The Treasury Department plans to cease penny production, ending the minting of this historic coin due to escalating production costs. Currently, manufacturing and distribution of a single penny costs approximately 3.7 cents, resulting in significant annual losses for the U.S. Mint. Eliminating penny production is projected to save roughly $56 million annually. This decision follows previous administrations’ considerations of the same issue, driven by the increasing expense of zinc, the penny’s primary metal component.
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Glen Edward Rogers, known as the “Casanova Killer,” was executed in Florida for the 1995 murder of Tina Marie Cribbs. His final words included a message of support for President Trump, stating “President Trump, keep making America great,” a comment that surprised witnesses. Rogers also expressed love for his family and offered a promise of future answers to his victims’ families. The execution marked the 16th in the U.S. this year, and followed a pattern of similar killings across multiple states.
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A small plane, possibly a Cessna, crashed into a San Diego military housing neighborhood, resulting in multiple fatalities, all of whom were on the plane. The crash ignited numerous homes and vehicles, causing a significant fuel spill and requiring hazmat response. While several injuries were reported on the ground, no additional fatalities outside the aircraft occurred. Local officials are supporting impacted residents and investigating the cause of the accident.
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Following a deadly tornado in St. Louis that killed five, the city’s emergency management chief, Sarah Russell, has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an external investigation. The investigation centers on the failure of the city’s tornado sirens to activate during the Friday storm, despite a National Weather Service warning. An internal investigation revealed that while a malfunctioning button at the Fire Department contributed to the failure, unclear communication from Russell also played a role. Consequently, Mayor Spencer issued an executive order assigning sole siren activation responsibility to the Fire Department.
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According to the Wall Street Journal, Donald Trump informed several European leaders that Vladimir Putin believes he is winning the war in Ukraine and has no intention of ending hostilities. Despite this acknowledgment, Trump opposes further sanctions on Russia, favoring lower-level talks mediated by the Vatican. He expressed reservations about an “unconditional” ceasefire, a term he previously used, and showed wavering commitment to direct US involvement in the proposed negotiations. This private admission contrasts with Trump’s prior public statements claiming Putin desires peace.
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The House narrowly passed President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” by a 215-214 vote, a closer margin than initially appeared due to last-minute voting and the absence of Representative Andrew Garbarino, who reportedly overslept. The bill, including tax cuts and increased defense spending, faced criticism from some conservatives for insufficient debt reduction. Two other Republicans voted against the bill, and one voted present, while the Democrats were down one member due to a death. The legislation now proceeds to the Senate for consideration.
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This legislation significantly increases military and border security spending while drastically reducing funding for Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP, and eliminating clean energy tax credits. The Congressional Budget Office projects that these cuts will result in millions losing health insurance and access to vital social programs. Despite claims that the bill benefits working Americans, Democrats have criticized its passage as detrimental to the working class. The bill’s passage marks a significant shift in national spending priorities.
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Early Thursday morning, a security incident at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia resulted in a non-fatal shooting. Fairfax County Police assisted with traffic control following the incident, which occurred hours after the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, D.C. The CIA has confirmed the incident and stated that the main gate was temporarily closed. Authorities have indicated no evidence currently links the two shootings.
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Leaked emails reveal that Tulsi Gabbard’s chief of staff, Joe Kent, pressured intelligence officials to revise a report on the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua to align with President Trump’s statements on immigration. Kent sought to downplay the report’s findings contradicting Trump’s claim of Venezuelan government collusion with the gang, despite the National Intelligence Council’s conclusion that such collaboration was improbable. Subsequently, Gabbard fired two top intelligence officials following the report’s release and subsequent media coverage highlighting the discrepancies. This action prompted accusations of retaliation for producing analysis that contradicted the President’s political agenda.
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Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez issued a stark warning to the GOP regarding a Trump-backed bill, predicting significant repercussions if the legislation passes. AOC highlighted the potential for widespread public backlash against the measure. She emphasized the importance of remembering a key, unspecified number related to the bill’s impact. The congresswoman’s statement underscores the high stakes and potential political fallout surrounding the proposed legislation.
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John Q. Hosedrinker