SUMMARY: Texas Governor Greg Abbott vetoed a bill banning all consumable hemp products containing THC, sparking mixed reactions. The veto came amid petitions from thousands of Texans; opponents argued the ban would hurt farmers, small businesses, and patients using hemp for medical reasons. The Hemp Industry and Farmers of America praised the decision, emphasizing safer regulations rather than prohibition. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, a bill supporter, criticized the veto, highlighting strong legislative and law enforcement backing. Following a major THC product seizure in Dallas, Abbott called a July 21 special session to revisit Senate Bill 3 and other key legislation, aiming for balanced regulatory solutions.

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SUMMARY: A 2020 study by the American Educational Research Association found that 52% of U.S. students in grades 1–6 lose academic progress during summer, with 17–28% loss in English Language Arts and 25–34% in Math. Central Texas teachers warn of the “summer slide,” encouraging students and parents to keep minds engaged through reading and math activities over the break. First-grade teacher Antoinette King suggests practical methods like sounding out words on signs and counting produce while shopping. Local free resources, including Austin Public Library and Khan Academy, offer programs to help students maintain skills during summer.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites—Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan—joining Israel’s war against Iran’s nuclear program. President Trump declared the sites “completely and fully obliterated” without independent verification and warned of more strikes if Iran retaliates. Iran condemned the attacks, promising consequences and seeking a UN Security Council meeting. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported no increased radiation at the sites. Israel sounded missile alerts amid ongoing Iranian barrages. The U.S. used bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles in the first combat use of the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator. The conflict risks escalating regionally despite Trump’s reluctance to send ground troops.

Madhani reported from Morristown, N.J. Rising reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi in Iran; Mehmet Guzel in Istanbul; Josef Federman in Jerusalem; Samy Magdy in Cairo; Matthew Lee and Josh Boak in Washington; and Farnoush Amiri and Jon Gambrell in Dubai contributed to this report.

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