Raul Ortiz, the U.S. Border Patrol Chief, is retiring from federal service at the end of June after more than three decades with the agency. Acting Commissioner Troy Miller praised Ortiz for his service and leadership, and the agency is currently searching for a replacement. Ortiz's retirement comes after he helped oversee policy changes this month to curb irregular crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border.
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The House Rules Committee has voted 7-6 to send the McCarthy-Biden deal to the floor, signaling support ahead of Wednesday's vote. The deal, which was negotiated by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden, has faced criticism from GOP hard-liners. Despite the criticism, the deal is expected to pass in the Republican-controlled House on Wednesday, and then move to the Senate for further scrutiny and debate.
A federal appeals court has approved a deal granting immunity to the Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, from civil claims related to the opioid crisis. The plan will see Purdue Pharma become a new company, Knoa, with profits going to a fund to prevent and treat addiction. The family will contribute $5.5-$6 billion in cash over time, or around half of their collective fortune. This settlement is the latest development in the opioid crisis, and is hoped to help fund much-needed addiction programs.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is attempting to pass a debt ceiling plan to strengthen the GOP's negotiating power with President Biden. The plan has yet to be finalized and is facing opposition from both Republicans and Democrats. If it passes, it could open the door for further policy provisions in the future.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has signed a bill into law that bans transgender women from playing on female sports teams in college, expanding the state's existing 2021 ban on transgender athletes on K-12 sports teams. The bill has been met with criticism from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and the NCAA, who have argued that it is discriminatory and dangerous. It is the latest in a series of restrictions on transgender people in Alabama, including a bill that would make it a crime for doctors to provide gender-affirming care to transgender minors.
Key takeaways: The Texas Senate is set to begin a historic impeachment trial in August to determine whether Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton should be…
The California Court of Appeals has ruled that Leslie Van Houten, convicted of two killings in 1969 at the direction of Charles Manson, should be released on parole. This overturns the decision made by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2020 to deny Van Houten parole, which was the fifth recommendation for parole since 2016. Governor Newsom's office has referred requests for comment to the California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who could petition the California Supreme Court to stop Van Houten's release.
On Sunday night, 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton was fatally shot in the back by 58-year-old Rick Chow, a convenience store owner who had mistaken him for shoplifting. Chow has been arrested and charged with murder, and the incident has sparked outrage in the community. An investigation is ongoing and authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward.