Supreme Court blocks Trump mail-in ballot plan  —  The Supreme Court has rejected the Trump administration's attempt to force states to take part in a new system to control the delivery of mail-in ballots in the looming midterm elections.  —  In a ruling Monday, the justices left in place …

Breaking: Supreme Court, with Justices Thomas and Alito Publicly Dissenting, Continue Block on USPS Rule Through the Midterm Elections [Now Updated with Analysis]  —  By RICK HASEN  —  You can find the ruling at this link.  —  The Supreme Court, with the noted dissents of Justices Alito and Thomas …

Bo French's Tweet and the Tempest in Texas  —  Plus, Trump says there's no need for AI guardrails as long as he is in the White House, and why Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline is roiling oil markets  —  Good morning.  Bo French, a candidate for Texas' railroad commissioner …

McConnell returns to Capitol after 3-month absence  —  Sen. Mitch McConnell voted at the U.S. Capitol on Monday for the first time in three months after being hospitalized in June. … - McConnell arrived in a wheelchair and spoke briefly to reporters, joking that after years of avoiding their questions …

Exclusive: FBI Builds Out National NSPM-7 Center to Track Dissent, Docs Show  —  IRS sent 10 agents and three analysts to national effort to police “anti-capitalism” and “extremism on migration, race, and gender”  —  The FBI has tapped employees from across federal law enforcement to crack down on dissent …

Baal out: Top diplomat's worry about pagan god elicits eye rolls  —  The second-most powerful man at the State Department put the brakes on a U.S. international exhibit featuring a bull statue because he worried it might look like Baal, a pagan god some associate with Satanic child sacrifice.

“I am the Hoax Buster”: Trump's war on AI doomers gets personal … - “The only control or ‘guardrails’ that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) … - Trump explicitly placed AI doomerism in the same bucket as the Russia investigation, climate change and his impeachments …

Democrats Gain Edge as Trump Drags Down G.O.P., New Poll Finds  —  Even some Republicans are losing faith in Trump's economy, a New York Times/Siena poll found, and Democrats were favored on the top issues as the sprint to the midterms gets underway.  —  With fewer than 50 days until the midterms …

Pentagon watchdog says Iran war has led to munitions shortfall  —  It's the first public report on the ongoing war started Feb. 28 by the U.S. and Israel.  —  WASHINGTON — The Defense Department's inspector general released its first report on the war with Iran on Monday …

The Real Reason Obama's Harsh Warning to Dems About AI Is So Unnerving  —  Barack Obama has a private warning for Democrats: They badly need to grab hold of the debate over artificial intelligence, and quick.  “I would strongly urge that the Democrats put together a framework for a very public conversation …

The Supreme Court's Conservatives and Liberals Just Came to the Brink—and Finally Said “No”  —  For the time being, let's celebrate that the center of the court did hold, even as dangers remain ahead in both 2026 and 2028.  —  RICHARD L. HASEN  —  CULTURE  —  WHAT IT ALL MEANS  —  VIEW ALL CULTURE

Papa Johns, Propaganda and Putin: How a MAGA Influencer With Ties to Russia Became Trump's Arctic Adviser  —  For more than 40 years, the U.S. Arctic Research Commission has advised Congress and the president on what to study in the frigid and dynamic far north, from the environment to military security.

Scott Bessent's wobbly house  —  Politics seems to be messing with the US Treasury secretary's head  —  “Credibility” is a Washington measure devalued by overuse.  The credibility of what the US Treasury secretary says, however, can be gauged minute by minute.

House Democrats add three seats to ‘Red to Blue’ target list  —  Party leaders had previously declined to promote Michigan activist William Lawrence, who has drawn attention for past social media posts.  —  House Democrats' campaign arm added three battleground candidates to its “Red to Blue” …

US confirms for first time it has deployed weapons in space  —  Analysts warn of an acceleration in high-risk arms race with Russia and China in Earth's orbit  —  The US has deployed weapons in space, the US military has confirmed, in an extraordinary public announcement that analysts warn …

Trump's postings may still move the needle  —  President Trump's claim that Ukraine agreed to halt strikes on Russian energy targets coincided with a pullback in oil prices and Treasury yields Monday. … - Russia has long been one of the world's largest exporters of diesel …

Russia sanctions bill clears procedural House hurdle  —  Sweeping Russia sanctions legislation championed by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham cleared a procedural hurdle in the House on Monday, likely teeing up a full House vote later in the week.  The House Rules Committee voted to advance the measure …

JD Vance will never escape the albatross of the Iran War  —  PN is supported by paid subscribers.  Become one ⬇️  —  💡 Subscribe to PN 💡  —  Vice President JD Vance would very much like you to know that he has been opposed to the war in Iran from the beginning.

Oil Executives Say the Great Fuel Crisis Is Here  —  Trump officials say the oil-market disruption is temporary, but Chevron's Mike Wirth and others warn global supplies are running low, with no respite in sight  —  American oil executives warned for months that the prolonged closure …

Carney heads to Europe for high-stakes speech and deeper EU ties as Canada clashes with Trump  —  Canada will seek an arrangement that would allow Canadians to live and work in Europe without visas.  —  Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is heading to Europe in the middle of a trade war …

China and US Discuss Cutting Tariffs on Agriculture and Energy  —  The US and China are discussing slashing tariffs on certain goods, including on American energy and agricultural shipments — a potential sign the leaders' summit next week will lead to an extension of the one-year trade truce.

Rick Scott launches ‘Rescuing America’ economic messaging plan  —  Sen. Rick Scott is launching a plan for how the country should tackle its growing economic headaches as Republicans face rising voter affordability concerns heading into the midterms.  The Florida Republican …