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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
A new poll shows Democrat James Talarico has a close chance against Republican candidates John Cornyn and Ken Paxton in the 2026 Texas Senate race. The Republican runoff between Cornyn and Paxton is set for May 26, and the race is expected to be competitive in the general election.
Key Facts
The poll surveyed 1,223 likely voters from April 22 to May 6.
John Cornyn leads Talarico by 1 point (45% to 44%) in one matchup.
Talarico and Ken Paxton are tied at 45% support each in another matchup.
Libertarian Ted Brown received 2-3% support; 8% of voters remain undecided.
The poll’s margin of error is ±2.8 percentage points.
The Republican primary has been contentious, which may hurt the eventual GOP nominee’s image.
Cornyn’s campaign adviser warns Paxton could risk losing the race and affect President Trump’s agenda.
Other recent polls also show Talarico leading or close to Republican candidates.
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Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina said he will not vote for the new $72 billion budget reconciliation bill if the Senate votes on it this week. Several other Republican senators also have concerns about parts of the bill, especially about $1 billion proposed for Secret Service security upgrades, which they say should be paid for by private donations, as President Trump requested.
Key Facts
Senator Thom Tillis opposes the current budget reconciliation bill.
The bill includes $72 billion in spending, with $1 billion proposed for Secret Service security upgrades.
The $1 billion covers upgrades to the East Wing ballroom of the White House.
Around six Republican senators have concerns about funding the ballroom renovations.
President Trump said the ballroom upgrades should be funded by private donations, not government money.
The Senate parliamentarian ruled against including Secret Service funding in the bill on Saturday.
GOP leaders plan to bring the bill to the Senate floor Thursday after committee approval Wednesday.
Senator Tillis is also concerned about how passing the bill now could affect other Republican primary races, including Senator John Cornyn’s runoff in Texas.
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed Tracey Beth Høeg from her role as acting director of its Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). This marks the fifth change in leadership for the division since December, highlighting ongoing instability in the agency's top drug regulation team.
Key Facts
Tracey Beth Høeg was the acting director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
She was removed from her position on a Friday.
Høeg had held the acting director role since December.
The CDER has seen five different heads or acting heads since the start of this period.
The changes reflect ongoing leadership instability within the FDA’s drug evaluation division.
The FDA is responsible for overseeing the safety and approval of drugs in the United States.
The leadership changes are occurring during President Donald Trump’s current administration.
This situation may affect the agency’s work on drug approvals and safety regulations.
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Construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall is damaging sacred Indigenous sites like Kuuchamaa Mountain and a 1,000-year-old geoglyph in Arizona. Indigenous leaders and religious groups have raised concerns and are considering legal actions to stop the destruction.
Key Facts
The border wall construction is harming places important to Indigenous people, including Kuuchamaa Mountain, which is sacred to the Kumeyaay Nation.
Tribal leaders say the use of explosives and heavy machinery on these sites happened without their permission.
Destroying sacred Native American sites on federal or tribal land is a serious crime punishable by law.
A 1,000-year-old fish-shaped geoglyph in Arizona, sacred to the Tohono O’odham Nation, was accidentally damaged by contractors.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a waiver to bypass environmental rules to speed up wall construction.
The Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces is legally fighting the government’s plan to take land that includes a religious pilgrimage site at Mount Cristo Rey in New Mexico.
Border officials say the wall helps stop illegal crossings and drug trafficking, even though illegal crossings have recently dropped.
DHS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are in talks with tribal leaders about protecting these sites and deciding on next steps.
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Georgia is preparing for important primary elections where three Republicans are trying to unseat Senator Jon Ossoff. In Louisiana, Senator Bill Cassidy lost his chance for reelection as two candidates, Julia Letlow and John Fleming, moved on to a runoff race.
Key Facts
Georgia will hold key primary elections soon.
Three Republican candidates are running against Senator Jon Ossoff in Georgia.
Senator Bill Cassidy from Louisiana lost in his reelection race.
Julia Letlow and John Fleming are the two candidates advancing to the runoff in Louisiana.
The runoff is a follow-up election when no candidate wins outright in the primary.
Some candidates in these races have support from President Donald Trump.
These primaries will help choose who will run in the general election later.
The results could affect the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.
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Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said in an interview that the Republican Party has not returned to a more moderate or balanced position. He expected the party would move toward "sanity" after President Donald Trump won his second term in 2024, but he believes that has not happened.
Key Facts
Larry Hogan served as Maryland governor and is a Republican.
Hogan made comments in an interview with The Washington Post.
He said the Republican Party has not moved back to a more moderate or balanced state.
Hogan thought the GOP would change after President Trump’s 2024 election win.
He feels the party still has not shifted away from extreme or radical views.
Hogan’s remarks reflect concerns about the current state of the Republican Party.
The discussion focuses on political direction and party unity after recent elections.
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Chancellor Rachel Reeves plans to cancel a scheduled increase in fuel duty to help reduce the cost of living. She will announce this as part of a wider plan to ease inflation effects caused by the war in Iran.
Key Facts
Reeves will stop a planned 1p rise in fuel duty due in September.
She may cancel all of a 5p staged increase planned over the next six months.
The moves aim to lower fuel costs for motorists amid rising prices linked to the war in Iran.
The government has already extended a 5p fuel duty cut twice, initially introduced in 2022.
Reeves froze fuel duty for nine months after the last budget but considered ending the temporary cut starting in September.
Other ideas like freezing private rents were considered but ruled out by officials.
Reeves plans to announce a new energy bill relief later in the year since the current price cap lasts until June.
The government has allocated £50 million to help with heating oil costs for rural families, especially in Northern Ireland.
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A South Carolina appeals court canceled Alex Murdaugh’s 2023 double-murder conviction due to improper influence by a court clerk on the jury. Murdaugh will face a new trial, and the state attorney general may seek the death penalty in that case.
Key Facts
Alex Murdaugh’s 2023 murder conviction was overturned because a court clerk improperly influenced the jury.
The clerk told jurors to watch Murdaugh’s body language and not be "fooled by evidence," leading to the ruling of jury tampering.
The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Murdaugh did not get a fair trial by an impartial jury.
The state attorney general, Alan Wilson, said all legal options, including the death penalty, are possible for the new trial.
Murdaugh is currently serving a 40-year sentence for financial crimes unrelated to the murder case.
No physical evidence directly linked Murdaugh to the killings of his wife and son.
The murder weapons were never found.
The new trial may face delays due to legal and venue issues, and it may not happen this year.
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A New York judge has decided that a gun and writings found in Luigi Mangione's backpack can be used as evidence in his state murder trial. However, other items found during a warrantless search at a Pennsylvania McDonald's, such as a cellphone and wallet, will not be allowed in court.
Key Facts
Luigi Mangione is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan in December 2024.
Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a nationwide search.
The judge ruled that a gun and a notebook found during a police station search can be shown to jurors.
The judge excluded some evidence, including a magazine, cellphone, passport, wallet, and computer chip, found during a warrantless search at a McDonald's.
Some early police questions to Mangione, like those about his name and fake ID, will not be allowed in the trial.
Evidence from later questioning, when Mangione was in custody, can be used in the trial.
Mangione faces state charges of second-degree murder, firearms offenses, and stalking and has pleaded not guilty.
His trial is expected to start in September 2025, and he will not face the death penalty if convicted.
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The Pentagon clarified that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will attend a political event in Kentucky as a private citizen, not as a government official. Hegseth plans to support a candidate in the Republican primary against Rep. Thomas Massie.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will appear at a campaign event in Kentucky.
The event is for a candidate challenging Rep. Thomas Massie in a Republican primary.
The Pentagon said Hegseth is attending “in his personal capacity,” not representing the military.
The Pentagon made this statement after allegations that Hegseth was politicizing the military.
The Republican primary election is happening on Tuesday.
Sean Parnell is the chief Pentagon spokesperson who commented on the issue.
The clarification aims to separate official military duties from personal political activities.
The candidate supported by Hegseth is running against an incumbent, Rep. Thomas Massie.
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A strike by workers on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) caused major delays and cancellations for thousands of commuters in New York during Monday’s rush hour. The strike started after workers and management could not agree on pay and work conditions, but talks have resumed with help from government officials.
Key Facts
About 3,500 LIRR workers began striking on Saturday over pay and work rules.
The strike affected around 250,000 daily riders traveling between New York and its eastern suburbs, including Long Island.
New York’s Penn Station, normally very busy, was unusually quiet Monday morning due to the strike.
The Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTA) offered free shuttle buses but warned of heavy traffic and delays.
Unions are asking for a 5% wage increase starting June, while the MTA offered 3% to 4.5%.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged both sides to return to negotiations and said the state supports fair wages but must avoid big fare hikes and tax increases.
This is the first LIRR strike in over 30 years.
Union workers protested in Midtown Manhattan, emphasizing their desire to return to work with better pay and conditions.
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President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to 37 percent, a low for his second term, mainly due to voter disagreement with his decision to go to war with Iran and dissatisfaction with the economy. Meanwhile, only 26 percent of voters are satisfied with the Democratic Party, though Democrats lead in voter preference for the 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
Trump's approval rating is at 37 percent, the lowest in his second term so far.
Nearly two-thirds of voters oppose going to war with Iran, and only 31 percent approve of Trump's handling of the conflict.
Sixty-four percent disapprove of how Trump is managing the economy, with 49 percent rating the economy as poor.
Just 26 percent of voters say they are satisfied with the Democratic Party, which is 11 points lower than Trump's approval rating.
Despite low satisfaction, Democrats lead the generic 2026 midterm ballot 50 percent to 39 percent.
Democrats show higher voter enthusiasm, being 8 points more likely than Republicans to say they will definitely vote in the midterms.
69 percent of independent voters disapprove of Trump's job performance, and 47 percent say his policies have hurt them personally.
Republicans have structural advantages in the upcoming midterms due to redistricting in red states, possibly gaining 6 to 10 House seats.
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Iran has sent a new proposal to end the conflict, but U.S. officials say it does not meet important demands and is not enough for a deal. President Donald Trump is considering military options if Iran does not change its position on its nuclear program.
Key Facts
Iran presented an updated proposal to end the war, but U.S. officials find it insufficient.
President Trump wants a deal but may restart military action if Iran refuses to make meaningful changes.
Trump plans to meet his top national security team to discuss military options.
The new Iranian offer includes vague promises about not pursuing nuclear weapons but lacks key details like stopping uranium enrichment.
Iran’s state media claimed the U.S. agreed to ease some oil sanctions, but U.S. officials denied any sanctions relief without Iran's reciprocal steps.
U.S. and Iran are not directly negotiating but are using indirect talks to shape potential agreements.
U.S. officials believe Iran’s new offer shows concern over possible U.S. military action.
Iran says time favors them and that President Trump is the one under pressure for a deal.
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The Northern Territory government in Australia is proposing youth justice laws that would allow police to hold and question young people, including Aboriginal children, for up to 48 hours without a legal guardian. Advocates warn that these laws may harm Indigenous children by putting them in unsafe detention conditions and violating their rights.
Key Facts
The new laws would let police detain young people in watch houses for up to 48 hours.
Police could question youth without an adult present if it relates to serious safety concerns.
Aboriginal children are said to be disproportionately affected by the proposed laws.
Police watch houses in the NT have been criticized for overcrowding and poor conditions.
Advocates argue children’s rights, such as having an adult during questioning, would be compromised.
The NT police say these measures would be used rarely and aim to protect the community.
Police interviews under the new law must inform the youth of their right to remain silent.
The government is also reviewing child protection laws following the death of a young Indigenous child.
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President Donald Trump will hold an event at the White House about making healthcare more affordable. Earlier this year, he introduced a plan to reduce drug costs and insurance payments.
Key Facts
The event is scheduled for Monday afternoon at the White House.
It will start at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
President Trump introduced a healthcare affordability plan in January.
The plan focuses on lowering the price of prescription drugs.
It also aims to reduce health insurance premiums.
The event is part of efforts related to the upcoming midterm elections.
Making healthcare more affordable is a key issue for the Republican Party.
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The Supreme Court rejected pharmaceutical companies' appeals against a program that lets the federal government negotiate drug prices for Medicare. This program, created by a 2022 law, aims to lower costs for certain high-priced medicines for older adults.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court did not comment but left in place a lower court decision favoring the negotiation program.
The program was established by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
It requires the government to negotiate prices for some costly Medicare drugs every year.
The first price negotiations started in 2026.
No Republicans voted for the law, which was signed by then-President Joe Biden.
The government has negotiated prices on 25 drugs so far, including popular weight-loss and diabetes medications like Ozempic.
The Trump administration announced a third round of price negotiations, aiming to cover 40 drugs in total.
Pharmaceutical companies oppose the program, suggesting other ways to lower costs, such as regulating insurers.
Ending the program would require new legislation from Congress, as the law does not set an end date.
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The U.S. Supreme Court sent a Native American voting rights case back to a lower court for reconsideration after changes to the Voting Rights Act. The court wants the lower courts to review decisions that limit who can sue to enforce voting rights protections.
Key Facts
The case involves Native American tribes challenging voting rights restrictions.
The Supreme Court weakened the Voting Rights Act’s protections earlier this year.
A lower appeals court ruled only the federal government can sue to enforce the Act, excluding voters and groups.
This ruling conflicts with decades of previous court decisions allowing such lawsuits.
The Supreme Court blocked this ruling temporarily to keep the tribes’ favored voting maps in place.
The court also sent back a similar case from Mississippi for more review.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson disagreed with the decision to send cases back.
The Supreme Court’s recent rulings have made it harder to challenge voting maps based on racial discrimination.
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Three teenagers were arrested in Austin, Texas, after a series of shootings occurred in the city. Police took the suspects into custody as part of their investigation into the events.
Key Facts
The shootings happened in Austin, Texas.
Three teenagers were arrested in connection with the shootings.
Police are investigating the string of shootings.
The arrests were made to address public safety concerns.
The exact motives or details of the shootings were not specified.
Law enforcement is working to prevent further incidents.
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President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 37%, the lowest since he returned to office in January 2025. Many Americans disapprove of his decisions on the US-Israel war with Iran and the handling of the economy, especially with higher living costs and fuel prices.
Key Facts
Trump’s approval rating is now 37%, down from 42% in October 2025.
Nearly two-thirds of voters think going to war with Iran was a bad choice.
The average US fuel price is $4.52 per gallon, up from $3.18 a year ago.
About 64% of voters disapprove of Trump’s management of the economy.
Many voters are unhappy with Trump’s handling of immigration and the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Independent voters feel more personally hurt by Trump’s policies than last year (47% vs. 41%).
Trump stated he does not focus on Americans’ financial struggles when considering peace deals.
Only 26% of voters are satisfied with the Democratic party, showing dissatisfaction across the board.
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A New York judge ruled that five items taken from Luigi Mangione’s backpack during a police detention cannot be used as evidence in his trial. Mangione is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson in a shooting last December.
Key Facts
Luigi Mangione is charged with murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The shooting happened in midtown Manhattan in December 2024.
Police searched Mangione’s backpack after detaining him at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania.
Five items seized from the backpack include a magazine, cellphone, passport, wallet, and computer chip.
Judge Gregory Carro ruled these five items cannot be used in court because the bag was not clearly in Mangione’s control when searched.
One item, a journal logged at police headquarters, is still allowed as evidence.
The judge’s decision is a setback for prosecutors in the case.
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