Here are the stories you need to read before starting your day.
Headlines
Swalwell Faces Rape Accusation
Former model Lonna Drewes alleges that ex-Congressman Eric Swalwell drugged and raped her during a 2018 encounter in Beverly Hills. Read More
A Federal Appeals Court ordered D.C. Circuit Court Chief Judge James Boasberg to stop his contempt investigation into Trump administration officials for allegedly defying his order to turn a plane filled with illegal aliens bound for Venezuela around and return to the United States. Find out More
Erika Kirk pulled out of a Turning Point USA event in Athens, Georgia, citing credible threats on her life. Read More
Politics
House Republicans stepped up their investigation into the Democratic Party fundraising platform ActBlue over allegations that it illegally accepted foreign contributions. Read More
President Trump met with holdout conservatives and urged them to support a clean extension of Section 702 of the FISA Act, which allows the government to surveil American citizens without first obtaining a warrant. Link
Congressman Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzalez resigned from Congress in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations. Read More
U.S. News
Police in Omaha, Nebraska, fatally shot a woman after she slashed a three-year-old boy in a shopping cart outside a Walmart. Source
The average income tax refund Americans will receive this year is $3,462, up $350 from 2025. See Details
Jessica McClure Morales – better known as “Baby Jessica,” the Texas teenager who was rescued after spending 50 hours at the bottom of a well in the 1980s- was arrested by police after a domestic disturbance at her home in Midland, Texas. Link
Business
Federal Reserve Board of Governors member Austin Goolsbee said the central bank may need to hold off on rate cuts until 2027. Source
The IMF cut its growth outlook for 2026 and warned that the Iran War is pushing the global economy towards a recession. Find out More
Stock futures were flat as the S&P neared its all-time high. Investors continue to bet on a resolution to the Iran War. Link
World News
Officials from Lebanon and Israel met in Washington for negotiations on a peace deal to end Israel’s attacks and disarm Hezbollah. Find out More
President Trump attacked Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after Meloni rebuked President Trump’s attacks on Pope Leo. See Details
U.S. Naval blockade of Iran continues to hold up as both sides indicate they are open to a second round of peace talks. Find out More
Entertainment
When Taylor Swift ties the knot with NFL star Travis Kelce, she will be wearing a wedding dress inspired by legendary Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor. Source
“Looksmaxxing” influencer Clavicular received medical attention after his livestream ended, after he appeared to overdose on an unknown substance. Find out More
Sports
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini resigns after photos surfaced of her and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel together. Both are married. See Details
LaMelo Ball’s last-second layup lifted the Charlotte Hornets to a dramatic 127-126 overtime win over the Miami Heat in the NBA play-in tournament. See Details
Off the Wall
Former President Joe Biden created an awkward moment when he pulled a black man onstage during an event at Syracuse University and told the crowd that he looked just like Barack Obama. Find out More
