Axios

The U.S. Air Force is on the hunt for a new "Long Range Weapon" capable of blasting targets in the air and on the surface from at least 1,000 nautical miles out.

Why it matters: That's quite far — dwarfing the reach of contemporary munitions.

• Such an ask suggests applications in the Indo-Pacific, where vast stretches of water separate small islands, supply hubs, airstrips and armadas.

Dominion Dynamics raised $100 million and plans to use the money to mature its command-and-control suite, AuraNet, as well as its robo-wingman, Scout.

Why it matters: The startup, based in Ottawa and founded by former Anduril Industries executive Eliot Pence, is billing the Series A as the largest "in the history of Canadian defense."

The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to impose a nationwide ban on transgender athletes while upholding state laws barring transgender girls from girls' sports teams, setting up the next legal fight over trans-inclusive policies.

Why it matters: The ruling leaves transgender-inclusive policies in some states intact for now, shifting the next legal battle to states and schools defending those policies against legal challenges and pressure from the Trump administration.

Colorado progressives flexed their muscle in Tuesday's Democratic primary, scoring marquee wins up and down the ballot.

Why it matters: The results suggest Colorado Democrats aren't just rebuking President Trump — they're increasingly demanding a more confrontational brand of politics.

The Senate GOP campaign arm won a major Supreme Court boost in the party's bid to hold congressional majorities on Tuesday.

Why it matters: Republicans' reliance on mega-donors and their cash-flush committees positions them to benefit more than Democrats from the ruling, which allows committees to spend unlimited sums in coordination with candidates as they face electoral headwinds in November.

President Trump said Tuesday that Republicans would hold a midterm convention for "the first time ever" in September in Dallas.

Why it matters: National party conventions are typically held only during presidential election years, making a midterm gathering an unusual effort to rally supporters and shape the party's message ahead of the midterms.

Several dozen House Democrats voted with Republicans on Tuesday to quash a second attempt to restrict the U.S. from assisting Israeli military operations in Lebanon.

Why it matters: That's a significantly smaller group than voted against the measure earlier this month, with Democratic leadership supporting it this time.

It's been just over a year since Japan's Nippon Steel bought U.S. Steel, after agreeing to invest $11 billion into the Pittsburgh-based icon by the end of 2028.

• Thus far, almost all of that money remains a promise.

More than a dozen House Republicans tanked a procedural vote for the must-pass defense bill — once again over the GOP's signature election bill, the SAVE Act.

Why it matters: The SAVE Act has become a recurring source of chaos for House Republicans, repeatedly derailing procedural votes and stalling unrelated legislation.

One big reason why D.C.'s July 4 fireworks show is being pushed later: President Trump is scheduled to give a 45-minute speech on a National Mall stage, a source involved in the planning tells Axios.

Why it matters: With temperatures expected to hit 102°F and inauguration-level security on the Mall, every delay ripples through the evening — keeping people in the heat longer, slowing trips home and pushing bedtimes.