Kennedy Beaver, a 6-year-old from North Carolina, has been undergoing therapy sessions at least twice a week since her diagnosis with Noonan syndrome, a genetic condition that hampers her development. She is one of 600,000 individuals in the state who stand to lose access to essential healthcare services as Congress prepares to endorse significant cuts to Medicaid funding proposed in President Trump’s latest legislative agenda.

The Community Alternatives Program for Children (CAP/C) in North Carolina plays a crucial role in covering most treatments and medications for children under 20 with serious medical needs. The Beaver family has highlighted that without this program, they would face monthly expenses exceeding $4,000 for Kennedy’s care, even with private insurance.

“Without Medicaid coverage, our medication would cost $3,200 a month since our primary insurance denied us,” Marilyn stated, expressing their concerns over potentially having to ration Kennedy’s treatment if the proposed cuts are enacted. Jay Ludlam, Deputy Secretary of North Carolina Medicaid, emphasized that these suggested cuts at the federal level will inevitably impact the entire Medicaid program.

The state’s Medicaid framework currently offers benefits to over 3 million residents, and officials warn that reductions in federal funding could jeopardize programs like CAP/C. Ludlam remarked on the broad implications of a $700 billion cut to Medicaid nationwide, stressing that such drastic reductions would most likely lead to coverage loss and alterations to the benefits people receive.

If given the chance to address lawmakers directly, Marilyn expressed her desire for them to pursue health system reforms that improve access without compromising services. “It’s about fixing the healthcare system so that everyone in the country receives adequate care,” she concluded.

President Trump’s initiative to eliminate taxes on worker tips may soon materialize, as senators finalize a substantial budget package dubbed the “big, beautiful bill.” A primary element of this legislation aims to alleviate federal income tax burdens for workers dependent on tips, including waiters, bartenders, and hairdressers. While the White House promotes this move as a success for the working class, critics like the Independent Restaurant Coalition argue that the benefits might be short-lived and that many low-wage workers might not see real assistance.

The proposed “no tax on tips” provision would create a new deduction for tipped workers, removing their federal tax obligations on tips earned. However, these workers would still need to pay state and local income taxes, as well as payroll taxes. Notably, the House and Senate versions of the bill diverge on key aspects, particularly regarding deduction limits.

The Senate’s proposal caps the deduction at $25,000, while the House version allows for no cap. Moreover, the House limits eligibility for the tax break to individuals earning $160,000 or less annually, while the Senate suggests phasing out benefits for those making over $150,000 and couples exceeding $300,000. According to estimates from the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers, abolishing taxes on tips could increase the average take-home pay of eligible workers by approximately $1,675 yearly.

A survey revealed that 83% of hourly workers favor eliminating taxes on tips, indicating that added income could provide essential support for many workers. However, data shows that a significant number of tipped workers may not benefit, as over one-third already fall below taxable income levels. Critics emphasize that the tax break would primarily assist higher earners while leaving many low-wage employees, especially in fast food, without support.

Advocates suggest raising the federal minimum wage as a more effective strategy to help low-wage workers, addressing the root cause of income insufficiency rather than focusing solely on tax deductions.

In July, hundreds of thousands of workers in various cities and states will experience wage increases as minimum wage hikes take effect. According to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), over 800,000 workers in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington, D.C., will be directly impacted by these changes, alongside numerous cities and counties that will raise their minimum pay rates. Currently, the federal minimum wage remains unchanged at $7.25 per hour, a rate that has stood still since 2009.

As living costs have gradually increased, several states and municipalities have opted to raise their minimum wages through legislation and ballot measures. EPI’s state economic analyst, Sebastian Martinez Hickey, noted that these increases aim to better support workers and their families. Full-time workers in Alaska could see an average annual pay increase of about $925, while those in Oregon might experience an increase of approximately $420.

Women make up about 58% of those benefiting from these wage hikes, with Black and Hispanic workers also likely to gain significantly, highlighting ongoing disparities in wage growth. Although the federal minimum wage has not changed in 16 years, there have been ongoing discussions, such as legislation proposed by Senator Josh Hawley to raise it to $15 per hour. Specific minimum wage increases include Alaska’s new rate of $13.00 an hour, raised by $1.09 due to a voter-approved ballot measure.

In Washington, D.C., the new minimum will be $17.95 an hour, reflecting a 45-cent increase. Meanwhile, Oregon’s minimum wage will rise to $15.05 an hour, following a 35-cent adjustment. Additional wage increases will occur in 12 cities and counties across California, Illinois, and Maryland, with various adjustments that range from 40 to 54 cents per hour.

Beyoncé faced a potentially dangerous situation during her first concert of the “Cowboy Carter” tour in Houston on Saturday night. While performing her song “16 Carriages,” she was suspended in a red convertible when it began to tilt unexpectedly. Fan-captured videos from the event show the singer, who is 43 years old, calmly reacting to the alarming scenario. As she was elevated in the air, the vehicle began to slant, prompting Beyoncé to say into the microphone, “Stop.

Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop.”

Thankfully, she appeared to be secure in a harness and held onto one of the cables, ensuring her safety. The music was halted, and the car was gradually lowered back to the stage without incident, allowing the performance to continue. The precise cause of the car’s malfunction remained unclear following the event. Despite the scare, Beyoncé later shared her love for Houston through an Instagram post, including a heartfelt caption that read, “I love you, Houston,” along with a collection of images from the concert.

This Houston performance is part of her “Cowboy Carter” tour, which follows her successful international leg where she showcased her talent across six nights in London and three nights in Paris. The incident serves as a testament to her professionalism and ability to handle unexpected challenges during her performances.

A crew of four aboard SpaceX’s newest Crew Dragon capsule successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday, concluding a seamless 28-hour automated rendezvous that began with their launch on Wednesday. The Crew Dragon, named Grace, is the fifth variant in SpaceX’s fleet. Its docking mechanism engaged with the Harmony module of the ISS at 6:31 a.m. EDT while they were above the mid-Atlantic Ocean. Following the initial “soft capture,” the capsule was securely locked in position, and various checks were carried out to ensure an airtight seal.

The hatches opened at 8:14 a.m., allowing Crew Dragon commander Peggy Whitson, along with her teammates Shubhanshu Shukla from India, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Hungarian engineer Tibor Kapu, to enter the ISS. They received a warm welcome from the seven long-duration crew members already at the station. Peggy Whitson, a retired NASA astronaut and the most experienced American space flier, is leading this mission as part of a privately-financed charter by Axiom Space. Throughout their two-week Ax-4 mission, the crew plans to conduct a series of scientific research projects and technology demonstrations, along with educational events in their respective countries.

Station commander Takuya Onishi greeted Whitson and her crew at a welcoming ceremony, expressing both honor and privilege to have such a seasoned astronaut onboard while also congratulating the first-time space travelers. Whitson reciprocated, highlighting the exceptional hosting by the ISS crew and their anticipation for a productive collaboration. The Ax-4 mission aims to involve researchers from 31 countries in evaluating the various experiments being conducted. Whitson emphasized that this mission opens up access to space for nations that typically couldn’t participate, making it a groundbreaking endeavor.

Prior to docking, the crew shared their excitement, with Whitson describing the new capsule’s “new-spacecraft smell” and expressing joy in returning to space with her fellow astronauts. All crew members voiced appreciation for the experience and gratitude to the teams that made the mission possible.

Eleven individuals have been charged in connection with a series of burglaries that damaged a home in Northern California to such an extent that bears were able to enter. The Butte County District Attorney’s Office announced that the suspects, who allegedly targeted a 64-year-old woman’s residence in Magalia, face first-degree residential burglary charges. The disturbances began on April 17, 2024, when the first burglary incident was reported. Following that, the burglars repeatedly struck the home, causing the resident to leave out of fear for her safety.

Reports indicate that the sustained damage was so severe that multiple bears found their way inside the property, leading to further destruction. Those charged include Sean Anthony Crua, 43; Nicholas Brown, 37; Mary Ricca, 59; Sefo Sipa, 37; Gavin Dominguez-Feathers, 25; Joey Kupiheanapeahi, 42; Breanna Maier, 32; Michael Barnett, 29; Matthew Bacon, 44; Lindsey McLaughlin, 37; and Kayla Goebel, 34, all from Magalia. Currently, Crua, Maier, Dominguez-Feathers, and Kupiheanapeahi are held in Butte County Jail with bail set at $50,000 each. Brown has made bail, while the others have been released on their own recognizance, despite objections from prosecutors.

All eleven suspects are scheduled to return to court for further proceedings on July 9 and 10. This case has garnered attention due to the unusual circumstances surrounding the burglaries and the impact on the local community.

A private funeral was conducted on Saturday to honor the lives of Democratic Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their beloved family dog, who tragically lost their lives in a shocking incident two weeks prior. The family was allegedly targeted in a politically-motivated attack that has left the community in disbelief and mourning.

The service was attended by family members, close friends, and colleagues, all gathering to pay their respects and to reflect on the contributions and character of Melissa and Mark. The impact of their untimely deaths is being deeply felt across the state, prompting discussions about the state of political discourse and safety in the current climate.

As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the attack, law enforcement agencies are focusing on the potential motivations behind this violent act. The tragedy has not only affected the Hortman family but has resonated throughout the entire Minnesota political landscape and beyond, raising concerns about the safety of public officials and the escalating tensions within political realms.

Community leaders and colleagues have expressed their condolences, highlighting Melissa’s dedication to her work and the deep bond she shared with her husband. The couple’s love for their dog, who was also a victim of this senseless violence, has added another layer of heartbreak to an already devastating situation.

In the wake of this tragedy, many are calling for a reevaluation of how political conversations are conducted, emphasizing the importance of civility and respect in public discourse. As the investigation unfolds, the legacy of Melissa and Mark Hortman will undoubtedly inspire discussions on both safety and the need for a more congenial political environment.

A settlement has been achieved in the civil lawsuit concerning the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.” Court documents revealed that the lawsuit, filed by three crew members, claimed negligence against the producers, including Alec Baldwin, who also served as co-producer and lead actor. The plaintiffs sought compensation for the emotional distress they endured following the tragic incident. The lawsuit accused the producers of not adhering to industry safety regulations, a claim that they denied.

Specifics regarding the terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, and attempts to reach the attorneys for both the producers and the plaintiffs were unsuccessful. Among the plaintiffs was Ross Addiego, a front-line crew member who witnessed Hutchins’s shooting during a rehearsal in October 2021 at a ranch near Santa Fe. In related legal proceedings, a charge of involuntary manslaughter against Baldwin was dismissed last year due to allegations that evidence was withheld by police and prosecutors. Meanwhile, “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March 2024 and received an 18-month prison sentence after being accused of bringing live ammunition onto the set and neglecting safety protocols.

She was granted parole in May 2025. During a rehearsal, Baldwin pointed a gun at Hutchins when it discharged, fatally wounding her and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin referred to the incident as a “one-in-a-trillion event.” Addiego’s testimony was pivotal in Gutierrez-Reed’s trial and in the grand jury proceedings against Baldwin.

Filming for “Rust” was completed in Montana in 2023, with Baldwin later describing the film’s completion as “nothing less than a miracle.” The Western was subsequently released in theaters in May.