A Midwestern state shaping policy, weather and culture
A mix of studies finds a positive but uneven return to higher education, with a quarter of graduates not financially better off after taxes and loans. Variations by subject are large, and postgrad debt burdens raise concerns about value and affordability.
A wave of data-center expansion is prompting utilities and tech firms to rethink energy supply. Companies are partnering on grid-scale and behind-the-meter storage, while regulators weigh new projects and environmental impacts. Recent deals show a push toward using distributed energy resources to meet rising demand.
Revolut has changed its policy for interns and graduates in 2027, requiring in-office work at least three days a week while maintaining a remote-first model for all other staff. The move follows broader debates on return-to-office policies as firms weigh in-person mentoring against flexible work.
The NCAA Tournament has attracted its highest TV audience since 1993, with an average of 10.3 million viewers across four networks, up 9% from last year. The Elite Eight game between UConn and Duke peaked at nearly 19 million viewers. Despite fewer upsets, interest remains high.
A federal appeals court in Philadelphia has ruled that the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission has exclusive authority over prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket. The decision affirms federal regulation over these platforms, challenging state laws and raising questions about industry legality and enforcement. The ruling impacts US operators and users today.
A severe storm has caused extensive damage across parts of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, with tornadoes ripping through communities. No fatalities have been reported, but homes, schools, and infrastructure have sustained significant damage. Emergency services are responding, and surveys are underway to assess the full extent of the destruction. The storm is ongoing, and further severe weather is expected.
The Trump administration is moving to roll back 2024 and 2029-era coal wastewater limits and renew emergency orders keeping aging coal plants running to meet rising electricity demand driven by AI data centers. Michigan’s Campbell plant is at the center of a legal challenge as federal orders to keep plants open face scrutiny for signaling an energy emergency.
Prosecutors allege a couple abused their newborn in a hospital recovery room in Reading, Pennsylvania, after birth on May 2. The infant later died at a separate medical center. Authorities say injuries were inflicted post-birth, and the pair faces charges including homicide and aggravated assault.
President Trump has been informally polling aides and guests about whether Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio should lead the Republican ticket in 2028 and has repeatedly mused that a Vance–Rubio ticket would be a "dream team." Both officials have been taking higher-profile roles: Vance is expanding his foreign policy and Midwest campaigning, while Rubio is engaging in diplomacy and public briefings.
The Chicago Bears have voted to move forward with a stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, after Illinois talks over a new stadium site stalled in the legislature. The team has committed about $2 billion of its own money, while the site remains to be confirmed and no public funding has been secured. Indiana has established a stadium authority and is positioning Hammond as the primary site, signaling a potential shift of the Bears’ home from Soldier Field.
The Maine Senate contest is shaping up as a high-stakes battle between Democrat Graham Platner and Republican Mike Rogers, with outside groups spending heavily to influence the primary and general election. In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed is drawing funding from a pro-progressive PAC, signaling a broader national tilt in Democratic races.
Honda has issued a recall affecting 880,514 rear-suspension-equipped vehicles across multiple models in the U.S. and elsewhere, citing potential subframe corrosion that could lead to rear-suspension failure. Honda and Acura dealers will inspect and repair or reinforce the rear subframe at no cost, with notices mailing July 7. Separately, Stellantis is recalling over 1.3 million Wrangler/Gladiator models for a wiring harness risk that could cause fires.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings as a potent storm system moves through the Midwest, Great Lakes and Northeast. Forecasters have warned of damaging winds, large hail and possible tornadoes, with power outages and flight disruptions already reported. Authorities are advising residents to monitor updates as storms unfold.
A span of severe weather has hit multiple Midwest communities, causing widespread damage, power outages for hundreds of thousands, and flight disruptions. Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and nearby areas report collapsed roofs, downed trees, and evacuations as responders assess the aftermath.
The Justice Department has moved to join a lawsuit challenging Evanston, Illinois’ reparations program, which pays $25,000 to qualifying residents and descendants for past housing discrimination. The city has distributed millions so far; critics say the policy is race-based discrimination, while supporters argue it sets a precedent for addressing historical harms.
The Guardian and other outlets report massive, industry-backed spending in the 2026 midterms, focusing on NY-12, MD-05, and other races where pro- and anti-AI groups back candidates. The spending highlights how tech money is shaping campaigns, even as outcomes remain uncertain.
Authorities warn that fraud, waste and abuse in state programs are prompting federal action. A labor department letter to governors signals tighter oversight and potential funding consequences for states with weak controls.
A weekend of shootings in Chicago has drawn renewed calls for federal intervention. President Trump has urged Gov. Pritzker to request federal help, while local officials defend policing strategies. The city is suffering a surge in shootings and has reported multiple fatalities during Juneteenth weekend.
Arkansas is moving forward with restrictions on SNAP purchases, banning candy and soda in government food aid as part of a broader push to address diet-related health issues. The state faces legal and operational hurdles, including federal rules and court rulings, while retailers scramble to implement lists of banned items and SNAP beneficiaries adapt using a new app to check eligibility.
China's LineShine has been named the world's fastest supercomputer on the TOP500 list, marking its debut at the top. The system runs entirely on CPUs and achieves 2.198 exaflops, surpassing El Capitan in the US. Analysts say the result signals recognition of China’s chip-design efforts, though AI workloads and list methodology cloud the claim.
A spike in Chicago gun violence has intensified a clash between political leaders. Independent reports crime is up year-to-date with 198 homicides in 2026, while New York Post depicts the mayor’s transfemicide emergency as a distraction from broader city woes as shootings continue.
The Wizards have selected Dybantsa with the No. 1 pick in a deep 2026 NBA draft, with Darryn Peterson going No. 2 to Utah and Cameron Boozer at No. 3 to Memphis. Dybantsa averaged 25.5 points in his lone college season at BYU and has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant.
ProPublica reports indicate a billionaire donor has leveraged political access to influence energy policy, while a separate investigation documents the impact of federal tear gas on children amid the administration’s crackdown.
Investors are shifting focus from headline AI stories to smaller themes that Citrini says could outperform. US airlines are seen as likely beneficiaries, while senior living facilities and live events are highlighted as growth areas. Prediction markets are expanding, with Cboe launching a new product amid a broader trend of outcome-based trading.
The Education Department has updated its list of degrees eligible for higher student-loan limits, while a federal judge has frozen the department’s definition of a “professional degree,” delaying changes set to take effect July 1 amid ongoing litigation.
Austin Coming Together has purchased the J.J. Walser House, a Wright-designed Prairie Style landmark built in 1903, to rehabilitate it after years of disrepair. The nonprofit plans a multi-million-dollar restoration, stability work, and community engagement as it anchors preservation along the Central Avenue corridor.
The Trump administration has nominated Lance Schroyer, a 29-year law-enforcement veteran and former Oklahoma State Trooper, to head U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The nomination follows Mullin’s push and comes as ICE expands under a nationwide growth plan. Senate confirmation is pending amid scrutiny of detainee deaths and ICE practices.
Heat indexes have risen across multiple states, with several cities under extreme heat warnings. Forecasters warn of ongoing hot conditions through the holiday weekend, threatening water shortages, wildfires, and heat-related illnesses. Cities are opening cooling centers and urging residents to stay hydrated.