News from the Note…
A round up of the day’s news that might be of interest to you.
This is an OPEN THREAD, folks. Chat about any of the stories listed, share links to stories that caught your eye today, and generally have a good time discussing whatever you want.
The Texas state House is reconvening amid a clash over the state GOP’s plan to redraw the state’s congressional lines, with dozens of Democrats fleeing the state to deprive Republicans of the ability to proceed with the plan.
— NBC News (@nbcnews.com) August 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
[image or embed]
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott blasted Dem lawmakers who fled the state amid a redistricting fight. Abbott threatened to expel them from the legislature unless they return for a special session where Republicans are pushing through a new congressional map giving the GOP five more seats ahead of midterms.
— Politico (@politico.com) August 4, 2025 at 12:28 PM
[image or embed]
Negotiations on a hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza appear to be at an impasse, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaning towards expanded military operations and Hamas demanding the humanitarian situation be addressed before it returns to talks.
— CNN (@cnn.com) August 4, 2025 at 9:17 AM
[image or embed]
Interest rates will be higher over the next decade because of the GOP’s megabill and drive up borrowing costs even for the federal government, Congress’ nonpartisan scorekeeper predicted in a new report. The federal deficit will also increase by $4.1 trillion over a decade, according to the report.
— Politico (@politico.com) August 4, 2025 at 2:48 PM
[image or embed]
The State Department is set to roll out a pilot program that may require foreign nationals from certain countries seeking business or tourism visas to post a bond of up to $15,000, according to a public notice set to be published Tuesday.
— CBS News (@cbsnews.com) August 4, 2025 at 3:15 PM
[image or embed]
The E.U. announces it was pausing a plan to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods as it continued trade negotiations with the Trump administration.
— NBC News (@nbcnews.com) August 4, 2025 at 4:20 PM
[image or embed]
Trump threatens to raise tariffs on goods from India over Russian oil purchases reut.rs/4m1cyoN
— Reuters (@reuters.com) August 4, 2025 at 3:10 PM
[image or embed]
South Africa’s government is putting the final touches to an overarching package that aims to shield businesses against the fallout from punitive US trade tariffs
— Bloomberg News (@bloomberg.com) August 4, 2025 at 4:30 PM
[image or embed]
President Trump’s second-term trade agenda has clear echoes of his “Art of the Deal” approach, essentially demanding that global trading partners show him the money in the form of investment pledges or else face astronomically high tariffs.
— The New York Times (@nytimes.com) August 4, 2025 at 3:40 PM
[image or embed]
An Arkansas man who killed four people and injured 11 others in a mass shooting at a grocery store last year was sentenced Monday to life in prison without parole.
— CBS News (@cbsnews.com) August 4, 2025 at 4:05 PM
[image or embed]
Tesla is awarding CEO Elon Musk 96 million shares of restricted stock valued at approximately $29 billion, just six months after a judge ordered the company to revoke his massive pay package.
— PBS News (@pbsnews.org) August 4, 2025 at 2:23 PM
[image or embed]
Atlantic hurricane season is about to hit its stride.
— CNN (@cnn.com) August 4, 2025 at 11:41 AM
[image or embed]
