Remembering Lindsey Graham and Replacing Graham Platner

The U.S. and Iran Ramp Up Attacks, and Trump’s “Big News” for the Nation

The U.S. military ramped up its attacks on Iran Thursday morning, with strikes targeting areas near Tehran. Iran hit back at U.S. allies in the region in response. NBC News chief international correspondent Keir Simmons explains how disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz are fueling the latest stage of the conflict. Then, President Donald Trump is teasing “really big news” in a primetime address to the nation at 9 p.m. ET. NBC News chief White House correspondent Garrett Haake breaks down what to expect. Finally, Spain and Argentina will face off in the World Cup final. Turfcoach CEO Christian Theil explains how the grass on the pitch could help crown the tournament champion. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Todd Blanche’s Fiery Confirmation Hearing and Is Skipping Salad Enough To Avoid Getting Cyclosporiasis?

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche wants to drop the "acting" from his title, but lawmakers on both sides of the aisle voiced their concerns at his confirmation hearing Wednesday. NBC News Correspondent Julie Tsirkin walks us through some of the key moments in Blanche’s testimony and the odds that he’ll win over two Republican holdouts. Plus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified more than 7,000 potential cases of the foodborne illness cyclosporiasis nationwide. NBC News Health and Medical News Reporter Erika Edwards shares best practices to avoid getting sick. Then, the Panini World Cup sticker craze has hit the U.S., and collectors are trading like mad to finish their books before the end of the tournament. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Maine ICE Shooting Prompts Protests; California’s AG on Suing to Stop Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal

ICE has issued a nationwide order to all officers to stop pursuing people in vehicles, current and former DHS officials say, after ICE officers fatally shot two men in less than a week. NBC News senior homeland security correspondent Julia Ainsley breaks down the latest incident in Maine and how the administration’s arrest quotas could be a factor in these shootings. Plus, 12 states are suing to block the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who’s leading the lawsuit, explains why he believes the merger would harm consumers. Finally: England and Argentina are set to face off Wednesday in the World Cup semifinals. NBC News sports reporter Andrew Greif takes us inside their decadeslong rivalry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Remembering Lindsey Graham and Replacing Graham Platner

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham’s unexpected death has rocked the political world and left the Republican Party scrambling to find a replacement ahead of the November midterm elections. NBC News chief Capitol Hill correspondent Ryan Nobles talks about the political void Graham leaves behind and in what ways the GOP can move forward. Then, former California Congressman Eric Swalwell and Maine Democratic candidate Graham Platner ended their respective campaigns this year following allegations of sexual assault, which each candidate denies. Cheyenne Hunt, founder and executive director of the advocacy group Reckoning Action, details how she helped the women who accused the politicians come forward with their stories and why she thinks the political vetting process needs to change. Lastly, NBC News senior policy reporter Shannon Pettypiece explains how a private equity-fueled expansion has inflated the cost of a summer fun staple: bowling. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Could Election Commission Firings Put Midterms at Risk? And Will the Suspect in Charlie Kirk’s Shooting Go to Trial?

The White House has ousted the members of the Election Assistance Commission, a bipartisan agency that works with state and local officials on election security. NBC News senior national politics reporter Jon Allen lays out how weakening the agency could create more distrust in the midterms. Then, prosecutors began laying out their evidence against Tyler Robinson, the man accused in the killing of Charlie Kirk, including a taped interview with the suspect’s former roommate and love interest who says Robinson expressed regret after the conservative activist’s shooting. NBC News legal analyst Misty Marris explains why this testimony could help both the prosecution and the defense if the judge decides to bring Robinson to trial. And finally: the Portland Trail Blazers are pumping the brakes on their trade for Los Angeles Clippers’ star Kawhi Leonard. NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin talks about the NBA investigation into Leonard’s compensation and why the outcome could ripple through the league. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.