Hiring worse than expected in June amid elevated inflation

HR recruitment manager holding resume in hands while having an interview in a modern office. (Xavier Lorenzo/Getty Images)

(NEW YORK) -- Hiring slowed markedly in June, falling short of economists' expectations and displaying a wobbly labor market amid elevated inflation set off by the Iran war.

The U.S. added 57,000 jobs in June, according to the federal government's monthly jobs report, which marked a decline from 172,000 jobs added in May.

The sluggish pace recorded in June departs from strong performance for the labor market so far in 2026. Employers added a robust average of about 114,000 jobs each month from January to May, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data showed.

The unemployment rate fell slightly from 4.3% in May to 4.2% in June, the BLS said. Unemployment remains low by historical standards.

The professional and business services sector led job gains, adding 36,000 positions in June. Significant job gains also came in healthcare, though the pace of job growth slowed in that sector.

Hiring had proven unexpectedly resilient, despite a rise in costs borne by businesses and shoppers.

The Middle East conflict, which began on Feb. 28, prompted the Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime trading route that facilitates the transport of about one-fifth of the global oil supply. The standoff triggered one of the largest oil shocks ever recorded.

The pace of annual inflation stands at 4.2%, clocking in at more than twice the Federal Reserve’s target rate of 2%.

The combination of elevated inflation and a resilient labor market has raised the chances of an interest rate hike, futures markets show, posing a risk for corporations eager to keep borrowing costs relatively low.

Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh briefly sent stocks tumbling this month during his first press conference atop the central bank. Warsh voiced a commitment to bringing inflation down to the Fed's desired level.

"Persistently high prices are a burden for the American people," Warsh told reporters in Washington, D.C. "This committee will deliver price stability."

Futures markets peg the odds of an interest rate hike in September at about 64%, according to the CME Group's FedWatch Tool, a measure of investor sentiment.

To be sure, the path forward for interest rates remains highly uncertain. Oil and gasoline prices have eased in recent weeks in response to negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, offering hope of a cooldown of inflation in the absence of rate increases.

On Wednesday, Warsh weighed in on the bullish side of an ongoing debate among policymakers, investors and the general public about the potential impact of AI on the labor market and wider economy.

The technology could create jobs and boost productivity, strengthening the economy of the U.S. and other nations, according to Warsh.

"This is a big paradigm shift both for the conduct of our policy and for our economies," Warsh said. "I think the jobs will be greater. Prosperity will be stronger."

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

20 dead, dozens injured in Kyiv as Ukraine hit with ‘massive’ Russian strike

Smoke is seen as two major fires burn after a drone and missile attack by Russian forces on July 2, 2026 in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

(LVIV, LONDON and NEW YORK) -- At least 20 people were killed and dozens of others were injured after Kyiv came under attack from a "massive" barrage of Russian ballistic missiles and drones overnight, Ukrainian officials said, describing multiple explosions across the capital.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv City Military Administration, published an updated death toll on his Telegram channel. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine said the attack's main target was Kyiv. More than 90 people had been injured across the country.

Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the attack as "massive." President President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said first responders in the capital were "clearing the rubble, searching for people, and providing assistance."

"Damage has been reported at more than 20 sites across the city, most of them ordinary residential buildings," Zelenskyy said. "There was also damage to an ambulance station, a research institute, a hotel, and businesses."

Moscow targeted Ukraine with more than 70 missiles, nearly half of which were ballistic, along with almost 500 drones in the overnight attack, Zelenskyy said.

Damage has been reported in every district in Kyiv. The worst hit was the Darnytskyi district, where part of a nine-floor apartment building collapsed, leaving people trapped inside, Klitschko. Search and rescue teams are still looking for those thought to be under the rubble, including a 15-year-old girl and her family.

Another air raid alert has been issued in Kyiv right now due to Russian drones.

In Holosiivskyi district, the roof of a multi-story residential building was on fire, Klitschko said. In the Shevchenkivskyi district, in the center of the capital, there was a fire on the roof of a hotel.

During the strikes, the mayor urged residents to stay in shelters. Klitschko said earlier that of the 34 people initially recorded as injured in the strikes, 32 were taken to the hospital; two others were treated on the spot.

The strikes targeting Kyiv came hours after the Ukrainian military struck a large Russian oil refinery in Ufa, and a military complex in the Penza region, Zelenskyy said. The night before, Ukraine also struck a satellite communications center in the Moscow region, Zelenskyy said.

Ukraine's strikes on Russia came amid a mounting pressure campaign by Kyiv seeking to push Russia to end the war, which in February entered its fifth year.

An analysis from a U.S. think tank published on Wednesday said troop casualties in the war -- missing, killed and wounded -- had surpassed 2 million, including as many as 600,000 deaths.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies said in that report that the figures heavily skewed toward Russian losses, with roughly three Russians killed or wounded to every one Ukrainian killed or wounded.

Russian casualties amounted to 1.4 million people, according to the data, including 450,000 who had been killed in the war, the report said. Ukrainian forces have suffered 525,000 to 625,000 casualties, including 125,000 to 150,000 deaths, the study said.

Neither the Ukrainian nor the Russian military releases data detailing their own battlefield casualties.

The report's authors, drawing on information collected from Western governments, including the U.S., and on open source information, said Russia also lost territory in April and May. Overall, the report's authors said, 2026 has been counterproductive for the Russian military, and that Moscow may be losing the war.

Offering historical perspective, the report says Russian fatalities in Ukraine are more than four times greater than all U.S. fatalities in all wars combined since World War II, and more than nine times greater than all Soviet and Russian fatalities in all wars combined since World War II.

Russia's advances in key Ukrainian areas "are among the slowest rates of advance in any war over the last century," the report stated.

In Kyiv on Thursday, Ruslan Stefanchuk, the chair of Ukraine's parliament, accused Moscow of using missiles and drones to deliberately target civilians, which turned "an ordinary night in the capital of a European state into a struggle for survival."

"This crime, like every one before it, must be met not only with condemnation, but with a resolute response: stronger air defence for Ukraine, tougher sanctions against Russia, and inevitable accountability for everyone responsible," he said on social media.

ABC News' Patrick Reevell and Morgan Winsor contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

What to know about the Social Security fix proposed by Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Moreno

Ranking member Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) delivers an opening statement during the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs confirmation hearing for Kevin Warsh, U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee for Chair of the Federal Reserve, in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on April 21, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

(NEW YORK) -- The Social Security fund will run out of money in as little as six years, a shorter time frame than previously estimated, according to a report released earlier this month by the programs' trustees.

News of the funding cliff prompted a pair of lawmakers to reach across the aisle and propose a rescue plan in an opinion piece last week for the New York Times.

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., called for lifting a cap on the amount of annual income subject to the payroll tax that funds Social Security. Currently, the cap stands at $184,500.

In other words, the plan would require individuals making more than $184,500 per year to pay taxes on the entirety of their income, potentially generating trillions in additional funds for the program over the next 10 years.

The proposal could, in theory, help administrators avoid painful solutions for recipients, such as a reduction of Social Security payments.

Legislation reflecting the proposal has not been introduced. In the New York Times, Moreno and Warren said they are "working on legislation." Spokespeople for Moreno and Warren declined to comment on the status of the measure.

Here's what to know about a new bipartisan proposal for safeguarding Social Security:

Is Social Security in financial trouble?

Yes, the program faces an ever-tightening budget squeeze over the next handful of years, according to a report this month from the Social Security fund's trustees.

The Social Security trust fund will run dry in 2032, unless Congress combines the program's old-age and disability funds, in which case insolvency would arrive in 2034, the report found. A finding last year from the program's trustees predicted Social Security would become insolvent in 2033 or 2034.

The program generates revenue through a payroll tax paid by employees and employers, setting the income apart from the overall federal budget. Since the early 2010s, however, Social Security has paid more in benefits than it takes in through taxes, shrinking the program's available funds, according to a study issued by the Urban Institute earlier this year.

The budget shortfall has been exacerbated by a decline in births and a reduction of immigration, resulting in fewer taxpayers at the same time that many Baby Boomers have begun receiving benefits. The One Big Beautiful Bill also removed a tax on Social Security benefits, depleting another source of the program's revenue.

What is the Social Security reform proposal from Warren and Moreno?

The bipartisan reform proposal would tweak the payroll tax that funds Social Security.

The program is funded by a 12.4% payroll tax, which is evenly split between employers and workers. The tax, however, applies only to a maximum of $184,500 in annual income, meaning any income beyond that amount remains tax free.

The proposal put forward by Warren and Moreno would lift the cap on taxable income, allowing the tax to apply to the entirety of a person's income even if they make more than $184,500 per year.

"Since the vast majority of Americans make less than that, most people are paying Social Security taxes on 100 percent of their earnings while the highest earners are paying on only part of theirs," Warren and Moreno said in a co-authored opinion piece in the New York Times.

The elimination of the cap on taxable income would generate about $3.4 trillion in added revenue over the next decade, according to an analysis from the non-partisan Peterson Institute. The policy change would close more than half of the program's funding gap, the group said.

"With rising prices and artificial intelligence causing economic uncertainty for the future, Social Security must remain a stable foundation to help retirees afford life's basic necessities," Warren and Moreno said.

The proposal drew opposition from at least one conservative lawmaker. Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, faulted the plan for what he described as a "giant tax increase."

"We need to secure social security, we need to protect it, we need to make it stronger," Husted told “The Guy Benson Show" last week. "But I'm not on board with the approach that they've outlined."

What are some alternative reforms for funding Social Security?

As the program's budget woes have deepened in recent years, elected officials and researchers have proposed a range of solutions. As with any financial shortfall, the fixes either increase revenue or slash expenses.

An alternate means of increasing tax revenue for the program involves ratcheting up the payroll tax by one percentage point from 12.4% to 13.4%, the Peterson Institute said. That move would generate $601 billion in additional revenue over 10 years, closing about a quarter of the program's funding gap, the group added.

If Congress fails to address the projected budget shortfalls, automatic cuts will dial back Social Security benefits by about 25% in 2032, the Social Security fund's trustees said earlier this month.

Earlier this month, a bipartisan bill introduced in the House proposed establishing an independent commission composed of 13 members appointed by leaders in Congress and the president. The commission would seek out fixes for the long-term sustainability of the program. The bill, which counts three cosponsors, has been appointed to two House committees for consideration.

As the years pass, the task of reforming Social Security becomes a greater and greater challenge, the Urban Institute said.

"Waiting only makes the changes larger and more difficult," the group added.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Record number of West Nile virus cases since 2004, CDC warns ahead of holiday weekend

A Culex mosquito, primary vectors for several viral and parasitic diseases inside a house in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, March 3, 2026. (Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

(NEW YORK) -- A record number of West Nile virus cases have been recorded for this time of year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned on Wednesday ahead of the upcoming holiday weekend.

At least 48 cases of West Nile have been reported so far this year compared to an average of 10 typically by the end of June. This is the highest number of infections reported at this point in year since 2004, according to the federal health agency.

Additionally, at least 23 states are reporting West Nile activity, which is the highest number recorded over the last 10 years, CDC data shows.

The illness is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the contagious U.S., with several thousand cases and over 100 deaths reported on average each year.

With millions gathering outside for Fourth of July, the CDC is urging Americans to take precautions and reduce their risk of mosquito bites.

Since 1999, the disease has killed more than 3,300 Americans. Cases have historically peaked in August and are mostly reported from June through October.

While many people infected do not develop symptoms, about one in five do. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, according to the CDC.  Most symptoms soon disappear, though weakness and fatigue may last for weeks or months.

Fewer than 1% of people infected develop severe illness that affects the central nervous system, including inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), the CDC says.

Risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death increase with older age; certain medical conditions including cancer, high blood pressure and kidney disease; and a weakened immune system.

There are currently no vaccines for West Nile virus, nor disease-specific treatments. The CDC recommends rest, fluids and over-the-counter medications to treat the infection. Those with severe illness may need to be hospitalized and receive additional support treatments, such as intravenous fluids.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

‘Revolution’: Fed Chair Kevin Warsh says US likely ‘big winner’ in AI race

Businessman typing on laptop computer keyboard at desk in office. (tadamichi/Getty Images)

(NEW YORK) -- Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh on Wednesday voiced optimism about artificial intelligence, describing the technology as a "paradigm shift" that would likely make the United States a "big winner in the medium-term."

"We are in the first or second inning of this revolution," Warsh said in Sintra, Portugal, at a conference organized by the European Central Bank.

Warsh, who took the helm of the Fed last month, weighed in on the bullish side of an ongoing debate among policymakers, investors and the general public about the potential impact of AI on the labor market and wider economy.

The technology could create jobs and boost productivity, strengthening the economy of the U.S. and other nations, according to Warsh.

"This is a big paradigm shift both for the conduct of our policy and for our economies," Warsh said. "I think the jobs will be greater. Prosperity will be stronger."

Business investment in AI has helped drive recent U.S. economic growth, some studies show.

A surge of AI spending accounted for roughly two-thirds of gross domestic product growth over the first half of 2025, JPMorgan Asset Management found, outpacing the contribution made by hundreds of millions of U.S. consumers. Many of the nation's largest companies have poured funds into the chips and data centers necessary to operate AI.

AI chipmakers, meanwhile, have helped deliver stock market gains this year, allowing the major indexes to overcome a lackluster stretch for many of the tech giants that previously lifted markets.

Shares of fast-rising AI chipmakers have boosted major indexes. Micron has soared 265% in value this year. Sandisk has climbed a staggering 750% over that period.

For now, however, AI has failed to achieve gains on a scale near its immense costs, some analysts previously told ABC News. A product like AI would typically generate revenue in the form of sales either direct to consumers or to third-party businesses using the technology to enhance their offerings. AI has faced challenges on both fronts, some analysts said.

Speaking on Wednesday, Warsh signaled that he expects a shift in sentiment among businesses regarding the impact of AI.

"While we might see business surveys that say 'no big deal,' my speculation is six months from now the surveys will be saying quite the opposite," Warsh said.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

US defeats Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0, advancing to World Cup round of 16

A soccer ball on the grass in the field by the net (Marcia Straub/Getty Images)

(NEW YORK) -- The U.S. men's national team defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday night in their highest-stakes 2026 World Cup match so far, clinching a spot in the round of 16.

It was the U.S. men's team's first World Cup knockout win in 24 years.

The U.S. takes on Belgium on July 6.

U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, who scored a goal in the first half, was handed a controversial red card in the 64th minute following a clash with an opposing player. The red card makes him ineligible for the next match.

Later, Malik Tillman followed up Balogun's goal with a free kick in the 82nd minute, padding the U.S. lead.

Wednesday's win, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, came after the team's impressive first-place record in the group stage. The USMNT finished the group stage with a 2-1 record, with wins over Paraguay and Australia before a loss to Turkey, which occurred once the team had already secured a spot in the next round.

The matchup versus Bosnia-Herzegovina was the U.S. men's team first knockout game following the earlier group stage.

After 48 teams descended upon Canada, Mexico and the United States, 32 teams remained in the knockout stages, which started earlier this week, vying to hoist the trophy on July 19.

With its loss, Bosnia-Herzegovina is eliminated from the World Cup.

Earlier Wednesday, Belgium defeated Senegal 3-2, securing its spot in the next round.

On Tuesday, Mexico defeated Ecuador to advance.

The round of 32 kicked off to a dramatic start on Monday, with Brazil coming from behind to beat Japan 2-1 before Paraguay eliminated Germany in penalty kicks , in one of the most shocking upsets of the tournament so far.

Morocco also topped Netherlands on Monday to clinch a spot in the next round.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Charges announced after club assault

Charges announced after club assaultLONGVIEW – Following an incident at a Longview nightclub early on June 21, three women have been taken into custody as part of an assault investigation. New details regarding an alleged assault on a woman in the parking lot are revealed by arrest documents that WFAA was able to obtain.

Alana Mumphrey, 21, of Longview, Dejae Brown, 21, of Pittsburg, and Ciarrianne Fuller, 21, of Longview are all accused of assault causing bodily injury in relation to an alleged assault at Whiskey J’s, which is situated at 300 TX-63 Spur in Longview. Continue reading Charges announced after club assault

Man arrested for inappropriate photos

TYLER – According to an affidavit from the Tyler Police Department, a man was detained on Sunday after taking pictures of an unconscious woman and then threatening to send the pictures to her relatives. The affidavit states that in February, Otto Pablo, 44, photographed the unidentified victim in a compromising position. The woman told police that Pablo had taken more pictures and had threatened to send the photos.

Authorities say Pablo did send a family member at least one cropped photo. Multiple copies of the pictures were discovered when investigators confiscated Pablo’s phone. Pablo was charged with invasive visual recording and placed under $200,000 bond in the Smith County Jail.

Scoreboard roundup — 7/1/26

(NEW YORK) -- Here are the scores from Wednesday’s sports events:

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
White Sox 1, Orioles 6
Rangers 4, Guardians 9
Tigers 6, Yankees 2
Nationals 10, Red Sox 2
Padres 3, Cubs 23
Mets 3, Blue Jays 9
Pirates 6, Phillies 10
Cardinals 1, Braves 5
Rays 4, Royals 0
Reds 2, Brewers 4
Twins 8, Astros 3
Marlins 3, Rockies 6
Dodgers 1, Athletics 7
Giants 6, Diamondbacks 4

FIFA World Cup
England 2, Congo DR 1
Belgium 3, Senegal 2
United States 2, Bosnia-Herzegovina 0

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Inmates hospitalized after prison bus overturns

Inmates hospitalized after prison bus overturnsPALESTINE — Eight people were hospitalized on Wednesday morning following a single-vehicle crash involving a prison bus carrying several inmates as they headed to the Palestine Unit. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) said one of their bus was in a single-vehicle crash between Donie and Groesbeck on Highway 164, east of Highway 139. The bus was transporting 26 inmates from local jails to the Gurney Unit in Palestine for intake.

TDCJ said all inmates were accounted for, and three staff members were on the bus.

Seven inmates and a staff member were taken to a local hospital and law enforcement believes there are no life-threatening injuries.

East Texas county passes resolution pushing for data center regulation

MORRIS COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — In an effort to encourage economic growth while protecting its natural resources, the Morris County Commissioners Court has adopted a resolution to work with state legislators and agencies to support further regulation of data centers in Texas.

On June 22, commissioners signed the resolution, outlining their request to the state to require data center projects to undergo rigorous review to address their environmental impacts and to adopt standards that promote efficient use of resources.

The court said it recognizes that data centers are “essential to the future economy” but aims to ensure that economic growth is pursued responsibly, with sustainability in mind.

“Economic development and resource stewardship are not competing priorities. These two goals go hand in hand,” Morris County Judge Doug Reeder said on a social media post, where he shared the full resolution. “Morris County can continue to welcome investment while also insisting that growth be responsible, sustainable, and respectful of the people and communities who call this county home. To that end, we are asking state lawmakers to enact legislation giving local governments more control over the planning and regulating of development directly affecting our local infrastructure and resources.”

In its resolution, the court supports state requirements for the transparency and disclosure of projected electricity and water use and the anticipated impacts on county roads, infrastructure and public safety.

Additionally, the court asks legislators and related agencies to adopt standards for data centers that require them to prioritize efficient resource use, such as using water and power-efficient technology and coordinating with regional planning groups.

At the end of the resolution, the county requests state lawmakers adopt the following legislation to ensure incoming data centers use resources responsibly:

Evaluate and implement policies to improve the transparency of projected electric demand and water consumption of large-scale computing facilities
Establish reasonable requirements for infrastructure planning, resource impact review and mitigation of significant public impacts
Promote coordination among state agencies, counties, municipalities, utility providers and developers
Ensure that local governments are provided opportunities to participate in planning processes affecting local infrastructure and resources
Preserve Texas’ ability to attract technological investment while protecting taxpayers, ratepayers, landowners and natural resources

The resolution will be sent to the governor, lieutenant governor, legislators representing Morris County, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, ERCOT and other state and regional entities.

State sales tax revenue totaled $4.2 billion in June

AUSTIN — Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock today said state sales tax revenue totaled $4.2 billion in June, 4.2% more than in June 2025. The majority of June sales tax revenue is based on sales made in May and remitted to the agency in June.

Receipts from the sectors mainly affected by business spending were mixed last month, with the construction and wholesale trade sectors coming in above their June 2025 totals, and the mining and manufacturing sectors falling below collections from a year ago.

From the large sectors driven primarily by consumer spending, remittances from the retail trade sector were once again up more than 3% compared with the same month a year ago, and remittances from the services sector increased by nearly 9%.

Within the retail trade sector, collections from electronic shopping outlets had the largest increase, showing a double-digit increase for the fourth consecutive month. Receipts from the general merchandise subsector were down approximately 2% compared to last June.

Receipts from restaurants were up 4.8% from a year ago, well above the rate of inflation for food away from home.

Total sales tax revenue for the three months ending in June 2026 was up 6.9% compared to the same period a year ago. Sales tax is the largest source of state funding for the state budget, accounting for 58% of all tax collections.

Texas collected the following revenue from other major taxes:

motor vehicle sales and rental taxes — $641 million, up 2% from June 2025;
motor fuel taxes — $336 million, down 2% from June 2025;
oil production tax — $736 million, the largest monthly collections on record, up 82% from June 2025;
natural gas production tax — $212 million, down 1% from June 2025;
hotel occupancy tax — $74 million, up 9% from June 2025; and
alcoholic beverage taxes — $163 million, up 2% from June 2025.

Lawmakers react to high court rulings

Lawmakers react to high court rulingsEAST TEXAS – The U.S. Supreme Court made several monumental rulings on Tuesday, inciting mixed reactions from East Texas politicians and Gov. Greg Abbott as decisions on transgender and birthright citizenship issues were handed down, according to our news partner KETK.

Two of the rulings made by the Supreme Court that caught the attention of East Texans included the decision to uphold state laws preventing transgender women from playing on school athletic teams and striking down President Donald Trump’s executive order declaring that children born to people who are in the U.S. illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.

In a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court ruled that states may continue to uphold bans on transgender girls from competing on girls and women’s school sports teams, after findin that banning transgender women from school athletics does not violate Ttle IX, according to a report from The Hill. Continue reading Lawmakers react to high court rulings

Court sentences seven more to prison over shooting at Texas immigration detention center

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Seven more people were sentenced to prison Wednesday over a shooting outside a Texas immigration detention center that wounded a police officer and has left many protesters facing decades behind bars.

All but one of the defendants sentenced in Fort Worth courtrooms pleaded guilty to charges related to the shooting outside the Prairieland Detention Center near Dallas last July 4. They each were sentenced to between nearly two and 15 years in prison.

The same judges have already handed down harsher sentences to eight people who were convicted at trial, including a former Marine reservist who received a 100-year prison term.

The U.S. Justice Department alleges the shooting was carried out by members of the leftist militant group antifa — a claim attorneys for the protesters have denied.

U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor called the protest an “assault on democracy” before he and another judge handed down lengthy prison sentences last week to eight others who were convicted on terrorism charges.

The six defendants who did not stand trial had pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists. One of them testified at the earlier trial that he spray-painted a guard shack and vehicles in the parking lot.

The seventh defendant, Ines Soto, was sentenced to 50 years in prison after being convicted of providing material support to terrorists, riot and explosives.

The case has been closely watched by critics who say the prosecution could have serious implications for protesters nationwide and First Amendment free-speech rights.

The protesters’ attorneys have insisted there was no planned ambush and that the people who took firearms to the demonstration did so for their own protection. They argue the gathering was planned as a late-night demonstration with fireworks to show support for immigrants detained inside the facility.

Prosecutors told jurors at trial that the group’s actions — including bringing firearms, first aid kits and wearing body armor — signaled nefarious intent.

Benjamin Song, the former U.S. Marine reservist who was convicted of attempted murder in the shooting, was sentenced to 100 years in prison, and seven others received prison terms ranging from 30 to 70 years. Some of them, including Song, have filed notices of appeal.

League in FIFA’s home nation Switzerland rejects World Cup-style mandatory drinks breaks

BERN, Switzerland (AP) — The soccer league in FIFA’s home country Switzerland is not interested in World Cup -style mandatory drinks breaks splitting games into four quarters.

The Swiss Football League said Wednesday “hydration breaks” are not planned in its games next season. It starts July 25 with two 6 p.m. kickoffs, then games at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. the next day.

Switzerland has sweltered in the European heat wave during the World Cup with some evening temperatures around 35 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit).

FIFA ordered three-minute breaks midway through each half of all 104 World Cup games to let players hydrate, regardless of the temperature or if the stadium is cooled under a roof.

Critics of “hydration breaks” say the stoppages disrupt the natural flow of games and are designed, as well as to protect players’ health, to give broadcasters who paid FIFA a collective billions of dollars for World Cup rights time to sell more advertising.

The Swiss league joins European soccer body UEFA in stating they will continue to apply drinks breaks only “when temperatures justify it” after a pre-game agreement with teams.

The first high-profile drinks breaks in soccer involved Lionel Messi at the 2008 Olympics. The men’s final kicked off at midday in Beijing and play stopped for less than two minutes in each half during Argentina’s 1-0 win over Nigeria.

FIFA enforced cooling breaks also required by a Brazilian labor court at some games during the 2014 World Cup.

Extra officers for the holiday

TYLER – Starting on Friday, July 3rd through Monday, July 6th, the Tyler Police Department will be adding additional officers on the street utilizing STEP . STEP stands for Selective Traffic Enforcement Program.

With increased traffic in the city and at Lake Tyler for the 4th of July weekend, officers will be specifically watching for impaired or intoxicated drivers. Please be responsible and don’t drink and drive. Have a safe and happy holiday!

TYLER – Here’s a reminder from the Tyler Police Department in regards to the July 4th holiday. It is a violation of a City of Tyler ordinance to detonate fireworks inside the city limits. You could receive a citation, and your fireworks could be seized.

Discharging a firearm inside the city limits of Tyler is illegal. Celebratory gunfire could injure someone or worse.

There are multiple approved fireworks shows around Tyler to enjoy. Have a safe and happy 4th of July.

US Treasury cracks down on Jalisco New Generation Cartel with sanctions and a bank alert

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Treasury announced a series of sanctions and a new bank alert targeting the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Mexico’s most powerful criminal enterprise.

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on two Mexican men and nine companies involved in transportation, financial services and real estate, accused of being tied to a cartel-linked fuel theft ring intended to evade Mexican taxes while generating tens of millions of dollars annually for the cartel.

Additionally, Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network arm issued an alert to financial institutions that point out red flags of fuel smuggling from the U.S. into Mexico in schemes involving Mexican tax evasion.

“Today’s action highlights the extent to which Mexico’s cartels are expanding beyond traditional drug trafficking to generate revenue for their criminal organizations, which continue to traffic deadly drugs that kill Americans,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a statement.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has acknowledged the New Generation Cartel’s presence in 21 of Mexico’s 32 states, surpassing the powerful Sinaloa Cartel, which is estimated to operate in 19 states. Last year, President Donald Trump designated the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and five other Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

Mexican authorities have in recent years seized million gallons of stolen diesel, gasoline and petroleum distillates from states bordering Texas. Organized crime taps pipelines and diverts fuel to service stations forced to buy from cartels or sell it directly in the streets.

U.S. authorities have even accused the Jalisco New Generation cartel of operating its own service stations.

Trump announces midterm convention for Republicans in Dallas in September

DALLAS (AP) – President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Republicans will hold their first-ever national convention ahead of November’s midterm elections, an unusual event aimed at boosting turnout in races that will decide whether the party maintains control of Congress.

The convention will be held in Dallas on Sept. 9 and 10.

Although both major parties traditionally hold blockbuster conventions during presidential campaigns, Trump has long floated the idea of a similar gathering this year to focus voters’ attention on a sprawling collection of House and Senate races.

If Democrats regain control of either chamber, they will be empowered to block Trump’s agenda and launch investigations into his administration for the final two years of his term.

Republicans have only slim majorities in Congress, and the party in power normally loses ground in the midterms. And without Trump on the ballot, Republican leaders worry that it could be hard to galvanize their voters.

Trump hopes the convention would help change that dynamic, and he’s been talking about it since last year. He floated in a social media post that Republicans would use the event “to show the great things we have done since the Presidential Election of 2024.”

“We will also have lots of Great Entertainment — It will be a RALLY like none other!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post announcing the convention details.

The Democratic National Committee considered hosting a similar midterm convention but ultimately rejected the idea. An expensive soiree could have strained the DNC’s finances, which are struggling with lackluster fundraising and millions in debt.

Democrats have said the GOP convention will be a chance for them to tie Republican House and Senate candidates to Trump, whose approval rating is underwater.

Locating the convention in Texas places a spotlight on the state’s Senate race, which pits Democratic nominee James Talarico against Republican nominee Ken Paxton.

Paxton is the state attorney general who, with Trump’s backing, defeated longtime Sen. John Cornyn in a primary earlier this year. Republican Senate leaders fear that Paxton’s history of scandals — including an extramarital affair, an impeachment and a securities fraud case that did not lead to a conviction — could undermine his candidacy and turn a winnable race into a drain on party resources.

It also highlights the aftereffects of Trump’s mid-decade redistricting push that began in Texas, an effort to secure more seats for Republicans in this fall’s elections.

The Republican National Committee began laying the groundwork earlier this year, voting at its winter meeting in January to make such an event possible by amending procedures centered around quadrennial presidential nominating conventions.

Democrats considered holding a similar gathering ahead of the midterms but tabled the idea. However, the party did hold such conferences in the 1970s and 1980s.

Six protesters to be sentenced in Texas immigrant detention center shooting

DALLAS (AP) — Six people who pleaded guilty to charges related to a demonstration and shooting outside a Texas immigrant detention center are set to be sentenced Wednesday. Other protesters have already been sentenced to decades behind bars, including a former Marine who was handed a 100-year prison term.

A police officer was shot and wounded in the neck during the protest against President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown outside the Prairieland Detention Center near Dallas last July 4. The U.S. Justice Department alleges the shooting was carried out by members of the leftist militant group antifa — a claim attorneys for the protesters have denied.

Last week, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor called the protest an “assault on democracy” before he and another judge handed down lengthy prison sentences to eight demonstrators who were convicted on terrorism charges.

On Wednesday, six more defendants could be sentenced to as much as 15 years in prison after they pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists. One of them testified at the earlier trial that he spray-painted a guard shack and vehicles in the parking lot.

The case has been closely watched by critics who say the prosecution could have serious implications for protesters nationwide and First Amendment free-speech rights.

The protesters’ attorneys have insisted there was no planned ambush and that protesters who took firearms with them to the demonstration did so for their own protection. They argue the gathering was planned as a late-night demonstration with fireworks to show support for immigrants detained inside the facility.

Prosecutors told jurors at trial that the group’s actions — including bringing firearms, first aid kits and wearing body armor — signaled nefarious intent.

Benjamin Song, a former U.S. Marine reservist who was convicted of attempted murder in the shooting, was sentenced to 100 years in prison, and seven others received prison terms ranging from 30 to 70 years.

Another person who will be sentenced Wednesday was convicted at trial. Ines Soto, whose wife was also convicted, could be sentenced to 60 years in prison after being convicted of providing material support to terrorists, riot and explosives. At trial, attorneys for the couple said they arrived late and left the protest when confronted by guards.

Gov. Abbott touts tax plan

Gov. Abbott touts tax planSMITH COUNTY — Gov. Greg Abbott made a campaign stop at Milano’s in Bullard on Tuesday afternoon, pushing towards the November election. According to our news partner KETK, the main message, eliminating property taxes for Texans. Abbott is up for his fourth term and is now pushing for his new “Taxpayer Empowerment Pledge.”

“One thing I hear from every Texan is that we’ve got to do more to slash their property taxes,” Abbott said.

If reelected, Abbott says he will advance his five-step plan, which includes eliminating school property taxes, using a state budget surplus to fund academic programs, shifting appraisals from annual to every five years, and requiring voters to approve any increases with a 2/3 vote. Continue reading Gov. Abbott touts tax plan

Eligible seniors can get GLP-1s for $50 a month for weight loss alone

Close-up of a woman holding several GLP-1 injection pens used for weight loss and diabetes treatment. Modern injectable medication concept for obesity management, healthcare and pharmaceutical therapy. (Kateryna Borodina/Getty Images)

(NEW YORK) -- For the first time, Medicare will cover GLP-1s for obesity-related weight loss, without any other medical conditions.

Starting Wednesday, eligible Medicare beneficiaries can receive GLP-1s for obesity for $50 per month by prescription. Medicare is the primary federal health insurance program in the U.S. for individuals 65 and older.

Federal rules ban Medicare Part D -- which helps cover prescription drug costs -- from covering drugs solely to treat obesity, but a new federal pilot bridge program approved by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be in effect until Dec. 31, 2027.

This move could dramatically expand access to Eli Lilly's Foundayo and Zepbound and Novo Nordisk's Wegovy for seniors 65 and older as well as other eligible Medicare enrollees.

Foundayo and Wegovy Pill are daily tablets. Wegovy and Zepbound are weekly injections that require refrigeration.


A month supply of Wegovy will come in four pre-filled pens while Zepbound will be delivered in a KwikPen, which holds four weekly doses in a single device.

Single-dose Zepbound pens and Zepbound vials will not be covered by the bridge program.

"These treatments are a major medical advancement, but too many seniors are currently unable to access them due to high cost," Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, said in a statement last month. "The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge changes that by making these medications more affordable and accessible, while advancing our broader goal of helping Americans live healthier lives."

An estimated 3.8 million beneficiaries could be eligible for the program, according to a KFF analysis of 2023 Part D enrollment data that was published Monday.

The government negotiated with the manufacturers to reduce the price the government will pay to $250 for a month’s supply and in return the companies will have access to the larger patient population. Each patient will pay a $50 copay towards the cost of the medication, but that co-pay will not go toward an individual’s annual deductible.

Patients will first need prior authorization -- prescribing clinicians will submit documentation proving the patient meets strict body mass index (BMI) and health condition requirements. That means patients will need to wait for the prescription to be approved before it can be filled.

Patients must have Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or higher. If their BMI is 30-35, they must have certain types of heart failure, hard to control blood or chronic kidney disease.

If their BMI is 27-30, they must have prediabetes, history of heart attack or stroke or blocked arteries in the arms or legs.

These requirements are more restrictive than the FDA approval language or what private insurance companies require, which is a BMI of 30 or over.

Patients must also not have type 2 diabetes, moderate-to-severe sleep apnea, or fatty liver disease because their Medicare plan may already cover GLP-1s.

"GLP-1s can be life-changing for patients managing obesity and related conditions," Chris Klomp, director of Medicare and chief counselor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said in a statement last month.

"This demonstration is designed to make accessing those medications simpler, more predictable, and more consistent across the Medicare program, which means better quality of life for seniors and better value across the health care system," the statement continued.

?Individuals will be able to fill their pre-approved prescriptions at local retail pharmacies and directly through Novo Nordisk or Ely Lilly’s direct to consumer mail order pharmacies.  

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Ukraine strikes Russian oil refinery as Zelenskyy calls for Moscow to end war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky prepares to pose for a family photo before a cultural performance and concert during the G7 Summit on June 16, 2026 in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Photo by Evelyn Hockstein-Pool/Getty Images)

(LONDON) -- The Ukrainian military struck a Russian oil refinery in Ufa on Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Kyiv continues its pressure campaign seeking to push Russia to end the war.

"This is an entirely just response to everything Russia is doing against us," Zelenskyy said on social media. "Peace is needed, and this is exactly what Russia’s leadership must realize. Russia must end its war."

The Russian Defense Ministry did not appear on Wednesday to publicly comment on the attack, but said in a message on Telegram that its forces had shot down or otherwise destroyed at least 179 Ukrainian drones over Russian or Russian-occupied territory overnight.

The refinery, which Zelenskyy said was one of Russia's largest producers of lubricants, sits more than 1,300 km, or about 800 miles, from the frontline.

Ukraine overnight also launched an aerial strike at a military complex in the Penza region, where Russia develops and manufactures components related to missiles, Zelenskyy said.

The General Staff of Ukraine's military said the target was an aerospace facility known by its Russian acronym, NIIFI. The site is used to build sensors for some cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as satellite components, Ukraine said.

"Hits and smoke were recorded at the facility," the General Staff said in a Ukrainian-language update posted on social media. "This is a leading Russian enterprise in the field of space, aviation and military instrument-making."

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Shooting leaves one dead, suspect arrested

JEFFERSON – A shooting in Marion County that left one person dead is being investigated by authorities. The Sheriff’s Office reports that following reports of a shooting on FM 248, one person was taken into custody at approximately 8 p.m. on Monday. Troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Jefferson Police Department, and Marion County deputies all arrived at the scene. Both the victim’s and the suspected shooter’s identities are still unknown. Xavier Lakeno Zachary has been identified as the suspect; he has been charged with murder and booked into Marion County Jail. The Texas Rangers will support the investigation, according to the sheriff’s office.

Third Whataburger suspect surrenders

Third Whataburger suspect surrendersMARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department said in a news release Wednesday, Cortavian Tatum, 18, a third suspect sought in connection with the June 27 shooting at Whataburger on Victory Drive, turned himself in. He surrendered Tuesday night at the Marshall Police Department and was charged with murder. With his surrender, three suspects identified in connection with the incident are now in custody. Also arrested and in custody at the Harrison County Jail are Davion McDale Brown, 19, who was charged with capital murder, and Jamarrio Dominique Epps, 21, of Longview, charged with murder.

The shooting occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 27. Two victims, James Morrow, 20, and Jassiah Hill, 18, were pronounced deceased at the scene. Two additional shooting victims, whose injuries were not life-threatening, were transported to a local medical facility. Continue reading Third Whataburger suspect surrenders

SWEPCO takes first step to improve power grid reliability for 192,000 Texans

Marshall — As a part of its grid enhancement project, Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) is launching the first phase in Marshall to improve its power grid infrastructure, the company announced on Tuesday.

Earlier this month, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) awarded SWEPCO a $200 million grant aiming to upgrade approximately 700 miles of power line infrastructure in Northeast Texas, ultimately enhancing reliability for more than 192,000 Texas customers, according to our news partner, KETK.

The first project will begin in Marshall, marking the first step in the effort to modernize electric infrastructure and reliability, SWEPCO said.

“When we analyzed our system, upgrading copper wire to more modern equipment stood out as an area that would have the biggest impact,” Adam Keeth, SWEPCO Director of Distribution Engineering & Reliability, said. “By replacing it with modern aluminum?alloy conductors and installing stronger poles, we’re building a system that can better withstand ice, wind, and long?duration storms and deliver more reliable service to our customers.”

The project includes the following upgrades:

Replacing copper wire with stronger conductors
Installing new utility poles designed to withstand severe weather
Strengthen the power distribution network
Support long-term reliability for homes, schools, hospitals and businesses

As work continues throughout the region, the full project is expected to be completed by 2031.

“Together, these efforts will modernize some of the oldest portions of the distribution system, rebuilding them to a more resilient, storm-hardened design within fully cleared rights-of-way,” SWEPCO said.

Tyler priest ordained Bishop of Laredo

Tyler priest ordained Bishop of LaredoLAREDO – John Gomez, a Tyler-based priest, was ordained and installed as the Second Bishop of Laredo on Tuesday after being appointed by the Vatican in May. Gomez was ordained a deacon on May 24, 2008, and a priest for the Diocese of Tyler on May 23, 2009, by Bishop Álvaro Corrada del Río.

“His experience in diocesan administration as Judicial Vicar and Vicar General, his experience in parish ministry, and his commitment to Hispanic Ministry will serve him well in his new ministry as the second Bishop of Laredo,” Diocese of Tyler Bishop Gregory Kelly said in May. “I am also grateful to Bishop-elect Gomez for his help to me over this last year as a new bishop in Tyler and will miss his presence and ministry.”

Secretary Rollins announces program to support small and mid-sized beef processors

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) Program that will provide temporary support for eligible beef processing establishments. Under SPUR, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide up to $500 million in payments to eligible entities to support stronger and more stable market opportunities for American ranchers.

“America’s ranchers deserve a strong, competitive marketplace that rewards their hard work and preserves opportunity for generations to come,” said Secretary Brooke L. Rollins. “Today, historically tight cattle supplies, the Biden administration’s anti-cattle focus, consolidation in and foreign ownership of meat packing and the reemergence of New World Screwworm have created extraordinary market conditions that are placing significant pressure on our independent and regional beef processors. Through the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) Program, USDA is taking targeted action to preserve the independent processing capacity that ranchers rely on, strengthen competition across the American beef supply chain, and support rural communities across the country. This is another important step in our Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry by strengthening domestically owned processing capacity and ensuring America’s cattle producers continue to have strong market opportunities and meet America’s historically high beef demand. As we Make America Healthy Again, we are working to ensure American families have continued access to nutritious, high-quality American beef while promoting greater competition, a more resilient food supply chain, and long-term affordability at the grocery store.”

“Small and mid-size beef processors are essential to maintain the diversity of America’s food system,” said Under Secretary for Food Safety Mindy Brashears. “Supporting this processing capacity helps preserve market options for our United States ranchers, strengthens regional supply chains and ensures American families continue to have access to safe, high-quality beef produced here at home.”

“Competitive supply chains help ensure American ranchers have reliable markets for their cattle,” said Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce. “Through the SPUR Program, USDA is bolstering market opportunities for ranchers and supporting a resilient beef industry.”

These payments are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and are administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Payments are intended to provide financial support to eligible beef processors who have faced increased costs of acquiring cattle for processing due to the abnormally low number of cattle being raised in the U.S at this time and other conditions currently impacting the cattle market. Additional information, including applications, will be provided to eligible entities using contact information that is currently on file with the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Entities eligible to receive funding under SPUR must be beef processing establishments under Federal inspection, as well as beef processing establishments inspected under the Talmadge-Aiken Cooperative Inspection Program and the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program (CIS). Further, eligible entities must be U.S. owned and cannot be nationally dominant in beef processing (or owned by an entity that is). For purposes of SPUR, nationally dominant will be defined as an entity holding a market share greater than or equal to the entity holding the fourth-largest share of the beef processing market.

For decades, the beef processing industry in the U.S. has been heavily concentrated and today just four companies control nearly 85% of the beef processing market, including two foreign owned companies. Ensuring domestic processors can continue operating during this period where the U.S. cattle herd is at a 75-year low is critical to national security and will ensure a strong supply chain once the herd is rebuilt.

This new program also directly supports the USDA Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry and the USDA Small Processors Action Plan (PDF, 2.3 MB) by ensuring American ranchers have access to regional processing capacity they rely on to support branded and value-added beef programs, such as the Product of USA label that USDA started promoting earlier this year.