Rick Chow, a convenience store owner in South Carolina, was found not guilty of murder in the 2023 shooting death of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton. Despite the verdict, Carmack-Belton’s family plans to file a civil wrongful death lawsuit against Chow.
Key Facts
Cyrus Carmack-Belton was shot and killed in May 2023 during a chase outside a gas station.
The shooting started after Carmack-Belton was suspected of stealing water bottles from Chow’s store.
Chow and his son chased the teenager, and Chow fired one shot that hit Carmack-Belton in the back.
Prosecutors said the teen was running away and not a threat when shot; the defense said Chow believed his son was in danger and that the teen had a gun.
A jury found Chow not guilty of murder after about eight hours of deliberation.
The verdict means prosecutors did not prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The family’s lawyer said they will pursue a civil wrongful death case, which has a lower proof requirement than criminal court.
The family showed strong emotions in court after the verdict was announced.
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Police officers faced a violent protest near the home of the man who killed Henry Nowak in Southampton. The protest included several hundred people throwing objects at officers, who had to retreat, following the life sentence of Vickrum Digwa for Nowak’s murder.
Key Facts
Henry Nowak, 18, was murdered in December 2025 while walking to his student accommodation in Southampton.
Vickrum Digwa, 23, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder.
Protesters gathered first outside Southampton Central Police Station and then near Digwa’s family home in St Denys.
Demonstrators threw chairs, cans, and flares at police officers wearing riot gear.
Digwa claimed he carried a large blade for religious reasons and falsely told police he was a victim of a racist attack.
Body camera footage showed Nowak telling officers he was stabbed while handcuffed and dying.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the police response to the incident.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood called the violence "completely unacceptable," and Southampton MP Satvir Kaur warned against using the murder to create community divisions.
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President Donald Trump's approval rating among independent voters has dropped to the lowest point ever, according to a new YouGov/The Economist poll. His overall approval rating stands at 35%, with 21% approval from independents and a 71% disapproval in that group.
Key Facts
President Trump's overall approval rating is 35%, with 61% disapproval.
Among independent voters, Trump’s approval rating is 21%, and disapproval is 71%.
This 21% approval among independents is the lowest ever recorded for Trump in either term.
Trump's net approval rating among independents is -50, much lower than at the same point in his first term.
The survey was conducted from May 29 to June 1, with 1,604 U.S. adults participating and a margin of error of ±3.5%.
Other polls from late May also show low approval ratings from independents, ranging from 24% to 29%.
Experts warn that low support among independents could hurt Republican chances in upcoming elections, especially midterms.
The White House responded by highlighting President Trump's accomplishments and the 2024 election victory.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Trump administration will not continue with the "Anti-Weaponization Fund." This statement came during a House committee hearing after a court had temporarily paused the fund.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is the Acting Attorney General.
The Trump administration decided not to move forward with the "Anti-Weaponization Fund."
The fund had a budget of $1.8 billion.
A court had temporarily paused the fund before this decision.
Blanche made the announcement in a hearing before the House Appropriations Committee.
Rep. Grace Meng, a Democrat from New York, asked about the fund's status.
The fund was controversial, but details about why were not provided in this report.
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The Social Security Administration is stopping the use of paper checks for benefit payments. Most people will need to switch to direct deposit or use a prepaid debit card to get their benefits.
Key Facts
Social Security will no longer send paper checks to most recipients.
Benefit payments will be made electronically through direct deposit or a prepaid debit card.
This change affects people who currently receive their benefits by mail.
Using direct deposit means money goes straight to a bank account.
The prepaid debit card option is for people without bank accounts.
The switch aims to make payments faster and more secure.
People should prepare by setting up direct deposit or obtaining the debit card.
The Social Security Administration is helping with the transition.
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Senator Ben Ray Luján is running for a second term in New Mexico's Senate race. He has one opponent from his own party, and no official Republican candidate is on the ballot, but a Republican write-in candidate, Larry Marker, is running.
Key Facts
Senator Ben Ray Luján is the Democratic candidate seeking reelection.
He faces one challenger in the Democratic primary.
No Republican candidate officially filed to run against Luján.
Larry Marker is running as a Republican write-in candidate.
New Mexico voters are voting in the primary elections on Tuesday.
Polls close at 9 p.m. local time.
The election results are being tracked by Decision Desk HQ.
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South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden is running in a primary election to keep his position. He became governor after Kristi Noem left to join President Donald Trump's administration and now faces several Republican challengers.
Key Facts
Larry Rhoden is the current governor of South Dakota.
He took office when Kristi Noem left to serve as Homeland Security Secretary.
This is Rhoden’s first election as governor.
The primary election is happening on Tuesday.
Rhoden is competing against multiple Republican candidates.
The election will decide who represents the Republican Party in the governor’s race.
Kristi Noem joined President Donald Trump’s administration.
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Senator Mike Rounds, a Republican from South Dakota, is running for a third term in the Senate. He is competing against one challenger in the primary and is expected to face Democrat Julian Beaudion in the general election.
Key Facts
Mike Rounds is the current U.S. Senator from South Dakota.
He is seeking a third term in office.
Rounds has one opponent in the Republican primary.
Julian Beaudion, a former state trooper, is the likely Democratic nominee.
The primary election polls close at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Live results can be followed on Decision Desk HQ.
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Iowa voters are choosing their candidates in the Senate primary elections. The winners from the Republican and Democratic parties will compete to replace Senator Joni Ernst, who is leaving her seat.
Key Facts
Senator Joni Ernst (Republican) is not running for reelection.
Republicans are choosing between Rep. Ashley Hinson and former state senator Jim Carlin.
Ashley Hinson is currently leading in the Republican primary.
Democrats are choosing between state Rep. Josh Turek and state Sen. Zach (last name not provided).
The primary results will determine each party’s candidate for the general election.
The Senate seat represents the state of Iowa.
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New Jersey is holding primary elections to choose the Republican candidate who will run against Senator Cory Booker in November. Senator Booker is the expected Democratic candidate and does not have any challengers within his party.
Key Facts
Senator Cory Booker is the current Democratic senator from New Jersey.
Booker has no challengers in the Democratic primary.
The Republican Party has several candidates competing in the primary.
The winner of the Republican primary will run against Booker in the November general election.
New Jersey is considered a solidly Democratic state.
Voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday to vote in the primaries.
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Voters in New Jersey are taking part in primary elections for U.S. House seats. One open seat is available because Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman is retiring, and the 7th District race is very competitive.
Key Facts
New Jersey is holding primary elections for U.S. House seats.
Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democrat) from the 12th District is retiring.
The 12th District seat is open due to her retirement.
The 7th District race is considered the most competitive in the state.
These elections will decide the candidates for the general election later this year.
Primaries help each political party choose its candidate for the House of Representatives.
New Jersey has multiple districts, each electing one House member.
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California voters are choosing the top two candidates to compete in November for 52 U.S. House seats. Six seats are open, including the district of retiring Democrat Nancy Pelosi, and recent redistricting has changed some race dynamics.
Key Facts
California is holding primary elections to select candidates for 52 House seats.
The top two candidates in each district will move on to the general election in November.
Six House seats are open, including Nancy Pelosi’s 11th Congressional District.
Nancy Pelosi is retiring after nearly 30 years in Congress.
Last year, Democrats redrew district lines in California.
Redistricting has affected contests in districts held by Republicans.
These elections will shape California’s representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Two U.S. House seats in Iowa are open because Republican Representatives Ashley Hinson and Randy Feenstra are running for higher offices. The 2nd and 4th Congressional Districts are safely Republican, while the 1st and 3rd Districts are competitive and considered toss-ups.
Key Facts
Two Iowa House seats are open this election cycle.
GOP Reps. Ashley Hinson and Randy Feenstra are seeking higher offices.
The 2nd and 4th Districts in Iowa strongly favor Republicans.
The 1st and 3rd Districts are rated as toss-ups, meaning either party could win.
The Cook Political Report provides ratings of how competitive each district is.
These elections affect Iowa’s representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Voters in Iowa are voting in the Republican primary election to choose a candidate to replace Governor Kim Reynolds, who is leaving office. Several Republicans, including Rep. Randy Feenstra and state Rep. Eddie Andrews, are competing for the nomination.
Key Facts
The election is a Republican primary in Iowa.
The purpose is to select a candidate for the governor’s race.
Governor Kim Reynolds is not running for re-election.
Rep. Randy Feenstra is one of the candidates.
Other candidates include state Rep. Eddie Andrews, farmer Zach Lahn, and former state Rep. Brad Sherman.
The election is happening on a Tuesday.
The outcome will determine who appears on the ballot for governor.
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All three current Democratic House members from New Mexico are running for reelection. On Tuesday, voters chose which Republican candidates will compete against them in the November general election. Polling ended at 9 p.m., and live results were available from Decision Desk HQ.
Key Facts
Three Democratic representatives from New Mexico are running for reelection.
Voters participated in primary elections on Tuesday.
The primary decided which Republican candidates will run against the Democrats in November.
The Democratic incumbents are Melanie Stansbury, Gabe Vazquez, and Teresa Leger Fernández.
Polls closed at 9 p.m. on election day.
Live election results were provided by Decision Desk HQ.
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Montana held primary elections on Tuesday for the 2026 House races. Republican Representative Ryan Zinke is retiring from the 1st Congressional District, creating an open seat. Meanwhile, Republican Troy Downing is running for reelection in the 2nd Congressional District.
Key Facts
Montana is voting in primary elections for the 2026 U.S. House races.
The 1st Congressional District seat is open because Rep. Ryan Zinke is retiring.
The 1st District typically leans Republican (red), but Democrats see a chance to win it.
Republican Troy Downing is running again in the 2nd Congressional District.
Primaries decide which candidates each party will support in the general election later.
The elections are part of Montana’s selection for the U.S. House of Representatives.
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South Dakota voters are participating in primary elections to choose candidates for the state’s only U.S. House seat. The current representative, Dusty Johnson, is not running for re-election because he is running for governor. Marty Jackley is the leading candidate in the Republican primary, while Nikki Gronli is a Democratic candidate.
Key Facts
South Dakota has only one U.S. House seat.
Incumbent Rep. Dusty Johnson is running for governor instead of re-election.
The House seat is open this election cycle.
Primary elections took place on Tuesday.
Marty Jackley, the State Attorney General, is the leading Republican candidate.
Nikki Gronli is a candidate running in the Democratic primary.
This election will determine who represents South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The seat has been reliably Republican in past elections.
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Voters in New Mexico are choosing candidates in the primary elections to replace Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. On the Democratic side, Deb Haaland is ahead in the polls against Sam Bregman. Several Republicans are also competing for their party’s nomination.
Key Facts
New Mexico is holding primary elections to select the next governor.
The current governor is Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Deb Haaland, former Interior Secretary, is leading among Democrats.
Sam Bregman, a district attorney, is Haaland’s main opponent in the Democratic race.
Multiple candidates are running for the Republican nomination.
Polling places will close later today.
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Montana voters are holding primary elections to choose candidates for the U.S. Senate seat left open by Republican Sen. Steve Daines, who is retiring. Former U.S. District Attorney Kurt Alme, a Republican, has backing from President Donald Trump and the retiring senator, while multiple Democrats are competing for their party’s nomination.
Key Facts
Senator Steve Daines, a Republican from Montana, is retiring from Congress.
Montana is holding primary elections to pick a new Senate candidate.
Kurt Alme is a Republican candidate and a former U.S. District Attorney.
President Donald Trump supports Kurt Alme.
Senator Daines also supports Kurt Alme.
Several Democratic candidates are competing for their party’s nomination.
An independent candidate is also involved in the race.
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California voters are participating in the primary election to choose candidates for governor. The top two candidates with the most votes, no matter their political party, will advance to the general election.
Key Facts
The primary election is happening on a Tuesday in California.
The current governor is Gavin Newsom, a Democrat.
Candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties are running.
The primary will select the top two vote-getters to move to the final election.
Xavier Becerra, former Health and Human Services Secretary, is one of the candidates running.
The primary results determine who will compete to become the next governor.
California uses a system where the top two candidates advance regardless of party affiliation.
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