American politician and Texas attorney general since 2015
Texas Children’s Hospital has agreed to a $10 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and Texas authorities over Medicaid billing for gender-affirming care, firing five doctors and setting up a detransition clinic for five years. The deal comes amid a broader push by states to restrict or ban gender-related treatments for minors and accompanies a court-ordered review of practices.
Texas attorney general Ken Paxton has won the Republican primary runoff, supported by President Trump, defeating incumbent John Cornyn. Paxton now advances to the general election to face Democrat James Talarico. The result signals continued Trump influence in the party ahead of November, while Cornyn has pledged to back the GOP ticket.
Rising beef prices and inflation have driven Texas barbecue restaurants to close or raise prices, threatening iconic regional spots. Industry officials say margins have been squeezed as wholesale brisket costs climb and consumer traffic falls, with several well-known joints among the casualties.
Since late May, Trump-endorsed candidates have reshaped key Republican primaries: Ken Paxton has beaten John Cornyn in Texas and will face Democrat James Talarico in November; in South Carolina Trump has backed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Sen. Lindsey Graham has secured the president's endorsement for his fifth-term bid. Democrats are raising funds and recalibrating strategy in response.
The president has stated that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and has framed talks as critical to global security, while dismissing attention to U.S. domestic political concerns as the war with Iran continues to shape gas prices and inflation.
The New York Times and NY Post articles show Democrats eyeing Texas as Paxton defeats Cornyn in the GOP primary, while the Times argues demographic trends could help a blue Texas in November. The conversation highlights party dynamics and potential shifts in statewide outcomes.
President Donald Trump has confirmed he angrily confronted Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a recent phone call over Israel's strikes in Lebanon, saying he told Netanyahu to stop. Trump has insisted the pair still have a strong relationship while US-mediated talks with Iran are continuing and fighting in Lebanon remains active.
The White House has issued a scaled-back executive order asking frontier AI firms to voluntarily share advanced models 30 days before release for cybersecurity review. Last week the administration has imposed export-style restrictions that forced Anthropic to cut access to its Fable and Mythos models, prompting industry alarm about ad hoc controls and the limits of the voluntary framework.
Democrats are grappling with Graham Platner’s recent disclosures ahead of the Maine Senate race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins. The New York Times has reported disturbing accounts from several former partners, while Platner has described his past as a period of transformation. Party leaders remain cautiously supportive, highlighting the stakes for control of the Senate.
Trump has claimed a peace deal with Iran could be signed soon, a repeated assertion that has yet to materialize. Markets have reacted with optimism and volatility as talks remain fragile and conflict persists. The narrative centers on the tension between optimism and reality as political statements influence oil and equities.
Recent Republican runoffs in Georgia and Alabama have produced mixed results for former President Donald Trump. In Georgia, Mike Collins has won the Senate nomination while Rick Jackson — a self-funding billionaire who spent over $100 million — has defeated Trump’s choice for governor, Burt Jones. In Alabama, Trump-backed Barry Moore has prevailed in a Senate runoff, reinforcing the influence of endorsements across parts of the GOP.
Cornyn has acknowledged his defeat in the Texas Senate race, warning that Trump’s continued loyalty requirements risk fracturing the party. He says Republicans will grapple with a bumpy seven months ahead while colleagues gain more room to maneuver.
At the Texas GOP convention in Houston, delegates debate the party platform amid pressure for unity. An elephant mascot, Paige, disrupts proceedings when she urinates in the aisle, drawing national attention as Abbott weighs a more assertive stance on key issues.
The Texas Supreme Court has rejected environmental groups’ challenge to Boca Chica Beach access limits, ruling that the Open Beaches Act does not grant private enforcement rights and leaving SpaceX’s launch site protections intact. The decision comes days after SpaceX’s Nasdaq IPO, which analysts say has boosted attention on the Boca Chica area.
Mars is rolling out naturally dyed M&M’s in August via Amazon, replacing two classic colors in the initial launch due to color science hurdles. The move follows a wave of MAHA-inspired scrutiny of artificial dyes in food. By 2028, Mars aims to offer six colors in natural form, though blue and brown remain absent in the early packs.
Recent reporting shows Donald Trump has publicly labeled Democrats and candidates allied with democratic socialism as “communists,” arguing this stance threatens religion and the American way of life. He cites New York primary victories by Mamdani-backed progressives as evidence of a leftward shift, while analysts warn the tactic risks conflating democratic socialism with communism.
Trump-backed Julia Letlow has won the Louisiana Senate runoff, consolidating support for his slate in Republican primaries. The race highlights Trump’s continued influence while Democratic challengers eye a path to regain control of Congress.
The Supreme Court has struck down a cap on coordinated party spending in support of candidates, in a 6-3 decision. The ruling upends decades of campaign finance rules, expanding parties’ ability to coordinate with campaigns ahead of the midterms. Republican committees hold a cash advantage over Democrats.
Trump has announced a midterm national convention in Dallas for September 9–10, a break from tradition. The event aims to energize GOP voters ahead of the 2026 midterms, with attention on Texas races such as Paxton vs. Talarico as Democrats seek to counter Trump’s influence. Democrats considered but did not pursue a similar convention.
Fans across the US report cancelled or nonexistent World Cup tickets bought on StubHub. Lawsuits have been filed alleging false sales practices; authorities are probing ticket deliveries, while FIFA and StubHub point to the event organizer’s infrastructure.
A 41-year-old Afghan evacuee in ICE custody has died after an acute allergic reaction exacerbated by asthma. The death, ruled an accident, has sparked calls for transparency as families seek the autopsy report and details on the substances involved. Officials say the events unfolded after the detainee experienced breathing trouble and tongue swelling.
The Texas App Store Accountability Act remains active after the Supreme Court declines to intervene, letting the 5th Circuit panel's ruling stand while litigation continues. The act requires age-verification measures for app stores and parental consent for downloads by minors. Courts have split over whether the law violates the First Amendment, with ongoing challenges in lower courts.
Idahoans United for Women and Families has qualified an initiative for the November ballot that would replace the state’s near-total abortion ban with a law allowing abortions until fetal viability. The measure would align Idaho with pre-Dobbs norms, potentially expanding access and triggering broad political debate ahead of elections.
South Carolina Republicans are lining up to fill Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat after his death. Darline Graham Nordone is seeking a full term with Trump’s backing, while Ralph Norman and Russell Fry are mounting primary challenges ahead of the Aug. 11 vote. Filing closes July 28 and the November general election will determine the six-year term.
A Texas suit has been filed to block a state law requiring framed Ten Commandments posters in every public school classroom. Plaintiffs argue the mandate burdens religious freedom under state law and Prop. 15. The case seeks a temporary restraining order before the new school year. The action follows earlier federal rulings on the same law.
The Senate and House are pressing ahead with scheduling amid talks on government funding, crypto regulation, and voting integrity. Republicans push for votes on the SAVE Act and the CLARITY Act, while Democrats warn that bipartisan support is required to avert a lapse in funding and to address other urgent policy items.
Democratic state official Francesca Hong has seen a shift in her gubernatorial bid as old social media posts are scrutinized. While she emphasizes focusing on policy and delivering for Wisconsinites, Republicans and some Democrats worry about electability in a close general election. The race is drawing national attention as endorsements and opposition converge ahead of the August primary.
Max Miller faces mounting calls to resign amid domestic abuse allegations from his ex-wife and other sources. The House Ethics Committee has opened a probe as Republicans weigh potential action while Miller pledges to stay in the race. Political fallout intensifies as several senators and Trump allies weigh in.
At the National Urban League conference, Kamala Harris has proposed revisiting the Electoral College, expanding the Supreme Court to 13 justices, and considering statehood for Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. She frames these ideas as part of a broader push to engage voters and recalibrate U.S. institutions ahead of midterm battles.
Todd Blanche has been confirmed as attorney general in a 50-49 vote, ending weeks of Republican opposition surrounding the handling of Epstein documents and an anti-weaponization fund. Cassidy voted in favor; Collins and Murkowski opposed. Blanche will lead the DOJ, continuing the department’s alignment with the White House while facing scrutiny from survivors and critics.
Michigan's Abdul El-Sayed has won the Democratic primary, reshaping the path to the Senate for 2026. The result complicates incumbent dynamics and tests Democratic unity ahead of November as Republicans eye a potential pickup in a 50/50 battleground.
Kellogg has identified fruit- and vegetable-based juices to color cereals such as Froot Loops and Apple Jacks and is investing in equipment to switch to natural colors. The company is also phasing out BHT, an artificial preservative, from the cereals that still contain it. Retailers are aligning policies too, with Target and Walmart pushing to remove synthetic colors from store brands.
Annelise Camp has died after life-support was withdrawn following weeks of court battles over brain-death testing and treatment options. Families and doctors weighed legal and medical options while transfers between hospitals occurred; public statements and legal filings highlighted ongoing debates about brain death and care.
Todd Blanche has been confirmed 50-49 as U.S. attorney general and sworn in at the White House. He has served as acting attorney general since April, previously represented the president, and has rescinded a proposed $1.8bn compensation fund while facing criticism over politicising the Justice Department and staff departures.
Surrogate McKenna West has a newborn with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. A Texas court has ordered life-saving care for the infant, while an ongoing custody dispute and questions over surrogacy contracts continue to unfold across multiple states.