(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — When Nancy Pelosi raised a glass to Liz Cheney, it was the most unlikely of toasts. Democratic lawmakers and the Republican congresswoman were gathered in the House speaker’s office as the group prepared for the first session of the committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol.
U.S. ambassador to U.N. hastily leaves Haiti after gunshots heard at president's funeral
Linda Thomas-Greenfield and her delegation safely departed the island nation.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden administration terminates two border wall contracts in Texas | CNN Politics
US Customs and Border Protection is terminating two border wall contracts in the Laredo sector that cover approximately 31 miles, the Department of Homeland Security announced Friday.
Fox News: ‘Entirely unacceptable’ for ‘NSA to unmask Tucker Carlson’
Fox News on Friday responded to a news report saying that the National Security Agency had uncovered host Tucker Carlson’s name in third-party communications through “unmasking,” calling the report…
thehill.com
Abortion rights face most difficult test yet at Supreme Court
Abortion rights groups are issuing dire warnings that abortion access is likely to be sharply curtailed across the country if the Supreme Court uses a Mississippi case to overturn the Roe v. Wade d…
thehill.com
Search for bodies concludes in Surfside condo collapse
The collapse killed 97 people, and one woman is still missing.
www.cbsnews.com
Tucker Carlson's name in NSA intercepts revealed through 'unmasking': Report
Tucker Carlson's name in communications intercepted by the National Security Agency was revealed through the process of "unmasking," according to a new report.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Fact check: False claim persists online that Trump will be reinstated as president in August
There is no constitutional way for Donald Trump to return to the White House before President Joe Biden's term is over.
U.S. delegation sent to Haiti departs shortly after arrival when gunshots heard at president's funeral
The White House had announced Friday morning of a delegation led by Thomas-Greenfield that would be going to Haiti to "pay respects upon the death" of Moïse, who was shot dead in his home on July 7.
www.cbsnews.com
China imposes sanctions on US officials
The sanctions are in response to recent US sanctions on Chinese officials in Hong Kong.
www.bbc.com
Gaetz case takes bizarre tabloid turn
A sugar daddy web site linked to the federal probe says the GOP lawmaker never had an account on the site.
www.politico.com
Cancel Culture Texas Weighs Boycott Of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream For Its Palestinian Support
GOP Gov. Greg Abbott calls the socially conscious company "disgraceful" for its decision not to sell in the Israeli-occupied territories.
Pelosi faced 'a wall of screaming' from McCarthy after rejecting 2 GOP picks for the January 6 select committee, report says
Tensions boiled over when Pelosi refused to appoint Reps. Jim Jordan and Jim Banks to the House committee investigating the Capitol riot.
Biden heckled at Terry McAuliffe rally in Virginia: 'It's not a Trump rally, let him holler'
President Biden was heckled by an audience member during an appearance in Virginia on Friday and stopped his speech to address the individual.
As Herschel Walker eyes Senate run, a turbulent past emerges
ATLANTA (AP) — At first glance, Herschel Walker has a coveted political profile for a potential Senate candidate in Georgia. He was a football hero at the University of Georgia before his long NFL career.
apnews.com
Dow surges to first finish atop 35,000 as investors cheer corporate profits
Major indexes blast to new records as Wall Street sets aside worries that COVID variants could stub economic growth.
www.cbsnews.com
Louisiana auxiliary deputy, 82, killed working at crash site
Authorities say a Louisiana auxiliary sheriff's deputy has died after his patrol vehicle was hit from behind while working near the scene of an earlier crash
Arizona secretary of state calls Trump's visit 'dangerous'
Arizona's Democratic secretary of state called former President Donald Trump's planned visit to the state over the weekend a "dangerous" one.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Biden yokes Youngkin to Trump at McAuliffe campaign stop
In a stump speech for McAuliffe, the president called the GOP nominee for governor "an acolyte for Donald Trump — for real."
www.politico.com
Even Dershowitz Took a Pass on Trump’s Big Tech Suit
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / Photos GettyAlan Dershowitz has long been the go-to lawyer for prominent MAGA-world figures who are having trouble with the law—from legal advice to legal punditry. But when it comes to former President Donald Trump’s class-action lawsuit against the...
'Not a Trump rally': Biden says 'no one's paying attention' to hecklers disrupting Virginia event
President Joe Biden brushed off hecklers on Friday while speaking at a campaign event in Virginia for Terry McAuliffe's bid to return for a second term as governor.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Christine Blasey Ford’s lawyers blast FBI’s Kavanaugh investigation as ‘sham’
Attorneys for Christine Blasey Ford, whose sexual misconduct allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh became the center of his Senate confirmation hearings, on Friday accused the F…
thehill.com
Trump inaugural committee chair to be released on $250M bail
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The chair of former President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee was ordered freed Friday on $250 million bail to face charges he secretly worked as an agent for the the United Arab Emirates to influence Trump’s foreign policy.
apnews.com
Trump criticizes Cleveland Indians name change
Former President Trump criticized the Cleveland Indians’ decision to change the baseball franchise’s name to the Guardians, saying “many Indians” will likely be upset&n…
thehill.com
Illinois becomes one of the first Midwest states to allow over-the-counter birth control
A new law signed this week by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) will allow residents of the state to access birth control over the counter.
thehill.com
Senate Democrats defied Biden in their vote to boost Pentagon spending. And it wasn't even close
Sen. Elizabeth Warren was the only member of the Armed Services Committee who voted against the $25 billion spending increase.
www.politico.com
Stitt taps Tulsa man for AG despite 'not qualified' rating
A Tulsa attorney whom the American Bar Association rated as “ not qualified " to serve as a federal judge was tapped Friday by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt to serve as the state's next attorney general. After a two-month search that began in May after Republican Mike Hunter stepped down suddenly...
Biden hits new low in Gallup poll
President Biden’s approval rating has dropped to a new low of 50 percent in Gallup’s opinion poll, according to results published Friday.Biden’s approval rating dropped …
thehill.com
New Capitol Police chief says he'd be 'a fool to not be concerned' about ongoing threat | CNN Politics
In his first day on the job, Tom Manger -- the new chief of the US Capitol Police -- said Friday that he would be "a fool to not be concerned" about the threat of more attacks on the Capitol, especially given chatter on extremists' forums about possible action in August.
How the Tom Barrack indictment is playing on K Street
Biden aides-turned-lobbyists saw revenues multiply last quarter — Huawei snaps up Podesta
www.politico.com
San Francisco Archbishop to Pelosi: 'No one can claim to be devout Catholic' and support abortion
The Catholic Archbishop from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s hometown of San Francisco, California slammed her recent support of eliminating the Hyde Amendment and suggested she is not a “devout Catholic” she has claimed to be.
At odds on myriad issues, US, Russia to hold strategic talks
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Russia will hold the first round of strategic and arms control talks of the Biden administration next week in Switzerland, the two countries announced on Friday.
apnews.com
US launches second Somalia strike in week
The U.S. military carried out an airstrike in Somalia on Friday, its second such action in a week after a months-long gap in strikes.In a statement, Pentagon spokesperson Cindi King said U.S. force…
thehill.com
Burn victim's $1.7M medical bill from military hospital is waived
After members of Congress responded to a "CBS This Morning" report on Alexis Hernandez's debt, military officials have waived the bill.
Chinese shooter Qian Yang wins 1st gold medal awarded at the Tokyo Olympics
The first gold medal of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics has now been won.
Yellen to Congress: Raise the debt ceiling or risk ‘irreparable harm’
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged congressional leaders Friday to raise the federal debt limit as soon as possible or risk “irreparable harm to the U.S. economy and the livelihoods of all Ameri…
thehill.com
Exclusive-Democrats may scrap matching funds from infrastructure bill over wage issue
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Democrats are threatening to scrap plans to create an infrastructure bank in the $1.2 trillion bipartisan spending bill after Republicans opposed a provision intended to lift workers' wages, according to three people familiar with the discussions. A decision to remove...
An Energy Company Behind A Major Bribery Scandal In Ohio Will Pay A $230 Million Fine
FirstEnergy Corp. agreed to pay as part of a deferred prosecution agreement. Acting U.S. Attorney Vipal Patel calls it the "largest criminal penalty ever collected" by his office
www.npr.org
Biden stumps for McAuliffe in early test of political clout
ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — President Joe Biden led the kind of campaign rally that was impossible last year because of the pandemic, speaking before nearly 3,000 people in support of a fellow moderate Democrat whose race for Virginia governor could serve as a test of Biden's own strength and coattails.
apnews.com
New legislation would require women, like men, to sign up for potential draft
A U.S. Senate committee has approved legislation that would, if enacted, require young women to register for Selective Service alongside men.
Biden wants to hear the public's stories about the student-loan-forgiveness program with a 98% denial rate
PSLF still rejects most applicants, by a wide margin. Biden and his Education Department want to fix the program to provide student-debt relief.
China sanctions Wilbur Ross, others in response to U.S. warnings on Hong Kong
The Biden administration has warned American companies about doing business in Hong Kong.
www.politico.com
Sen. Boozman defends farmers on proposed tax hikes
Sen. John Boozman said this week that proposed tax increases would be "devastating" for family farmers in Arkansas and across the country, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. What's happening: The Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion (STEP) Act, proposed by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.)...
MIT predicted society would collapse by 2040. New data tells how we’re doing
A close look at the controversial Limits to Growth model.
thehill.com
NBC Sports hires Maria Taylor, sports reporter who left ESPN
She left ESPN after failing to reach a contract deal. An ESPN colleague recently apologized for comments about her hosting role in a leaked phone call.
www.nbcnews.com
6 Poultry Workers Died From A Nitrogen Leak. OSHA Has Issued $1 Million In Fines
They died when a freezer malfunctioned at the Foundation Food Group's poultry plant in Gainesville, Ga., in January. OSHA cited the company and three others for failing to ensure worker safety.
www.npr.org
Appeals court blocks CDC restrictions on cruises in win for Florida
An appeals court sided with Florida in its challenge against federal regulations for cruise ships hours after Florida brought the case to the Supreme Court.
Groups worry about tapping COVID relief for infrastructure
WASHINGTON (AP) — Organizations representing long-term care facilities on Friday urged lawmakers working on a bipartisan infrastructure plan to avoid dipping into COVID-relief funds to help pay for the roughly $600 billion in new spending sought for the public works buildout.
apnews.com
At Tokyo Olympics, a debt to 'Back to the Future' and 'E.T.'
Skateboarding and freestyle BMX are making their Olympic debuts at the Tokyo Games and both owe debts to Hollywood
House Freedom Caucus asks McCarthy to try to remove Pelosi as speaker
The request is a sign of increasing levels of GOP anger toward Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Leo Terrell slams embrace of critical race theory by 'white liberals'
Civil rights attorney and media pundit Leo Terrell condemned American academia's embrace of critical race theory Friday, calling the ideology "racist."
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Jeff Bezos and Sir Richard Branson may not be astronauts, US says
The US government has tightened rules on which space-goers can claim their astronaut wings.
www.bbc.com
Mental Health Response Teams Yield Better Outcomes Than Police In NYC, Data Shows
A New York City pilot program dispatches mental health and medical care instead of police to some 911 calls. Early data shows more people accepted help and fewer people were admitted to the hospital.
www.npr.org
Can Israel criminalise Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in the US?
Israel threatens legal attack using anti-BDS laws passed by many US states, Palestinian advocates see pivotal moment.
Biden wants to hear the public's stories about the student-loan-forgiveness program with a 98% denial rate
PSLF still rejects most applicants, by a wide margin. Biden and his Education Department want to fix the program to provide student-debt relief.
US women’s soccer team hosts its own Olympics opening ceremony
Members of the U.S. women’s national soccer team held their own private Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony Friday when they were unable to attend the official event due to preparations for an upcoming…
thehill.com
Staff director for 1/6 committee accused of retaliating against whistleblower | CNN Politics
David Buckley, the newly named staff director for the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol insurrection, was found to be retaliating against a whistleblower during his time as the CIA inspector general, according to a report by the Inspector General of the Department of...
JD Vance takes aim at culture wars, childless politicians
Venture capitalist and Ohio Republican Senate candidate J.D. Vance spoke on Friday about the “cultural wars” being waged by the left and took aim at politicians without children who “don̵…
thehill.com
Republicans newly alarmed by critical race theory see bans as 'more of a preventative'
In a recently conducted nationwide survey, teachers said K-12 schools are not requiring or pushing them to teach critical race theory.
www.nbcnews.com
Flood deaths in central Chinese city climb to 51
State media say the death toll from catastrophic flooding in the central Chinese city of Zhengzhou has risen to 51
Sweltering temperatures expected across U.S. next week as heat dome descends on Midwest, Great Plains
High temperatures next week will be the result of a heat dome, a strong high pressure system of air that descends from the atmosphere and heats up near land.
Gender disparities still vex Tokyo Olympic Games
From breastfeeding to representation, women are still frustrated at most 'gender balanced' Games.
www.bbc.com
Republican bid to limit health officials could cause ‘preventable tragedies’ – experts
At least nine states have considered ‘emergency power limitation’ legislation proposed by conservative organization Alec Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis. The state gave the governor sweeping power to ‘invalidate’ any local emergency order. Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell/AP Republican lawmakers...
Jill Biden to Team USA: "What an honor it is to watch you soar"
First lady Jill Biden sent Team USA an extra boost of encouragement on Friday, cheering them on in an open letter that highlighted the Olympics' power to bring people together.What she's saying: "In these moments [of rooting for our country], we are more than our cities or states or backgrounds...
Bumble match turns in January 6 suspect who allegedly whipped police
Yet another US Capitol suspect was caught this week, all thanks to his Bumble match.
www.cnn.com
DA won't charge Utah officer who said 'you're about to die' before shooting man
"If we want different outcomes, which is not unreasonable for us to ask, then we need to change the law," Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said.
www.nbcnews.com
California parent groups sue Gavin Newsom, state health officials over classroom mask requirements
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing lawsuits from two parent groups in over state plans to require students to wear masks in classrooms this fall, according to reports.
Biden authorizes up to $100M for Afghan refugees
President Biden has authorized up to $100 million in additional aid for Afghan refugees and those impacted by ongoing violence between the Taliban and Afghan forces as the U.S. nears comp…
thehill.com
Exclusive: Jan. 6 select committee will include former CIA inspector general found to have retaliated against whistleblower
A new report from the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General substantiated complaints of whistleblower retaliation levied against David Buckley, the newly appointed staff director of the House Select Committee to investigate the Capitol riot.
Young Black athletes are launching a mental health revolution
Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, Raven Saunders and others have publicly taken their mental health into their hands in a way never seen before in elite sports.
www.nbcnews.com
A Trumpy Wannabe Tries to Spend His Way to Victory in Va.
Win McNamee/GettyWhat happens in Virginia doesn’t stay in Virginia. The party whose candidate wins the November governor’s race gets a big boost heading into next year’s midterms, and that’s heightening the stakes between former Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe, vying for a rare comeback, and...
Abbott slams Ben & Jerry’s for Palestine support: ‘Disgraceful’
Texas is weighing its options for sanctions against Ben & Jerry’s after the company announced its decision to not sell its products in Israeli-occupied …
thehill.com
Former South Dakota House majority leader dies
A former South Dakota lawmaker who previously served as the state’s House majority leader unexpectedly died Friday of a suspected heart attack. He was 53.
thehill.com
Jovenel Moïse: Unrest mars funeral of assassinated Haitian leader
Gunshots and tear gas punctuate the funeral of former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.
www.bbc.com
Algerian would rather quit Olympics than fight Israeli
It was the second time Fethi Nourine refused to fight the same Israeli athlete.
www.nbcnews.com
Other Republicans "expressed their interest" in riot committee, Pelosi says
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy threatened to pull all five of his Republican picks from the panel Wednesday.
Who gets to be called an astronaut? It's complicated
The space tourism industry is poised to take off, but the FAA recently tightened its rules on who qualifies for commercial astronaut wings.
www.nbcnews.com
Biden admin ripped by foreign policy think tank for inviting UN envoy on racism to assess US
Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s decision to invite United Nations envoys on racism and minority issues to assess the U.S. continued to draw backlash Thursday, more than a week after the announcement.
Family of James Brown settles 15-year battle over his estate
The family of entertainer James Brown has reached a settlement ending a 15-year battle over the late singer’s estate
Ponzi schemer Madoff earned $710 for almost 3,000 hours of prison work, got 'not very dependable' review
Bernie Madoff died in prison, where he was serving a 150-year sentence for running the largest Ponzi scheme in history, swindling thousands of victims.
Angelina Jolie wins appeal to remove judge from Brad Pitt divorce case
The ruling is a victory for Angelina Jolie, who is locked in a custody battle with Brad Pitt.
www.bbc.com
Biden flexes presidential muscle on campaign trail with Virginia’s McAuliffe
ARLINGTON, Va. — President Biden on Friday hit the campaign trail for the first time as a sitting president, stumping for gubernatorial nominee and former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D).
thehill.com
Singer Luke Combs pays for funerals of 3 who died after show
Country singer Luke Combs is paying the funeral expenses of three young men who saw him perform at a Michigan music festival before they died from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning
Prosecutors Say They Have Evidence Of More Abuse And Bribery In The R. Kelly Case
Federal prosecutors in New York filed a request on Friday that they be allowed to enter more evidence of uncharged crimes allegedly committed by the R&B singer in his trial next month.
www.npr.org
Angelina Jolie scores victory in custody battle with Brad Pitt
The decision means that the custody fight over the couple's children, which was nearing an end, could just be getting started again.
www.cbsnews.com
Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich to pay $600K to victims of sexual harassment
The settlement follows a four-year investigation by the attorney general's office.
www.nbcnews.com
Number of NFL players in vaccination process up to 80%
The number of NFL players who are in the COVID-19 vaccination process has reached 80%, with nine teams having 90% or more of their players in that category
Federal court lifts CDC rules for Florida-based cruise ships
Pandemic restrictions on Florida-based cruise ships are no longer in place under the latest ruling by a federal appeals court, while the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention try to fight a Florida lawsuit challenging the regulations
Defense Department has had about 2,000 breakthrough Covid cases | CNN Politics
The Department of Defense has experienced about 2,000 breakthrough Covid-19 cases among its more than 2 million fully vaccinated personnel, Pentagon spokesman Maj. Cesar Santiago-Santini told CNN in a statement, but it's unclear how many are a result of the Delta variant.
COVID-19 vaccinations up 14% in past week, White House says
COVID-19 vaccinations went up 14% in the past week, White House officials said Friday, as the more contagious delta variant is spreading fast.
Governors pin hopes on full vaccine approval as cases climb
As U.S. regulators weigh giving the final stamp of approval for certain COVID-19 vaccines, governors in states hard hit by the pandemic hope the move will help persuade the many holdouts in their states to finally get the shot. The governors of Arkansas and Ohio — where cases and...
Louisiana governor encourages all residents to wear masks
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) on Friday released updated guidance urging residents to wear masks indoors when social distancing is not possible as the state sees thousands of new COVID-1…
thehill.com
White House declines to release number of breakthrough COVID-19 cases among vaccinated staff
Earlier this week, a White House official and an aide to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tested positive for the coronavirus. Both were fully vaccinated.
www.usatoday.com
GOP sees widening rift over promoting Covid shots
While top Republicans pleaded with people to get vaccinated, others downplayed the threat of a Covid-19 resurgence.
www.politico.com
NFL coaches getting shoved out of season by COVID-19 rules
The NFL's strict COVID-19 protocols have teams calling an audible for coaching staff weeks ahead of the new season.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Dallas Cowboys quarterback declines to disclose vaccine status, cites HIPAA
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott on Friday declined to disclose his vaccine status, saying doing so violates his privacy.Prescott made the comment in a news conference wh…
thehill.com
From lawsuits to sleepless nights, parents rattled by school mask policies
"They have taken away the best tool that we have to keep them safe," said a mom in Arkansas, one of a handful of states that have banned mask mandates in schools.
www.nbcnews.com
Protest erupts at Myanmar’s Insein prison amid COVID outbreak
Anti-military chants heard from inside colonial-era prison, which is used to hold opponents of the February coup.
White House on unvaccinated Americans: Our role is not to ‘place blame’
The White House on Friday said it would not place blame on unvaccinated Americans as coronavirus cases rise around the country, but press secretary Jen Psaki said the administration empathizes with…
thehill.com
DOJ won't investigate 2020 nursing home orders in New York, other states
The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division will not be launching investigations into nursing homes in New York and other states whose governors forced facilities to admit COVID-19 patients despite their vulnerable populations, the agency informed GOP lawmakers Friday.
Advancing T-cell testing can help parents can make informed decisions on COVID vaccinations
We can go beyond our narrow understanding of COVID-19 immunity. HHS agencies need to better prioritize and collaborate efforts to develop what our next steps should really be for the shor…
thehill.com
Ninth Circuit rules against Calif. Gov. Newsom order barring private school in-person teaching
The California ninth circuit court on Friday ruled against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s coronavirus lockdown mandates that barred private school children from receiving in-person training.
Florida asks Supreme Court to block federal coronavirus restrictions for cruise ships
Florida's emergency appeal to the Supreme Court comes days after a federal court sided with the CDC over COVID-19 rules for the cruise industry.
www.usatoday.com
How COVID-19 travel restrictions are hurting border towns
The closure has shut down El Paso's tourism, shopping and dining business from the Mexican city of Juárez.
www.cbsnews.com
Fauci and top Wuhan scientist cite same study to cast doubt on COVID lab leak
A top Wuhan Institute of Virology scientist and Dr. Anthony Fauci cited the same scientific paper when arguing in favor of a natural origin for COVID-19 and against the lab leak hypothesis.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
CDC advisers hold off on Covid booster shot call
House panel presses FDA on inspections abroad — Biogen official defends Alzheimer’s drug approval
www.politico.com
Tennessee resuming nearly all adolescent vaccine advocacy
Tennessee is resuming almost all of its adolescent vaccine advocacy efforts, a top health official announced on Friday, following backlash for the state’s reported plans to suspend …
thehill.com
Republican Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey pleads for residents to get vaccinated
Alabama’s Republican governor made an urgent plea for residents to get vaccinated to slow a surge in Covid-19 cases, becoming the latest top GOP official to step up calls for inoculations in the face of vaccine hesitancy among conservative voters.
Sleep-away camp COVID-19 outbreak sickens 31
Dozens of children tested positive for COVID-19 in an outbreak at an upstate New York summer camp, health officials confirmed.
De Blasio urges NYC businesses to require coronavirus vaccines
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) is pushing businesses to require that their employees be vaccinated as the delta variant of COVID-19 drives up cases around the count…
thehill.com
DC public schools to require masking for students and staff
Public schools in Washington, D.C., will require face masks for all students and staff in the upcoming school year.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Tennessee to resume vaccine outreach efforts after "pause" prompted by GOP backlash
The state's scaling back of its vaccination outreach drew national attention when its top vaccination official was fired last week after sparring with Republican lawmakers.
www.nbcnews.com
Analysis: Delta variant has even conservatives talking up the vaccine but reluctance remains
There's something new in the air, and it's not just the Delta variant.
