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Washington, D.C. – Oregon U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley has sharply criticized the Trump Administration's withdrawal from the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement (RCBA). Merkley stated the Columbia River is the "lifeblood" of the region, and the administration's decision will negatively impact communities and the local economy. He emphasized the long-standing obligations to Indigenous Tribes, calling the move a dishonor to their sovereignty and leadership. Merkley further warned that tearing up the "carefully crafted agreement" — involving Oregon, Washington, and Tribes — undermines renewable energy production and clean energy goals. He vowed to oppose the administration's approach.

MIAMI — The Miami Marlins defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 8-3 on Tuesday, snapping their five-game home skid and ending Philadelphia's five-game win streak. Eric Wagaman and Jesús Sánchez homered for the Marlins, while Xavier Edwards contributed three hits. Miami took the lead with a three-run sixth inning. Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos was benched for an "inappropriate comment," ending his 236-consecutive start streak. Freddy Tarnok earned the win for the Marlins, who finished with 13 hits. The game's start was moved up to avoid conflict with the Stanley Cup Final.

Brian Beals, wrongfully imprisoned for 35 years for a 1988 murder, has finally been officially cleared by the same court that convicted him. Released in December 2023, Beals, who found solace in theater during his incarceration, now channels his experience into community work. He runs the Mud Theatre Project in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, directing young men and women. The project aims to empower youth from under-resourced communities to share their stories. Beals, whose conviction was overturned with the help of the Illinois Innocence Project, expressed profound validation now that his name is formally cleared. He is "still writing his story," focusing on his new life and impact.

A woman died Monday night in Washington D.C. after a fatal crash involving a truck hauling an Army M1 Abrams tank. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m., with DC Fire and EMS finding the woman with life-threatening injuries before she was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck was part of a military convoy moving the tank to a Virginia rail yard. Authorities have absolved the truck driver of any criminal intent, and no military personnel were involved. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the crash.

Senator Jeff Merkley slammed the Senate's passage of the GENIUS Act without his anti-corruption amendments, alleging it validates President Trump's "Government for Sale" enterprise involving crypto conflicts of interest. Merkley called the legislation "profoundly corrupt," accusing Republicans of blocking efforts to ban what he termed "Trump-style crypto corruption." He expressed dismay that no votes were held on his proposed measures despite promises of open debate. Merkley spearheads the End Crypto Corruption Act, co-sponsored by 24 senators including Chuck Schumer, to prevent elected officials from profiting from cryptocurrency deals. He previously collaborated with Senator Elizabeth Warren to investigate a controversial Trump-backed crypto deal.

A woman died Monday night after being struck by a truck hauling an Army M1 Abrams tank in Washington D.C. The fatal incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. when DC Fire and EMS found the woman with life-threatening injuries; she was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck was part of a military convoy transporting the tank to a Virginia rail yard. Authorities have absolved the truck driver of criminal intent, confirming no military personnel were involved. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the crash.

Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Todd Young (R-IN) have introduced a bipartisan resolution to honor the Dalai Lama's upcoming 90th birthday and express support for the Tibetan people. The resolution reaffirms the U.S.'s commitment to Tibetan self-determination, human rights, religious freedom, culture, and language, challenging China's ongoing aggression. Merkley stated it sends a message to protect fundamental freedoms, while Young emphasized standing with Tibetans against the Chinese Communist Party's "unacceptable" actions. Co-sponsored by multiple senators, the resolution follows their previous act supporting dialogue between China and Tibet. The International Campaign for Tibet praised the effort, highlighting it provides crucial hope to Tibetans.

Rigoberto Rodriguez-Moreno, a 44-year-old Mexican national, faces deportation from the U.S. for a third time. He was previously deported in 1999 for human smuggling and again in 2017 after a federal conviction for illegal reentry. On March 4, 2025, Homeland Security found him in Angelina County Jail on unrelated charges of aggravated assault and harassment. An investigation confirmed his repeated unauthorized entries into the U.S. and history of human smuggling. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Texas is prosecuting his case as part of Operation Take Back America, targeting illegal immigration and cartel activity.

Kentucky senior forward Robinson is rushing to complete NBA pre-draft workouts following surgery in March for a torn right wrist tendon. Medically cleared for contact last week, he missed the NBA Combine but aims to showcase his defensive versatility and ability to guard multiple positions before the June 25-26 draft. Robinson, who averaged 13 points last season, acknowledges the pressure of a late start to workouts but is determined to maximize every opportunity. He compares his game to Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, aspiring to secure his professional career.

X and Elon Musk are suing New York to block a proposed social media content moderation law, arguing it violates First Amendment rights. The new legislation aims to prevent hate speech and harmful content online. X previously won a similar lawsuit against California, successfully preventing a content moderation bill from becoming law. New York lawmakers have rejected X's attempts to discuss the proposal, criticizing Musk and his platform. This legal challenge mirrors the California case where X successfully blocked state efforts to regulate content moderation methods, setting a precedent for challenging such laws on free speech grounds.