Iran preps for supreme leader’s funeral; Olympian charged with Reflecting Pool vandalism

Iran gets set to memorialize and say goodbye to the Supreme Leader who ruled the country

with an iron fist for decades until the United States took him out at the start of the war

Plus, putting the brakes on more Epstein files while the Justice Department says that's it

And pop superstar Taylor Swift and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelsey prepare to say I do

at Madison Square Garden in front of about 1,000 family members and friends

in what some are calling America's royal wedding. The stories that matter, clear and credible, from across the country to around the world

These are your unbiased updates from Straight Arrow. Good morning, I'm Craig DeGrelli

This morning, the United States and Iran have once again paused peace negotiations

as pretty much the entire country prepares for a multi-day funeral for its deceased Supreme Leader

86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died in U.S.-Israeli strikes that started the war on February 28th

His funeral is set to begin tomorrow and last until July 9th

Security is now tightened in Tehran as up to 20 million people are expected to show up for the event

according to Iranian state TV. It is not known if Supreme Leader Motaba Khamenei will attend his father's funeral

But Iran's army general has already warned the U.S. and Israel against launching attacks during the funeral

A viewing of Khomeini's coffin and prayers are planned for Saturday and Sunday at the Grand Masala in central Tehran

followed by a funeral procession through the streets of the capital on Monday The Islamic cleric will be buried on Thursday in his hometown of Mashhad Qatar says indirect technical talks between the United States and Iran are scheduled to resume

after the ceremonies. The Justice Department says it will not turn over or unredact any more of the

Epstein files. A federal judge had given the Trump administration until yesterday afternoon

to release the information or explain why it could not. In a court filing yesterday, the Justice Department pushed back

against the judge's claim that it conceded it had violated the law

Lawyers said some of the emails included in the order were communications to and from victims, and they were redacted to protect them

The DOJ also says redactions to a 2007 draft indictment from the Southern District of Florida were already there when it was given a copy

and the Justice Department has not been able to locate an unredacted version of this specific photocopy

The DOJ also said handwritten interview notes from a woman who made claims against President Donald Trump

which have not been substantiated, were deemed duplicative. A former Olympic canoe racer who admits he touched a pool flap or piece of liner

that he says was floating in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is now charged with a felony

David Hearn now faces the charge of property destruction and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted

The top federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C. alleges that Hearn ripped up the recently installed sealant of the pool by grabbing with both hands and pulling

She says he violently and forcefully pulled up the liner in a deliberate act

The White House claims the reflecting pool has been marred by vandalism in recent weeks Authorities have made six other misdemeanor arrests Lawyers representing Hearn were quick to defend him calling the charges outrageous

and they should be alarming to every American. 67-year-old Hearn says he's just a curious American who reached into the pool in late June

to see what the rubbery substance was while on a bike ride. Today is about accountability for damaging a national resource, a national treasure

And that is the reflecting pool that runs from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial, which is, of course, a symbol of D.C.'s beauty and history

Now, it was recently renovated with significant funds and investments. Any tampering undermines that

And make no mistake, if anyone decides they want to damage that, whatever they think their reason is or whether they think it's justified or whether they think it's not important, will be held to account

This is a priority not only for the president, but for myself as well

The $16 million project has been marred by the bottom coating peeling off and a visible green algae

Meanwhile, in preparation for Independence Day activities and fireworks in the nation's capital

crews have covered the reflecting pool with large nets. The Interior Department says the nets are there to ensure public safety

since the site is a launch pad for the annual 4th of July fireworks display

Finally this morning, Independence Day is not the only grand event being celebrated this weekend

By all accounts pop icon Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelsey are tying the knot tonight at the most famous arena in the biggest city in the country The huge wedding is expected to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York Security is tight streets are blocked train routes into and out of Penn Station are limited

People have spotted decor and supplies, including knobby tree branches, as well as boxes of alcohol and lobster meat getting wheeled into the arena, according to CNN

Reports indicate the superstar couple held a dinner rehearsal at the garden last night

According to various reports, tonight's festivities include a cocktail hour, wedding ceremony, and reception that will continue until 4 tomorrow morning

It's been dubbed the wedding of the century, the American equivalent of a royal wedding, with roughly 1,000 guests, including many celebrities expected to be there

And get this, page 6 of the New York Post is reporting they may already be legally married

So, if you're on the guest list, what would you get a couple that seemingly has everything

I know, a gift card to the resurgent Bed Bath & Beyond

Wouldn't that be a surprise? Likely the only one. Original, at least

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Those here on Biased Updates for this Friday have a happy and safe 4th of July

It is expected to be one of the hottest on record. So try to stay cool as the heat index soars past 100 in many parts

Find a pool or a friend with a pool and just hunker down. At any rate, we'll be back here on Monday

For all of us here at Straight Arrow, I'm Craig DeGrelli. Have a great day and a fantastic weekend