To fill ambassador ranks, Trump taps more friends, supporters than any recent president: Experts

The Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon Johnson to combat racial discrimination in voting, abolished practices like poll taxes and literacy tests, and established preclearance for states with histories of voter suppression. Despite its initial protections, the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby v. Holder weakened these safeguards, allowing states to impose restrictive voting laws, leading to ongoing legal challenges and legislative actions regarding voting rights. Want More Context? 🔎

At least 58 people in New York City have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, linked to cooling towers in Harlem, resulting in two fatalities. In other news, the House Oversight Committee has issued subpoenas related to Jeffrey Epstein's case, while Texas Gov. Greg Abbott seeks to remove Democratic Rep. Gene Wu for blocking redistricting efforts, and California's Gifford Fire has become the state's largest wildfire this year, consuming nearly 84,000 acres. Want More Context? 🔎

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow ahead of a deadline set by President Trump for a peace deal with Ukraine, threatening severe economic penalties for Russia if negotiations stall. Amid ongoing strikes in Ukraine, analysts suggest Putin is delaying serious talks while continuing military offensives, with Trump indicating tariffs may target nations buying Russian oil. Want More Context? 🔎

Under the neon lights of The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, bartender Cassandra Dutra experienced a personal tragedy when a gunman opened fire, killing her coworker Nancy Kelley and three regular patrons. The suspect, Michael Brown, a familiar face at the bar, has been on the run for six days, leaving the close-knit community in mourning for their beloved gathering place. Want More Context? 🔎

Austin Robert Drummond, 28, was arrested in Tennessee following a manhunt linked to the murders of four relatives of a baby found abandoned nearby. The victims were identified as James M. Wilson, Adrianna Williams, Cortney Rose, and Braydon Williams, and Drummond's girlfriend, who is related to the victims, was confirmed to be Rose's sister, raising questions about the motive for the killings. Want More Context? 🔎

A team in South Florida is using robotic rabbits to detect invasive Burmese pythons, aiming to lure them with heat signatures and scents to facilitate capture. Funded by the South Florida Water Management District, this innovative approach complements other methods, including using tracking devices on prey species, as pythons have decimated local wildlife populations since establishing a breeding presence in the region. Want More Context? 🔎