Heartbreak in Texas: Death Toll Nears 80 in Wake of Devastating Floods

The death toll includes at least 28 children, largely from “Camp Mystic”—a Christian summer camp on the Guadalupe River. Wall Street Journal: The majority of the 79 fatalities thus far were recorded along Guadalupe River basin in Kerr County. Of the 68 dead in Kerr County, 40 were adults and 28 were children, according to the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office. An unknown number of people remained missing, including 10 girls and a counselor from Camp Mystic, a summer camp on the Guadalupe River. Another 11 fatalities were recorded in other flood-hit counties. As many as 41 people were known to be missing statewide, Gov. Greg Abbott said Sunday. That included a Burnet County volunteer fire chief carried away by turbulent water, officials said…. Kerrville resident Stephen Blevins, 55, said he was evacuated from his home along the Guadalupe River around 6 a.m. Friday after a police officer knocked on the door. He had fallen asleep hours earlier to pounding rain, he said. “The officer said, ‘You gotta go,’” Blevins said. He was shocked to see the river, roughly 100 yards downhill from the house, lapping at the door. He ran inside to grab a few things and by the time he got out, water was running underneath the porch. “It’s hard to describe just how fast it rose,” he said. “I never could have imagined it would rise so fast, and uphill” (Wall Street Journal). President offered federal emergency assistance: I have declared a major disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (the “Stafford Act”), for the State of Texas due to damage resulting from severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding beginning on July 2, 2025, and continuing. I have authorized Federal relief and recovery assistance in the affected area (White House). Governor Abbot called for a Day of Prayer: “Texans are known for their faith, strength, and resilience,” said Governor Abbott. “Even as floodwaters raged, neighbors rushed in to rescue, comfort, and bring hope. In times of loss, we turn to God for comfort, healing, and strength. I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday—for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines” (Texas).

A Moment of Triumph for Trump: Big, Beautiful Bill Signed on July 4th Holiday

The law was signed at the White House on the 4^th holiday—complete with a flyover from B-2 bombers. The achievement marks what even opponents have had to recognize: Trump has had an amazing string of achievements in his first six months. Fox News: President Donald Trump is riding a major wave of momentum after he signed his $3.3 trillion “big, beautiful bill” Friday – a final notch in a series of wins for his administration in recent weeks. The bill’s passage comes on the heels of other significant victories for his administration, including a Supreme Court ruling in his favor and successful strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. “President Trump has delivered more wins for the American people in two weeks than most Presidents do in four years,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a Thursday statement to Fox News Digital. “This has been the most historic two weeks of any Administration in history. Thanks to President Trump, America is back and is the hottest country in the world!” (Fox News). Leader Thune and Speaker Johnson played a key part, but there’s little question: This bill made it over the finish line as a direct result of President Trump. The Hill: at nearly every major juncture, Trump — working closely with House GOP leaders —- came in to close the deal, often without having to make concessions or alter his strategy. “He truly does have, to steal a phrase from Steve Jobs, a reality distortion field,” one top Republican aide said. “People come into that field, they go beyond the limits of what they think are possible for themselves.” Conversations with more than a dozen House GOP members, Republican aides in Congress and the White House, and other sources over the last five months demonstrated that Trump’s influence was essential to get the legislation across the finish line in the razor-thin House GOP majority that is notoriously difficult to keep united…. “Six months ago, we were being told we’d be lucky to get $300 billion in savings,” said Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), policy chair of the Freedom Caucus. “We kind of threw down, and we’re fiscal hawks, and we got $1.6 trillion.” But everyone agreed that passage wouldn’t have happened without the push from Trump. “President Trump was so generous with his time answering questions himself. Vice President JD Vance was directly engaged. We had cabinet secretaries at a number of different federal agencies answering questions from members,” Johnson said after the bill passed. One GOP leadership aide said of Trump: “We needed him” (The Hill).

Within the Big, Beautiful Bill: “The Invest America Act”

Given the size of the legislation, it will take some time to adequately appreciate the various pieces within the whole. Michael Dell (of Dell Computers): The Invest America Act just cleared Congress—every U.S. child gets a $1K S&P 500 starter account at birth. 70M kids gaining a stake in America’s growth. Accounts go live 7/4/26, our nation’s 250th birthday, future-proofing prosperity! (Dell). The idea what proposed by and championed by Texas Senator Ted Cruz: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz wants to give every American baby $1,000 — and he’s on course to get his way. The inspiration came during a late night card game in April 2024 with professional poker player Phil Hellmuth, who told Cruz about Invest America, a group that promotes financial literacy in private investment. A few weeks later, Brad Gerstner, the group’s CEO, flew to the nation’s capital to meet with Cruz to pitch a federally facilitated savings account for every child in the U.S. After their conversation, Cruz was hooked, he told The Texas Tribune in an interview this week. He saw the opportunity to both leverage compound interest for American children in the United States and educate them about American capitalism. Initially filed as the “Invest America Act,” the measure has since been rebranded as “Trump accounts” and included in the GOP’s landmark “One Big Beautiful Bill” (Texas Tribune).

A Victory for Life Within the Big Bill: No More Funding for Planned Parenthood

Charlie Kirk: Planned Parenthood is officially defunded. Praise the Lord (Kirk). The cut in funding is temporary, but significant nonetheless. National Right to Life: This bill includes critical provisions that prevent the subsidization of the abortion industry with taxpayer money for one year. “President Trump has once again delivered on his promise to protect the most vulnerable among us,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “With his signature on the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ the flow of taxpayer dollars into the multibillion-dollar abortion industry will be halted for one year.” The legislation passed narrowly in Congress, demonstrating the strength and resolve of pro-life leadership in the House and Senate. National Right to Life commended House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and the pro-life members of Congress who stood firm in their commitment to defend life (NRLC). Heritage Foundation, from their Pro-Life Agenda for the 119^th Congress: Planned Parenthood’s most recent annual report reveals that the abortion giant received almost $800 million in federal funds in a single year. Meanwhile, it aborted more than 400,000 unborn children. Planned Parenthood’s “market share” of known abortions in the United States is roughly 40 percent. This estimated market share is based on publicly reported data for Planned Parenthood compared to abortions overall. Planned Parenthood reported 392,715 abortions in its previous annual report: Above and Beyond: Annual Report 2022–2023, The Guttmacher Institute estimated approximately 1,037,000 abortions in 2023. Taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize Big Abortion. Stripping Planned Parenthood of the bulk of its federal funding through reconciliation is a prime opportunity to achieve this long-standing goal (Heritage).

Netanyahu Arrives in US for Meetings With Trump

The war in Gaza is at the top of the agenda. Times of Israel: As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed Israel on Sunday for Washington, where he will meet with US President Donald Trump, he highlighted his opposition to any hostage deal that would ultimately leave Hamas in power in Gaza. “Twenty living hostages remain and 30 who are fallen. I am determined, we are determined, to bring back all of them,” the premier told reporters, as he prepared to board the Wing of Zion state plane. But, he added, “we are determined to ensure that Gaza will no longer constitute a threat to Israel. That means, we will not allow a situation that encourages more kidnappings, more murders, more beheadings, more invasions.” “That means one thing: eliminating Hamas’s military and governing capabilities. Hamas will not be there,” he said. An Israeli negotiating team was traveling to Doha, meanwhile, for indirect talks with the terror group on a deal (Times of Israel). Hamas, meanwhile, has accepted the framework for a ceasefire: The 60-day cease-fire proposal, crafted by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and officials from Egypt and Qatar, includes the exchange of 30 deceased and 10 living hostages for a higher number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, officials familiar with the plan told The Wall Street Journal. It also includes a timeline for the releases, with eight living hostages promised on the first day and two more on Day 50 — and the withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Gaza. If signed by the warring sides, it’s expected that President Trump would announce the deal, according to the report (New York Post).

Two Americans Injured in Gaza as Hamas Targets Aid Workers

… Aid workers that threaten their power. Gaza Humanitarian Foundation: This morning, two American aid workers were injured in a targeted terrorist attack during food distribution activities at SDS-3 in Khan Younis. The attack – which preliminary information indicates was carried out by two assailants who threw two grenades at the Americans – occurred at the conclusion of an otherwise successful distribution in which thousands of Gazans safely received food. No local aid workers or civilians were harmed. The injured Americans are receiving medical treatment and are in stable condition. We are grateful their injuries are not life-threatening and ask the public to keep them and their families in their thoughts and prayers. GHF has repeatedly warned of credible threats from Hamas, including explicit plans to target American personnel, Palestinian aid workers, and the civilians who rely on our sites for food. Today’s attack tragically affirms those warnings. Despite this violence, GHF remains fully committed to its mission: feeding the people of Gaza safely, directly, and at scale (GHF).

New Report Details Hamas’s Use of Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War

The report includes testimony of 15 returned hostages—only one of whom has previously spoken about the horrors in captivity. It’s a shame that Israel has to both convince the world that this all happened and persuade the left that rape is not resistance. Where has the #MeToo movement been? Israel Hayom: Fresh testimony from survivors and witnesses demonstrates that Hamas terrorists systematically employed sexual violence during their October 7 assault on Israel, according to a comprehensive new investigation that documents previously unreported accounts of rape and sexual abuse. The Sunday Times revealed that the upcoming Dinah Project report presents evidence from 15 returned hostages who experienced sexual violence in captivity, with only one having spoken publicly before now. The documented attacks occurred at the Nova music festival, Route 232, the Nahal Oz military base, and three kibbutzim: Re’im, Nir Oz and Kfar Aza. The report reveals that sexual abuse extended beyond the initial assault locations. “Sexual violence continued in captivity, with many returnees reporting forced nudity, physical and verbal sexual harassment, sexual assaults and threats of forced marriage,” the investigation adds. The research responds to criticism of inadequate responses from international organizations like UN Women following reports of sexual violence by The Sunday Times and other outlets….The project takes its name from the first rape victim in the Bible and Torah – Dinah, Jacob’s only daughter, who was raped by Shechem, son of a prince. After the assault, Dinah’s brothers circumcised and killed the men of his tribe and abducted their women, but Dinah’s voice was never heard. Halperin-Kaddari explained that the project aims “to be a voice for those who cannot or can no longer speak” (Israel Hayom).

Palestinian Sheikh Makes Offer for Peace With Israel

Sheikh Wadee’ al-Jaabari, also known as Abu Sanad lives in Hebron, the largest city in the West Bank. Elliot Kaufman: “We want cooperation with Israel,” says Sheikh Wadee’ al-Jaabari, also known as Abu Sanad, from his ceremonial tent in Hebron, the West Bank’s largest city located south of Jerusalem. “We want coexistence.” The leader of Hebron’s most influential clan has said such things before, as did his father. But this time is different. Sheikh Jaabari and four other leading Hebron sheikhs have signed a letter pledging peace and full recognition of Israel as a Jewish state. Their plan is for Hebron to break out of the Palestinian Authority, establish an emirate of its own, and join the Abraham Accords… “The Emirate of Hebron shall recognize the State of Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people,” the sheikhs write, “and the State of Israel shall recognize the Emirate of Hebron as the Representative of the Arab residents in the Hebron District.” Accepting Israel as a Jewish state goes further than the Palestinian Authority ever has, and sweeps aside decades of rejectionism… Four other Hebron sheikhs, whom I interview separately over Zoom, are even more strident. “The PLO called itself a liberation movement. But once they got control, they act only to steal the money of the people,” one major sheikh says. “They don’t have the right to represent us—not them and not Hamas, only we ourselves.” “We want the world to hear our pain,” another sheikh chimes in. “The PA steals everything. They even steal our water. We don’t have water to drink.” They make do, they say, only because Mr. Barkat got the mayor of the Israeli settlement Kiryat Arba to build a water pipe connecting to central Hebron. (Wall Street Journal). Change may be in the air: In the aftermath of the Wall Street Journal’s blockbuster disclosure early Sunday morning that half a dozen major Palestinian sheikhs from the Hebron area, all led by Sheikh Wadee’ al-Jaabari (also known as Abu Sanad), are ready to break off from the Palestinian Authority and sign a new Abraham Accords-style deal with Israel as the “Emirates of Hebron,” The Jerusalem Post can now disclose having recently met with Jaabari at his ceremonial tent. It was also disclosed that another 13 sheikhs from the Hebron area also plan to leave the PA (Jerusalem Post).

Former CIA Director Brennan “should be in prison”

That comes from a man who worked for him—James Bryan White: The CIA released fresh details yesterday about the creation nearly 10 years ago of the agency’s Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) of Russia’s influence campaign in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. It found that Russian President Vladimir Putin “aspired” to help then-candidate Donald Trump win the election. That assessment – ordered by then-President Barack Obama and executed by Brennan – ignited the Trump-Russia hoax that would haunt Trump’s presidency for four years. We’re now learning five key details Brennan used to cook the books to ensure maximum damage to Trump. 1) Brennan lied about his use of the discredited Steele dossier. He told The Wall Street Journal in January of 2017 he never read it and gave it no particular credence. He was lying (Fox News). Lee Smith on the release of the CIA memo: Useful detail but misses crucial fact I’ve reported in three books: Obama ordered ICA and knew by August 2016 only intel tying Trump to Russia was dossier. That’s the scandal, not bad tradecraft or stovepiping intel, etc: Obama framed Trump (Smith). Rasmussen: An Enormous Scandal, Dwarfing Watergate & The Pentagon Papers (Rasmussen).

The American Idea Has Always Been Dangerous

And contagious. Eli Lake, writing on the 4^th: The bulk of the Declaration’s bill of particulars are about depriving Americans of rights and democratic institutions that the vast majority of the world at the time did not know or have reason to believe their government owed to them. And in this respect, the Declaration of Independence was dynamite. It was not only a statement of a self-evident truth about the nature of human beings and society; it was an assertion that everyone is entitled to these rights. And this idea has resonated throughout the last two and a half centuries. It has served at home as a promissory note, in the words of Martin Luther King Jr. And it has inspired revolutions and uprisings all over the world. It is what makes America exceptional. The Declaration of Independence, the idea of America, in this sense is much larger than the charter of our nation…. And it is true that the man who penned the words about inalienable rights endowed by their Creator owned slaves. It’s hard to imagine a more profound example of hypocrisy than that. In this sense, you could say that Jefferson was the 18th-century version of a limousine liberal, except that the principles he placed at the center of the future republic did not exempt him from judgment, as he well knew. He wasn’t justifying the system he inherited, but articulating the foundation for a better one (The Free Press).