Trump to tour Texas flood-damaged areas as death toll hits 120

A Nicaraguan expat reflects on the gradual erosion of democracy in their homeland—a process marked by creeping authoritarianism—and draws unsettling parallels to current political trends in the US, where democratic norms appear increasingly fragile.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another political op-ed—it’s a firsthand warning. The author’s lived experience adds weight to concerns about democratic backsliding in the US, framing it not as abstract speculation but as something with a playbook we’ve seen before. For readers, it’s a call to pay attention to subtle shifts that, over time, can add up to something far more dangerous.

President Trump and the First Lady are traveling to Kerrville, Texas, to survey the damage from recent deadly floods and meet with local leaders and emergency crews. The visit underscores the severity of the disaster, which hit the Central Texas community hard.

Editor’s Note: When a president visits a disaster zone, it signals both solidarity and the scale of the crisis. For residents, it’s a moment of visibility—but also a reminder of the long recovery ahead. For the administration, it’s a chance to show leadership (or face scrutiny over response efforts). Either way, the human toll here is the real story.

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are traveling to Texas Hill Country, where catastrophic floods over the July 4 holiday killed at least 120 people and left dozens missing. Before leaving the White House, Trump described the flooding as "a horrible thing," emphasizing the scale of the disaster. The visit underscores the administration's response to the crisis as search and recovery efforts continue.

Editor’s Note: When a disaster of this magnitude strikes, a presidential visit isn't just symbolic—it signals federal attention and resources for recovery. But beyond the optics, this story matters because it’s about real people: families who lost homes, lives, and stability. The aftermath will test both local resilience and government preparedness, especially as climate change makes extreme weather more frequent.

The Trump administration is turning up the heat on diversity initiatives in higher education, this time targeting George Mason University. Federal officials launched a civil rights probe into the school’s hiring practices, making it the latest battleground in a broader push to dismantle DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one university—it’s part of a widening political fight over how (or whether) schools address systemic inequities. The investigation signals more scrutiny for colleges with DEI programs, which could reshape hiring and admissions far beyond Virginia. For students and faculty, it’s a flashpoint in the culture wars hitting closer to home.

According to journalist Maggie Haberman, President Trump is reportedly turning up the heat on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell—both by pushing for rate cuts and criticizing the Fed’s expensive office upgrades. It sounds like Trump wants Powell to feel the squeeze, possibly as payback for past policy disagreements.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about interest rates—it’s about the uneasy relationship between the White House and the traditionally independent Fed. If Trump keeps pressuring Powell, it could shake confidence in how economic decisions are made, which matters to everything from your mortgage rates to your 401(k).