Vance says 'progress' made in talks with Iran

(The Center Square) - Voters in Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes the city of Boulder, will elect partisan candidates in the U.S. House during the June 30 primary.

Candidates from both parties are offering competing visions on public land protection, fraud enforcement, healthcare and the national debt. Besides Boulder, the district includes the city of Fort Collins and vast swaths of mountainous areas and public lands.

Incumbent Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colorado, was first elected to the district in 2018, after fellow Democrat Jared Polis ran successfully for governor. Neguse is seeking a fifth term in Colorado’s traditionally Democratic district. However, two Republican candidates, Kelley Dennison and Christina Blunt, are vying to challenge Neguse in November.

Blunt told The Center Square that Neguse has not represented Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District well.

“We’re being governed by bureaucrats,” Blunt said. “I think that’s the largest disconnect.”

Neguse has boasted of his commitment to protect public lands in the district, embrace universal healthcare and advance climate change legislation. He boasted of his support for the CORE Act, which would permanently protect more than 400,000 acres of land in Colorado from oil and gas development.

The bill was first introduced in 2019 and passed through the U.S. House, but has never passed through the Senate.

“Joe is committed to preserving Colorado’s treasured public spaces, investing in our outdoor recreation economy, safeguarding wildlife and biodiversity and tackling western wildfires,” Neguse’s website reads.

Blunt slammed Neguse for focusing his campaign on legislation that has not passed. She said the region has become more prone to wildfires because Congress can’t pass the legislation.

“I hold all Democrats responsible for Democrat activity,” Blunt said. “It is setting us up for a massive fire.”

Kelley Dennision, another Republican seeking the nomination on June 30, said her campaign is focused on increasing oil and gas production in the district while protecting environmental resources. She called for the district to increase domestic energy production in a responsible manner.

“Protecting Colorado's environment should not mean destroying the livelihoods of ranchers, farmers, energy workers, small towns, or outdoor industries that depend on responsible land use,” Dennison’s website reads.

Dennison was not available in time for an interview with The Center Square. She also called for responsible forest management to prevent wildfires, including controlled burns and beetle mitigation.

Blunt has also focused her campaign on prosecuting individuals who commit fraud in federal programs. She called on Congress to prosecute fraud more aggressively and audit departments across the executive branch.

“Everything needs to become more competitive as far as contracts,” Blunt said. “We need to have guardrails on how money is spent.”

She said efforts like the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency and the White House Anti-Fraud Task Force are steps in the right direction to pursue fraud.

Blunt pointed out that the government typically does not operate on competitive contracts.

Blunt said she would support legislation like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. She said the bill was designed to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining healthcare. Neguse voted against the bill last year.

“As much as people want to think it's not happening, there is fraud, waste and abuse from illegal immigration on our taxpayers,” Blunt said.

Neguse appears to have a significant fundraising advantage over his Republican competitors. He received more than $2 million in campaign contributions, according to the most recent filings from the Federal Election Commission.

He received a contribution for $1,000 from Booz Allen Hamilton PAC, a well-known defense contractor; $2,500 from the American Hospital Association PAC and $1,000 from Universal Music Group Action Fund.

According to FEC filings, both Dennison and Blunt have raised zero dollars for either of their campaigns. The Center Square reached out to both candidates for comments on campaign finances, but did not receive a response.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 30, Election Day. For more information visit the Secretary of State’s website, coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections. Early election results will be published that evening at www.thecentersquare.com/colorado.

(The Center Square) – Following what appeared to be a bumpy weekend between the U.S. and Iran, Vice President J.D. Vance said progress is being made.

Vance, leading a U.S. delegation in talks with Iran, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, reassured that talks remain ongoing in Switzerland after Iranian representatives threatened to walk out in response to some strongly worded social media posts from President Donald Trump over the weekend.

The president responded to Iranian claims that it once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire after the Jewish State retaliated for Hezbollah attacks.

Trump warned that Iran would not impose tolls on the strait during or after the 60-day ceasefire. However, the president left the door open for the U.S. to impose tolls “should the deal not be completed,” adding they would be considered, “services rendered as guardian angel to the countries of the Middle East for the purpose of both past, present, and future reimbursement costs.”

The president also warned Iran against supporting its terror proxies, specifically highlighting Hezbollah.

“Iran must immediately stop their highly paid proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble," Trump wrote. "If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!”

Despite Iran's saying it had closed the Strait of Hormuz, Vance confirmed that the vital waterway remains open. He sought to defuse regional tensions, pointing to the situation in Lebanon, which could prompt Iran to increase aggression in the strait.

The vice president also announced Iran’s approval of allowing inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency back in to inspect key nuclear sites. The agency has been inspecting sites, but since last year’s strike on the nation’s top nuclear facilities, access has been restricted.

During a brief press conference, Vance also addressed concerns regarding a potential agreement to unfreeze Iranian assets by “setting up a process.” He emphasized that “if” the frozen assets are unfrozen, the funds would be overseen by the U.S. and Qatar to be certain the funds would be used to “go to help the people of Iran.”

The funds would be spent on buying American agricultural products, described as a “classic Trump deal” that would help enrich American farmers.

In addition, the U.S. Treasury Department announced Monday morning that it was issuing a 60-day general license authorizing the production, delivery and sale of Iranian oil until Aug. 21.

The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the U.S. and Iran last week paved the way for the U.S. to lift the naval blockade on Iranian ports. The Trump administration said it was costing the Iranian economy between $400 million and $500 million a day in lost revenue.

Moody’s Analytics estimates the conflict with Iran has cost taxpayers $132 billion and counting since the U.S. began strikes on Feb. 28; much of that cost has come in the form of rising consumer prices, such as gasoline and food.

Interior offensive lineman Kyler Kuhn committed to Mizzou football on Sunday morning, becoming the third recruit in the 2027 class to commit over the last two days. He is the 17th commit in the class thus far for coach Eli Drinkwitz.

Kuhn is considered a four-star prospect by 247Sports, listed at 6-foot-3, 280 pounds. He is ranked as the No. 5 recruit in the state of Missouri. Kuhn plays at St. Pius X High School in Kansas City. Jack Brown and Chris Harris Jr., the No. 1 and 3 prospects in the state, are also committed to Mizzou. Across the nation, Kuhn is considered the No. 231 overall prospect and the No. 14 interior offensive lineman.

Kuhn took his official visit to Mizzou back on May 29. He was heavily recruited by Iowa and Nebraska, taking official visits to both programs following his trip to Columbia. The offensive lineman held offers from several teams which appeared in the College Football playoff last season, including Ole Miss, Oregon and Indiana.

He is the second interior offensive lineman in Drinkwitz’s 2027 class, joining three-star recruit Brandon Anderson. Overall, Kuhn is the fifth offensive lineman recruit for OL coach Brandon Jones, joining a trio of tackles.

The Tigers are set to graduate five interior offensive linemen after the 2026 season, including expected starting center Connor Tollison, which could free up early opportunities for Kuhn.

Kuhn’s commitment moved the Tigers to the No. 28 recruiting class in the nation and ninth in the class of 2027, per 247 Sports.

(The Center Square) – More than one in five Michigan residents could see their Social Security benefits reduced by 2032 if Congress fails to address the program's looming insolvency.

This is according to a new report from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

The report, “No State Spared: Mapping the Impact of Social Security's Insolvency,” examined the potential effects of benefit reductions if Social Security's retirement trust fund is exhausted.

Currently, roughly 63 million Americans receive benefits through Social Security's retirement program, including retirees, spouses and dependents.

According to the latest report from the Social Security Board of Trustees, the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund is projected to be depleted in 2032.

Under current law, once the trust fund is exhausted, benefits would automatically be reduced. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that would result in an immediate 24% across-the-board benefit cut for all Americans receiving Social Security.

For Michigan, the impact could be substantial and even higher than in many other states.

The report estimates that 19.8% of Michigan's population – or more than 2 million Michiganders – would be directly affected by the reductions. Retirees in Michigan could see average monthly benefits reduced by $523, the ninth-largest projected cut among all states. That is $23 higher than the national average of $500.

Researchers also estimate that benefit reductions would remove the equivalent of 1.6% of Michigan’s gross domestic product, making it the sixth-largest economic impact nationwide and 0.5% higher than the national average.

Nationally, the report estimates the reduction in benefits would reduce payments by $345 billion in a single year. The committee is calling for legislators to act.

“No state would be spared from the potentially devastating effects of insolvency,” the report states. “With less than seven years until Social Security is projected to be insolvent, policymakers need to enact changes to the program as quickly as possible.”

A separate analysis released by SmartAsset found that some Michigan communities could be particularly impacted to any reduction in benefits.

According to that report, eight of the nation's 20 counties most dependent on Social Security income are located in Michigan.

Montmorency County ranked first in the nation, with Social Security benefits accounting for 18.6% of all personal income earned in the county. The county has 4,525 Social Security beneficiaries.

Other Michigan counties appearing in the top 20 included Roscommon, Alcona, Ontonagon, Presque Isle, Oscoda, Lake and Ogemaw counties.

“Parts of the U.S. are highly dependent on the benefits their residents receive from Social Security, meaning any reduction could have an outsized impact on local economies,” SmartAsset researcher Toby Nelson told The Center Square in an interview.

Nelson said Social Security serves not only as a critical source of income for retirees but also as an important economic driver in many communities.

“Michigan has several counties where retirement income is structurally important to the local economy,” Nelson said. “Social Security cuts may not just affect retirees, but also the businesses that depend on their spending in these areas.”

Nelson added that spending by retirees—often funded by Social Security—helps support local businesses, jobs, and tax revenue.

“If their income is reduced, the effects could ripple beyond beneficiaries to restaurants, retailers and other employers that depend on consumer spending,” he said.

While the reports highlight the potential impacts of cuts to Social Security, Nelson emphasized that projected benefit reductions are not yet guaranteed.

“A 22% cut in Social Security benefits in 2032 is possible, but not inevitable,” Nelson said. “This analysis highlights areas that may most acutely feel an impact if lawmakers fail to act.”

(The Center Square) – Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has resigned from the Los Angeles Unified School District following an FBI investigation.

Carvalho announced his resignation Sunday night via a letter to the LAUSD Board of Education.

The resignation came four months after federal agents raided Carvalho's home in the coastal San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles and at the district's office in downtown Los Angeles. The FBI served a warrant on Carvalho for those searches. The reason hasn't been revealed.

Carvalho was placed on paid leave by LAUSD in late February.

In the letter, Carvalho addressed the "students, families, teachers, staff, and community of LAUSD" and said that it had been an honor to serve.

"Placing students first has always guided my work," wrote Carvalho. "Because I believe our schools must remain focused on students and learning without distraction, I am resigning as Superintendent of LAUSD effective today, June 21, 2026."

It was the only reference Carvalho made toward February's events.

When asked for comment by The Center Square, LAUSD sent a statement published on its website Monday acknowledging receipt of the letter of resignation.

"The Board remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring stability, continuity, and continued progress through strong leadership," the school district said. "Our focus remains unchanged: providing every student with a high-quality education, supporting our dedicated workforce, and maintaining the trust of the communities we serve."

Andrés Chait has served as acting superintendent during Carvalho's absence.

LAUSD said Chait will remain in the position until a permanent decision is made.

With more than 500,000 students in an area that covers 710 square miles, LAUSD is the nation's second-largest school district. Only the New York City school system is bigger.

Carvalho has served as LAUSD's superintendent since February 2022 and has been the district's longest-serving superintendent in over 20 years. Before his job at LAUSD, Carvalho was superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools for 14 years.

(The Center Square) – Illegal entries and apprehensions were slightly up in May compared to April but remain at historic lows and 95% lower than they were under the Biden administration.

Nationwide apprehensions totaled 11,913 in May, up from 10,858 in April. The majority were at the southwest border of 9,998, according to the latest U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. 

During the height of the border crisis, some CBP sectors reported several hundred thousand illegal border crossers a month with a daily average of more than 10,000, The Center Square reported.

The 9,998 southwest apprehension total is 94% lower than the monthly average under the Biden administration and 96% below its peak. The total is also less than what Border Patrol apprehended in just three days in May 2024, CBP says.

Border Patrol’s average daily apprehensions along the southwest border of 323 in May was 94% lower than the daily average under the Biden administration. 

It is also less than the total number of illegal border crossers who came through in a single hour during the height of the border crisis during the last administration. In Texas, this number surpassed 1,000 across its 1,254-mile border.

Total Border Patrol apprehensions along the southwest border this fiscal year through May are also 26% lower than the one-month average of any fiscal year since 1992, CBP says.

“The sustained decline in illegal border crossings and apprehensions – now at levels not seen in over three decades – shows the profound impact of robust enforcement policies. With daily apprehensions dramatically reduced from the previous administration, the border remains more secure than at any point in history,” CBP said in a statement.

Northern border totals are also significantly down with 528 apprehensions reported in May, slightly up from 448, according to the data. 

Throughout the Biden administration, the northern border reported the greatest number of illegal border crosser apprehensions in U.S. history, including the greatest number of people apprehended on the federal terrorist watchlist, The Center Square reported.

“This milestone, coupled with historically low illegal crossings, demonstrates our unwavering commitment to securing our nation. Our robust enforcement policies are working, and we are delivering unprecedented results in border security, drug interdiction, and trade enforcement,” CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott said in a statement. 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security repeated its claim of “zero releases at the border,” stating May’s numbers represented “13 consecutive months of zero releases.” It’s referring to the Trump administration ending the Biden era catch and release policy. 

Under the Trump administration, CBP released more than 13,000 inadmissible foreign nationals at ports of entry in the first six months of the Trump administration, according to CBP data, The Center Square reported. 

The administration is also releasing illegal foreign national unaccompanied alien children (UAC) into the country. UACs are children under age 18 who are primarily smuggled to the U.S. border and arrive claiming they were brought to reunite with family members. A 2003 Bush administration federal law requires them to be released into the country.

Under the Biden administration, more than 475,000 UACs were released into the country. The greatest number in U.S. history were released to sponsors of nearly 127,500 in 2022, The Center Square reported. 

Under the Trump administration, this number dropped to 24,259 in fiscal 2025 and 1,086, as of June 20, according to federal data. The fiscal year goes from Sept. 1 through Oct. 30.

State and local law enforcement officers are also apprehending illegal border crossers known as gotaways. “Gotaways” is the official CBP term for those who illegally enter between ports of entry to evade capture. Texas Operation Lone Star officers are regularly apprehending gotaways, including those with criminal records and those involved in human smuggling and trafficking, The Center Square reported. 

Border Patrol and CBP also continue to seize large volumes of drugs. In May, they seized 32% more of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana combined by weight than they did in April, according to CBP data.

CBP officers seized 795 pounds of fentanyl in May, an increase of 72% from April.

They also seized an average of 37,033 pounds of marijuana every month over the last four months, CBP said, 61% more than the 14,500-pound average in fiscal 2024 during the Biden administration.

So far, CBP has seized 56% more drugs this fiscal year through May than it seized during the same period in fiscal 2024. 

(The Center Square) – Iranian terrorist threats continue at the northern border, this time the threat also is connected to the World Cup and the Iranian National Guard Corps. 

The IRGC is the militant arm of Iran’s military known for supporting terrorism and militant groups committing terrorist acts in Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and targeting U.S. military.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary MarkWayne Mullin told Fox News Business on Sunday that Border Patrol agents stationed at the U.S.-Canada border have “seen an unusual amount of Iranian nationals trying to sneak in through our northern border. We've seen arrests go up daily on Iranian nationals.”

The influx is “worrisome” because the majority of Iranians being apprehending have direct ties to the IRGC, he said, which “is not the regular army of Iran, they are the true believers of this radical regime.”  

Mullin also said federal officials were seeing IRGC ties to the Iranian World Cup team, referring to so-called support staff. The U.S. granted visas and admittance to 53 Iranians. Those who weren’t admitted “had direct ties to the IRGC and weren't part of the team’s normal traveling group,” he said.

He also said Iran is “an adversary that you can't trust” and World Cup players and support staff who were admitted to the U.S. were vetted. When asked if anyone traveling with the Iranian World Cup team, including its players, were connected to the IRGC, Mullins replied, “absolutely not.”

It is unclear how many of the IRGC members attempting entry into the U.S. were already living in Canada.

A Canadian member of Parliament warned in March that there were at least 700 IRGC members living in Canada who pose a national security threat, The Center Square reported.

Melissa Lantsman, a conservative MP for Thornhill, Ontario, warned that Iranian refugees and Canadians of Iranian descent are “terrified that the repression and reach of that regime is right here in our country. We know of senior members of the regime who have worked out in the same gyms as they have, a neighborhood gym in my own constituency. We know of senior members of the regime eating in fancy steak houses. We know of senior members of the regime's kids who are studying in universities here.

“There has been violence in our communities. There have been people kidnapped. There have been, potentially, murders because of the reach of the mullah's thugs.”

In addition to Iranians denied visas, Iraqi and Somali players were also prevented entry by DHS officials, The Center Square reported. The Lawfare Project told The Center Square that it’s urged DHS to identify and process for removal those who’ve publicly glorified Hamas and Hezbollah terrorists, including a British journalist in the country covering the World Cup.

The Iranian northern border apprehensions come after the greatest number of known or suspected terrorists were apprehended at the northern border during the Biden administration, The Center Square exclusively reported. 

The apprehensions also come after federal agents apprehended more than 300 Iranians who attempted to illegally enter the U.S. nationwide in the first year of the Trump administration, The Center Square exclusively reported. 

This was after at least 1,500 Iranians were apprehended by Border Patrol agents nationwide from 2021 to 2024 during the Biden administration. The Biden administration directed Border Patrol agents to release them even though Iranians are considered “Special Interest Aliens” and citizens of a designated State Sponsor of Terrorism.

Border Patrol agents released nearly half of the Iranians they apprehended into the country during the Biden administration, 729; Trump officials say weren’t properly vetted, The Center Square exclusively reported.

At least 18,000 illegal foreign nationals on the federal terrorist watchlist have been identified by the Trump administration who it says were released into the country by the Biden administration, The Center Square reported.

Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz continues to fill out MU football’s 2027 recruiting class, with the commitments of three-star prospects Jaylen Hill and T’ari Miller. This brings the Tigers up to 16 commits in the class.

Miller is listed as a 6-foot-4 cornerback at 180 pounds. He is considered by 247Sports as the No. 76 cornerback in the nation and No. 83 overall player in Florida. Miller plays at Miami Central High School, coming off a 10-2 season as a junior.

The cornerback took his official visit to Mizzou on Friday, officially announcing his commitment two days later. He received offers from 29 schools, including other SEC teams Georgia, LSU and Texas A&M.

Miller will join a Mizzou cornerback room that will lose four of the seven members listed on the roster following the 2026 season. He is the only cornerback for coach Drinkwitz and cornerbacks coach Al Pogue in the 2027 recruiting class.

Hill was the other prospect joining the recruiting class, listed as a three-star offensive lineman from Lanett, Alabama. The tackle is 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds. He is listed as the No. 100 offensive tackle in the class and the No. 46 overall prospect from Alabama. Hill received snaps at both left and right tackle at Lanett High School last season, adding a potential versatility to his role in Columbia.

Hill took his official visit to Mizzou alongside Miller on Friday. He received 19 offers and took five official visits. His other visits included Arkansas, Kansas State, Mississippi State and Pittsburgh.

He is one of three offensive tackles currently committed to Mizzou in the 2027 recruiting class alongside fellow three-star prospects Lual Aleu and Jack Marquard. The Tigers will lose three of the six offensive tackles on the roster following 2026, most notably Cayden Green, who is destined for the NFL Draft. This makes Hill and the rest of the 2027 recruiting class extremely important for offensive line coach Brandon Jones to add quality depth to the roster.

With these two commits, Mizzou has the No. 31 overall recruiting class for 2027 according to 247Sports. The Tigers currently rank 10th in the SEC with five four-star prospects and 11 listed as three-stars.

MISSOULA, Mont. – National Pollinator Week is an annual celebration set for June 22 to June 28 to raise awareness and help pollinators that play a crucial role in daily life. 

Montana made its proclamation for Pollinator Week, stating pollinators such as birds and insects are essential partners for farmers and ranchers and the food supply grown with pollination.

National forests and grasslands rely on pollinators for healthy habitats. Wildlife and fish thrive with healthy lands, as do recreationalists that share the lands.

Montana ranked third in the nation for honey production with over 10 million pounds produced. 

Producers are provided with conservation assistance to promote responsible protection and maintenance of pollinators and their habitats as well as working lands and wildlands.

Popular events during Pollinator Week include planting for pollinators, hosting garden tours and workshops to identify bees and butterflies. 

Simple actions can be taken to help struggling pollinator populations. Montanans can plant native species, reduce unnecessary pesticide use, and let little leaf damage or natural debris such as fallen leaves be for hungry caterpillars.

The Missoula County Department of Ecology and Extension (MCDEE) and the Missoula Butterfly House sponsored an upcoming film event, The Little Things that Run the World, for the National Pollinator Week. Doors open for 7:00 p.m. screening on June 23 at the Roxy.

The Rocky Mountain Gardens will host evening hours. 

The MCDEE encourages community members to learn how to build a bee house or how to use iNaturalist to document pollinators.

More pollinator-friendly tips to help out the small creatures that play a big part in the world can be found in the Pollinator Week website and MCDEE’s blog.

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. -- Sam Burns (-3) finished in second place at the 126th U.S. Open.

The Shreveport native was even par for the tournament and in a tie for sixth place at the start of his final round. He was seven shots back of the leader and eventual winner Wyndham Clark (-4) at Shinnecock Hills.

Burns shot a final round 67 (-3), while Clark shot a final round 73 (+3).

This is Burns' third straight top-ten finish and best result at the U.S. Open. He was T9 in 2024 and T7 in 2025.