Top Items:
Tim Balk / New York Times:
Some Democrats, Scarred by 2024, Take a Harder Line on Trans Athletes — Democrats competing in historically conservative territory in the midterms are more aggressively responding to Republican attacks casting them as extreme. — In Ohio, a longtime Democratic congresswoman in a tough race …
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Emily Davies / New York Times:
Some Democrats Say Senate Race In South Carolina Is Winnable. Others, not so much. — Dr. Annie Andrews, a Democrat, is hoping to defeat Senator Darline Graham. Even some of her most ardent supporters sense that her bid is a long shot. — Dr. Annie Andrews, the Democrat running …
New York Times:
Democrats Lead Governor Races Deep in Republican Territory, Polls Show
Discussion:
The Message Box and The Hill
Alice Miranda Ollstein / Politico:
Republicans tried to punt health care cuts until after the midterms. It didn't work.
Republicans tried to punt health care cuts until after the midterms. It didn't work.
Discussion:
Fox News and Lawyers, Guns & Money
Jonathan Martin / Politico:
Democrats Are Underfunding the Races That Could Remake the Map
Democrats Are Underfunding the Races That Could Remake the Map
Discussion:
The Capitolist, CNN, NewsMax.com and Newsweek
Peter Baker / New York Times:
How Trump Moved Ethical Lines With His Ads, Businesses and Summits — The president's decision to hold an international summit at his own private golf club, an idea rejected in his first term, illustrates how much he has shattered norms. — When President Trump decided in his first term …
Discussion:
Alternet.org
Natasha Korecki / NBC News:
How the shooting death of a Houston father is igniting Latino politics in Texas — Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot and killed on his way to work by ICE agents, who said he used his vehicle as a weapon. An outraged community is demanding justice — and change.
New York Times:
Kristi Noem's Agency Gave Her Donor a Lucrative Contract Just Before She Left — The Homeland Security Department signed a multi-million dollar agreement to buy five aircraft from a company owned by a political contributor of the secretary on her last day, documents show.
Amanda Carpenter / The Bulwark:
Why You Must Care About the Ballroom — Trump is defying Congress and robbing the American people to build it. — WHEN YOU CONSIDER all the outrageous things President Donald Trump has done in his second term, you might be tempted to think his big ballroom project doesn't rate high …
Jonathan Cohn / The Bulwark:
RFK Jr. Wants to AI-ify Health Care. Claude Says He's Full of Sh*t. — Kennedy is suddenly bullish on artificial intelligence—so we asked some AI assistants to rate his vaccine claims. — ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. BECOMING a huge AI cheerleader probably wasn't on your 2026 bingo card.
Russell Contreras / Axios:
New York has a socialist mayor. Los Angeles may be next — LOS ANGELES — Voters could make history next month by giving the two largest U.S. cities something in common: South Asian immigrant democratic socialist mayors. … - New York, the nation's largest city, is already led by democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Discussion:
New York Post
Alex Leary / Wall Street Journal:
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 …
Discussion:
Associated Press, The Information, NewsMax.com and Washington Examiner, more at Techmeme »
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Selam Gebrekidan / New York Times:
Superpowers Race to Put Nuclear Reactors on the Moon — I'm based in Hong Kong, where I have been closely tracking the new space race between the United States and China. Last month, a series of documents caught my eye. — Selam Gebrekidan — The documents contained details …
Discussion:
NewsMax.com
CMS:
Medicare Improvement Fund Premium Rebate Frequently Asked Questions — Medicare Improvement Fund Premium Rebate — Frequently Asked Questions — Q: What will the Medicare Improvement Fund do for Medicare beneficiaries? — A: The Administration is making a $90 Premium Rebate available …
Discussion:
Forbes, Breitbart, NBC News, The Washington Sun and Politico
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Marianne LeVine / Wall Street Journal:
Trump Announces Another Payment to Voters Ahead of Midterms
Discussion:
Reuters, Los Angeles Times, IJR News, Associated Press, Washington Post, CNN, Washington Examiner, Salon, New York Post, Bloomberg, Mediaite, The Hill and NewsNation
Devin Pavlou / Straight Arrow:
Trump again promises $5,000 checks but few Americans think he'll send them
Trump again promises $5,000 checks but few Americans think he'll send them
Discussion:
KrassenCast, The Independent, NewsMax.com, Mediaite and MS NOW
Naftali Bendavid / Washington Post:
How Democrats hope to reverse Trump's changes to the presidency — As the midterms approach, some of the president's foes are working to ensure his aggressive approach to executive power doesn't outlast him. — SummaryLoading... Democratic House members are writing bills to rein in a president's emergency powers.
Claire Fahy / New York Times:
Cornell President Calls Rape Inquiry ‘Defining Moment’ for Campus — Michael I. Kotlikoff said in a video the university would be more transparent, hold Greek groups accountable and improve sexual assault prevention. — The president of Cornell University assured the campus community …
Discussion:
The Hill, Daily Mail, The Cornell Daily Sun, Reuters, Associated Press, Fox News and The Guardian
Catie Edmondson / New York Times:
With Costs High, Tax Cuts May Fall Flat for G.O.P. in Fight for Congress — Tipped workers in Arizona have benefited from the G.O.P.'s big tax cut. But they face economic stress from other Republican policies. — Outside the clubhouse at a golf resort nestled into the mountains framing Oro Valley …
Fin Daniel Gómez / CBS News:
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 …
Washington Post:
With threats to midterms, states say Trump administration isn't helping — U.S. spy agencies see Russia and others plotting to sow distrust and misinformation in the upcoming elections. — SummaryLoading... U.S. intelligence agencies are monitoring schemes by Russia and other adversaries …
Catherine Kim / Politico:
The Democratic Civil War Is Raging — Except in This Swing-State Race … She's a Democrat asking farmers and fairgoers alike for their votes in this Republican-leaning, third congressional district of Wisconsin. — Though she has been here before, there's a sense of wariness …
Anna Giaritelli / Washington Examiner:
ICE officers say internal chaos has led to thousands of employee departures — Immigration and Customs Enforcement is seeing higher employee turnover rates under President Donald Trump than at any point in the federal agency's history. — In the first half of 2026, thousands of ICE employees left …
Lauren McGaughy / New York Times:
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.
Discussion:
Fox News, NBC News, The Gateway Pundit, Breitbart, The Texas Tribune, Mediaite, The Daily Wire, The Washington Sun and RedState
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Meredith Lee Hill / Politico:
The price tag on the Ken Paxton rescue mission has Republicans panicking
The price tag on the Ken Paxton rescue mission has Republicans panicking
Discussion:
Silver Bulletin, Alternet.org and Mediaite
Matthew Brockett / Bloomberg:
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.
Sasha Rogelberg / Fortune:
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 …
Discussion:
Politico
Alex Leary / Wall Street Journal:
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 …
