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Political Wire
Text • Taegan Goddard

Trust in Spy Agency Craters Before Hearing

“At Jay Clayton’s confirmation hearing to be director of national intelligence on Wednesday, senators are likely to grill the office as much as the man,” Politico reports. ”Democrats, Republicans and former intelligence officials have in recent weeks floated a range of options to cut, curb or even eliminate the Office of the Director of National […]

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Family says Boston seismologist has been detained in China for nearly 2 years with no trial

The relatives of Youlin Chen of Boston broke their silence this week, apparently after they saw no sign from the Chinese government that it was planning to release Chen — even after President Trump brought up the case when meeting Xi in Beijing in May.

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The ‘gift’ of celebrity weddings

On July 19, 1986, Ann MacDonald and her mother gathered with thousands of other people outside of a church on Cape Cod, hoping to catch a glimpse of Caroline Kennedy’s wedding day. MacDonald writes, “I wanted a picture to remember this special day, and I would get it. Just not the one I expected.”

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5 things to do this weekend, including the play ‘A New Era’ and Somerville’s ArtBeat

From a vintage market in Copley Square to dance performances at the ICA, here are five events to check out this weekend.

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Globe-trotting Scottish traffic cone gets hero's welcome in Boston

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu were at Logan Airport Tuesday to welcome a traffic cone that flew first class to the state. Yes, really.

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Boston school bus vendor fined more than $400,000 over delays, missed trips

Transdev, which operates the city's school bus fleets and hires and trains drivers, has now been fined $400,500 to date for significantly late or no-show buses between March and the end of the school year in June, based on data provided by district spokeswoman Samara Pinto.

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Trump administration orders ICE to suspend most vehicle stops after deadly Maine, Texas shootings

Trump administration officials have told Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to suspend most vehicle stops after two deadly shootings in little over a week, according to a person familiar with the matter. Tuesday's order came a day after an ICE officer shot and killed a Colombian man in Maine, renewing criticism of the agency’s tactics during enforcement operations.

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A master magician on how to avoid your blind spots

We all have our blind spots, but with AI and the spread of misinformation, we are more vulnerable to them than ever. Can we learn from a master illusionist on how to avoid falling trap to them?

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Summer Camp: The Long Crimson Thread

Welcome back to Circle Round Summer Camp! We're revisiting our favorite stories about the outdoors.

Jessika Van (Seoul Searching, Awkward) and Mark Pellegrino (American Rust, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley) co-star in a Welsh tale about a girl, a drought, and a mouse with a life-saving secret.

This Circle Round episode originally was released on May 14, 2024.

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Canadian wildfire smoke is blowing into Boston. Here's what to know

This smoke comes from a sudden flare-up of intense wildfire activity in far northern Minnesota and neighboring Ontario, Canada, where hot, dry and windy conditions sparked explosive fire growth. Thanks to a the jet stream pattern, that smoke is moving straight into New England's backyard.

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Stay cool as a cucumber this summer with 3 new recipes

When the temperatures soar and the kitchen heats up, cucumbers are perfect for light, refreshing and cooling recipes.

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Tennessee redistricting divides Black voters, weakening their political power

Redistricting divides a community of Black voters along the same line as a highway that split them up 60 years ago.

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Utah town in a 'dire' water crisis

Across the West, reservoirs and wells are running low.

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Bastille Day in France: World Cup matches, extreme heat and forest fires

July 14 marks the start of the French Revolution.

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Would you fly 22 hours on a plane to avoid a connection?

A long-haul flight taking off in 2027 will be non-stop between London and Sydney in a journey that will take approximately 22 hours.

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Fewer than 1% of Jamaica's beaches are accessible to the public

A private sector-fueled monopoly controls access to the beaches.

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Darline Graham sworn into brother's senate seat as S.C. gears up for special Republican primary

Lindsey Graham's sister is being sworn in to the Senate on Tuesday after the South Carolina Republican's sudden death.

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Supreme Court TPS decision raises concerns about health care industry

On July 24, hundreds of thousands of Haitians living in the U.S. with Temporary Protected Status will lose their ability to work.

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Historic Somerville Theatre and Capitol Theatre buildings listed for sale at $12 million apiece

The future sale of the buildings raised questions about the fate of the popular venues. The theaters' operators remain "cautiously optimistic."

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Trump's push toward hedge funds, cryptocurrency could weaken protections on 401(k) savings

This move could make it easier for employers to take risks with their workers' money on Wall Street.