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National monuments and national parks are at risk of disappearing under the Trump administration.

Earlier in June, the Justice Department gave presidents the ability to make changes for the first time since the 1930s, according to CBS News. Some land is reportedly being considered for mineral extractions, while efforts to repeal DEI could affect national monuments.

What national monuments could be affected?

There are 138 National Monuments in the United States and they are all at risk of being sold for parts. This includes monuments commemorating figures of the Civil Rights movement, like the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. 

Till became a symbol of the movement after the 14-year-old was lynched in 1955 in Mississippi.

“Images of Till’s badly decomposed body in that open casket really sparked the modern civil rights movement,” Alan Spears, the senior director of cultural resources and government affairs for the National Parks Conservation Association, told CBS News.

There are three sites for the monument: One is where Till was found in Graball Landing near Glendora, Mississippi, the second is where the trial was held in the Tallahatchie County Courthouse in Sumner, Mississippi and the other is where Till’s funeral took place at Chicago’s Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ. 

Why does the Trump administration want to challenge the existence of these monuments?

Experts say it is made in an effort to erase American history and as part of the administration’s work to repeal D.E.I.

“We are seeing this effort to erase and reverse history and historic preservation,” Spears said. “This is turning quickly into a dream deferred.”

Former President Joe Biden designated the three sites as part of the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument as protected monuments in 2023. President Trump is now attempting to reverse these decisions.

“People don’t like to look at their past when it shows a negative light of who we are, and I can understand that nobody likes to look at their own personal past that may have a negative light, but we also know that in order to learn from our own history, we also have to learn from our past mistakes,” former National Park Service Director Chuck Sams told CBS News. “And we, as Americans, have never been actually scared to do so, and I don’t think we should be now. We look at our past, and we know that from our past mistakes that we have become stronger.”

National parks are also at risk under the Trump administration

The federal government has proposed nearly $1 billion of budget cuts for the National Park Service. This means over 300 park sites may have to close, according to Spears. This could affect the National Monuments located within the parks, such as the Grand Canyon. The Baaj Nwaavjo I’tāh Kukveni–Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, which surrounds the area around the canyon, is being considered for sale due to the presence of uranium.

Other monuments located in California are also being considered for revocation or partial sale, like the Chuckwalla National Monument and Sáttítla Highlands National Monument.

Not only are these sites a part of American history, but they also offer a significant economic impact due to tourism.

Every $1 invested in a National Park site gives $15 back to the communities where they are located, according to Spears.

“That’s an enormous, enormous return on investment,” he said.

General Motors is recalling over 62,000 of its cars because of a brake issue. In a statement to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Wednesday, General Motors stated that “brake pressure switch may short and cause fire.”

“General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Chevrolet Silverado Medium Duty 4500HD,5500HD, and 6500HD vehicles,” the company stated. “The brake pressure sensor assembly may leak brake fluid into thebrake pressure switch and cause a short circuit.”

The recalled vehicles may face an increased risk of a fire while driving or parked as the electrical short in the brake pressure switch overheats the circuit, GM stated. Per the statement, 62,468 cars have been recalled.

The GM recall mostly includes the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 5500 HD trucks

The trucks were produced between January 20, 2023 and March 19, 2024. According to General Motors, about 10,097 of those models face the possibility of malfunctioning.

“Vehicles prior to 2019 model year use a different design and are not affected by this recall,” the company stated, per USA TODAY. “2024 model year vehicles that were produced with a brake switch wire harness that includes a silicone sealant are not affected by this recall.”

Over 7,000 Chevrolet Silverado 5500 HD models from 2022 are also recalled, along with many other similar brands from from 2021, 2020 and 2019.

GM will repair recalled vehicles for free

Customers with recalled vehicles can take their cars to a dealer and get a new brake pressure switch wire harness for free. Owners can contact GM customer assistance number at 1-866-467-9700. The number for the GM recall is N242482680. Customers may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-888-275-9171) or at www.nhtsa.gov.

Outspoken Rep. Jasmine Crockett has had a political setback, as she has withdrawn her attempt to take the top Democratic position within a powerful congressional committee. This is the second such setback for Crockett in recent months.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, confirmed on Tuesday to the Texas Tribune that she was dropping her bid to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. Crockett had announced her intentions to run for the top committee spot in early June, after the death of Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Virginia, left the position open. The Oversight Committee would likely lead investigations into the Trump administration should Democrats retake the House, and winning the top Democratic position would have set up Crockett to chair the committee under a future Democratic majority in the House. At the time she announced her candidacy, Crockett wrote in a letter to her colleagues that “every hearing, every investigation, every public moment must serve the dual purpose of accountability and must demonstrate why a House Democratic majority is essential for America’s future.” Three other Democrats — Robert Garcia of California, Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts and Kweisi Mfume of Maryland — also declared their candidacies for the position.

Contest over leadership and age

The Democratic Party struggles with issues of messaging, progressive vs. centrist policy positions, and divides between younger and older party leaders, and Crockett, 44, represents a younger, more progressive and more media savvy wing of the Democratic Party. She and Garcia, 47, ran against two older party members: Lynch, 70, and Mfumi, 76. In the end, after Crockett and Mfumi both dropped their bids, Democrats ultimately selected Garcia for the top Democratic position. Crockett congratulated Garcia, tweeting, “The work of this committee has never been more critical. Let’s get the American people the accountability they deserve.”

Congratulations to @RepRobertGarcia for being elected Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee.The work of this committee has never been more critical. Let’s get the American people the accountability they deserve.— Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@RepJasmine) June 24, 2025

Efforts to rise up the ranks

Crockett’s defeat is the second major setback she has faced during her efforts to rise up the ranks of party leadership. In November, she failed in a bid to become chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, a position that would have given Crockett significant power over reshaping the party’s messaging. Crockett, who enjoys a large social media following and whose outspokenness and turns of phrase often go viral, faced criticism earlier this year for referring to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who uses a wheelchair, as “Governor Hot Wheels.” Nevertheless, Crockett remains one of the rising stars and most outspoken members of the Democratic Party, which makes her a frequent target for Republican critique. President Donald Trump recently mocked Crockett as a “Low IQ Candidate” while sarcastically recommending that the Democrats nominate her and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as their next presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

Thanks for your vote of confidence…I guess?!Unlike you, I’d actually be focused on the American people—the issues they’re facing, making sure folks have healthcare, and consulting with Congress before dropping bombs on another country.Once again, you’ve got very big problems… pic.twitter.com/Hqzn7CR12m— Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@RepJasmine) June 25, 2025

Walter Scott, co-founder of legendary R&B group The Whispers with his twin brother, Wallace “Scotty” Scott, has died after a six-month battle with cancer, his family confirmed. He was 81.

Scott died Thursday, surrounded by his family at his home in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Sentinel.

Whispers promotional team member Desirae L. Benson also confirmed Scott’s passing in a statement to Soul Tracks.

“We all are incredibly heartbroken. It is with deep sadness that we confirm the passing of Walter Scott, beloved member of the legendary R&B group The Whispers,” Benson said. “His voice, presence, and contributions helped shape a musical legacy that touched millions. Walter’s impact on the industry and in the hearts of fans will never be forgotten. Memorial details will be shared at a later date. Sending love and light to his family, friends, and all of the millions of fans around the world. We lost a legend!”

When did the Scott brothers form The Whispers?

Scott and his twin brother were born in Fort Worth, Texas, and moved to Los Angeles in 1959, where they began singing while attending Jordan High School, per the Los Angeles Sentinel.

The Whispers, composed of the Scott brothers, Nicholas Caldwell, Marcus Hutson and Gordy Harmon, officially formed in 1964 and went on to become one of the most celebrated R&B groups of their time. In 1973, Leaveil Degree replaced Harmon, but the group continued creating some of the most enduring hits that remain popular today.

According to WBLS, The Whispers scored their first top-charted pop and R&B hit, “Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong,” in 1970.  

The Whispers had an extensive music catalog

Their catalog includes hits such as “And the Beat Goes On,” “Rock Steady,” “It’s a Love Thing,” “Lady” and “Love Is Where You Find It.” The group recorded under several record labels, including Don Cornelius/Dick Griffey’s Soul Train label, with other hits like “I Only Meant to Wet My Feet” (1972) and “Lady ” (1979).

Under Griffey’s label, SOLAR, The Whispers released their debut album under the new company, Headlights, in 1979, featuring the classic song “Olivia (Lost and Turned Out)”; however, it wasn’t until the 1980s that the R&B group achieved their most considerable success, working with writer/producer Leon Sylvers to create their signature hit, “And the Beat Goes On,” which peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100, according to WBLS.

In 1987, Babyface, then a member of the Deele, wrote and produced “Rock Steady,” which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. While Hutson and Caldwell later passed away, the group continued performing as a trio at sold-out shows nationwide and internationally.

Scott is survived by his wife, Jan, two sons, and three grandchildren.

Singer-songwriter Rebekah Del Rio, who’s best known for her performance of “Llorando,” a Spanish-language version of a cover of Roy Orbison’s “Crying,” in David Lynch’s 2001 film Mulholland Drive, has died.

According to Variety, Del Rio died in her Los Angeles residence on June 23. She was 57. Read on for more about her life and legacy.

A cause of death has not been confirmed

Several outlets have reported that the Los Angeles Coroner’s Office confirmed Del Rio’s death. However, no further details regarding her passing have been shared publicly.

Her last performance was less than two weeks ago

Del Rio was born on July 10, 1967, in Chula Vista, California. She began performing before moving to Los Angeles to continue to pursue her career. She was introduced to Lynch in the mid-’90s by Brian Loucks, their mutual agent.

During the meeting, Lynch asked the singer to perform her recording of “Llorando.” He secretly recorded her and used the performance as the foundation of the pivotal Club Silencio scene in Mulholland Drive. At the time, the film was a rejected ABC pilot that Lynch was turning into a feature film. Del Rio’s performance in it is hauntingly emotional, and Mulholland Drive lead actors Naomi Watts and Laura Harring are seen moved to tears by the powerful cover.

In a 2022 interview with IndieWire, Del Rio said she sang the song live each take while filming.

“There were many takes. And with every take, I sang along, because I felt I had to produce that same feeling with the vibrato in my throat so the audience could see it,” she told the outlet at the time. “I also wanted the beautiful girls in the balcony, [the film’s stars] Laura Harring and Naomi Watts, to experience it live. They were present while I was doing my scene, so I sang to them.”

Mulholland Drive made Del Rio a breakout star and led to the singer’s vocals appearing in films like Southland Tales, in which Del Rio sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the film’s epic conclusion, Sin City, Man on Fire and Streets of Legend. She shared her talents on the small screen as well, performing in Showtime’s Twin Peaks revival series, Twin Peaks: The Return, in 2017.

Del Rio also performed on stage, joining The Red Room Orchestra Plays the Music of Twin Peaks for several performances. Her last performance, a Mulholland Drive screening at the Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles, was less than two weeks before her death.

Lynch, who died in January at age 78, and Del Rio remained close for the duration of their careers. The singer had a son, Phillip C. DeMars, who died in 2009 at age 23.