Washington Examiner

Mills vetoes Maine data center ban

Apr 24, 2026Center Right

Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME) vetoed a bill that would ban the construction of new data centers in her state. L.D. 307, “An Act to Establish the Maine Data Center Coordination Council and Place a Temporary Limitation on Certain Data Centers,” was poised to become the first state law to ban the new construction of artificial intelligence […]

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America's 250th fireworks party collides with burn-bans

Axios

5 hours ago

America's 250th fireworks party collides with burn-bans

Data: U.S. Drought Monitor; Map: Erin Davis/Axios VisualsFirework associations expect a massive boom in backyard fireworks this July 4, a surge that collides with dry conditions and a blistering heatwave that could drastically increase the risk of fires.Why it matters: Climate change is increasing the likelihood and severity of wildfires, and large chunks of the U.S. are under burn bans because of severe drought.What they're saying: "It only takes one small spark landing in dry vegetation under the right conditions to start a fast-moving wildfire," April Newman, a public information officer at Cal Fire, tells Axios.Embers can smolder for over a minute, Newman says, "increasing the potential for ignition even after the visible display has ended."Even if a lawn looks green, the "eye test can be deceiving," Brian Fuchs, a climatologist at the National Drought Mitigation Center, tells Axios. Dig just a few inches into Mid-Atlantic soil, "you hit dryness again."State of play: Local governments navigating the drought created a patchwork of burn bans across the country.Colorado Springs issued a citywide burn ban earlier this week before canceling all fireworks displays — even professional ones — citing "extreme fire danger."Utah Gov. Spencer Cox suspended a state law that prevented local governments from enacting blanket bans, prompting Salt Lake County and others to outlaw fireworks.The other side: Florida has no statewide fireworks ban despite lingering droughts and nine county-level burn bans.State law includes a "fireworks holiday" giving anyone over 18 the right to set them off.By the numbers: The national landscape is dangerously primed for ignition, and tragedy is already playing out.Roughly 50% of the U.S. is currently in a drought, according to Fuchs.On July 1, the National Interagency Fire Center reported 257 new fires, and firefighters are trying to contain 51 large fires nationwide.Three firefighters died combating a major fire in western Colorado on Saturday.The intrigue: July 4 celebrations bring a massive, sudden influx of potential ignition sources.When you combine millions of flying sparks with dry vegetation, humidity and a heatwave, wildfires get the exact catalyst they need to explode, safety and climate experts say.Between the lines: Consumer demand for fireworks to commemorate America's 250th anniversary is at record levels."People look like they're going to be showing their patriotism" Ed Vasel with the National Fireworks Association, tells Axios. "We're thinking things are going to be up maybe as much as 20-25% in some areas this year."Professional pyrotechnicians follow strict distance requirements and work with on-site fire departments, but neighborhood celebrations often lack those safeguards, he says.Worth noting: Conditions for President Trump's record-breaking firework plans are better than they were weeks ago Fuchs says, but drought and sweltering heat still remain.While recent rain has provided some surface-level relief, these showers are not a complete "drought buster," Fuchs says.The bottom line: "There's a lot of angst amongst people who believe that fireworks is a right, and that it is culturally valuable, and that it is something that no one should be able to interfere with," David Barrett, executive director of The Safe Community Project, tells Axios."I appreciate and have empathy for those opinions. I do think at the same time…they recognize that the decisions they make don't affect only themselves for their personal pleasure, but those around them who they might inadvertently injure or kill."Go deeper: Trump's July Fourth event faces dangerous D.C. heat - Axios Washington D.C.

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The American Spectator | USA News and Politics

9 hours ago

Congress Can Still Ban Birthright Citizenship. Here’s How.

The Supreme Court has committed a grievous moral and legal error in Trump v. Barbara, the landmark case on birthright...

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Blue states’ gun-banning spree is boomeranging back on them

BizPac Review

11 hours ago

Blue states’ gun-banning spree is boomeranging back on them

The Supreme Court’s ruling in Wolford v. Lopez and its decision to take up two cases involving modern semiautomatic firearms Tuesday outline a pattern in which states […]

Far Right

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To Reduce Electrical Grid Strain Amid Heat Wave, Data Centers Are Ordered to Use Backup Power

NYT > U.S. > Politics

11 hours ago

To Reduce Electrical Grid Strain Amid Heat Wave, Data Centers Are Ordered to Use Backup Power

As triple-digit temperatures engulf much of the United States, the Trump administration wants grid managers to require the use of backup power that often goes unused.

Center Left

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Appeals Court Upholds New York ‘Gas Stove Ban’ That Chuck Schumer Insisted Wasn’t Even Happening

The Gateway Pundit

20 hours ago

Appeals Court Upholds New York ‘Gas Stove Ban’ That Chuck Schumer Insisted Wasn’t Even Happening

A federal appeals court just upheld a New York state ban on gas stoves, which is very strange, considering the fact that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York insisted that the ban on gas stoves wasn't even happening. The post Appeals Court Upholds New York ‘Gas Stove Ban’ That Chuck Schumer Insisted Wasn’t Even Happening appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Far Right

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Mom Neglects to Mention a Chilling Detail in Glowing Article About Her Trans Child, Who was at the Center of Landmark Supreme Court Case Involving Boys in Girls’ Sports

The Gateway Pundit

Yesterday

Mom Neglects to Mention a Chilling Detail in Glowing Article About Her Trans Child, Who was at the Center of Landmark Supreme Court Case Involving Boys in Girls’ Sports

The mother of a boy at the center of a landmark Supreme Court Decision is being blasted for an article she wrote that neglected to mention a shocking detail about her son. The post Mom Neglects to Mention a Chilling Detail in Glowing Article About Her Trans Child, Who was at the Center of Landmark Supreme Court Case Involving Boys in Girls’ Sports appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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US Jobs Data Comes in Under Forecast | Bloomberg Businessweek Daily 7/2/2026

Bloomberg Politics

Yesterday

US Jobs Data Comes in Under Forecast | Bloomberg Businessweek Daily 7/2/2026

Today, Marta Norton, chief investment strategist at Empower, discusses the underwhelming June jobs report and that means for the Fed's next move. Then, Stuart Paul, Bloomberg Economics US and Canada economist, talks oil prices and what a permanent toll on the Strait of Hormuz would mean for oil prices. Plus, Robin Wenzel, head of the Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute, breaks down the cost of fourth of July barbeque and where americans are feeling pinched at the grocery store. Finally, 'Bloomberg Business of Sports' co-hosts Vanessa Perdomo-Maglione and Randall Williams, discuss the United States' World Cup win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32 and how a controversial red card may cost the US its leading scorer in the next game. (Source: Bloomberg)

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The Hill News

Yesterday

Kennedy Center rolling out $25,000 VIP rooftop tickets for July Fourth celebrations

The Kennedy Center is offering VIP tickets for a rooftop celebration on the Fourth of July, a move that comes after a federal judge sidelined the venue’s plans to start a two-year renovation on July 5. Prospective patrons can purchase the “Presidential” package for $25,000, with $18,912 of that cost being tax-deductible, according to the…

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Mills vetoes Maine data center ban

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Mills vetoes Maine data center ban

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The American Spectator | USA News and Politics