US News Live: Documents show DTE Energy donated $100,000 to group opposing Michigan's Covid lockdowns

The United States is dealing with a nationwide problem of approximately one million defunct 'orphan' oil and gas wells, whose original owners are unknown or insolvent, according to a report in NPR. As these wells age, they pose environmental and health risks by leaking potent greenhouse gases like methane and other unhealthy chemicals. Identifying the location of these numerous wells is the critical first step in addressing the issue. Federal efforts to combat this problem include significant funding allocated under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed in November 2021, to help states plug and remediate these hazardous sites.

Newly released court documents reveal that Michigan-based power utility DTE Energy donated $100,000 to a dark money non-profit organization, The Guardian says in a report. The documents indicate the non-profit was involved in efforts to oppose COVID-19 lockdown policies implemented by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer during the pandemic. This revelation contradicts previous public statements from DTE Energy in which the company had denied its involvement with the donation and such non-profits.

Three adults were killed and ten other people, including two juveniles, were injured in a shooting on a residential street in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry neighborhood early Monday, as per a report in AP. Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel stated that numerous rounds were fired shortly before 1 a.m. Authorities have confirmed that one person with a weapon has been taken into custody following the incident.

An effort by the U.S. Health Secretary to use peer pressure to convince food makers to remove synthetic dyes from their products has encountered significant resistance from the candy industry, The New York Times says in a report. This push for reformulation, which is also championed by health advocate and former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has stalled with confectioners like the makers of M&M's. The industry's primary argument for retaining the dyes is the belief that American consumers have a preference for vibrant, brightly colored sweets.

Tropical Storm Chantal has caused significant flooding in parts of North Carolina after making landfall on Sunday, according to a report in The New York Times. The storm resulted in the closure of multiple roads and left some drivers stranded. As of Monday, Tropical Storm Chantal is moving in a northeasterly direction.

The US Supreme Court's rules mandate that many litigants submit 40 printed copies of their main case briefs, a requirement that results in millions of pages of paper being used each term, The New York Times says in a report. Despite the existence of digital filing systems, this long-standing rule for physical copies remains in place. The practice has drawn criticism for being inefficient, costly, and environmentally wasteful, with the financial and logistical burdens disproportionately affecting smaller firms and non-profit organizations. Historically, the rule ensured all justices and clerks had access to physical documents for review, but its continuation has sparked debate about the Court's need for modernization.

Cierra Ortega, a contestant on 'Love Island USA', has departed from the reality show after a controversy emerged regarding past social media posts containing a racial slur, according to a report in BBC. The contestant's parents described the situation as a 'painful' week following the discovery and public reaction to the posts.

Prices for popular obesity treatments in the USA, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, are decreasing, but patients still face significant challenges with steady access and affordability, as per a report in AP. The drugs remain in high demand, contributing to supply issues. For individuals without insurance, the monthly cost is approximately $500, a price that remains out of reach for many. While insurance coverage for these medications is gradually increasing, it is still inconsistent, creating uneven access for patients. Cheaper, compounded versions of these drugs, which are not subject to the same FDA oversight, also continue to be sold as an alternative.

An American citizen has been arrested in Mexico by local authorities for disturbing the peace, Fox News said in a report. During the arrest, the individual was reportedly found to be in possession of alleged CIA credentials, six firearms, magazines, ammunition, and tactical equipment.

Following years of persistence by her family, the 19-year-old missing person case of Jennifer Kesse in Florida has seen a significant breakthrough, Fox News says in a report. New DNA evidence has emerged, leading investigators to reclassify the case from a cold case to an active investigation. This development marks a renewed effort to solve the mystery of Kesse's disappearance, which occurred nearly two decades ago.

The FBI and Department of Justice have concluded that convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail nearly six years ago, committed suicide and did not have a "client list." Based on a federal memo, the report states that the law enforcement agencies found no evidence that Epstein blackmailed powerful figures. These findings reaffirm the official cause of death from 2019 and address public speculation regarding a potential blackmail operation.

The state of Florida has implemented a new law creating special parking permits for pregnant women, according to a report in Fox News. The policy allows expectant mothers to obtain a permit valid for up to one year, granting them access to designated accessible parking spaces. This measure is intended to provide convenience during pregnancy and the postpartum period and has reportedly drawn both support and criticism.

A business owner in Jonestown, Texas, has vowed to rebuild and continue operating his business following severe flooding that he described as the worst the area has seen in two decades, according to a report in Fox News. The historic flood reportedly caused significant damage, leaving debris high in trees. Despite the impact of the natural disaster, the owner expressed his determination to recover and keep his business running.

Seven bodies have been discovered at the site of a major explosion at a fireworks warehouse in California, according to a report in The New York Times. The seven individuals had been reported missing following the blast. The explosion also ignited a wildfire, which prompted some cities and counties in the region to cancel or postpone their Fourth of July fireworks celebrations.

Sade Perkins, a former Houston appointee, is facing public backlash for claiming in a viral video that Camp Mystic in Texas is a "Whites-only" institution, Fox News said in a report. The controversial allegation was made as the camp and surrounding area contend with catastrophic flooding that has reportedly killed dozens of people.

Fighter jets from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) intercepted three aircraft on Sunday that violated a Temporary Flight Restriction zone near President Donald Trump's location in New Jersey, Fox News said in a report. The action was part of a broader security response to a total of 11 aircraft that breached the restricted airspace over the course of the weekend while the President was staying in the state.

A church in Dallas, Texas, drew approximately 600 people to a service held for the victims of the recent state-wide flooding, according to a report in The New York Times. The community-organized event aimed to provide spiritual comfort and solidarity for those impacted by the severe floods that have caused widespread damage and displacement.

A Pennsylvania man, Justin D. Mohn, is scheduled to stand trial starting Monday for the 2024 killing of his father, Michael F. Mohn, as per a report in AP. Mohn faces charges including murder, abuse of a corpse, and terrorism-related offenses after he allegedly beheaded his father in their shared Levittown home. Following the killing, he is accused of posting a video of the severed head online while calling for others to help him try to overthrow the U.S. government.

The congressional seat for a southern Arizona district, long held by Democratic Rep. Raúl Grijalva, is now open, according to a report in AP. Grijalva, who represented the heavily Democratic district for over two decades, is not seeking re-election. A number of Democratic candidates, including Grijalva's daughter, are now vying for the nomination, while a few Republican candidates are also competing for their party's nod to fill the seat.

President Donald Trump has threatened to impose an additional 10 percent tariff on any nation that aligns with what he termed the "anti-American policies" of the BRICS bloc, according to a report in The Hill. In a direct statement, Trump announced, "Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff." He further specified that there would be "no exceptions to this policy."

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan has dismissed a legal argument referred to as the "combination theory" in cases related to the constitutional separation of powers, according to a report in Reason Magazine. The rejected theory posited that several individually weak legal challenges, specifically concerning the non-delegation doctrine, could collectively amount to a single meritorious claim. In her reasoning, Justice Kagan stated, "A meritless public non-delegation challenge plus a meritless private nondelegation challenge cannot equal a meritorious 'combination' claim," effectively blocking this avenue for challenging the authority delegated by Congress to federal agencies.

Patients with ultra-rare diseases in the US are expressing concern that new regulations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could hinder their access to life-saving drugs, according to a report in The Guardian. These concerns are amplified by the significant challenges of conducting clinical trials for conditions that affect very small patient populations. The issue was recently highlighted when the FDA rejected the drug elamipretide in May, a decision made even after an independent advisory panel had given the drug a narrow recommendation for approval. Following the rejection, the FDA suggested an alternative pathway for the drug's potential approval, indicating a need for more or different data.

The United States women's basketball team, comprised of college players, won the AmeriCup by defeating Brazil 92-84, securing a berth in next year's World Cup in Germany, as per a report in AP. Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes led the team with 27 points, hitting a crucial 3-pointer in the fourth quarter to give the US a 70-69 lead. This sparked a 9-0 run, which was capped by a layup from South Carolina's Joyce Edwards, solidifying the American team's comeback victory after trailing at the end of the third quarter.

The family of Clark Hunt, owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, suffered a tragic loss when a nine-year-old relative died amidst devastating floods in Texas over the weekend, the New York Post said in a report. The death occurred during a period of severe weather that caused significant and widespread flooding in parts of the state.

The European Union is facing a critical two-day deadline to finalize a trade deal with Washington and prevent President Donald Trump's threatened 50% tariff on EU imports, according to a report in The Guardian. Negotiations continued over the weekend, with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stating the focus is on 15 to 18 agreements with key partners. President Trump has also warned of potential import tax rates as high as 70% on other nations.

Mexico has won its second straight CONCACAF Gold Cup and its 10th overall, defeating the United States 2-1 in the final match in Houston, AP said in a report. This victory secures Mexico's back-to-back championship in the regional tournament.

Mexico won its 10th Concacaf Gold Cup title, defeating the United States 2-1 in the final in Houston, Texas, on Sunday, as per a report in The Guardian. The US team, which was missing several key players, lost after Edson Álvarez scored the decisive goal in the second half. The goal, a header following a deflection, was initially disallowed for offside but was confirmed after a VAR review, securing Mexico's successful defense of the trophy won in 2023.

Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei was driven off the field by ambulance with an apparent head injury during a Major League Soccer match against the Columbus Crew on Sunday, according to a report in AP. The incident occurred late in the game at Lumen Field in Seattle when Frei's head collided with a Crew player's knee as he came down from making a play on a free kick. Teammates immediately signaled for medical help after Frei fell to the turf.

Police in Turks and Caicos have discovered a decomposed body in Grace Bay during their search for a missing US citizen, Fox News says in a report. The search was for 51-year-old New Yorker Briand Tarrence, who disappeared while vacationing in the Caribbean. Local authorities are now working to identify the remains discovered during the operation.

Speaker Mike Johnson said on Sunday that Congress is limited in its ability to provide further aid to victims of the recent Texas floods until it receives supplemental funding requests, according to a report in The Hill. In a television interview, Johnson noted that while initial state and federal resources have been deployed, additional long-term assistance from Congress is procedurally dependent on these formal requests. He stated that lawmakers feel "helpless" in the interim as they must wait for official damage assessments and funding proposals before they can legislate and appropriate more money for recovery efforts.

The Washington Nationals fired manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo on Sunday, more than halfway through their sixth straight losing season since winning the 2019 World Series, The Guardian said in a report. The dismissals followed a sweep by the Boston Red Sox, which dropped the Nationals' record to 37-53, one of the worst in the National League. Rizzo had been the team's general manager since 2009.

Three-star wide receiver Devin Fitzgerald, son of former Arizona Cardinals star Larry Fitzgerald, announced his commitment to play college football for the University of Notre Dame, Fox News said in a report. Fitzgerald chose the Fighting Irish over the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His commitment adds to a trend of children of former NFL players joining the Notre Dame program.

Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl returner KaVontae Turpin is facing legal trouble just weeks before the team's training camp, as per a report in Fox News. The charges are misdemeanors for marijuana possession and unlawful carrying of a weapon.

A nationwide US network of far-right, men-only fraternal clubs, known as the Old Glory Club (OGC), has been uncovered, according to a report in The Guardian. The investigation reveals the network has at least 26 chapters operating in 20 states. The OGC's participants are said to include hundreds of individuals, among them past and currently serving military personnel, lawyers, and civil servants. The report notes the group's growth occurred during the political rise of Donald Trump and his return to the White House.

The travel center chain Buc-ee's is expanding its presence across the United States with plans for new locations in several states, according to a report in The Hill. The company, known for its large-format convenience stores and gas stations, is set to open new travel centers, bringing its brand to more regions of the country. The report outlines the areas targeted for future growth.

On Sunday, House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that his "hearts go out to" those affected by deadly flash floods in Central Texas, The Washington Times said in a report. He added that he is praying for the victims and their families following the severe weather event in the region.

President Donald Trump and the Republican party are intensifying efforts to block the counting of mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day, citing concerns that delays in results fuel conspiracy theories, according to a report in The Washington Times. This initiative is part of a broader GOP focus on election integrity that gained prominence after the extended vote counts in the 2020 presidential election. The current push involves legal and legislative actions at the state level aimed at changing election laws to require that all ballots must be received by the close of polls on Election Day to be considered valid, rather than just postmarked by that date.

Representative Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) stated on Sunday that climate change is 'obviously a part of' the recent deadly flooding that occurred in Texas, The Hill said in a report. Castro commented that such floods are happening more frequently in more parts of the USA and around the world, adding that the issue must be faced.

The newest installment in the “Jurassic World” franchise, 'Jurassic World Rebirth', dominated the Fourth of July holiday box office with a global five-day launch of $318.3 million, as per a report in AP. The Universal Pictures release earned $147.3 million of that total from its first five days of release in 4,308 North American theaters.

"Buy now, pay later" (BNPL) loans will now be factored into US consumer credit scores, a change that is causing concern for some borrowers but that financial experts believe could also be beneficial, according to a report in The Guardian. This development, driven by major credit bureaus, means that payment history for BNPL services will be reflected on credit reports. While some users worry this could negatively impact their scores and access to credit, the change also presents an opportunity for responsible borrowers to build or improve their credit history through on-time payments. The move follows increased scrutiny of the BNPL industry by regulators like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

A police officer was shot outside an immigration detention facility in Texas, according to a report in The New York Times. The incident occurred after officers responded to a report of a suspicious person near the center. Officials stated that several armed people have been taken into custody following the shooting.

An explosion occurred at a Domino's restaurant in the US state of Utah after a car veered off the road and collided with the building, BBC says in a report. The local fire agency confirmed that the crash triggered the subsequent explosion, prompting an emergency response to the scene.

The US Department of Justice has begun to hand over audio recordings from the 1985 torture and killing of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena to the legal defense team of Rafael Caro Quintero, The Guardian says in a report. According to a recent court filing, the tapes are being provided as part of the discovery process for the federal prosecution of Caro Quintero in New York. The Guadalajara cartel co-founder is accused of participating in the murder of Camarena, which occurred in Mexico nearly four decades ago.

Amid sparse crowds for the Club World Cup tournament in the USA, FIFA has cut standard ticket prices for the semi-final match between Chelsea and Fluminense at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, as per a report in The Guardian. Prices for the Tuesday match were reduced from $473.90 to $13.40. The move is part of FIFA's dynamic pricing strategy for the event, though ticket prices for the other semi-final featuring PSG and Real Madrid remain priced from nearly $200.

The Trump administration has criticized the Smithsonian Institution, accusing it of promoting "one-sided, divisive political narratives," according to a report in Fox News. The criticism was reportedly delivered in an exclusive email from the White House to the news outlet on July 5, 2025. The report did not specify which particular exhibits or programs prompted the administration's statement.

Advisers to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended against the use of flu shots containing the preservative thimerosal, according to a report in NPR. The recommendation brings renewed attention to the mercury-based additive, which has been used in vaccines since the 1930s. Despite extensive scientific research finding no link between thimerosal and health issues, it was removed from most U.S. childhood vaccines in 2001 as a precaution and is now mainly present in multi-dose flu vaccine vials.

A woman was rescued in Center Point, Texas, on Friday after being swept away by floodwaters from a campsite in Ingram, The New York Times said in a report. Rescuers located the woman approximately 20 miles downriver from where she was originally camping, finding her alive and clutching a tree.

Former Chicago White Sox pitcher Bobby Jenks has died at the age of 44, as per a report in BBC. The cause of death was a rare form of stomach cancer.

President Donald Trump’s approval ratings remain underwater five months into his second administration, with the public giving mixed reviews on his immigration crackdown, economic handling, and foreign policy, according to a report in The Hill. His approval on the economy, which was a significant strength during 2024, has shown a slight improvement after previously declining due to tariff implementations and stock market losses.

The recent crisis involving Iran has revealed the limits of its alignment with China and Russia, as both nations have kept their distance, according to a report in The New York Times. This development challenges the narrative, promoted by some U.S. officials, of a unified "axis of authoritarian nations" acting in concert. Despite some economic and diplomatic cooperation, both Beijing and Moscow have demonstrated a reluctance to become militarily entangled in Iran's regional conflicts with the U.S. and Israel, prioritizing their own national interests and avoiding direct confrontation with the West. The situation underscores that the relationship between the three countries is more transactional than a formal military alliance.

During recent floods in Texas, several National Weather Service (NWS) offices were operating with key staff positions unfilled, according to a report in The New York Times. Experts suggest these shortages, which can include crucial roles like meteorologists and hydrologists, might have hindered the ability of forecasters to effectively coordinate with local emergency management officials. The NWS is tasked with issuing critical forecasts and warnings for local authorities to act upon. Such vacancies are often attributed to a combination of federal budget constraints and lengthy, bureaucratic hiring processes.