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Kevin Hern's Senate Bid Raises Questions Over Veteran Benefits Vote

Kevin Hern's Senate Bid Raises Questions Over Veteran Benefits Vote

Kevin Hern, a Republican representative from Oklahoma, is seeking a promotion to the U.S. Senate. His voting record on H.R. 9237, the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, has come under scrutiny. The bill, which Hern supported, proposed new veteran benefits but also included reductions in future disability compensation to fund these benefits. This has raised concerns about Hern's stance on veteran support, as the bill would have affected future claims for conditions like tinnitus and sleep apnea. All five Oklahoma Republicans in the U.S. House voted to advance the bill, which was ultimately postponed due to opposition from veterans' organizations.
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Mercedes-Benz Lobbies to Amend Senate Bill on Chinese Ownership Cap

Mercedes-Benz Lobbies to Amend Senate Bill on Chinese Ownership Cap

Mercedes-Benz Lobbies to Amend Senate Bill on Chinese Ownership Cap
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House to Consider Continuing Resolution to Extend Federal Funding Amid Fiscal Uncertainty

House to Consider Continuing Resolution to Extend Federal Funding Amid Fiscal Uncertainty

The U.S. House of Representatives is set to consider a continuing resolution (CR) this week to extend funding for federal programs until December 4. This measure is intended to prevent a government shutdown as Congress has not finalized the fiscal year 2027 spending bills. The CR would maintain funding at current levels, allowing more time for negotiations. House Democrats, led by Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, are awaiting a list of 'anomalies' from the White House, which would identify programs needing short-term funding boosts. The Senate is also preparing a CR, with ongoing debates over spending priorities, particularly between defense and non-defense allocations.
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Tropical Depression Approaches US Gulf Coast, Expected to Strengthen into Tropical Storm

Tropical Depression Approaches US Gulf Coast, Expected to Strengthen into Tropical Storm

A tropical depression is moving erratically towards the U.S. Gulf Coast, with forecasts indicating it could strengthen into a tropical storm. As of Monday afternoon, the depression was located approximately 105 miles south of Panama City, Florida, with sustained winds of 35 mph. The U.S. National Hurricane Center predicts the system will intensify, potentially bringing storm surges, heavy rains, and damaging winds to several states along the Gulf Coast. A storm surge watch has been issued from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Alabama-Florida border, and a tropical storm watch is in effect from the Ochlockonee River in Florida to southeastern Louisiana. The National Weather Service warns of possible life-threatening storm surges and isolated tornadoes in the region.
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Supreme Court's Recent Rulings Reflect Conservative Shift, Impacting Voting Rights and Gerrymandering

Supreme Court's Recent Rulings Reflect Conservative Shift, Impacting Voting Rights and Gerrymandering

The Supreme Court has recently made significant rulings that reflect a conservative judicial philosophy, particularly affecting voting rights and gerrymandering. The Court's decision to interpret the Constitution's equality guarantee as a requirement for a 'colorblind' approach has effectively weakened the 1965 Voting Rights Act, allowing states like Alabama to eliminate majority-Black districts. This move also reduces constraints on partisan gerrymandering, enabling political parties to shape electorates to their advantage. The Court's actions align with a broader constitutional project led by Chief Justice John Roberts, which aims to transform the First Amendment and recalibrate the balance of powers. These decisions are part of a long-term vision that prioritizes the power of those in authority, often at the expense of minority political influence.
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Bluepeak Expands Fiber Network with Harmonic's Technology to Reach More Households

Bluepeak Expands Fiber Network with Harmonic's Technology to Reach More Households

Bluepeak Expands Fiber Network with Harmonic's Technology to Reach More Households
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Tropical Storm Watch Issued for US Gulf Coast

Tropical Storm Watch Issued for US Gulf Coast

A tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico is forecast to strengthen into a tropical storm within the next 24 to 48 hours, according to the National Weather Service. A tropical storm watch has been issued for the US Gulf Coast, covering areas from the Mississippi/Alabama border to southeastern Louisiana. This system could bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and potential disruptions to coastal regions, including key petrochemical plants and refineries in Louisiana and Texas. The storm is expected to develop mid-week, with impacts likely to extend to parts of Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Residents and industries in the affected areas are advised to monitor updates closely as the situation evolves. (Source time: Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:33:27 GMT)
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House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole Defends Military Spending Amid GOP Criticism

House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole Defends Military Spending Amid GOP Criticism

House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole, a Republican from Oklahoma, has defended the GOP's decision to prioritize military spending in a recent budget proposal. The $95 billion budget framework, which includes $73 billion earmarked for military expenses, has faced criticism from fiscal conservatives within the party. Cole emphasized the necessity of funding military operations, particularly in the context of ongoing conflicts, and challenged his colleagues to support the bill. This stance highlights a broader GOP strategy that prioritizes defense spending over social programs, a point of contention as the party prepares for upcoming midterm elections.
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Tropical Storm Bertha churning off US Gulf Coast

Tropical Storm Bertha churning off US Gulf Coast

By Daniel Trotta July 21 (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Bertha churned across the northeastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday as tropical-storm conditions spread across portions of the northern Gulf Coast, while a separate weather system threatened severe thunderstorms and heavy rain across the U.S.
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Oklahoma QB John Mateer intent on bouncing back from 2025 setback

Oklahoma QB John Mateer intent on bouncing back from 2025 setback

Oklahoma star quarterback John Mateer had his 2025 season sabotaged by a broken thumb on his throwing hand but says he is at full strength entering the upcoming campaign.
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A wave of student loan borrowers have entered default since pandemic-era protections lapsed

A wave of student loan borrowers have entered default since pandemic-era protections lapsed

Defaults on student loans have surged across the United States, reaching record levels as borrowers struggle to keep up with payments
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Tropical Storm Fausto Forms Off Mexico's Coast as Gulf Depression Threatens U.S. Gulf Coast

Tropical Storm Fausto Forms Off Mexico's Coast as Gulf Depression Threatens U.S. Gulf Coast

Tropical Storm Fausto has formed well off Mexico's southwest Pacific coast, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. The storm, which emerged from a tropical depression, is located approximately 750 miles south-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula. It is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Monday night. Meanwhile, a tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico, south of the Florida Panhandle, is being closely monitored as it could develop into a tropical storm. This system is expected to bring heavy rainfall to coastal areas of northern Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana as it moves west towards Texas. A tropical storm watch has been issued for parts of the Florida Panhandle to the Alabama border.