Ted Cruz: Investment accounts for newborns would make them into future capitalists

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, envisions a future where every American newborn starts life with an investment account seeded with $1,000 from Uncle Sam.

Cruz unveiled legislation this week that would establish the accounts, to which families could contribute up to $5,000 each year.

Combining that maximum annual contribution with a historical 7% growth rate means the average account holder would have about $170,000 by their 18th birthday, Cruz said.

“I think that has a profound impact for future generations of Texans and Americans,” Cruz said.

—The Dallas Morning News

GOP Rep. Lawler calls Marjorie Taylor Greene ‘Jewish space laser lady’ in SALT feud

Rep. Mike Lawler traded insults with fellow Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in a nasty online spat over his push for a higher cap on deducting state and local taxes, or SALT.

Calling MTG “the Jewish space laser lady,” Lawler said hardline right-wing Republicans should pay more attention to winning swing seats like his Westchester County-based district if they want to keep control of the House of Representatives.

“Shockingly the ‘Jewish Space Laser’ lady once again doesn’t have a clue what she is talking about,” Lawler posted on X, referring to Taylor Greene. “By the way, the reason you enjoy a gavel is because Republicans like me have won our seats. Good luck being in the Majority if we don’t.”

Taylor Greene— a Georgia MAGA stalwart who once spouted the antisemitic conspiracy theory that the Rothschild banking family created “space lasers” that caused the California wildfires — countered that Lawler should credit President Donald Trump with winning Congress.

—The New York Daily News

Would Trump or Harris win in an election rematch today? What a new poll found

If the 2024 presidential election were held again today, President Donald Trump might not win the White House, according to new polling.

In a Strength in Numbers/Verasight survey, 40% of respondents said they would vote for former Vice President Kamala Harris “if the U.S. was holding a do-over election today.” Meanwhile, 36% said they would cast their ballot for Trump, and 1% said they were undecided.

And, when respondents who said they would not vote in a rematch were removed, Harris led Trump 47% to 42%.

The former vice president also held a sizable advantage over Trump — 36% to 22% — among respondents who said they did not vote in the 2024 election. In contrast, respondents who did vote in 2024 were split 43% to 43% over the two candidates.

—The Charlotte Observer

Menendez brothers move closer to freedom as California Gov. Gavin Newsom drops clemency probes, sets parole hearing

LOS ANGELES — In the wake of a Los Angeles County judge resentencing Erik and Lyle Menendez to terms of 50 years to life, Gov. Gavin Newsom has withdrawn his request for a clemency investigation, turning a hearing scheduled in June before the parole board into an opportunity for the brothers to be granted early release.

The move streamlines the potential path to freedom for the brothers who have served more than 35 years in prison since being sentenced for killing their parents with shotguns in 1989.

“We’re grateful to Judge Jesic for his courage and fidelity to the law. We are hopeful that the Governor will write the final chapter in the brothers’ release,” their attorney, Mark Geragos, said.

On Tuesday, L.A. County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic modified the brothers’ original sentence of life without parole to 50 years to life, which under the state’s youthful offender law, makes the brothers immediately eligible for parole because the shootings happened before they turned 26.

The parole board on Wednesday informed legal representatives that the governor was no longer pursuing the clemency investigations because of the decision to change the brothers’ sentences.

—Los Angeles Times

King Charles shares rare update on cancer diagnosis and treatment

King Charles opened up on his cancer diagnosis during a Buckingham Palace garden party on Wednesday.

The king, who’s still receiving treatment since his diagnosis early last year, shared a heartwarming moment with a 22-year old student, Stamford Collis, who also has cancer. Collis said the duo swapped stories and the king offered him advice on what “can help” during treatment.

“He was asking me about the treatment I have starting in June and spoke to me about food and diet,” Collis told The Telegraph after he met the king. “He also asked me if I had undergone radiation treatment, which I had earlier this year.”

The 76-year-old monarch was reportedly heard saying, “It’s sometimes about the diet and what you eat. It can help.”

—The New York Daily News