Cowtown Caller Show Notes
Episode: Massie Senate Buzz, McConnell Health Scare, Birthright Citizenship Fireworks & NPR’s Alito Retraction
Host: Kellen McGovern Jones
Date: July 2, 2026 Episode SummaryStraight-talk radio from Cowtown covering the latest on Senator Mitch McConnell’s health scare and the growing speculation around Rep. Thomas Massie potentially running for Senate in a special election. We also break down the Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship ruling, the flood of new legislation in Congress, a sharp Wall Street Journal op-ed, Ford’s reversal on AI automation, and NPR’s quick retraction of a story claiming Justice Samuel Alito was retiring.Segment Breakdown & SourcesSegment 1: Massie Buzz and McConnell’s Latest Health Scare
Discussion of McConnell being found unconscious on June 14 and reports of his security detail near the hospital. Clarification on why Massie cannot be appointed but could run in a potential special election.
New York Post – Full reporting on the June 14 incident and dispatch audio:
https://nypost.com/2026/07/01/us-news/mitch-mcconnell-was-found-unconscious-in-dc-home-last-month-may-have-suffered-heart-attack/
Segment 2: Birthright Citizenship — SCOTUS Ruling and What Congress Is Doing Next
Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s executive order. Trump and JD Vance reactions. New bills from Rand Paul, Andy Ogles, and Bernie Moreno. Texas hearing on surrogacy. Plus a deep dive into the Wall Street Journal op-ed.
NBC News – Trump’s Truth Social response to the ruling
The Hill – JD Vance calling the ruling a “major mistake”
Wall Street Journal Op-Ed – Richard Epstein: “Roberts Gets the 14th Amendment Wrong” (tweeted by Gov. Ron DeSantis):
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/roberts-gets-the-14th-amendment-wrong-316686ce
Segment 3: Ford’s AI Flip — Bringing the Gray Beards Back
Ford rehiring hundreds of veteran engineers after AI systems fell short on quality control.
Bloomberg – Full story on Ford rehiring 350 “gray beard” engineers:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-25/ford-has-been-rehiring-quality-inspectors-after-ai-fell-short
Segment 4: NPR’s Alito Retirement Flub
NPR publishes then retracts a story claiming Justice Samuel Alito retired. Nina Totenberg’s full on-air apology.
New York Times – Reporting on the NPR retraction:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/30/business/media/npr-samuel-alito-nina-totenberg.htmlCNN – Nina Totenberg reads her full personal apology to Justice Alito on All Things Considered:
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/30/media/npr-alito-totenberg
Additional Resources Mentioned
Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee – July 8 hearing on surrogacy exploitation (interim charge):
Details available on the Texas Senate website (search “Kolkhorst surrogacy hearing July 8”)Kentucky law on U.S. Senate vacancies (special election only): Covered in multiple 2024 legislative reports on HB 622
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