united states news

The U.S. Supreme Court recently delivered three significant rulings that align with conservative principles regarding constitutional limits and individual rights. The decisions addressed district court injunctions against presidential executive orders, parental rights concerning LGBTQ+ educational materials, and age verification requirements for accessing explicit online content. Justice Amy Coney Barrett led a 6-3 decision limiting district judges' authority to issue nationwide injunctions, while Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas authored opinions defending religious freedom for parents and protecting children from harmful online content, respectively. According to the author, these rulings collectively reaffirm constitutional values by establishing limits on judicial authority while protecting individual liberties and parental rights.

The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate has passed President Trump's budget bill after a record number of consecutive votes over two nights, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. This legislation includes unprecedented cuts to food assistance programs and threatens healthcare coverage for approximately 15 million Americans. The bill repeals the Inflation Reduction Act, cuts the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIPS), extends the 2017 tax cuts that primarily benefit wealthy Americans, and adds an estimated $4.5 trillion to the national debt. Despite opposition from three Republican Senators, the bill now moves to the U.S. House where it is likely to pass.

Angelique Peterson-Mayberry has resigned from Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) board after eight years to become Wayne County Commissioner for District 5, filling the vacancy left by the late Irma Clark-Coleman. Peterson-Mayberry played a crucial role in reestablishing local control of Detroit's public schools since 2017, working alongside Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti to rebuild community trust and stabilize district finances. DPSCD has now opened applications for her board seat replacement, with a special meeting scheduled for July 7 to begin the appointment process. The district seeks a candidate who will continue Peterson-Mayberry's legacy of service and collaborative leadership to address ongoing educational challenges in Detroit.

A catastrophic flash flood devastated Camp Mystic, a Christian girls' summer camp on Texas' Guadalupe River, when water levels rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes early on July 4th. At least 27 campers and counselors are among the more than 80 people confirmed dead in the disaster that struck while hundreds of girls were sleeping in low-lying cabins near the riverbank. Survivors described harrowing scenes of destruction, including one heroic counselor who broke a window allowing girls to swim to safety through neck-high water. The tragedy has raised questions about why the camps were positioned so close to the river and why evacuations weren't initiated sooner, even as Texas Governor Greg Abbott has promised search efforts will continue until all missing persons are found.

A devastating flash flood in central Texas has claimed at least 81 lives with 41 people still missing, with Kerr County experiencing the highest number of fatalities, particularly at a Christian girls' camp along the Guadalupe River. The disaster occurred early Friday morning when the river rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes, catching many campers asleep at Camp Mystic, which suffered significant damage. Rescue efforts, one of the largest in recent Texas history, are transitioning to recovery operations as authorities continue searching for victims while contending with challenging conditions including expected additional rainfall and venomous snakes. President Trump has signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, activating FEMA assistance, while local residents are mobilizing to support relief efforts through donations of supplies, shelter, and meals.

Deja Foxx, a 25-year-old Gen Z candidate running for Congress in Arizona's southern district, is challenging established candidates like Adelita Grijalva by leveraging social media to reach voters and raise funds. After years as a reproductive rights activist and digital strategist, Foxx has built a national following that has helped her raise over $600,000 from 18,000 individual donors, mostly through platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Her campaign emphasizes that her social media expertise isn't just a campaign strategy but a necessary skill for Democratic leaders to effectively communicate with younger voters who are increasingly disenchanted with traditional politics. Despite criticism labeling her as merely an "influencer," Foxx argues that her digital communication skills represent a critical evolution in political outreach as Gen Z and Millennials gain voting power.

Cierra Ortega has exited Love Island USA season seven "for personal reasons" following the resurfacing of a 2015 social media post containing a derogatory term for Chinese people. Her parents issued a statement acknowledging accountability while condemning the extensive online hate campaign and threats directed at Cierra and her family. This departure follows a similar situation with contestant Yulissa Escobar, who also left the show after old videos of her using a racial slur resurfaced, for which she later apologized. Both contestants faced significant backlash upon their social media content being discovered by viewers.

After 21 months of Gaza conflict, there are growing hopes for a new ceasefire as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu meets with US President Trump in Washington. Both leaders have expressed optimism about reaching an agreement, with Trump stating he believes "we'll have a deal" this week. Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas on a US-sponsored proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and hostage release resumed in Qatar, though key differences remain unresolved. Palestinians living in dire humanitarian conditions and families of Israeli hostages are expressing cautious optimism, while Netanyahu faces both domestic political considerations and international pressure to reach an agreement.

President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Elon Musk's announcement of a new "America Party," calling it "ridiculous" and expressing disappointment over Musk going "off the rails." The rift emerged after Musk, who previously led Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), began criticizing Trump's spending policies and proposed a third political party to challenge what he calls the Republican and Democratic "Uniparty." Their disagreement intensified following Trump's July 4th tax and spending plan that ended electric vehicle tax breaks, with Trump defending his decision to allow consumers freedom of choice in vehicle purchases. Musk has indicated his new party will focus on House and Senate races for the next year.

Nearly 80 people, including 28 children, have died following catastrophic flash floods in central Texas, with rescue operations continuing and officials expecting the death toll to rise. The disaster primarily affected Kerr County, where the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes, catching many by surprise despite earlier flood warnings issued by the National Weather Service. Questions have emerged about the adequacy of warning systems, with county officials citing prohibitive costs for not implementing a dedicated flood alert system and some pointing to recent budget cuts at weather agencies. The tragedy has sparked debate about weather prediction capabilities, with the Trump administration now pledging to modernize warning technologies that "have been neglected for far too long."

As Donald Trump's 90-day pause on sweeping tariffs approaches its Wednesday expiration date, companies worldwide are already restructuring their supply chains in response to the trade uncertainty. Illinois-based Learning Resources, facing a projected increase in import taxes from $2.5 million to over $100 million due to the 145% tariffs on Chinese imports, has begun moving production to Vietnam and India where tariffs are currently lower at 10%. Meanwhile, Canadian businesses face reciprocal 25% tariffs between the U.S. and Canada, while Spanish olive oil producer Oro del Desierto is considering reducing U.S. exports and redirecting to other markets. Supply chain experts note that relocating manufacturing operations is both expensive and time-consuming, affecting companies' focus and already slim profit margins.

The US has deported eight individuals to South Sudan after they were initially diverted to Djibouti for several weeks due to legal challenges. Only one of the deportees is actually from South Sudan, with the others being nationals of Myanmar, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, and Mexico who had completed or nearly completed prison sentences for serious crimes. The deportation proceeded after the Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that had required migrants being sent to third countries to receive notice and asylum officer interviews. This deportation represents part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to expand deportations to third countries when individuals' home countries refuse to accept them.

A catastrophic flash flood along the Guadalupe River in Texas killed at least 51 people, including 15 children, during the Fourth of July weekend. The disaster struck Camp Mystic, an all-girls' Christian summer retreat, and surrounding areas in Kerr County when the river rose 26 feet in less than an hour despite no recent rainfall. The National Weather Service issued multiple warnings, including urgent "particularly dangerous situation" alerts in the early morning hours of Friday, but many people were asleep when these notifications went out. Officials claimed the sudden scale of the deluge caught them unprepared, with Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly stating that "no-one knew this kind of flood was coming."

In central Texas, flash floods have killed 51 people, including 15 children, with hundreds of rescuers searching for missing individuals. The most severely impacted area is Kerr County, where 43 people have died and 27 children remain missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian youth camp along the Guadalupe River. Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed an expanded disaster declaration to enhance search efforts, while officials continue rescue operations along the river. Additional flooding is anticipated this weekend, with the National Weather Service forecasting 2 to 5 inches of rain for the area, potentially reaching 10 inches in locations already devastated by Friday's deluge.

Elon Musk has announced the formation of a new "America Party" on his social media platform X, positioning it as an alternative to the traditional two-party system in the United States. This announcement comes shortly after Musk's public falling out with President Trump, with whom he previously had a close alliance that included a $250 million campaign contribution and an appointment to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). While Musk claims the party will "give you back your freedom," there is no evidence it has been formally registered with the Federal Electoral Commission, and Musk himself, foreign-born, cannot run for president. The timing coincides with Musk's criticism of Trump's recently passed legislation, which includes significant spending commitments and tax cuts that would add over $3 trillion to the US deficit.

of Texas Flash Flood Tragedy Flash floods in Texas have claimed at least 51 lives, including 15 children, with many victims coming from summer camps along the Guadalupe River. Eight-year-old Renee Smajstrla and camp director Jane Ragsdale are among those confirmed dead, while 27 children remain missing from Camp Mystic. Other identified victims include Sarah Marsh and Janie Hunt from Camp Mystic, Julian Ryan who died saving his family, camp co-owner Dick Eastland, Katheryn Eads who was swept away from her campervan, sisters Blair and Brooke Harber who were staying with their grandparents, and nine-year-old Lila Bonner. The flooding struck suddenly, devastating riverside communities and summer camps in the region.

President Trump has elevated unpredictability to a foreign policy doctrine, according to political scientists who call this approach the "Madman Theory." His inconsistent statements and actions—exemplified by his handling of potential military action against Iran—have created uncertainty among both allies and adversaries. This approach has already yielded results with NATO allies, who recently committed to increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP. However, experts question whether this strategy will be effective against adversaries like Iran and Russia, and whether it may ultimately damage America's credibility as a reliable international partner, potentially pushing European nations toward greater defense independence.

President Donald Trump has sparked controversy after using the term "Shylocks" to describe some bankers during a rally in Iowa, a word derived from a Jewish character in Shakespeare that is considered an antisemitic slur. Trump claimed he was unaware of the term's offensive nature, stating he understood it only to mean "a money lender at high rates." The Anti-Defamation League and other Jewish organizations have condemned the remark as "very troubling" and "deeply dangerous," noting it perpetuates harmful stereotypes about Jews and greed. Despite criticism, Trump's allies have defended him against accusations of antisemitism by pointing to his support for Israel, Jewish advisers in his administration, and his campaign against antisemitism on college campuses.

A devastating flash flood in Texas has killed at least 24 people and left numerous girls missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp outside Kerrville. The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in less than an hour, sweeping away mobile homes, vehicles, and holiday cabins during the 4th of July weekend. Emergency crews are conducting extensive search and rescue operations for up to 25 missing children among the 750 girls attending the camp. Several counties have declared a state of emergency as infrastructure has been severely damaged, with washed-away roads and downed phone lines hampering rescue efforts.

President Donald Trump has signed a landmark policy bill into law at the White House, following its narrow passage through Congress. The 870-page legislation implements key parts of Trump's agenda including tax cuts, defense spending increases, and immigration enforcement measures. While the President celebrated the bill as an economic growth catalyst during a ceremony featuring military aircraft fly-bys, it has faced significant opposition from Democrats and some Republicans concerned about its impact on national debt and social programs. Analysis suggests the tax benefits will primarily advantage wealthier Americans, while programs like SNAP and Medicaid face cuts that could affect millions of low-income citizens.

The San Diego Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and its philanthropic arm held their 36th Annual LtCol Clancy Davis, USMC (Ret) and Bobby Hatcher Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament on June 28, 2025, with a record attendance of 116 golfers. The chapter, celebrating its 75th anniversary since being chartered in 1950, has consistently supported the San Diego community through scholarships, holiday bike donations, and other local initiatives. During the post-tournament awards luncheon, this year's scholarship recipients were introduced, including Morghan Foster, Nailah Wyatt, and Derrick Shima, who received awards totaling $12,500. Over the past four years, the chapter has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors in San Diego County and members of the Delta Epsilon Chapter at San Diego State University.

The TS Jordan Foundation partnered with You Chill We Grill for a successful fundraising pop-up event at Kenwood Liquor in Spring Valley on June 28, selling out of food while raising funds and awareness for their cause. Community members enthusiastically supported the event, which offered various food options including oxtails, ribs, and sides at reasonable prices. The fundraiser was held in preparation for the TS Jordan Foundation's upcoming 3rd Annual TRE DAY on August 9, 2025, at JFK Park, which will feature activities like face painting, music, resource booths, and community engagement. This collaboration between the food vendor and foundation demonstrated how bringing together food, purpose, and community can create meaningful impact.

The San Diego Black Arts and Culture District hosted a free music festival at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Park on Saturday, June 28th, combining elements of a block party, family reunion, and concert. Running from noon to 8 p.m., the event featured performances by artists including Miki Vale, C.C. Carter, Daneen Wilburn, Michael Mayo, Lenny "Fuzzy" Rankins, and Ben Williams, with Dominic Malone serving as host. Attendees enjoyed music, food vendors, and shopping opportunities at various booths selling handmade jewelry, clothing, and books, creating a vibrant community atmosphere throughout the day. The festival maintained steady attendance with people relaxing on lawn chairs and blankets, children playing, and a consistent flow of visitors engaging with different aspects of the event.

The annual Daddy Daughter Dance, organized by Torrion Dedmon at the Jackie Robinson YMCA, brought together over 30 girls with their male role models including fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other family members. The event, which took place on June 28 at the Michael Brunker Gymnasium, was created by Dedmon to strengthen father-daughter bonds while also recognizing outstanding fathers in the community. Beyond the dancing and celebration, the event raised funds for Leading Boys 2 Manhood's summer camping trip for boys, emphasizing Dedmon's belief in the importance of presence and quality time in children's lives. During the evening, 10 to 15 exemplary fathers from Southeastern San Diego were honored for their quiet leadership and commitment to family and community.

The Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, recently ordained twelve new priests at a time when the U.S. Catholic Church faces a severe priest shortage. The article profiles four of these newly-ordained priests, exploring their diverse backgrounds and journeys to priesthood. Each man describes his unique path to ordination, including overcoming personal doubts, transitioning from established careers, and reconciling family expectations with their calling. Despite their different stories, all four express deep conviction about their vocations and commitment to serving their communities through the priesthood.

Frederick Douglass's famous 1852 speech "What, to the Slave, is the Fourth of July?" highlights the contradiction of celebrating American independence while enslaved people remained in bondage. The article presents extensive excerpts from this historic speech in which Douglass questions how Black Americans could celebrate freedom when they were denied basic rights and subjected to brutal treatment. Dr. John E. Warren, the publisher, notes that while progress has occurred since Douglass's time, Black Americans still face ongoing struggles for equal rights, resulting in varied responses to July Fourth celebrations today.

The Apple Developer Academy in Detroit recently celebrated the graduation of 125 local residents who completed a 10-month program focused on app development, coding, design, marketing, and project management. This fourth cohort of graduates, ranging in age from 18 to 72, represents the academy's commitment to inclusivity and Detroit's growing reputation as a technology hub. The academy is a partnership between Michigan State University, Apple, and the Gilbert Family Foundation, designed to prepare Detroiters for careers in the tech industry without any prerequisites for entry. Graduates can further their education through the Renaissance program, which offers advanced training and collaboration opportunities with local institutions and businesses.

The 2025 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix showcased not only high-speed racing but also community inclusion and diversity initiatives in motorsports. Young artists from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan (BGCSM) created murals for the event space, while Black-owned Curry Motorsports announced a summer boot camp program supported by a $25,000 investment. The Grand Prix emphasized making racing more inclusive, with BGCSM teens participating in global mobility coding programs and free access to portions of the racetrack for spectators. Beyond the excitement of race weekend, the event demonstrated Detroit's commitment to evolving its automotive legacy through education, innovation, and increased representation in motorsports.

The ambitious "Akon City" project in Senegal, announced by singer Akon in 2018 with a $6 billion price tag and its own cryptocurrency, has been officially scrapped according to Senegal's tourism development body. After five years of minimal progress, with only an incomplete reception building on the 800-hectare site, the government has terminated the futuristic development that had been compared to Marvel's fictional Wakanda. Local residents who were promised jobs and development have seen no changes, while the associated Akoin cryptocurrency has struggled financially. Senegalese officials have stated they will now work with Akon on a more "realistic" project for the same strategic location, especially with the approaching 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

The White House will host a UFC championship fight as part of America's 250th independence anniversary celebrations next year, as announced by President Donald Trump during an appearance in Iowa. Trump indicated the event will accommodate 20,000-25,000 spectators on White House grounds and will be one of many special events planned for the anniversary. The president, who has a longstanding relationship with UFC president Dana White dating back to 2001, has frequently attended UFC events including a recent fight in New Jersey. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the plans on social media, describing the upcoming event as "EPIC!"