U.S.
Graham Platner Formally Withdraws From Maine Senate Race; Democrats Move to Pick Replacement by July 27
After a rape allegation and a second misconduct allegation he denies, Platner filed withdrawal paperwork, triggering a Maine Democratic convention as Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and others enter the race to face Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
Aspen Acres Fire Reaches 28% Containment as Colorado Downgrades Some Evacuation Orders
Officials eased evacuation orders in Fremont and Pueblo counties as the human-caused blaze topped 97,000 acres, though hot, dry, windy weather still threatened progress.
Babylon Fire Reaches 103,000 Acres and 25% Containment in Southeastern Utah
The largest active U.S. wildfire is burning through Bears Ears National Monument days before the Trump administration is expected to move to shrink the monument.
House Fails to Advance Defense Bill After 14 Republicans Join Democrats to Block Procedural Rule Tied to SAVE Act
A dispute over how to attach President Trump's voter-ID and proof-of-citizenship bill to the defense measure froze the House floor and sent members into their July 4 recess early.
Justice Department Misses Court Deadline on Epstein File Redactions, Defends Them and Seeks 60-Day Delay Before Appeal
A federal judge ordered the DOJ to unredact names in Epstein-related records by July 2 or explain why not; the department instead defended its redactions, asked for more time, and said it will appeal.
Supreme Court Rules Border Officers Need Only 'Reason to Believe' to Reclassify Returning Green Card Holders at the Border
The 6-3 ruling in Blanche v. Lau holds that border officers need only 'reason to believe' a crime was committed — not clear and convincing proof — before shifting the burden of admissibility onto a returning permanent resident.
D.C. Circuit Reinstates Nationwide Expedited Removal Program in 2-1 Decision, Overturning Lower Court Block
A divided federal appeals court ruled that DHS may fast-track the deportation of undocumented migrants caught anywhere in the United States who cannot prove two years of continuous presence — no immigration court hearing required.
Supreme Court Lets New Hampshire Reject Student IDs at the Polls for Nov. 3 Election; Jackson Dissents
The court's emergency order cited the Purcell principle against late changes to election rules and paused a lower-court order. It did not decide whether New Hampshire's policy is constitutional.
Obama Rallies for Acton in Cleveland, Criticizes Ramaswamy Ad Featuring Her Estranged Mother
The Republican campaign's $4 million ad has Donna Arthur calling her daughter a liar about her childhood; 1978 court records show Acton's stepfather was indicted for sexual conduct with her as a child, and Ramaswamy says the ad is about lying, not abuse.
Trump Denies Report He Wants the Briefing Room Turned Into a Pool, Says He 'May Move' the Press Corps
Trump's Oct. 24 post came four days after a New York Times report, a day after his former press secretary said on TV that he had been "flirting" with the idea, and 11 days after a judge ruled that his ban on three outlets was likely unconstitutional.
Cook Political Report Moves 19 House Races Toward Democrats and Now Rates 220 Seats as Favoring the Party
In its Oct. 23 update, the forecaster projected a Democratic gain of 12 to 22 seats in the Nov. 3 midterms. Republicans say races are won district by district, and House Speaker Mike Johnson has asked President Trump for more campaign money.