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Democrats Demand Election Security Funding

Two Democrats overseeing federal elections are questioning why the Trump administration hasn't distributed funds for state and local election security as directed by Congress. Sen. Alex Padilla of California and Rep. Joseph Morelle of New York wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and the acting head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Nick Anderson, urging the restoration of more than $39.6 million for specific election security efforts outlined in the fiscal year 2026 DHS Appropriations bill, passed in April.

The lawmakers expressed a "grave concern that time is running out … to assist state and local election officials in protecting our elections from cyber and mis- and disinformation threats." Historically, the Trump administration has treated election security as a political issue, but it has also cut federal funding and jobs in this critical area, including at CISA.

Chevron Expands Operations in Venezuela

Chevron is expanding its operations in Venezuela and plans to invest $7 billion over the next five years, eventually increasing production to around 600,000 barrels of oil per day. Chevron's CEO announced the joint venture in Caracas, alongside U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez. This agreement follows the Trump administration's announcement that would give the U.S. access to 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil. Critics question the legality of these oil agreements, arguing they may hinder Venezuela's democratic transition after U.S. troops captured Rodriguez's predecessor, Nicholas Maduro, in January.

Lindsay Clancy Trial Update

Jurors in the Lindsay Clancy trial stated once again that they could not reach a unanimous verdict. They remained at an impasse after 28 hours of deliberation on whether to convict her of first-degree murder for killing her three children in 2023. The judge urged them to continue deliberating. If the jury remains deadlocked today, the judge may declare a mistrial, leaving the district attorney to decide whether to retry the case. Clancy has admitted that she killed her children in 2023, but her defense team argues she suffered from postpartum psychosis and could not understand or control her actions. Prosecutors contend she planned to kill her children as part of an attempt to die by suicide.