Debt Deal, Miami Heat, and the Science of Fireflies

Debt Ceiling Deal

The White House and House Republicans reached a tentative agreement to raise the nation's debt ceiling, negotiators announced over the holiday weekend. The deal, which must now be passed by the Republican-led House and Democrat-led Senate, comes ahead of an updated deadline of June 5. 

According to reports, the agreement would raise the debt ceiling for two years, pushing the issue past the 2024 presidential election. Nonmilitary discretionary spending (see 101) would remain flat in fiscal year 2024, with a 1% increase the following year. Military spending would increase by 3% in 2024.  

The White House agreed to a key GOP request to tighten work requirements for federal aid. Most able-bodied adults without children under the age of 50 are eligible for food aid for three months every three years—that age would be raised to 55. See more details of the bill here.

The current federal debt stands at $31.5T. See an overview here.

Heat Head to Finals

The Miami Heat are headed to the NBA finals for the second time in four seasons after beating the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals last night, 103-84. The win caps a wild back-and-forth series that saw the Heat win the first three games before dropping three in a row to the Celtics—including a Game 6 loss on a last-second tip-in basket (watch here). The Heat, seeking their fourth title in franchise history, become the first eight seed to make the finals during a full-length NBA season. 

The Heat will face the Denver Nuggets, who swept the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. The Nuggets, appearing in their first championship in franchise history, are led by two-time league MVP Nikola Jokić. The 6-foot, 11-inch center has averaged a triple-double during the current postseason, posting almost 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Game 1 of the finals tips off Thursday (8:30 pm ET, ABC). 

Texas AG Impeached 

The Texas House of Representatives voted to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) Saturday, alleging the state's legal officer committed a range of offenses, including bribery, obstruction of justice, and misuse of public funds. The Republican-held chamber passed 20 articles of impeachment (read here) by a 121-23 vote. 

The impeachment vote followed a probe opened earlier this year after Paxton requested $3.3M of state funds to settle a whistleblower lawsuit. Eight former top staff accused Paxton of using the office to interfere in a federal probe examining whether he traded political influence for favors with campaign donor and real estate developer Nate Paul. Among other instances, Paul is said to have employed a woman with whom Paxton was having an extramarital affair. 

Lawmakers in the state Senate will now hear the case, where a two-thirds majority of the chamber's 31 members—one being Paxton's wife—is required to permanently remove Paxton from office. A date for the proceedings has not yet been set. 

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Science & Technology

Business & Markets

Politics & World Affairs

In-Depth

> The Illuminating Science of Fireflies 

Smithsonian | Madeline Bodin. While they light up summer nights and spark the imagination of onlookers, surprisingly little is known about the roughly 170 species of fireflies in North America. (Read)

... or "lightning bugs," depending on where you're from.

> Shipwrecked

Criminal | Phoebe Judge. (Podcast) The story of the Wager, a British royal ship that wrecked off the coast of Patagonia in 1742. Two separate groups of emaciated sailors eventually washed up in Brazil—each with differing stories of mutiny and betrayal. (Listen)

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Memorial Day photos from around the country.

Visualizing Mexico City's ever-present volcano threat.

Ranking the 21st century's best television finales.

How student ambitions have shifted over two decades. (via YouTube)

Justin the service dog earns a diploma. 

Lawyer apologizes for botched ChatGPT-generated legal brief.

Artist installs underwater coral guardians.

The appeal of watching nothing happen on YouTube.

Clickbait: Florida community terrorized by a sassy cat.

Historybook: Joan of Arc is executed (1431); Historian and philosopher Voltaire dies (1778); First Indianapolis 500 is held (1911); Lincoln Memorial is dedicated (1922); Musician CeeLo Green born (1974).