Republicans tried to punt health care cuts until after the midterms.  It didn't work.  —  The political bill for Republicans' health care agenda is coming due earlier than they'd hoped.  —  Republicans' signature legislation from Trump 2.0 — 2025's One Big Beautiful Bill Act …

Without Saying His Name, Paxton's Estranged Wife Says to Vote for Him  —  In a new ad, the wife of Ken Paxton, who is divorcing him for alleged adultery, tells Texas voters to focus on the “whole team,” not “individual players.”  —  Angela Paxton wants to clear the air.

Trump, Cotton tussle over daylight savings after cell phone number leak  —  President Trump repeatedly berated Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on Saturday over his stance on a daylight savings bill after posting the Republican Congress member's cell phone number on social media.

A gut punch in Ohio: Nearly 1,400 laid off at truck factory just days before Trump rally  —  Sipping tea from beer mugs with his co-workers, Kyle Bos listed the ways his life is changing.  Bos has two daughters, with a third due in January.  At the grocery store, five items cost as much as a full cart once did.

Trump Announces Another Payment to Voters Ahead of Midterms  —  The president says he'll send $90 to Medicare recipients to offset premiums, the latest financial pledge as Republicans trail in key contests  —  WASHINGTON- President Trump is doubling down on promising financial benefits to voters …

Cross-Tabs: September 2026 Times/Siena Polls of the Likely Electorate in Battleground Senate Races  —  Results of New York Times/Siena polls conducted among 2,946 voters from Sept. 21 to Oct. 1, 2026. … ‹ ›  —  Do you think [state] is on the right track, or is it headed in the wrong direction?

Tennessee Prison Commissioner Resigns After Failed Christa Pike Execution  —  Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada has resigned as head of the state's prison system following this week's failed execution of Christa Pike.  It was the second time this year …

Ted Cruz blasts JD Vance as ‘insecure,’ says he's focused on helping GOP win midterms  —  Sen. Ted Cruz fired back at JD Vance for suggesting he's already focused on a 2028 presidential bid, calling the vice president “insecure” while insisting he's focused on the 2026 midterms.

New AI Czar Unveils Goals, Members of White House Task Force  —  The group will examine the technology's risks and opportunities—and focus on making sure the U.S. is first in the field  —  WASHINGTON— A new White House task force will have 120 days to report on the risks and opportunities …

IRS Employees Looked at Celebrities' Tax Records, Report Says  —  Inspector general warns that the agency doesn't have effective ways to stop employees from peeking at data  —  WASHINGTON—Dozens of Internal Revenue Service employees improperly viewed the tax records of celebrities …

U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine Now Involve an Oil Deal Tied to Trump Allies  —  President Vladimir V. Putin brought up a sale of Russian energy assets with President Trump's envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, pushing a deal that raises new questions about conflicts of interest.

With Elon Musk's Return to Washington, Possible Conflicts of Interest Resurface  —  The founder of SpaceX, with billions of dollars in military contracts, joins several other defense industry executives on a Pentagon advisory board.  —  In unveiling a panel to study the future of warfare this week …

The Mainstreaming of Anti-Indian Bigotry  —  A Republican schism over a social-media post by a Texas politician revealed that the party's defense of a color-blind meritocracy has its limits.  —  Christopher rufo, the conservative activist best known for his opposition to critical race theory …

Rep. Burchett planning to block NYC socialist Chevalier from Congress after she claimed to use American flag as napkin  —  Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) plans to try to block Democratic nominee and New York socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier from taking her seat in Congress if she wins the Nov. 3 election …

Australian Treasurer Calls US-Iran War an Economic ‘Disaster’  —  Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the US war with Iran has been an economic disaster, blaming the conflict for higher inflation and borrowing costs worldwide and warning it's also damping global growth.

Byron Donalds Walks a Tightrope of Trump Loyalty in Florida's Race for Governor  —  GOP congressman poised to become MAGA power broker if he wins his tightening contest  —  Between now and November, we're bringing you profiles of the political figures reshaping their parties and defining …

As Midterms Near, Justice Alito Says He Considers Each Year Whether to Retire  —  The justice, the second oldest on the court at 76, told CBS News that he decided against stepping down last term.  He could face pressure should Democrats win the Senate in November.

Google cofounder Sergey Brin has spent $102 million to fight California's proposed billionaire tax—he could owe $13 billion if he loses  —  Google cofounder Sergey Brin has now spent more than nine figures combating California's proposed wealth tax.  —  According to filings …

Zohran Mamdani Is Showing the World How It's Done  —  A few days before the leaders of the world streamed into the cavernous, marble-lined General Assembly Hall to deliver their speeches on the grave crises convulsing our combustible world, Mayor Zohran Mamdani offered his own …

Latino Dems urge Democratic Governors Association to put money behind Gina Hinojosa as Texas governor's race tightens  —  Latino Democratic leaders are renewing calls for the Democratic Governors Association to invest more heavily in Texas after a New York Times/Siena College poll showed …

Head Start fight reaches tipping point as advocates push back against proposed Trump changes  —  The Trump administration is moving ahead with big changes to Head Start, the federal early childhood education program that serves low-income families, to the outcry of advocates who say the proposals …