June 23, 2025
U.S. Strikes 3 Iran Nuclear Sites
The U.S. military carried out massive precision strikes on the three key nuclear assemblies in the Iranian regime: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan.
President Donald Trump in a White House address on Saturday evening after the U.S. struck three nuclear sites in Iran (a U.S.-designated state sponsor of terrorism) in a mission dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer.” The escalation takes place amid the ongoing Israel-Iran attacks, but how much damage Iran’s nuclear program experienced is unconfirmed. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted on X concerning the strikes: “The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. … Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people.” Following the strikes, the Department of Homeland Security issued an advisory of “a heightened threat environment,” saying, “Low-level cyber attacks against US networks by pro-Iranian hacktivists are likely, and cyber actors affiliated with the Iranian government may conduct attacks against US networks.”
Learn More:
- Summary of the Threat to the United States (Department of Homeland Security)
- U.S. launches strikes on 3 Iranian nuclear facilities, Trump says (CBS)
- Satellite photos of Iran nuclear facilities before and after the attack (CBS)
Oklahoma City Thunder Wins NBA Championship Title
As a kid, you dream. Every kid dreams. But you don’t ever really know if it’s going to come true. I’m just glad and happy that my dreams have been able to come true.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder point guard, after becoming the first NBA player in over two decades to earn the scoring title, regular season MVP and Finals MVP in the same season. Oklahoma City defeated the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals Sunday night, earning the team’s first-ever championship title since moving to Oklahoma City.
Learn More:
- Thunder win NBA Finals in Game 7: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads OKC to first title, Pacers falter without star (CBS Sports)
Record-Breaking Heat & Humidity Hit Midwest and East Coast
The toughest days are going to be Monday through Wednesday to get through.
Meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center, Brian Hurley, regarding an intense heat wave hitting the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northwest regions of the U.S. this week, impacting over 150 million Americans. At least 23 states brace for potentially record-breaking temperatures and humidity, with cities like New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. expecting 100-degree days.
Learn More:
- Extreme heat expected to continue during the week, weather experts warn (USA Today)
- Where 100-degree temperatures will hit cities from Boston to Washington (The Washington Post)
Federal Appeals Court Blocks Louisiana Law Requiring 10 Commandments in Classrooms
Parents and students challenge a statute requiring public schools to permanently display the Ten Commandments in every classroom in Louisiana. The district court found the statute facially unconstitutional and preliminarily enjoined its enforcement. We affirm.
A federal appeals court in the unanimous decision to block a Louisiana state law requiring public schools and colleges to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms. The law was set to take effect earlier this year before it was blocked, and while the recent ruling upholds the block for now, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said, “We will immediately seek relief from the full Fifth Circuit and, if necessary, the United States Supreme Court.”
Learn More:
- Court blocks Louisiana law requiring schools to post Ten Commandments in classrooms (CNN)
- Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law in public schools blocked by federal appeals court (NBC)
On This Day 250 Years Ago: George Washington’s Love Letter to Martha Washington
I retain an unalterable affection for you, which neither time nor distance can change.
George Washington in a letter to his wife, Martha, on June 23, 1775. He wrote the letter to his “dearest” in the final moments before leaving to serve as leader of the Continental Army. The letter, sending love and well wishes to the family, is just one of three surviving notes between the couple because Martha ordered the destruction of all correspondence after the nation’s first president passed away in 1799.
by Emily Hooker, based in Texas
