Trump’s Tax Bill and LeBron James’ Contract Decision Lead News – 6/29/25

Senate Republicans advance a $4 trillion tax and spending package, sparking debates over deficits and Medicaid cuts, while LeBron James opts into his $52.6M Lakers contract. Other stories include Delta Air Lines’ account security measures, a plane’s emergency landing in Utah, and international events like Zelenskyy’s treaty withdrawal and European heat waves.

United States

  • Senate Majority Leader Thune and VP Vance secure deal with conservatives for deeper Medicaid cuts to pass Trump’s megabill, per Newsnationnow
  • Trump announces temporary passes for migrant workers in farming and hospitality to clarify deportation policy, per Thehill
  • Florida diver pardoned by Trump for freeing 19 sharks, says he’s “speechless” over executive action, per Nypost
  • Texas Governor Abbott signs law making gold and silver legal tender to boost economic freedom, per Watcher Guru
  • Trump threatens to primary Sen. Tillis for opposing budget reconciliation package debate
  • Nearly two million student loan borrowers face wage garnishment for repayment this summer, per Wsj
  • Senate Democrats accuse GOP of “going nuclear” to extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, per Newsnationnow
  • Senate GOP reinserts defunding Medicare for noncitizens into Trump’s megabill, per Punchbowl
  • Texas congresswoman proposes bills to penalize sanctuary cities and rioters targeting police
  • Senate Republicans insert provisions in Trump’s bill to end federal wind, solar support and tax new projects, per The New York Times
  • Minneapolis holds funeral for ex-House Speaker Melissa Hortman and husband, k-lled in alleged political attack, per PBS News
  • U.S. Catholic bishops challenge Trump’s aggressive deportation policies, objecting to migrant treatment, per The New York Times
  • Republicans set to pass $4 trillion package cutting Medicaid, food assistance on Monday, per HuffPost
  • Senate debates GOP tax cuts, domestic policy bill, racing to meet Trump’s July 4 deadline, per The New York Times
  • Environmentalists, Native Americans protest planned immigrant detention center in Florida Everglades, per NBC News
  • Neighbors celebrate Christmas in June for girl with cancer, creating joy amid tragedy, per The Washington Post
  • Trump plan boosts DHS, White House control over organized crime probes, reducing prosecutors’ role, per ProPublica
  • Oil giants like Occidental Petroleum face losing billions in carbon capture incentives, per WSJ
  • Delta locks some customer accounts for security reasons, per NewsNation
  • Trump’s tax bill may increase deficits post-2034, per NewsNation
  • Senate debates Trump’s bill after narrow 51-49 vote, per WSJ
  • Trump’s bill will shrink debt, says Sen. Marshall, per The Hill
  • NBA’s Malik Beasley investigated for gambling, per AP News
  • College football payrolls to hit $35M, but athlete pay may drop, per WSJ
  • Beyoncé’s concert prop malfunctions in Houston, per NY Times
  • Trump criticizes Fed Chair Powell over interest rates, per Fox News
  • GOP tax bill may add $3.3T to national debt, per NY Times
  • 90-day tariff pause eases fireworks cost concerns, per KOIN 6 News
  • Man k-lled in Wisconsin tractor rollover accident, per FOX5 Las Vegas

Western States

  • Stanford faces federal research funding cuts under Trump administration, per San Francisco Chronicle
  • Injured mountain lion rehabilitated and released in Southern California, per KTLA 5
  • San Francisco Mayor Lurie’s budget plan faces union opposition, per San Francisco Chronicle
  • LeBron James opts into $52.6M Lakers contract for another season, per KTLA 5
  • Shake Shack partners with LAFD to raise firefighter funds, per KTLA 5
  • 8-year-old Gabi Bilbrey, born without lower legs, dreams of racing, per FOX5 Las Vegas
  • PlayStation: The Concert with live game music heads to Phoenix, per Phoenix New Times
  • Ken Garff Automotive acquires Arizona’s largest Chevrolet dealership, per ABC15 Arizona
  • Oak Ridge Fire burns Navajo Nation, evacuation warnings issued, per Arizona’s Family 3TV & CBS 5
  • Driver hospitalized after crashing into Northeast Portland businesses, per KOIN 6 News
  • Driver k-lled in Forest Grove rollover crash, per KOIN 6 News
  • Fire burns train trestle near Newberg apartment complex, per KOIN 6 News
  • I-80 on-ramp to I-15 in Salt Lake City closed for paving, per KUTV2News
  • Plane makes emergency landing on I-80 in Grantsville, per KUTV2News
  • SWAT standoff in Hyrum after man allegedly k-lled wife, per KUTV2News
  • BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff plans to transfer, per ESPN

International

  • Sen. Graham regains Trump’s favor, secures approval for high-stakes Iran strike, per Wsj
  • Tropical Storm Barry forms, set to bring heavy rains to Mexico’s eastern coast, per The New York Times
  • Zelenskyy withdraws Ukraine from anti-landmine treaty, per Channel News Asia
  • US Ambassador sees new Middle East path amid Iran-Israel tensions, per Euronews
  • Pope Leo XIV urges Catholics to help Vatican deficit, per AP News
  • “He was a boy who loved life,” says family of boy k-lled in Brooklyn, per NY Post

Europe

  • Norwegian gambling operator error falsely tells thousands they won big in Eurojackpot, prompting CEO resignation, per The Guardian
  • Srebrenicaکریں survivor Hajrudin Mesić speaks at Dublin commemoration, per RTE News
  • Celebrities like Beyoncé overshadow Paris Fashion Week, per AP News
  • UK politicians condemn Bob Vylan’s anti-IDF chants at Glastonbury, per NY Times
  • Heat waves hit Southern Europe, raising wildfire risks, per AP News