Good morning everyone. Today is expected to be a very busy news day. And, overnight, I got word that some in the far-right are extremely upset about the fact that I even still have a platform, let alone one that is not backed by billionaires or could be controlled by the White House.
So, if you haven’t yet, I’d be grateful if you subscribed. My reporting isn’t backed by billionaires or corporations—it’s supported by readers like you. Subscribing helps me continue to do this work independently, and without compromise. Thank you.
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With that, here’s the rest of the news you missed today:
California Governor Gavin Newsom is preparing to redraw his state’s congressional map to favor Democrats if Texas Republicans proceed with their proposed redistricting plan aimed at flipping five Democratic seats, a move backed by Donald Trump. Newsom's plan, which could target GOP incumbents like Ken Calvert and Darrell Issa, would be advanced through the Democratic-controlled Legislature and potentially submitted to voters via a statewide ballot measure—sidestepping California’s independent redistricting commission, which only draws maps once per decade.
This retaliation strategy signals a broader Democratic response to what they see as aggressive GOP gerrymandering, with governors in New York and Illinois also considering mid-decade redistricting. The high-stakes battle could reshape the House of Representatives, where Republicans currently hold a narrow 219–212 majority.
With red states like Florida, Ohio, and Missouri contemplating similar redistricting moves, and Texas Democrats meeting with leaders in California and Illinois, the conflict is poised to escalate into a national redistricting arms race. The outcome could define the legislative and investigative landscape for the remainder of Trump’s term and shape the political battlefield heading into the 2028 presidential election.
Rodney Taylor, a Liberian-born double amputee detained by ICE in Georgia, was placed in solitary confinement (a "restrictive housing unit") at Stewart Detention Center after refusing to enter his flooded cell due to the risk of damaging his battery-powered prosthetic legs, highlighting broader issues of medical neglect, lack of disability accommodations in immigration detention, and ongoing legal and humanitarian concerns surrounding his case.
The family of Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein abuse survivor who died by suicide, publicly urged Donald Trump not to pardon Ghislaine Maxwell—calling her "a monster who deserves to rot in prison"—after Trump acknowledged Epstein "stole" Giuffre from Mar-a-Lago, raising questions about his awareness of their crimes; while Maxwell seeks clemency, the administration says no leniency is being considered.
Donald Trump escalated his trade war with Canada, threatening a 35% tariff on Canadian goods outside the USMCA if no deal is reached by 1 August, after Canada announced plans to recognize Palestinian statehood—a move Trump criticized on Truth Social and said would complicate trade negotiations; Canadian PM Mark Carney had called talks "constructive" but warned they may not conclude before the deadline.
On the eve of Trump’s tariff deadline, a federal appeals court is set to hear arguments from businesses challenging the legality of his “liberation day” tariffs, claiming he bypassed Congress; Trump responded on Truth Social by defending the tariffs as essential for national survival and wishing his legal team luck in what he called “America’s big case.”
President Trump imposed a 50% tariff on most Brazilian goods—among the highest in the trade war—while exempting sectors like aircraft, energy, and orange juice; the move coincided with sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, whom Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused of leading a politically motivated “witch hunt” against former president Jair Bolsonaro, amid allegations Bolsonaro sought Trump’s help to disrupt Brazil’s 2023 presidential transition.
Trump announced a 15% tariff on imports from South Korea, avoiding higher levies, while imposing 25% tariffs on imports from India and 50% on those from Brazil.
A Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam was forced to make an emergency landing in Minneapolis after severe turbulence injured at least 25 passengers, who were taken to local hospitals; experts warn such turbulence is worsening due to the climate crisis, with projections of a two- to threefold increase in coming decades.
FEMA denied disaster assistance and hazard mitigation grants to three Kentucky counties hit by spring storms, stating the damage wasn’t severe enough—part of a broader trend under the Trump administration to reduce federal disaster aid and shift recovery responsibilities to states; critics warn this move leaves under-resourced local agencies ill-equipped to handle the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-fueled disasters.
US consumer spending rose by 0.3% in June, rebounding from flat growth in May, despite rising inflation driven in part by tariff-related price increases; the PCE inflation index, the Fed’s preferred gauge, also rose 0.3% monthly and hit 2.6% annually—its highest level since February—while energy and goods prices surged, prompting concerns amid steady stock futures and growing economic uncertainty.
Brown University reached a deal with the Trump administration to reinstate nearly $50 million in research funding by committing to nondiscrimination and granting federal access to admissions data; in contrast, $108 million in federal funding to Duke University remains frozen.
The US Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged, despite pressure from Trump to cut rates; earlier, US GDP was reported to have grown at an annual rate of 3% in Q2 2025.
Kamala Harris announced she will not run for governor of California, leaving the race for the state’s leadership wide open.
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Arkansas police arrested 28-year-old James Andrew McGann for the killings of Clinton and Cristen Brink—who were fatally attacked in front of their two young daughters while hiking at Devil’s Den State Park; McGann, recently hired as a teacher candidate in Springdale, faces two counts of capital murder, with officials still investigating the motive as state and federal authorities praised the swift law enforcement response.
Gaza news:
Portugal announced that it will be recognizing a Palestinian state in September, following yesterday’s announcement from Canada doing the same.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel to try to revive ceasefire talks and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where famine is unfolding; he is expected to visit US-Israeli-backed GHF aid sites.
Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that the “fastest way to end humanitarian crises in Gaza” is for “Hamas to surrender and release hostages.”
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson urged the EU to suspend its trade agreement with Israel, citing Israel’s failure to meet basic humanitarian obligations in Gaza.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called for immediate talks on a two-state solution, warning against unilateral actions and noting Israel’s growing isolation following a UN conference boycotted by the US and Israel.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 111 Palestinians, including 91 aid seekers, were killed and 820 injured in Israeli strikes across Gaza in the past 24 hours.
The BBC broadcast footage showing humanitarian aid being airdropped into Gaza.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on political parties to disarm, emphasizing Lebanon’s determination to dismantle Hezbollah following remarks from the group’s leader.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani expressed his country’s desire to maintain close ties with Russia, calling for mutual respect after the fall of Syria’s prior Moscow-backed regime.
Iran labeled new US sanctions as “malicious,” targeting a shipping network controlled by the son of a senior advisor to the Supreme Leader.
Good news:
Sienna, a shelter pit bull-lab mix with no formal training, made national headlines after instinctively detecting a man’s oncoming seizure during a Virginia adoption event—approaching him, placing her paw on his leg, and refusing to leave his side; the man, Josh Davis, had unknowingly skipped his epilepsy medication, and Sienna’s unprompted actions sparked viral attention, leading to a flood of adoption applications. Ultimately, she was adopted by Sharon Sweeney, who had already submitted an outstanding request, and her story has been celebrated as a powerful reminder of the intuition and value found in shelter dogs.
See you this evening.
— Aaron
