Graham Platner ends Senate bid. And, why Nolan Wells’ demise captured nationwide consideration

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As we speak’s high tales

Democrat Graham Platner introduced final evening that he has ended his U.S. Senate marketing campaign in Maine. The politician confronted strain from social gathering leaders to finish his bid after one in all his former girlfriends accused him of rape. He denies this allegation. In a video, Platner stated his determination to drop out was not an act of contrition and as an alternative blamed a “political system not built for normal people.” Now the race is on for Democrats to discover a new candidate to switch Platner earlier than the state’s July 27 deadline to call somebody new.

• 🎧 Many Democrats see this race as very important for regaining management of the Senate, as they see Maine’s long-term incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins as a beatable opponent, NPR’s Elena Moore tells Up First. Maine’s Democratic Celebration is planning a nominating conference to pick out somebody new to run within the race. Platner appealed to his supporters by promising political change and addressing points equivalent to affordability. Moore says that lots of Platner’s supporters, pissed off with the political institution, hope the brand new candidate will proceed the momentum he sought to create. Strategists have informed Moore that it’s potential for a extra skilled candidate who’s free from scandal to marketing campaign on key points Platner addressed, even when they don’t seem to be as far to the left as he’s.

In a single day, the U.S. launched strikes on southern Iran, concentrating on round 90 army websites alongside the coast and the very important Strait of Hormuz, in line with the U.S. Central Command. In retaliation, Iran launched air assaults in Kuwait and Bahrain in opposition to U.S. army installations. Kuwait’s army reported intercepting missiles and drones. International locations within the Center East are on excessive alert as they brace for the opportunity of additional battle within the area.

• 🎧 The state of affairs surrounding the talks to finish the battle in Iran stays unsure, says NPR’s Emily Feng, who’s in Israel. Each the U.S. and Iran are seemingly ready for the opposite to again down first, she provides. The Israeli army forces are at “full readiness” for battle once more with Iran, in line with Israeli media. Final evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Protection Minister Israel Katz abruptly canceled a public occasion to carry an emergency safety assembly. Whereas the Israeli authorities typically backs america’ determination to strike Iran once more, Feng says there may be nonetheless vital ambiguity over what the U.S.’s final targets are with the newest sequence of strikes.
• 🎧 Yesterday, President Trump took a pointy flip in his view of Iranian leaders, whom he not too long ago hailed as brave folks wanting to steer their nation towards a brighter future. On the NATO summit in Turkey, he as an alternative criticized these leaders, accusing them of dishonesty and of failing to maintain their ceasefire commitments. NPR’s Franco Ordoñez says Trump’s rhetoric is a part of a well-known sample, which he shows when he prematurely declares that the battle is over or swings between admiration and aggression inside hours. In his quest to finish the battle with Iran, Trump’s method has been to weave collectively threats and diplomacy, in line with Ordoñez. However when the president makes threats, equivalent to saying he would not wish to make a take care of Iran, folks do not know whether or not he plans to observe by means of or whether it is only a negotiating tactic.

The household of 18-year-old Nolan Wells, who was discovered useless on Horn Island off the coast of Mississippi after a Fourth of July getaway with buddies, has enlisted the assistance of civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump. It is nonetheless a thriller why Wells, final seen on the northwest tip of the island round 3 p.m. on July 4, was the one one from his group who did not return. The case has garnered nationwide consideration on-line. Crump introduced that his workplace will conduct an impartial investigation into the circumstances of Wells’ demise. In a latest interview with Don Lemon, Crump stated that officers have but to tell the household about any suspicions of foul play. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Workplace is asking for folks to submit any photographs or movies that might assist decide what occurred the day Wells went lacking as they proceed their investigation. Here is what we all know in regards to the case to date.

Life recommendation

Keep secure this summer season. Ensure you know the 5 water security expertise, designate a water-watcher when youngsters are swimming, know the indicators of warmth exhaustion and extra.

Kaz Fantone/NPR

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Kaz Fantone/NPR

Summer time could be an thrilling time for journey, but it surely has some dangers. Excessive warmth, tempting open our bodies of water and out of doors critters can all show lethal. However do not let that maintain you again from having enjoyable. Listed below are proactive methods to maintain your self secure this season:

• 🏖️ Assign a sober, attentive grownup as a “water-watcher” to oversee the water and the youngsters in it.
• 🏖️ Cowl as a lot pores and skin as potential whenever you’re outside in areas the place ticks thrive, just like the Northeast. When mountain climbing, follow the paths and keep away from tall grass. Ticks can transmit illnesses equivalent to Lyme.
• 🏖️ Be sure that to learn your grill’s handbook to set it up securely and stop fireplace accidents. Keep in mind, maintain your grill away from the facet of your home, below patio roofs or beneath another person’s balcony.

For added steerage for methods to keep secure and wholesome this summer season, take heed to this episode of NPR’s Life Equipment. Subscribe to the Life Equipment publication for knowledgeable recommendation on love, cash, relationships and extra.

Image present

Scenes in Primm, Nevada exterior the Buffalo Payments On line casino on Wednesday June 24, 2026. Krystal Ramirez for NPR

Krystal Ramirez for NPR

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Krystal Ramirez for NPR

A decided household is taking up a problem like no different: resurrecting a city. Primm, Nevada, was as soon as a bustling, family-friendly on line casino hotspot. But it surely has skilled a steep decline and has step by step grow to be a ghost city as extra on line casino choices have emerged throughout america. Within the Nineteen Nineties and 2000s, Primm attracted guests with reasonably priced lodging, playing, live shows, rodeos and points of interest like a curler coaster. Since then, that trip has shut down, and two of the city’s three accommodations have closed lately. The once-thriving outlet mall now options solely a single thrift retailer. When the Primm household realized that the final working casino-hotel, Primm Valley Resort & On line casino, was on the point of closure, they joined forces with the Nevada-based comfort retailer chain Horrible’s to breathe new life into this fading city. Check out how the city stands in the present day.

3 issues to know earlier than you go

The Kennedy Heart on June 28, with its facade signage nonetheless lined by a tarp and scaffolding.

Alex Wroblewski/AFP by way of Getty Photos

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Alex Wroblewski/AFP by way of Getty Photos

1. A federal appeals courtroom yesterday denied Trump’s request to revive his title on the Kennedy Heart in Washington, D.C.
2. Final week, the Supreme Court docket justices quietly launched their annual monetary stories, giving us a glimpse into their earnings.
3. On this week’s version of Far-Flung Postcards, NPR’s Emily Feng sends greetings from the Deir Mar Musa monastery in Syria, the place she found a singular mulberry tree that held the very best fruit she says she has ever tasted.

This text was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.