Poll: Americans are anxious, pessimistic and deeply unhappy with Trump ahead of the midterms  —  The share of Americans who believe the country is on the wrong track is at the highest level of the president's second term, according to the NBC News Decision Desk Poll.

Do You Really Own Your Home?  A Tax Revolt Says No. … Before making their way to stalls selling whirligigs, handmade soap, and peanut-butter Buckeye brownies, dozens of people stopped at folding tables where volunteers hawked petitions to abolish property taxes.  Few needed much convincing before adding their names.

Three Shootings in America  —  A week of our entirely-ordinary *extraordinary* violence … I want to highlight three incidents of gun violence this last week, each very ordinary — and each shocking in its own way.  —  First: A white nationalist attempted a mass shooting and to assassinate …

Obama blasts Trump admin's Omar crackdown  —  Former President Barack Obama issued a forceful denunciation of the Trump administration's legal pursuit of Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar over suspicions she fraudulently obtained U.S. citizenship decades ago, an allegation the Minnesota lawmaker has called “disgusting lies.”

Trump Says DC Golf Course Project Moving Ahead Despite Suit  —  President Donald Trump formally announced the creation of a new pro-level golf course in Washington, DC, on Sunday, despite legal challenges, distress over downed trees and local ire over the loss of an affordable and family-accessible golf spot.

Democrats' Tejano star sings to swing South Texas  —  With help from Eli Okun and Irie Sentner  —  Good Sunday afternoon.  This is Ali Bianco, writing in from an uncharacteristically chilly weekend in Texas' Rio Grande Valley.  Where's the best lunch spot in McAllen?  Get in touch.  —  DRIVING THE DAY

I Teach at a Business School.  It's Time to Shut Them Down.  —  This fall, another cohort of ambitious young professionals has arrived at business schools around the world for two-year programs with price tags in the six figures.  Their presence at some of the nicest and shiniest buildings …

France in Shock After Protests Turn Into Riots, Damaging Buildings and Shops  —  After anti-government protests devolved into chaos, leaders from across the political spectrum blamed one another for the unrest, even as it largely subsided on Sunday.  —  France was in a state of shock on Sunday …

‘Scorched It All’: How Trump Lost the Affordability Debate, According to Abigail Spanberger … Abigail Spanberger rode furor over rising costs to dominate Virginia's gubernatorial race last year — putting her among the first class of Democrats elected on the promise to tackle the affordability crisis.

The overlooked geography of American poverty  —  California and Louisiana have something surprising in common: Both have among the nation's highest poverty rates when the cost of living is factored in, according to Census Bureau data. … But that familiar geographic divide starts to disappear …

Trump Promoted Suspiciously Cheap Gas Stations.  Here's What He Didn't Tell You. … To understand how Donald Trump would come to use the power of the presidency to promote a small discount gas station operation — one with murky finances, mysterious ownership and allegedly dubious business practices …

Internet freaks out as Kristi Noem poses with new hunting dog: 'Please don't kill him'  —  Canine-killing former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is being ridiculed over an online photo she posted of herself and her new hunting dog — with social-media users urging her not to off him, too.

Trump endorses embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection  —  President Donald Trump on Sunday endorsed embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection, a coveted boost because of Trump's popularity but one that the U.S. leader withheld for months …

Ukraine strikes oil facility in St. Petersburg as part of ‘massive’ drone attack  —  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last week he had ordered the resumption of strikes on Russian oil refineries following a three-day pause.  —  Ukraine struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg Sunday morning …

Steve Levitsky on the slide into “competitive authoritarianism”  —  “I continue to believe it's quite reversible.  But I think we crossed that line.”  —  ∙ Paid … Become one ⬇️  —  Perhaps the biggest reason the upcoming midterm elections are so critical …