Today's Headlines: Trump's America 250 Great American State Fair opened on the National Mall in the rain, the power went out, the ferris wheel didn't work, there was no fair food, at least 10 states declined to send delegations, and Trump called it "packed to the brim" — the North Carolina booth displayed a Confederate flag overlay on a video loop before sponsors pulled out, which is on brand for an event whose main attractions were a Turning Point USA booth and a broken ferris wheel. Trump also unveiled a limited edition passport featuring his own face with the words "welcome, but be good!," announced plans to renovate a DC golf course starting September 1st, and personally inspected Lafayette Park to ensure it will have exactly 47 maple trees because he's the 47th president. The administration also announced the "Patriot Games" — aka the Hunger Games — a high school athletic competition on the National Mall in August where kids from each state compete for a $250,000 scholarship they split two ways, streaming on ESPN. The Iran war is back on: Trump announced strikes on Iranian targets after an attack on a commercial tanker, threatened to "militarily complete the job," Iran responded by asserting full control of the Strait, threatening to halt negotiations, and launching drone and missile attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait — while Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement requiring Israel to withdraw if Lebanon verifies Hezbollah has been fully dismantled, with the US committing $100 million in humanitarian aid. On the Russia beat, coup rumors against Putin got louder this weekend as Russia continues losing in Ukraine, Putin has dramatically increased his personal security, and former Russian defense minister Sergei Ivanov — once seen as Putin's potential successor — died at 73, with his death announced first by a basketball organization he was honorary president of, which is suspicious to say the least. In other news, a new CNN analysis found that Americans in Democratic congressional districts live longer, with nearly 70% of House Democrats representing districts where life expectancy exceeds the national average versus over 70% of Republicans representing districts where it falls below, alongside higher rates of diabetes, obesity, and uninsured residents in Republican districts. Mississippi passed a law creating a registry of undocumented immigrants to share with ICE, covering fewer than 30,000 people out of nearly 3 million state residents. And finally, a dangerous heat dome is forecast for the central and eastern US just in time for July 4th celebrations, so happy 250th America. Resources/Articles mentioned: Newsweek: Map Shows States Skipping America 250 Fair News Observer: Confederate flag fuels fresh controversy over NC at national ‘State Fair’ WaPo: Organizers remove Confederate flag image from N.C. booth at fair on the Mall Forbes: Trump’s Patriot Games: What We Know About Nationally Televised Event NYT: White House Releases Images of the Trump ‘Patriot Passport’ WaPo: Work on East Potomac Golf Links overhaul will begin Sept. 1, Trump says DW: How real is a coup threat against Russia's president? MSN: Putin faces internal strains as ally Ivanov dies at 73 Axios: U.S. launches fresh Iran strikes as Trump threatens to "complete the job" WaPo: Iran insists it has sole control of Hormuz, ignoring Trump’s threats AP News: Iran attacks Bahrain and Kuwait following US strikes and threatens to halt talks MS Now: Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement after marathon talks AP News: A new law could create a list of immigrants illegally living in Mississippi. Advocates are alarmed CNN: Americans now live longer in Democratic-held House districts. Here’s why NYT: A ‘Heat Dome’ Could Bring Triple- Digit Temperatures to the Midwest and Eastern U.S. Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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