Many candidates running for governor in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections are supporting temporary pauses on building data centers. These pauses aim to address concerns about water use, electricity demand, environmental impacts, and community effects caused by data centers needed for artificial intelligence technology.
Key Facts
Data centers use large amounts of water and electricity to operate and cool their servers.
Some candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties want to stop new data centers until plans protect water, power grids, and communities.
The issue of data center construction is important in at least a dozen states in the upcoming elections.
Support for moratoriums is coming from a mix of political backgrounds, including progressives and some MAGA Republicans.
Opponents worry about higher utility bills, water consumption, noise, and impacts on land.
Supporters say AI data centers help economic growth and states must embrace technology to avoid falling behind.
Local economic conditions will influence how voters see the issue—areas struggling economically might oppose pauses, while others emphasize environment and quality of life.
Florida candidate David Jolly and Alabama candidate Doug Jones have publicly supported moratoriums.
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Isabella Gonzales, a 19-year-old U.S. soldier, died on Friday during a military strike related to the conflict with Iran. Her friends in Texas are remembering her as they deal with the loss.
Key Facts
Isabella Gonzales was 19 years old.
She was a U.S. soldier.
She died during a U.S. strike connected to the war with Iran.
Her death occurred on a Friday.
Friends of Isabella Gonzales in Texas are remembering her and coping with the news.
The news was reported by CBS News Texas.
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The Senate Intelligence Committee voted 9-8 to move forward the nomination of Jay Clayton to be the US Director of National Intelligence. Clayton, nominated by President Donald Trump, faces opposition from Democrats who question his past statements and independence. The full Senate will decide on his confirmation later.
Key Facts
Jay Clayton is nominated to be Director of National Intelligence (DNI) by President Trump.
Clayton currently works as a top federal prosecutor in New York.
The Senate Intelligence Committee voted 9-8 to advance Clayton’s nomination.
Democrats, including Senator Ron Wyden, oppose Clayton, citing his past support of claims about election fraud.
Clayton previously chaired the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
He would replace Bill Pulte, who is currently acting DNI and was also appointed by President Trump.
Pulte’s time as acting DNI included staff changes and controversy over political loyalty.
Confirmation of Clayton could help Congress renew an important intelligence law called the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
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Roger Rogoff, the former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington, has sued President Donald Trump after being fired soon after federal judges appointed him. Rogoff claims his removal was illegal and asks a court to restore him until a Senate-approved replacement is named.
Key Facts
Roger Rogoff was appointed U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington by federal judges.
President Trump fired Rogoff less than an hour after this appointment.
Rogoff's lawsuit says his firing breaks federal law and the U.S. Constitution's rule about appointments.
Federal law allows district courts to appoint interim U.S. attorneys if the Senate has not confirmed a nominee within 120 days.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the judges did not consult the Trump administration before appointing Rogoff.
The Western District of Washington has lacked a Senate-confirmed U.S. attorney since mid-2023.
After President Trump started his second term, he fired previous court-appointed U.S. attorney Tessa Gorman.
Other court-appointed U.S. attorneys in states like Virginia, New Jersey, New York, and Nevada have also been fired by the Trump administration.
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President Trump and some Republican leaders have said Canada is responsible for wildfires that have caused smoke in parts of the U.S. Scientists from both countries say the main cause of these wildfires is climate change, not Canada’s forest management.
Key Facts
President Trump blamed Canada for wildfires affecting the U.S.
The smoke from these wildfires has impacted areas in the United States recently.
Republicans support holding Canada responsible for forest maintenance.
Experts from the U.S. and Canada said climate change is the main cause of the wildfires.
Climate change leads to hotter, drier conditions that make wildfires more common and intense.
The argument involves differences over the cause and responsibility for the wildfires.
Forest maintenance includes actions like clearing dead trees and brush to prevent fires.
The discussion highlights tensions between U.S. political leaders and scientific views.
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The states with the highest rates of student loan defaults in the U.S. are mostly Republican-leaning states. Many borrowers in these states fell behind on payments after pandemic-related student loan relief ended, leading to financial challenges for individuals and local economies.
Key Facts
Mississippi has the highest student loan default rate in the country at 28.3%.
14 out of 15 states with the highest default rates voted for President Donald Trump in 2024.
Student loan defaults increased sharply after federal pandemic relief and payment pauses ended.
The number of borrowers in default rose from about 5.3 million to 9.5 million since protections expired.
Borrowers in default owe more than $233 billion in unpaid federal student loans.
Defaulting on loans reduces credit scores, making it harder to get mortgages or other loans.
Many states with high default rates have low living costs but still face economic challenges for borrowers.
Ending the SAVE repayment plan by the Trump administration worsened payment burdens for some borrowers.
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President Trump’s top advisers met to plan strategy and messaging for the November 3 midterm elections. They are coordinating how to use large funds from Trump-related groups and the Republican National Committee to support their candidates.
Key Facts
Trump’s super PAC and the Republican National Committee have about $530 million for the midterms.
There is also more money from Trump’s political nonprofit called Securing American Greatness.
The meeting took place at a hotel in Washington, D.C., but President Trump did not attend.
Key advisers like Tony Fabrizio, James Blair, Susie Wiles, and others participated to review polling and plan efforts.
Republicans face challenges due to low approval of Trump, rising gas prices, and the war in Iran.
They believe voters dislike Democrats’ policies more than they dislike Trump, which could influence the election.
Republicans have redrawn voting districts mid-decade, potentially gaining 10 more seats in the House.
Experts note that presidents often lose seats in Congress during midterms, especially when both chambers are controlled by their party.
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Civil rights groups have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration because the Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to a request for information about plans to stop billions of dollars in federal childcare funding. The request was made under a law that lets people ask the government for records, called the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed on Monday by civil rights organizations.
It targets the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The groups requested records about efforts to freeze federal childcare funds.
The funding in question amounts to billions of dollars.
These efforts were linked to claims of fraud.
The government did not respond to the FOIA request.
The Freedom of Information Act allows the public to request government documents.
The case focuses on transparency and accountability within the Trump administration.
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A lawsuit was filed against Texas Tech University System officials for imposing rules that limit teaching about topics like race, gender identity, and sexual orientation at the Texas Tech Health El Paso medical school. The lawsuit argues these restrictions prevent faculty from fully discussing important subjects like health disparities in minority groups.
Key Facts
The American Association of University Professors and its Texas chapter sued Chancellor Brandon Creighton and the Board of Regents on July 8.
The lawsuit challenges new policies that require reviewing and restricting course content related to sex, race, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
Chancellor Creighton issued directives in December 2025 and April 2026 to review courses to focus more on workforce preparation.
These rules are linked to Senate Bill 37, authored by Creighton, which enforces limits on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in Texas public universities.
By May 2026, about 8,500 courses were evaluated, and dozens were altered despite prior approval by university leaders.
At Texas Tech Health El Paso, faculty have been told not to use the word "disparity," restricting teaching about minority health issues.
The university system says the policies comply with the law and protect academic freedom.
Faculty and professors argue the policies intimidate teachers and censor important academic topics.
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Federal agencies under President Trump admitted to using certain keywords like diversity, gender, vaccine hesitancy, and COVID-19 to identify and cancel nearly $2 billion in University of California research grants. UC researchers are suing the administration, claiming these actions violated constitutional rights, and a court hearing is set to decide if a trial can be skipped to declare those violations officially.
Key Facts
Over a thousand research grants at the University of California were canceled last year using keyword searches.
The keywords included diversity, gender, vaccine hesitancy, and COVID-19.
Federal agencies did not review each grant individually but used broad criteria to end funding.
UC researchers claim the cancellations violated the First Amendment by targeting politically sensitive research.
Grants from states that voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 were disproportionately targeted.
The Trump administration did not reallocate canceled grant money, which may violate laws on government spending.
Judge Rita F. Lin, appointed by President Biden, has repeatedly ordered restoration of some grants during the legal process.
Allegations against UCLA for antisemitism and transgender athlete policies were part of the funding dispute.
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Senator John Cornyn from Texas said he will block two ambassador nominees chosen by President Trump. He wants the Trump administration to show progress in freeing up money for PEPFAR, a U.S. government program that helps people with HIV and AIDS worldwide.
Key Facts
Senator John Cornyn is a Republican from Texas.
He plans to block two ambassador nominees from President Trump.
Cornyn’s reason is to get proof the administration is releasing PEPFAR funds.
PEPFAR stands for the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief.
PEPFAR helps provide treatment for HIV and AIDS globally.
Cornyn wants to ensure the money for this health program is being used properly.
The administration has not yet shown enough progress on this issue.
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A Los Angeles judge heard graphic evidence in the murder case against singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, accused of killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Burke has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, and the hearing will decide if there is enough proof to go to trial.
Key Facts
D4vd (David Anthony Burke) faces charges of first-degree murder, sexual abuse of a child, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
The victim, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, was 14 years old and last seen alive in April 2025 at Burke’s home.
Her body was found months later, dismembered, and placed inside the front trunk of a Tesla linked to Burke.
Prosecutors say Burke and Hernandez had a relationship that started when she was 13 and he was 18.
Burke denies the charges and claims he did not kill Hernandez.
The preliminary hearing is to decide if there is enough evidence to hold a trial.
The hearing is private, and information is coming from reporters attending in person.
D4vd is a singer known for hits like "Romantic Homicide" and built his career through TikTok.
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Rep. Ted Lieu, a Democrat from California, spoke at a press conference and suggested that the White House should send President Donald Trump to campaign in swing districts for House Republicans. He made this request in a sarcastic way.
Key Facts
Rep. Ted Lieu represents California and is a Democrat.
He serves as the vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus.
Lieu made a public statement on a Tuesday during a press event.
He asked the White House to send President Trump to swing districts.
Swing districts are areas where elections are closely contested between parties.
The request was made sarcastically, implying a political point.
Lieu linked President Trump’s presence to support for Republican House candidates.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate that the U.S. war in Iran has cost about $37.5 billion since it started in late February. The Pentagon has asked Congress for an additional $87.6 billion to cover ongoing expenses and needs tied to the conflict.
Key Facts
The U.S. war in Iran began in late February.
The total cost so far is estimated at $37.5 billion, including current spending and future needs until September 30.
This cost estimate had not been shared publicly before.
The Pentagon has requested $87.6 billion more from Congress to support "urgent needs" related to the conflict.
Secretary Hegseth gave this information during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing.
The hearing occurred after three U.S. soldiers were killed and President Donald Trump ordered new strikes on Iran.
Protesters interrupted the hearing while Secretary Hegseth was speaking.
Other military officials, including Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine, also testified about the situation.
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The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) will give a special award to Secret Service Officer Victor Gonzales for his role in stopping a gunman who tried to attack President Donald Trump. The award will be given at the WHCA annual dinner this spring.
Key Facts
The WHCA announced the award on a Tuesday.
Victor Gonzales is a Secret Service Police Officer.
Gonzales helped stop a gunman who attempted to harm President Donald Trump.
He will receive the “President’s Award for Exceptional Service.”
The award presentation will happen during the WHCA’s rescheduled annual dinner in spring.
The article highlights the importance of Gonzales’s actions in protecting the President.
The WHCA is an organization related to journalists who cover the White House.
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David Hogg, former vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, criticized the group that supports House Democratic candidates for picking poor candidates ahead of the November midterm elections. He made these remarks at a meeting of the College Democrats in Washington, D.C.
Key Facts
David Hogg is a former vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
He spoke at the College Democrats of America convention in Washington, D.C.
Hogg criticized the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), which helps pick and support candidates for the House of Representatives.
He said the DCCC had chosen “terrible candidates” for the upcoming midterm elections.
The midterm elections will happen in November 2024.
Hogg suggested there is no “non-evil” or better version of the DCCC currently in place.
His comments came months before the elections, indicating concern over the party’s candidate choices.
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Most of President Trump's Cabinet will start using TikTok, after the Justice Department said the app is now safe for federal workers because it is owned by a U.S.-approved company. This is a change from the earlier position that TikTok was a security risk due to its connection to China.
Key Facts
President Trump's Cabinet members will launch TikTok accounts on Tuesday.
The Justice Department recently said it is safe for federal employees to use TikTok.
Earlier, the Trump administration considered TikTok a national security threat because it was owned by China's ByteDance.
The 2022 No TikTok on Government Devices Act banned TikTok on government phones.
The Department of Justice now says the law does not apply after TikTok's ownership shifted to a U.S.-controlled company.
Cabinet members joining TikTok shows it is now seen as an acceptable way for the government to communicate.
President Trump has been using TikTok since 2024 and has received hundreds of millions of views on some videos.
The administration views TikTok as a key platform to reach young voters.
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The Senate Intelligence Committee has approved Jay Clayton, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead U.S. intelligence agencies, by a 9-8 party-line vote. Some Democrats initially supported Clayton but opposed him after his hearing, where he avoided directly stating that President Joe Biden won the 2020 election. The nomination now moves to a full Senate vote.
Key Facts
The Senate Intelligence Committee voted 9-8 to advance Jay Clayton’s nomination.
Clayton was nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the U.S. intelligence agencies.
Clayton is currently a U.S. attorney and former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
During his confirmation hearing, Clayton said the 2020 election was “certified” but did not explicitly say Biden won.
All Democrats on the committee voted against advancing Clayton after the hearing.
Democrats are unlikely to speed up the Senate vote because of concerns about Clayton’s hearing performance.
Clayton did not address concerns about the current interim intelligence director, Bill Pulte, who lacks intelligence experience.
Republican senators praised Clayton’s record of integrity and government experience.
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House Republicans plan to vote on a bill to fund the federal government through December 4, aiming to prevent a possible government shutdown before the midterm elections. The bill maintains current spending levels and includes provisions related to defense, farm aid, and parts of President Donald Trump’s election reform efforts, but Democrats expect to oppose it.
Key Facts
House Republicans want to pass a stopgap funding bill months ahead of the fiscal year deadline to avoid a government shutdown.
The bill would fund the government through December 4 at current spending levels.
The package includes $95 billion for defense, aid to farmers, and parts of President Trump’s election overhaul plan.
Speaker Mike Johnson is challenging Democrats to oppose the bill, warning they would be blamed if a shutdown occurs.
Democrats criticize the bill for lack of bipartisan negotiation and want to delay approval to get more complete information.
The House will be in session for only 16 more days before the funding deadline.
Republicans want to prevent a repeat of recent long government shutdowns.
Democrats plan to largely oppose the stopgap funding measure.
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The White House has approved an ethics part of a bill that aims to regulate cryptocurrency. The bill, called the Clarity Act, is under consideration in the Senate, but it is not yet clear what the ethics provision includes or if Democrats will support the bill.
Key Facts
The White House supports an ethics provision in a cryptocurrency regulation bill.
The bill is named the Clarity Act.
The legislation is currently being reviewed in the Senate.
Details of the ethics provision have not been publicly shared.
The Trump administration backs the bill.
It is uncertain if Democrats will agree with the bill.
The bill aims to regulate cryptocurrency activities.
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