Confusion in NYC's mayoral race, Biden pressed to help a Saudi ally and a special birthday for Arkansas’ oldest cop

Wednesday, June 30, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     This morning we take a deep dive into a legal loophole that has left Native American women vulnerable to abuse. Plus, the Biden administration is coming under increasing pressure to help a former Saudi intelligence chief credited with saving American lives. And in New York City, confusion reigns in the mayoral race.   Here's what we're watching this Wednesday morning. Native American women face an epidemic of violence. A legal loophole prevents prosecutions. For nearly half a century, tribal nations have lacked the authority to prosecute people who are not members of a tribe — even though, according to the Department of Justice, those non-Native Americans are responsible for most of the violent crimes in Indian Country.   It's a festering legal problem that experts say affects all Native Americans but has been particularly catastrophic for victims of domestic and sexual violence, contributing to an epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women in the United States.   Now, on the heels of a Supreme Court decision that affirmed tribes' law enforcement authority, and with the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act currently before Congress, there is growing momentum to fix the legal loophole that non-Native American criminals have exploited for decades. Wednesday's top stories Saudi intel chief who saved U.S. lives was detained, allegedly mistreated by Saudi government By Raf Sanchez and Ken Dilanian | Read more   Former intelligence officials say Mohammed bin Nayef played a crucial role in thwarting attacks on Americans as Saudi's intel boss. But now he's being held and allegedly mistreated by authorities connected to Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman — and the Biden administration is coming under pressure to help him.  Confusion takes hold in NYC Democratic mayoral primary as officials acknowledge error By Dartunorro Clark | Read more   A Board of Elections error in the tabulation of the early results in New York City's ranked-choice Democratic mayoral primary has thrown the race into uncertainty, prompting officials to remove preliminary numbers from the elections website hours after posting them.    Condo board president warned of deterioration, need for repairs months before collapse By Elisha Fieldstadt and Doha Madani | Read more   "The concrete deterioration is accelerating," the Champlain Towers South Board president wrote in April to residents. The letter included a dire warning that new damage that had been identified "would begin to multiply exponentially." OPINION Trump's border visit shows Texas is leading the GOP resistance to Biden By Luisita Lopez Torregrosa | Read more   The Lone Star State is cementing its standing as the loudest, biggest and arguably baddest voice of the Trumpist right. White House to raise federal firefighter pay to $15 an hour     By Josh Lederman | Read more   As the White House seeks to put a spotlight on the growing threats of wildfires and heat waves exacerbated by climate change, an official said the administration is working to ensure that firefighters are "fairly paid for the grueling and risky work" they do.   BETTER What to eat and drink in a heat wave — and what to skip By Ronnie Koenig | Read more   Hydrating, no-cook foods are the order of the day when temperatures soar. Want to receive the Morning Rundown in your inbox? Sign up here. Also in the news ... Supreme Court declines to stop federal moratorium on evictions Fentanyl seizures at U.S. southern border rise dramatically Lori Vallow indicted in 2019 killing of her fourth husband Capitol rioter screamed 'get her out, mace her' as photographer was assaulted, FBI says Bloodhound in Tennessee finds missing 6-year-old girl allegedly abducted by father SHOPPING How TomboyX, Human Nation, Wildfang and other brands help break down the notion of "menswear" and "womenswear" in favor of more gender-fluid designs. One fun thing Arkansas police officer L.C. "Buckshot" Smith recently enjoyed some well-deserved praise.    After serving nearly 60 years in the small town of Camden, Arkansas, his 92nd birthday was honored with community-wide celebrations.    Believed to be Arkansas' oldest cop, he still walks his usual beat and says he has no plans to slow down anytime soon. "I hope I live a long time and continue to help people," he told NBC News.   Watch a video about "Buckshot" here. Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: petra@nbcuni.com   If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Petra Cahill Download the NBC News App Follow NBC News Privacy | Unsubscribe | More NBC Newsletters | Contact View in browser