Winners, losers and grab-bags from House GOP’s narrow passage of ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’

The House just passed a tax-and-spending bill that could seriously hurt the already struggling rooftop solar industry. While it was expected to phase out renewable energy credits, the new version includes stricter rules and earlier rollback dates—making an already tough situation even worse for solar installers and homeowners.

Editor’s Note: Rooftop solar has been a bright spot in the push for cleaner energy, but this bill could slam the brakes on its growth. If these provisions stick, it might become way harder—or even unaffordable—for everyday people to go solar, setting back progress on renewable energy in the U.S. at a time when climate action is more urgent than ever.

The article argues that while there are plenty of concerns about economic policies under Trump, the recent rise in bond yields isn't primarily due to the "Big Beautiful Bill" (likely referring to tax cuts). Instead, other factors are spooking investors—even though the tax cuts themselves were designed to stimulate growth.

Editor’s Note: Bond yields are a key indicator of investor confidence, and when they rise, it often signals unease. This piece cuts through the noise, clarifying that tax cuts aren't the main culprit here—so if you're trying to understand market jitters, look elsewhere. It’s a useful reality check in a heated political climate where every economic move gets oversimplified.

The Trump administration is looking into claims that a top-ranked high school in Northern Virginia has an admissions policy that unfairly disadvantages Asian American students. The school district is under scrutiny following complaints that the policy may be discriminatory.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one school—it’s part of a bigger debate over fairness in elite public education. If the investigation finds bias, it could force changes in how selective schools admit students, with ripple effects nationwide. For Asian American families, it’s a high-stakes fight over equal opportunity.

Even the usually staid Senate chambers couldn't resist the excitement of the NBA playoffs—cheers erupted during the nail-biting overtime showdown between the Knicks and Pacers. A clerk joked, "Indiana must have won," after the Pacers clinched Game 1 in a high-scoring thriller. Turns out, politicians (or their staff) are just as susceptible to buzzer-beater drama as the rest of us.

Editor’s Note: It’s a fun reminder that big sports moments cut through even the most formal settings. The fact that Senate work paused for a basketball game humanizes politics—and shows how sports can be a rare unifier, even in divided times. Plus, Pacers fans (and eavesdropping clerks) get bragging rights.

This piece reconstructs the chaotic moments of the shooting at a Jewish museum using raw audio from emergency calls, giving readers a tense, real-time glimpse into how law enforcement scrambled to respond. It’s less analysis and more visceral storytelling—you hear the urgency in voices, the fragmented updates, the race against time.

Editor’s Note: Beyond the immediate horror, this kind of reporting underscores how threats against cultural and religious spaces unfold in real life—messy, fast, and with lasting trauma. For communities already on edge, it’s a grim reminder of vulnerability, but it also highlights the critical role of first responders in crises.