulation could help.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee warned that opposition to data centers might hurt GOP candidates in the midterm elections.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott paused new data center projects for regulatory compliance, which President Trump called a mistake.
Trump sees China benefiting from U.S. resistance to data center construction.
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A member of President Donald Trump’s administration says there is clear proof that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was vandalized. This claim contradicts the Department of Justice’s decision to drop charges against a man accused of damaging the pool, after new evidence showed the harm was likely caused by poor installation.
Key Facts
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said most of the pool’s new lining was installed correctly, but some damage came from vandalism.
The Department of Justice dropped felony charges against David Hearn, an Olympic canoeist, after new information suggested installation errors caused the damage, not vandalism.
President Trump insists vandals damaged the pool despite the DOJ’s dismissal of the case.
The Reflecting Pool renovation included a new blue coating, which soon showed peeling and algae problems.
Initial reports cited vandalism, including cuts with sharp tools, as the cause of some damage.
DOJ said documents were only recently made available that showed the damage stemmed from contractor mistakes and rushing the project before July 4.
Burgum claims the Interior Department gave prosecutors evidence including expert and eyewitness testimony about vandalism.
Work continues to fix the pool’s problems, including cleaning clogged valves and adding nanobubblers to help with algae issues.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a new proposal that would require food companies to tell the agency when they add a new ingredient to food for people or animals. Currently, companies can decide on their own that an ingredient is safe without informing the FDA. This proposal is part of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s plan to improve food safety.
Key Facts
For nearly 70 years, companies could self-certify ingredients as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) without notifying the FDA.
The new proposal would require companies to notify the FDA when adding new ingredients but does not require FDA approval before selling them.
The GRAS exemption started in 1958 for common ingredients like salt and vinegar, which did not need FDA review.
Over time, the exemption has covered many more ingredients than originally intended.
About 99% of new food chemicals since 1958 have entered the market through the GRAS process instead of formal FDA approval.
The proposal is part of the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) agenda by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Some experts say the change is a small improvement but not a major one in food safety oversight.
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The top U.S. military officer, General Dan Caine, said the military has no plans to send troops to voting places for the November 2026 midterm elections. He reassured Senator Elissa Slotkin that the military will not interfere with the election by seizing ballots or voting equipment.
Key Facts
General Dan Caine is chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and advises President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Caine wrote a letter to Senator Elissa Slotkin confirming no military personnel will be sent to polling places in the 2026 midterm elections.
The letter states there are no plans to use military forces to seize ballots, voting machines, or election-related materials.
Caine said he has not received and does not expect any unlawful orders regarding military involvement in the elections.
Some Democrats are worried about possible military interference after past deployments of federal agents and National Guard under President Trump.
Federal law generally bans armed federal forces at election sites unless there is a serious threat to national security.
The National Guard, which is controlled by state authorities, could be involved if needed, but that is separate from federal military forces.
The Pentagon has not officially responded yet to Slotkin’s request for confirmation from Defense Secretary Hegseth.
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President Donald Trump said he might report journalist Kristen Welker to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). He reacted because he was unhappy with the way the news coverage was handled.
Key Facts
President Trump is upset with journalist Kristen Welker's coverage.
He threatened to report her to the FCC, a government agency that regulates communication.
The FCC usually oversees things like TV, radio, and internet communications.
The president's comment came after he received news coverage he did not like.
Using government power to punish journalists raises legal and ethical concerns.
Press freedom means journalists can report without fear of government punishment.
Criticism of the press is allowed, but threat of government action against journalists is controversial.
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Singer D4vd, also known as David Anthony Burke, pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges related to the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez in Los Angeles. His previous lawyers withdrew, so public defenders will now represent him, and a judge denied a delay in entering his plea.
Key Facts
David Anthony Burke (stage name D4vd) faces charges including first-degree murder, lewd acts with a minor, and mutilating a body.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14, was found dead in September 2025 in a Tesla registered to Burke.
Hernandez died from multiple stab wounds several weeks before her body was discovered.
Prosecutors say Burke and Hernandez had a sexual relationship beginning when she was 13, and she had an abortion during that time.
The prosecution claims Burke killed her to protect his music career after she threatened to expose him.
Hernandez was last seen getting into a rideshare vehicle that took her to Burke’s home on April 23, 2025.
Burke’s previous defense team quit the case for unknown reasons; public defenders now represent him.
The trial may start within 90 days after a court meeting set for October 19, 2025.
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A Florida grand jury found that Governor Ron DeSantis' administration improperly used $10 million in taxpayer money by sending it to a charity linked to his wife, but no criminal charges were filed because it was unclear who was responsible. Governor DeSantis said no laws were broken and warned that leaking the secret report would have consequences.
Key Facts
A Florida grand jury investigated the use of $10 million in state money given to a charity started by Florida’s first lady, Casey DeSantis.
The charity, Hope Florida, was started in 2021.
The money came from a state Medicaid settlement meant to help poor children get health insurance.
The grand jury found the money was "misappropriated," meaning it was used improperly.
No criminal charges were filed because the report did not show who specifically was responsible.
Governor DeSantis did not dispute the report's findings but said no laws were broken.
DeSantis said the person who leaked the secret report would face consequences.
The report has led to criticism of DeSantis and other Republican leaders in Florida.
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Abdul El-Sayed is running in a general election and faces criticism because he has not clearly spoken out against Hasan Piker’s comments about Israel. Many voters, including Jewish people in Michigan, are concerned about Piker’s statements.
Key Facts
Abdul El-Sayed is a candidate in a general election.
Some voters want El-Sayed to reject Hasan Piker’s remarks about Israel.
Hasan Piker has made controversial comments regarding Israel.
Jewish voters in Michigan are particularly concerned about these comments.
El-Sayed has not yet clearly denounced Piker’s statements.
The issue is affecting El-Sayed’s campaign.
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The Trump administration has increased immigration enforcement, targeting many undocumented migrants, including those without criminal records. Policies have ended protections for some groups, such as Haitians with Temporary Protected Status, putting over a million people at risk of deportation.
Key Facts
ICE reported a record number of arrests and deportations in July, with 1,500 people caught daily and 1,100 deported daily.
More than half of the people arrested in July had no criminal convictions or charges.
The Supreme Court allowed Temporary Protected Status to expire for Haitians and others, affecting about 1 million people from 13 countries.
Trump’s immigration actions focus more inside the US, unlike previous policies that mostly targeted border crossers.
New detention rules deny bond hearings to many migrants arrested inside the country, leading to long detentions.
The White House tried to deport immigrants for political speech, but a federal judge ruled against canceling visas for pro-Palestinian advocacy.
Over 100,000 children have been separated from their parents during Trump’s second term, according to Brookings Institution.
Some Republicans are now looking to limit rights for naturalized and dual citizens, including banning them from running for office.
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President Donald Trump has talked about the possibility of running for a third term as U.S. president. He has shared posts mentioning a 2028 campaign and worn related hats, despite the Constitution limiting presidents to two terms.
Key Facts
President Trump has suggested he might run for a third term.
He has posted about running again in 2028.
He has worn hats with “2028” on them.
The U.S. Constitution only allows presidents to serve two terms.
President Trump has acknowledged this constitutional limit.
Recently, he has also spoken more about life after his presidency.
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US musician David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, is accused of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. His celebrity lawyers have left the case, and the court has assigned him a public defender to handle his defense. Burke has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for a pretrial hearing in October.
Key Facts
David Anthony Burke (D4vd) faces charges of first-degree murder, mutilation of human remains, and child sexual abuse.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, age 14, was found dead in a Tesla linked to Burke’s address in September 2025.
Prosecutors say Burke stabbed Hernandez after years of sexual abuse and then dismembered her body.
Burke allegedly killed Hernandez because she threatened to expose their relationship and harm his music career.
A judge ruled last month that Burke will stand trial, and a pretrial hearing is set for 19 October.
Burke’s celebrity lawyers requested to withdraw and the court appointed the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office to represent him.
Burke pleaded not guilty again when the charges were formally read in court.
The case may include special circumstances that could allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty.
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the shutdown of over 110 driving schools. These schools gave driver’s licenses to more than 5,000 people who did not pass English language tests required to prove their ability to understand and speak English.
Key Facts
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is closing over 110 driving schools.
These schools gave driver’s licenses to more than 5,000 people who failed English proficiency tests.
English proficiency tests (ELP) check if drivers can understand and speak English well enough for safe driving.
The shutdown was announced by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
The action is meant to enforce rules ensuring drivers meet language standards.
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Pennsylvania reported two deaths linked to measles, a disease that had been nearly eliminated in the U.S. Politicians and health officials are disagreeing about how to describe the deaths amid a rise in measles cases across the country.
Key Facts
Two unvaccinated people in Pennsylvania died after catching measles.
Governor Josh Shapiro said these deaths could have been prevented by vaccines.
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. questioned if the deaths actually happened.
There is a larger increase in measles cases nationwide, with more cases in 2026 than all of 2025.
The U.S. stopped measles from spreading inside the country in 2000 by vaccinating most people.
Vaccination rates have dropped below the 95% needed to stop outbreaks.
Experts say the political fight is distracting from the health risks measles poses.
The World Health Organization counts a death as measles-related if the person tested positive, died within a month of the rash, and the death was not caused by something unrelated like an injury.
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The Trump administration increased the use of a deportation method that sends people to third countries instead of their home countries. Over 100 deported individuals, including Cubans and Afghans, were recently sent to different African nations, according to government documents.
Key Facts
The Trump administration used a deportation tactic called "third country" deportation.
This tactic involves sending deportees to countries other than their home countries.
More than 100 people, including individuals from Cuba and Afghanistan, were sent to African countries.
Internal government documents revealed this recent increase in the practice.
The report was covered by CBS News and reporter Camilo Montoya-Galvez.
The deportees landed in various countries across Africa.
This method is part of broader immigration enforcement policies under President Trump.
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Senior Democratic Congressman James Clyburn said he regrets supporting Clarence Thomas for the US Supreme Court in 1991. He called for increasing the number of justices on the court from nine to 13 to better reflect the nation’s values.
Key Facts
James Clyburn supported Clarence Thomas’s Supreme Court nomination in 1991, believing Thomas would uphold civil rights.
Clyburn now says supporting Thomas was a mistake because Thomas has taken a hard-right position and moved away from civil rights principles.
Thomas was once chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which fought discrimination.
Thomas helped overturn federal abortion protections and ended affirmative action in college admissions.
Clyburn supports expanding the Supreme Court from nine to 13 justices.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris also proposed expanding the court in July 2024.
Clyburn said Democrats should focus on affordable campaigns and policies for Americans, not court expansion or impeaching President Trump, immediately after the November elections.
He expects Democrats to regain the House of Representatives in the 2024 midterm elections.
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Rep. Maxwell Frost said President Biden and his administration should have made public the government’s documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Frost made these remarks during a discussion on the show "Surrounded."
Key Facts
Maxwell Frost is a Democratic Representative from Florida.
He believes the government should release files about Jeffrey Epstein.
Jeffrey Epstein was a convicted sex offender known for serious crimes.
Frost spoke on a show called "Surrounded."
During the show, Frost was asked about President Trump.
The conversation involved accountability regarding these files and political figures.
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Vice President JD Vance supported President Donald Trump’s social media post that showed an AI image of a bombing on Kharg Island. Vance said the post was meant to send a warning to Iran.
Key Facts
President Trump shared an AI-created image of a bombing on Kharg Island.
Vice President JD Vance defended the post on social media.
Vance described the post as a message aimed at Iran.
The bombing image was not a real event but a computer-generated picture.
Kharg Island is known for its connection to Iran’s oil industry.
The post came during rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
CBS News reported on Vance’s remarks and the post.
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Kalshi, an online market platform, permanently banned former U.S. Rep. George Santos for likely insider trading related to bets he made on whether he would attend the State of the Union address. Santos made about $17,839 in profits from these bets and was also fined $71,356.
Key Facts
Kalshi banned George Santos for life from their platform starting last Friday.
The ban came after an investigation found Santos likely used insider information to profit on trades about his attendance at the State of the Union.
He made nearly $18,000 betting against his own attendance at the event.
Santos had publicly talked about attending the address but did not go and said he was delayed at the airport.
Kalshi said Santos made false or misleading public statements to affect the betting market.
Santos was previously convicted of fraud and identity theft in 2024 and was sentenced to seven years in prison.
President Donald Trump granted Santos clemency, releasing him after 84 days in prison.
Kalshi also fined Santos $71,356 for violating their rules by trading in a market where he could influence the outcome.
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The online prediction platform Kalshi permanently banned former U.S. Representative George Santos after finding he likely used insider information to bet against his attendance at the State of the Union address. Santos made a profit from these bets and was also fined more than $71,000.
Key Facts
Kalshi banned George Santos for life from its platform due to suspected insider trading related to bets on his attendance at the State of the Union address.
Santos made a profit of $17,839 from trading related to whether he would attend the address.
Santos publicly said he planned to attend but later announced he was stuck at the airport during President Trump’s speech.
The ban includes a $71,356 penalty and prevents Santos from trading on Kalshi directly or indirectly.
Kalshi’s compliance team said Santos made misleading statements to influence betting prices.
Santos was convicted of fraud and identity theft in 2024 and sentenced to seven years in prison.
President Donald Trump commuted Santos’s sentence after he served 84 days in jail.
Santos was expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives before these events took place.
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