Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton.
Two key Republican senators are dropping their objections to advance the nomination of
“Todd Blanch to be the permanent attorney general, and PR's Claudia Grizzali supports”
that could clear the way for Blanch's nomination to reach the Senate floor. The Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee say they lifted their objections
after acting attorney general, Todd Blanch, issued a written order rescinding a $1.8 billion
anti-weaponization fund, John Cornean of Texas and Tom Tillis of North Carolina, who were both in their final terms, say the order also limits the scope of attacks immunity provision that's part of a broader government deal for President Trump reached earlier this year. While the move could clear the way for Blanch's nomination to head to the Senate floor, it's unclear if Blanch has secured enough votes there for his confirmation.
Some legal experts have also raised concern over the deal's validity since Trump and other defendants have not signed off on the order. Claudia D'Sullis, NPR News. Two people in Michigan have died after becoming ill with cyclists parisists, state health officials announced today.
They're the first reported deaths in the U.S. linked to a widespread outbreak of the intestinal illness that began in May.
And PR's Maria Gadoi has more.
“In a statement, Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services said both people who”
died had, quote, "significant underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by cyclists parisists and dehydration." Cyclists parisists is not usually fatal. The illness is caused by the parasite cyclist's spora. Symptoms include severe diarrhea that can last several days to weeks.
People with healthy immune systems can often recover on their own, but treatment with antibiotics will speed recovery. Michigan has recorded more than 11,000 cases of cyclists parisists this year, in an outbreak linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce. Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating cases in 45
states. Maria Gadoi and PR News. "Crued oil prices eased after President Trump said he was holding off on attacking Iran because of a pending deal. Prices remain steady even after Iran signaled that no talks are underway.
And PR's Camilla Dominozki reports."
“Brent Crude, the global benchmark for crude oil, had been trading around $90 a barrel”
late last week. After President Trump posted online about the primitives of a deal to totally reopen the state of Hormuz, prices dropped by more than $5. Guestaline prices have barely budged, though, with the national average around $4.10 since a gallon, according to AAA.
Analyst at the Apigas Buddy say that between the war with Iran and Ukraine attacking Russian refineries, U.S. Guestaline prices could set a new record for August, while remaining well below their all-time highs in 2022. Camilla Dominozki and PR News. Major U.S. stock indexes rallied to the edge of their all-time highs after easing oil prices
helped calm Wall Street's worries that inflation could get even worse. This is NPR News. Michigan has joined Minnesota in reporting cyber attacks on water systems, but an official said all were operating safely. Last week, authorities said cyber attacks targeted over 30 water systems in Minnesota.
The source of the attacks has been investigated, but they came amid warnings that Iranian hackers have been focused on such systems. Minnesota IT Services says the investigation says they have not identified who was behind them. Drive along a Texas highway in the summertime, and you'll usually see signs advertising
fresh local peaches, but this year's different, not only Weber, from Houston Public Media reports. This year's harvest is smaller than normal after an unusually warm winter and a late spring freeze. Tim Hartman, a fruit crop researcher with Texas and M. University, predicts that this year's
peach crop will be less than half of last year's harvest. He says Texas weather is highly variable, but he has noticed a pattern. In recent history, though, we've seen a trend of getting less chilling. Texas saw its warmest winter on record since 1895. Climate change is creating new challenges for farmers and ranchers in many parts of the country.
For NPR News, I'm Natalie Weber, and Houston. An AI experiment at the annual Wagner Festival in Germany drew booze from the audience. AI assisted projections included former German Chancellor Helmut Cole, the World Trade Center Towers. After the September 11 attacks, and a special posted stamp, marking German reunification
in 1990, attendees were reportedly confused. The festival website says that every performance will be unique because the images and associations will never stand still. The midterms are coming, and that means the new cycle, which is already intense, is about to get more intense this fall.
So the summer is a perfect time to make sure your news diet is calibrated.
I'm Leila Faldel, on up first, we unpack the three biggest stories every morning so you
can stay informed and get on with your day in less than 15 minutes.
