Today's News with Larry Schweikart

TODAY'S NEWS, July 23-25, 2026 WEEKEND EDITION

Episode Summary

Republicans are presented as gaining momentum ahead of the midterms through competitive House races, election integrity initiatives, anti-fraud investigations, and continued immigration enforcement. The update also covers new tariffs, AI's economic impact, cultural trends, economic indicators, international developments, entertainment news, and medical research. Many of the political claims and allegations are opinionated or disputed and would require independent verification.

Episode Notes

Politics

Michigan Jewish Republican donors reportedly plan to support GOP candidates if Abdul El-Sayed wins the Democratic Senate nomination.
Republicans are performing competitively in several key House races that were previously expected to favor Democrats.
Alaska is removing thousands of non-citizens from voter rolls as part of election roll maintenance.
South Carolina was selected as the first Southern Democratic presidential primary state.
Congress referred former Special Counsel Jack Smith to the Department of Justice for possible criminal review.
Questions were raised about unusually large political donations allegedly linked to individuals with limited financial resources.
Contractors working on the Obama Presidential Center reportedly filed additional claims over unpaid work.
Allegations were made regarding campaign funds being transferred to spouses of some members of Congress.
Massachusetts established an 11-member commission focused on Muslim affairs.
President Trump announced higher tariffs on roughly 60 countries over concerns related to forced labor.
Four adults drowned in Ohio while attempting to rescue a child from a river.
Federal funding to the Virgin Islands Housing Authority was halted over alleged corruption.
Crime concerns continue to be highlighted in New York City, alongside criticism of local leadership.
Commentary continued over proposals from some progressive activists to reform or abolish the U.S. Senate.
Tampa International Airport is expanding the use of private security screening in place of TSA personnel.
President Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit the United States and stated that both China and Russia pledged not to support Iran militarily.
Online discussion has emerged around JD Vance and Marco Rubio as potential Republican presidential candidates for 2028.
Hawaii's lieutenant governor and several others were indicted in an alleged COVID-era corruption scheme involving consulting contracts, while federal investigations continue into separate California pandemic-related spending.

Debate continues over the influence and regulation of major AI companies.
A Google report concludes that AI is currently enhancing worker productivity rather than causing widespread job losses.

Immigration

New immigration "Mega Master" hearings are reportedly increasing deportation orders.
A memo from the Biden administration's final days reportedly proposed expanding Temporary Protected Status for additional eligible migrants already in the U.S.
Eleven people were indicted in connection with a fatal human smuggling case involving migrants transported in a shipping container.
Reports from Pennsylvania and New Jersey highlighted large numbers of non-citizens identified during jury selection processes.

Culture

A political memoir briefly reached the top of Amazon's bestseller list before rapidly declining.
Commentary noted declining interest in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Cursive writing instruction continues making a comeback, with about half of U.S. states now requiring or encouraging it.
Seventeen states reportedly recorded more deaths than births.
The Los Angeles Unified School District is facing significant financial challenges.
President Trump ordered warning signs to accompany certain Smithsonian exhibits pending historical review.

Economy

Shoplifting continues to rise, particularly among millennials and higher-income groups.
Analysts sharply reduced long-term forecasts for electric vehicle market share.
Trump announced plans to reimburse ships damaged by Iranian attacks using frozen Iranian assets.
Initial U.S. jobless claims reportedly reached their lowest level in decades.
Insurance premiums for oil and gas drilling have declined.
Ford recalled approximately 380,000 vehicles over rear seat safety issues.
The proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. merger has stalled again.
Reports highlighted large estimated coal reserves beneath federally owned land.

International

Russian oil and gas revenues reportedly increased by about 60%.
Canada continues debating policies surrounding medical assistance in dying and organ donation.
The UK government faces criticism over immigration reporting and record migrant arrivals.
Colombia swore in a newly elected senator who previously worked in the adult entertainment industry.
European officials continue debating immigration policies.
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia reached an agreement to cooperate on civilian nuclear reactors.
A renowned South Korean chef is facing charges after serving dishes containing ants.

Entertainment

The Odyssey has surpassed $322 million at the global box office despite mixed reviews.
LeBron James reportedly signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.
WNBA player Sophie Cunningham reaffirmed her stance on women's sports, and her signature shoe reportedly sold out.
Former NFL quarterback Tony Romo was reportedly arrested for DUI in Wisconsin.
Filmmaker Sophia Maddox learned through family research that her grandfather was Charles Manson.

Medical

Senator Rand Paul released additional documents related to COVID-19 origins and internal government communications supporting further investigation into the lab leak hypothesis.
Molecular biologist Alina Chan called for investigations into authors of the influential "proximal origin" paper.
A new study linked egg consumption with a specific cardiovascular condition, though the findings require broader scientific evaluation.
Commentary presented an alternative theory regarding Operation Warp Speed that remains speculative and unverified.

Miscellaneous

Kroger recalled over 1.6 million eggs because of potential salmonella contamination, continuing a series of recent food safety recalls.