Episode Details

A U.S. service member's remains were found in northern Iraq, bringing the death toll since the Iran conflict began on February 28 to 18, as CENTCOM conducted its ninth consecutive night of strikes and continues enforcing a naval blockade of Iranian ports. Gas prices have risen to just over $4 a gallon nationally, up from $3.14 a year ago, coinciding with the escalating conflict.

In Illinois, Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate Aaron Del Mar outlined a Bailey-Del Mar administration platform focused on rolling back Illinois' gas and property taxes, reforming NGO grant spending, and addressing the "member initiative" program that gives Democratic legislators millions in discretionary funds while excluding Republicans. Del Mar also addressed corruption allegations against Democratic Rep. Carol Ammons and criticized incumbent Governor J.B. Pritzker's $56 billion budget, which is $16 billion higher than when Pritzker took office.

Also in this episode:

- A Missouri ballot measure on the August 4 primary could phase out the state's income tax by shifting to sales tax revenue, a move analysts say could accelerate Illinois residents moving from the Metro East region across the Mississippi River, following a net 7,500 Illinoisans who moved to Missouri in 2024.

- Single-family home starts have fallen in recent data, with the Everyday Economics segment set to examine borrowing costs, overall expenses, and regulations as factors behind the ongoing housing shortage.

- The Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled en banc that New Jersey's ban on modern semi-automatic rifles and magazines is unconstitutional, a decision Second Amendment advocates say adds momentum ahead of U.S. Supreme Court arguments this October on similar bans in Connecticut and Cook County, Illinois.

- Separately, a Ninth Circuit judge issued a dissent criticizing the court's refusal to review a ruling upholding a California switchblade ban, calling for Supreme Court intervention on Second Amendment cases.

- Wisconsin governor's race: The Democratic field narrowed to three main contenders — Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley (endorsed by Governor Tony Evers), State Senator Kelda Roys, and Joel Brennan — after establishment favorite Sarah Rodriguez dropped out following a campaign staffing scandal; Republican Tom Tiffany remains the heavy favorite on that side.

- New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he's exploring the legality of arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an International Criminal Court warrant, if he visits for the UN General Assembly in September, drawing criticism from the Trump administration.

- Southern California Edison has paid or ordered more than $750 million in compensation to victims of the Eaton Fire, which killed 17 people, burned over 14,000 acres, and destroyed nearly 10,000 structures in the Pasadena area in January 2025.

- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said he's open to revoking visas for Chinese students following President Trump's claims that China illegally acquired American voter data; Florida hosts more than 30,000 international students, with China among the top countries of origin.

Plus, America's Talking:

Wisconsin: https://www.thecentersquare.com/wisconsin/article_bb9e246a-458c-4b0b-9c24-53a0d3da97cc.html

New York: https://www.thecentersquare.com/new_york/article_12353db2-3834-4dcb-9336-8aa80ffbffda.html

California: https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_682143d8-b0c0-4a15-8e03-ff40d7034ff5.html

Florida: https://www.thecentersquare.com/florida/article_80ef6b94-b8a2-42a4-b61e-44eaab239f67.html

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