John Fetterman campaigned on ending the filibuster. Here’s why he changed his mind

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, doubling down on a position that has already added to Democrats’ frustrations with him in recent months, offered a more detailed explanation this week for his change of heart about eliminating the Senate filibuster.

The Pennsylvania Democrat wrote in an op-ed for The Washington Post that he was “horribly wrong” to support ending the practice that requires bills to win 60 votes rather than a 51-vote majority.

The rule frequently allows members of the minority party to block policies that fail to win bipartisan support, including some of each party’s top priorities — like abortion protections when Democrats have been in control, or the voting restrictions that Republicans are now attempting to pass at President Donald Trump’s urging.

Fetterman was among many Democrats in recent years to campaign on eliminating the filibuster in order to secure those bigger wins. During his 2022 campaign, he specifically referred to passing abortion protections established under Roe v. Wade as a reason for that position after the longstanding law was struck down by the Supreme Court that year.

—The Philadelphia Inquirer

Beshear says Senate could expel McConnell, urges him to give more health info or resign

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is urging Sen. Mitch McConnell to either release more details on his health condition or resign from office.

In a letter sent to McConnell’s office Monday and obtained by the Herald-Leader, Beshear called for McConnell to “directly and verbally address the people of Kentucky and provide proof of your capacity to serve, or resign.”

“It has now been 43 days since news of your hospitalization,” Beshear wrote. “During that time, you have cast zero votes, engaged in no official activities and aside from two photos and corresponding statements, have made no effort to communicate with your Kentucky constituents or the nation. Even the attending physician’s written statement does not discuss your actual condition, including whether you can speak, reason or carry out your duties as senator.”

Beshear, a Democrat, has faced a chorus of online criticism demanding he “do something” about the Republican senator’s ongoing absence, with some suggesting inaction could harm his 2028 prospects. But without an official vacancy, there is little Beshear can do.

—Lexington Herald-Leader

Ruby Rippey reveals new, contradicting details of Newsom affair in Vanity Fair

The former aide Gov. Gavin Newsom had an affair with while he was mayor of San Francisco revealed more details in a Vanity Fair essay published Tuesday that contradicts Newsom’s public recollection of their brief relationship.

Ruby Rippey worked as Newsom’s deputy campaign finance director, and later appointments secretary from 2004 to 2006. At the time, she was married to Alex Tourk, Newsom’s close friend, deputy chief of staff and later reelection campaign manager, who resigned after confronting Newsom about the affair in spring 2007.

The affair, which threatened to derail Newsom’s political ascent, could serve as opposition fodder as he mulls a run for president in 2028 after he leaves office next year. At the time, Newsom, who was also being criticized for appearing drunk in public, admitted in an emotional press conference “everything you’ve heard is true” and pledged to seek help for drinking.

Rippey previously characterized the affair in 2018 as an “ugly” but consensual episode, despite the power imbalance between her and her boss, whom she did not mention by name except as “Kennedy-esque” and “the mayor of San Francisco.” Newsom was single and newly separated from his former wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle, who is now the U.S. ambassador to Greece.

—The Sacramento Bee

Heat, wind hamper firefighting efforts in France, Spain and Portugal

PARIS — Firefighters are using every available means to bring the wildfires raging along France's Atlantic coast under control as a new heat wave bears down on the country.

The larger of the two blazes near Bordeaux flared up again in places and forced the evacuation of thousands more tourists, while the smaller fire south-west of Bordeaux was brought under control Monday evening, allowing 15,000 evacuees to return to their homes.

Due to the threatening wildfire situation near the well-known seaside resort of Lacanau, the prefecture in Bordeaux ordered the evacuation of campsites and holiday parks in Lacanau and Lacanau Océan on Tuesday morning, affecting around 4,000 people. The town of Lacanau and its permanent residents were initially not included in the evacuation order.

Authorities stressed that the evacuation was a precautionary measure in light of the forecast weather conditions. A new heatwave is expected to bring rising temperatures and falling humidity.

—dpa