1 Iran Conflict: VP Vance Says "We Have A Lot Of Work To Do" On Economic Impact Of Iran
Vice President JD Vance spent yesterday cleaning up after President Trump's now-viral comment that he does not think about Americans' financial situation "even a little bit" when negotiating a deal with Iran. Vance said at a White House press conference that "we have a lot of work to do in order to deliver on the prosperity that the American people deserve," and that both he and Trump are "hyperaware" of the economic pain caused by the war. House Speaker Mike Johnson also distanced himself from Trump's framing, telling reporters that the president talks about the economy constantly and is "laser-focused on trying to resolve the conflict in Iran." Johnson's comments followed the same-day release of April inflation data showing a 3.8% annual increase, the highest in three years.
2 Alex Murdaugh Murder Convictions Overturned By South Carolina Supreme Court
The South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously overturned Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions yesterday, ruling that former court clerk Becky Hill's interference with the jury during his 2023 trial was so severe and deliberate that it denied him a fair trial. The court called Hill's conduct a "breathtaking and disgraceful effort" to undermine the jury process and ordered a new trial. Murdaugh was convicted three years ago of shooting his wife Maggie, 52, and younger son Paul, 22, at their Lowcountry hunting estate in June 2021. Murdaugh maintained his innocence throughout, and his attorneys argued after the verdict that Hill had tampered with the jury. Hill, who pleaded guilty in December 2025 to obstruction, perjury, and misconduct for allowing sealed photographs to be seen by a reporter, denied tampering with the jury. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said his office will "aggressively" seek a retrial "as soon as possible," and confirmed that Murdaugh will remain incarcerated on state and federal financial crime convictions while awaiting a new trial.
3 Vice President Vance Announces Suspension Of $1.3 Billion In Medicaid Payments To California
Vice President JD Vance announced yesterday that the Trump administration is withholding $1.3-billion in Medicaid payments to California over what officials described as major red flags in billing records, including $630 million in unexplained billing, $500-million in home health services, and $200-million in payments tied to coverage for undocumented immigrants. CMS administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said it is the largest payment deferral the agency has ever made and asked California to come to the table and explain the discrepancies. Vance also sent written notices to all 50 states warning they could lose federal funding for their Medicaid fraud units if they don't aggressively investigate and prosecute fraud by providers. The move mirrors a similar action taken against Minnesota in February.