Fighting4AZ

The Trump administration has proposed a Medicare rule that would reduce hospital reimbursements and lower prescription drug costs, with CMS estimating $5.7 billion in savings in 2027 alone. The proposal would reduce payments to hospitals participating in the federal 340B drug discount program by aligning Medicare reimbursements more closely with hospitals' actual drug acquisition costs, saving Medicare Part B beneficiaries an estimated $1.1 billion in co-pays—about $800 annually for many patients receiving affected medications. The rule would also reduce higher Medicare payments for imaging services performed in hospitals compared with physician offices, lowering beneficiary premiums and overall Medicare spending. Hospital groups oppose the proposal, arguing it would significantly reduce funding for hospitals and essential services. https://archive.ph/gtejX

The CDC is warning of an unusually early surge in West Nile virus activity, with 48 cases reported nationwide by June 30—the highest level for this point in the year since 2004. Thirty-eight cases have involved severe neurological illness, and Arizona has reported the most infections, with 32 cases, including 29 in Maricopa County and four deaths. The CDC is urging people spending time outdoors over the holiday weekend to use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, avoid peak mosquito hours at dawn and dusk, and eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed. Most infections cause no symptoms, but severe cases can lead to encephalitis or meningitis, particularly in older adults and those with weakened immune systems. https://archive.ph/ys7iY

Neil, a five-year-old southern elephant seal that has become a social media sensation, has returned to his birthplace in Tasmania after months at sea, now weighing about one ton. During his latest visit, he has flattened fences, bent traffic bollards, damaged signs, blocked roads, and even bumped into parked cars, earning a reputation as the island's lovable troublemaker. Wildlife officials are urging the public to keep their distance, warning that his popularity could put both people and the seal at risk. As the only male elephant seal regularly visiting Tasmania in recent years, Neil has attracted more than a million followers online and is expected to grow much larger, with adult males reaching up to three tons. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/07/ton-trouble-famous-neil-seal-returns-tasmania-larger

A veterans advocacy group, Veterans Education Success (VES), is facing criticism from former and current Trump administration officials, who argue it has sought to expand its influence within the Department of Veterans Affairs despite its leadership's ties to Democratic administrations and opposition to several Trump policies. Critics point to VES's lobbying efforts, its request to restore regular VA stakeholder meetings, funding from billionaire John Arnold, and a previous VA Inspector General investigation involving ethics concerns over a former VA official whose husband was paid by the organization. VES President Carrie Wofford, a former Clinton and Obama administration official, has also drawn attention for past social media posts critical of President Trump. VES says its mission is to advocate for veterans' education benefits and protect the integrity of the GI Bill. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/07/exclusive-shady-anti-trump-group-funded-leftist-billionaire

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to block daily contempt fines against investigative journalist Catherine Herridge after she refused to reveal a confidential source in a case involving her reporting on alleged Chinese influence at a Department of Defense-funded university. The fines of $800 per day, imposed by a federal judge after Herridge declined to comply with a court-ordered deposition, will now take effect. Herridge argues that forcing her to identify confidential sources violates First Amendment protections for a free press, while the lower court ruled that the plaintiff's need for the evidence outweighed her qualified reporter's privilege. Justice Brett Kavanaugh dissented from the Supreme Court's decision not to intervene. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/07/supreme-court-declines-stop-800-per-day-fine

Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte has reportedly continued a broad personnel shakeup within the intelligence community, with additional intelligence officials receiving termination notices. The latest reported dismissals follow last week's removal of more than 50 officials, including six political appointees and dozens of staff reassigned to their home agencies. According to MS NOW, administration officials say those being removed were believed to be part of the "deep state" and accused of failing to provide complete intelligence to leadership, while former senior intelligence officials interviewed by the outlet said they had never encountered intelligence personnel intentionally withholding information from senior officials. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/07/happy-freedom-250-acting-dni-bill-pulte-fires

President Donald Trump delivered remarks at Mount Rushmore during America's 250th anniversary celebration after flying Air Force One over the crowd before the event. The celebration included a large fireworks display and followed his visit earlier in the week to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota. Trump was joined by administration officials, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, as part of the Independence Day events. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/07/watch-live-trump-delivers-remarks-mount-rushmore-830

A dangerous heat wave pushed much of the United States to near-record electricity demand, prompting the Department of Energy to issue emergency orders allowing utilities and grid operators to temporarily bypass certain environmental restrictions to maximize power generation and prevent widespread blackouts. PJM Interconnection, which serves 65 million people, warned of severe grid strain as electricity demand surged, transmission congestion increased, and wholesale power prices spiked, with coal-fired generation significantly increasing to meet demand. The extreme heat also disrupted Independence Day celebrations nationwide, forcing the cancellation or delay of parades, concerts, and public events in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and other cities because of public safety concerns. https://www.ntd.com/heat-wave-leads-to-power-grid-emergency-orders_1156875.html https://www.ntd.com/heat-wave-disrupts-independence-day-celebrations-nationwide_1156933.html

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani marked America's 250th anniversary with a speech reflecting on the nation's founding ideals, his own immigration to the United States, and his vision of America as a country where equality and opportunity remain unfinished goals. He criticized economic inequality, wealth concentration, capitalism, immigration enforcement, and the influence of wealthy individuals in politics, while praising immigrants, working people, and civic participation. The speech drew criticism from Elon Musk, whom Mamdani referenced as an example of concentrated wealth. Separately, as New York experienced extreme heat, Con Edison reported outages affecting about 10,000 customers, reduced voltage in parts of New York City and nearby communities, and asked hundreds of thousands of customers to conserve electricity, including limiting air conditioning use, while crews worked to repair equipment and reduce strain on the power grid. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/07/watch-nyc-mayor-zohran-mamdani-gives-divisive-july https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/07/mamdanis-nyc-con-edison-shuts-power-10000-customers https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/07/elon-musk-nukes-zohran-response-divisive-independence-day

CNN host Abby Phillip defended New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's request that businesses set thermostats to 78 degrees to reduce strain on the power grid during a heat wave. During the discussion, conservative commentator Ben Ferguson challenged whether Phillip or CNN were following the same recommendation, pointing out that the studio was not set to 78 degrees. The exchange became heated as Ferguson argued the request should apply equally to those defending it, while Phillip maintained the criticism was misplaced and referenced similar energy conservation requests made by other elected officials during past heat waves. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/07/watch-conservative-catches-cnn-host-abby-phillip-glaring

A 14-year-old boy known as "La Douane" has gained widespread attention in Paris after using a toy water gun to spray pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and police officers while demanding small payments from people to avoid being sprayed. The teenager, whose family is reportedly from Algeria, said the idea came from customs officers in Algeria. Videos circulating online also show him allegedly stealing property, throwing objects into a canal, breaking into an apartment, and confronting police. He has reportedly been arrested at least twice in recent weeks, with the incidents fueling debate in France over juvenile crime, public disorder, and immigration. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/07/hamza-taxman-14-year-old-algerian-boy-water

At least three people were shot during a targeted shooting at Fairlane Town Center in Dearborn, Michigan, leaving two people dead and one injured. Authorities placed the mall on lockdown as law enforcement searched for the suspect or suspects, with early reports indicating there may have been two shooters. Police said the shooting was not random, and videos shared on social media showed shoppers fleeing the mall as gunfire erupted. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/07/developing-multiple-people-shot-inside-fairlane-mall-dearborn

President Donald Trump pardoned six people convicted in cases involving vehicle modifications, saying they had been unfairly prosecuted for "fixing their car" and describing the prosecutions as politically motivated. The pardons came days after Trump signed an executive order supporting Americans' right to repair their own vehicles and directing the Environmental Protection Agency to consider deprioritizing enforcement actions against people who, in good faith, restore their vehicles to their original configuration. Trump said Americans should have the freedom to repair their own cars and called the policy "common sense." https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/07/trump-pardons-six-people-persecuted-biden-regime

A former Tennessee Titans scout was found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of his former girlfriend, Jade Benning, first-degree premeditated murder in the death of their unborn child, and two counts of felony murder. Prosecutors said he secretly placed a fatal amount of cocaine in Benning's drink because he did not want the baby, and medical examiners determined she died from a lethal combination of cocaine and alcohol while five months pregnant. Witness testimony included Benning accusing him of spiking her drink shortly before her death. He faces an automatic life sentence on the first-degree murder conviction, with sentencing on the remaining charges scheduled for Sept. 9, and his attorney said he will appeal the verdict while maintaining his innocence. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/07/former-college-football-player-nfl-scout-convicted-killing

A Texas nurse working as a contract employee at UTMB Health was terminated after posting a TikTok video suggesting she would refuse to treat patients who were watching Fox News. The video drew widespread attention on social media, prompting UTMB to suspend the nurse, investigate the incident, and terminate her contract the same day. UTMB stated that it became aware of the social media posts, launched an investigation, and ended the employee's contract following its findings. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/07/muslim-texas-nurse-fired-after-claiming-she-would

Tokyo celebrated America's 250th Independence Day by illuminating landmarks in red, white, and blue and featuring fireworks and a drone show depicting President Donald Trump alongside Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The celebration highlighted Japan's appreciation for the United States and its post-World War II transformation into a democratic, free-market nation. At the same time, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani used the anniversary to criticize economic inequality in America, and several Democratic governors declined to participate in the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, while Pennsylvania's U.S. senators helped organize the state's participation despite the governor's absence. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/07/watch-tokyo-japan-puts-blue-states-cities-shame

The White House used social media to troll Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce during their reported wedding celebration by posting AI-generated images replacing "JUST&T MARRIED" billboards with the message "TRUMP IS YOUR PRESIDENT." The administration also shared an "America's Era Tour" graphic and video referencing Swift's Eras Tour while highlighting President Trump's presidency and American history. Swift, who endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, previously drew a sharp response from Trump after her endorsement. The reported wedding at Madison Square Garden drew more than 1,000 guests, extensive media attention, and large crowds of fans outside the venue. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/07/white-house-trolls-taylor-swifts-madison-square-garden

The Department of Justice announced that a month-long Operation Patriot Shield led by the U.S. Marshals Service resulted in the arrest of 224 fugitives, the clearance of 290 felony warrants, and the recovery of three missing children in southern Illinois and eastern Missouri. Many of those arrested were wanted for violent crimes, weapons offenses, drug trafficking, homicide, and child sexual exploitation, while authorities also seized fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and firearms. Officials said the operation targeted violent offenders, supported the broader Operation Take Back America initiative, and aimed to reduce violent crime in the region. https://www.ntd.com/doj-says-224-fugitives-arrested-3-children-recused-in-2-state-operation_1156944.html

A 30-year-old Arizona man was arrested after allegedly making social media posts threatening to kill Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan. Authorities said the suspect also posted threats against President Donald Trump and requested "full presidential immunity" from the president. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office arrested him the same day on charges including use of an electronic device to threaten and stated it will not tolerate threats or violence against elected officials. https://ktar.com/arizona-news/maricopa-county-sheriff-jerry-sheridan-threats-arrest/5885527