NPR News: 07-07-2026 7PM EDT
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What are the implications of sexual assault allegations in Maine's Senate race?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. Democrats across the country are withdrawing support from Maine U.S. Senate candidate Graham Plattner after a sexual assault allegation, which he denies. If he drops out, Democrats are divided on who should replace him. And Maine law has tight deadlines for replacing candidates, as Maine Public's Steve Mistler explains.
That deadline is Monday, July 13th at 5 p.m. And if Plattner formally withdraws from the race with the Secretary of State by then, Democrats can actually replace him on the ballot, but they have only until July 27th to do so. And that's about two weeks away. So just like with President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, that's just not a lot of time for state Democrats to figure out a process to replace him.
Maine Public's Steve Mistler reporting.
How is Maryland addressing congressional map changes amid political challenges?
Maryland lawmakers will convene for a special session this August to consider constitutional changes that could pave the way for a new Democratic-leaning congressional map. WYPR's Sarah Petrowich has more.
Up until now, Maryland's Democratic-controlled legislature could not agree on if it should fight back against President Trump's call to Republican-led states to redraw their congressional boundaries. Maryland's Democratic Senate President Bill Ferguson has been the main obstacle in passing a map. But with the recent gutting of the Federal Voting Rights Act, Ferguson has changed his tune, and he announced August 3rd through the 5th, state lawmakers will consider loosening political and geographical restrictions on congressional districts. If the constitutional amendment reaches the ballot this November and is approved by Maryland voters, the door would be opened for state lawmakers to approve a Democratic-leaning map for the 2028 general election.
For NPR News, I'm Sarah Petrowich in Baltimore.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service is a federal agency that helps farmers protect soil and water. WWNO's Eva Tesfai reports nearly a quarter of its staff was cut last year, and there might be more losses coming.
In the first six months of last year, the Natural Resources Conservation Service lost more than 2,500 of its 12,000 employees.
What impact do staff cuts have on the Natural Resources Conservation Service?
Then the USDA proposed to eliminate another 3,000 next year. Andy Brown with the Louisiana Farm Bureau says NRCS offices are one of the main ways that farmers work directly with the USDA.
We have fought back. We have a voice. We think that's a little deeper cut than we really want to see.
An agriculture appropriations bill puts about $600 million back into NRCS, which would mean a smaller staff cut. It still needs to clear the Senate. For NPR News, I'm Eva Tesfai in New Orleans.
A federal judge has ruled that the Department of Justice cannot have access to personal information for every person who worked during the 2020 election in Georgia's Fulton County. The Justice Department in April obtained a grand jury subpoena seeking the names and personal contact information of county employees and volunteer poll workers.
How is the DOJ's subpoena affecting the 2020 election in Georgia?
The county argued the subpoena targeted President Trump's perceived opponents. AI stocks dragged Wall Street down today. This is NPR News. European lawmakers are rallying to investigate FIFA boss Gianni Infantino. They're concerned about his involvement in allowing U.S. striker Falarin Balogun to play despite a red card. FIFA lifted his suspension after President Trump intervened. European lawmakers called it a perversion of justice and are concerned over other potential breaches of political neutrality. Families with schoolchildren have started to receive their school supply lists, and surveys show many are expecting to spend more on back-to-school shopping this year compared to last, as NPR's Alina Selyuk reports.
Most of back-to-school shopping happens much closer to the start of the school year, but a survey by the National Retail Federation finds that more back-to-school shoppers have gotten a head start early than in years past.
What are the trends in back-to-school shopping for families this year?
Almost a third say they've started looking. Inflation is a big concern, so people are deal-hunting, but also more families seem to be getting their school lists earlier this year.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What are the implications of sexual assault allegations in Maine's Senate race?
0:00–0:49
2
How is Maryland addressing congressional map changes amid political challenges?
0:49–2:03
3
What impact do staff cuts have on the Natural Resources Conservation Service?
2:03–2:50
4
How is the DOJ's subpoena affecting the 2020 election in Georgia?
2:50–3:45
5
What are the trends in back-to-school shopping for families this year?
3:45–4:45
6
What was discussed at the NATO summit regarding international relations?
4:45–5:03