A new poll shows James Talarico, a Democratic candidate, leading Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton by 5 points in the race for the U.S. Senate. The poll was conducted about a month before the November midterm elections.
Key Facts
The poll was done by Texas Public Opinion Research (TPOR).
James Talarico has 49% voter support.
Ken Paxton, the Republican candidate and Texas Attorney General, has 44% support.
The poll was released on a Friday.
About 3% of voters were undecided or supported other candidates.
The election will take place in November during the U.S. midterms.
This race is for a U.S. Senate seat representing Texas.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump will attend the final round of the Presidents Cup golf tournament in Chicago on Sunday morning. He was named the event’s honorary chair about a month ago and last attended the tournament in 2017 when he presented the trophy to the winners.
Key Facts
The Presidents Cup golf tournament is taking place in Chicago.
President Trump will attend the final round on Sunday morning.
He was made the honorary chair of the event by the PGA Tour about a month before.
Trump previously attended the tournament in 2017 during his first term as president.
During the 2017 event, he presented the trophy to the winning team.
It is not yet clear what other activities Trump will take part in during his visit.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A Democratic group called Swing Left has been talking to voters across the U.S. ahead of the midterm elections. They say the main issues voters care about are that the system feels broken and the rising cost of living, and Democrats need clearer ideas beyond just opposing President Trump to win.
Key Facts
Swing Left is a grassroots group aiming to elect Democrats in many districts.
They found voters often feel the political system is broken and worry about everyday costs.
Candidates like Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan and Mary Peltola in Alaska are connecting with voters on local issues like affordability.
Democrats need to follow up on voters' urgent concerns and admit when their current approach isn’t working.
El-Sayed focuses on engaging all voters, including those who don’t already agree with him.
Many voters see both parties as disconnected from their communities.
The Democratic Party must present a clear vision beyond just being against President Trump.
There is concern that without building long-term support now, Democrats might struggle with future elections because of how voting districts are drawn (redistricting).
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump has used strong swear words publicly in ways no previous U.S. president has before. His use of profanity in speeches, interviews, and social media marks a change in how politicians speak and behave in public.
Key Facts
Cheryl Johnson, a retired social worker, said past presidents did not use bad language publicly.
President Trump used curse words to criticize Israel and Iran during their conflict in 2025.
He used profanity again about Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro in 2025; Maduro was later captured by U.S. forces.
Trump also posted harsh swear words on his social media platform about Iran’s closing of the Strait of Hormuz.
Past presidents like Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon also swore but mostly in private, not publicly.
Nixon’s swearing was revealed only after secret tapes were released years later.
George W. Bush once apologized after a rude remark about a journalist was accidentally recorded.
Experts say Trump’s public swearing breaks the tradition of political politeness and shows he does not care about formal conduct.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Several US states are seeing more encounters between bears and people. This rise is linked to more bears living in the wild, changes in food availability caused by weather, and more people living or visiting bear habitats.
Key Facts
Wyoming expects to kill more bears this year than in past years due to increased encounters.
At least 15 US states have reported more frequent and serious bear-human encounters.
Bear populations have grown since hunting and habitat loss were reduced 50 years ago.
More people visit US national parks now than in the past, increasing contact with bears.
Warm winters and drought in the western US have reduced natural bear foods like berries and acorns.
Bears search for food in developed areas when their natural food is scarce.
Connecticut, Florida, Colorado, and New Mexico have all reported more bears near homes and more attacks this year.
Colorado had its highest record of bear attacks, including a woman bitten in her tent.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A new survey shows that less than 3% of sickle cell patients in the US receive a blood treatment called red blood cell exchange, even though most hospitals have the technology. Providers face challenges like coordinating care, blood supply shortages, and lack of knowledge, while patients worry about insurance coverage.
Key Facts
Red blood cell exchange removes damaged red blood cells and replaces them with healthy donor cells.
91% of healthcare providers report having access to this treatment, but fewer than 3% of sickle cell patients get it.
Barriers to treatment include poor coordination between hospital departments, limited blood donations, and unfamiliarity with the procedure.
Only 5% of providers say they face no obstacles in giving this treatment.
Many patients worry about whether their health insurance will cover the treatment.
Sickle cell disease affects over 100,000 people in the US, mostly Black or African American.
Experts recommend more specialized centers that bring together experts to manage and prevent sickle cell disease long term.
About 80% of sickle cell patients are on Medicaid and many live in rural areas with less access to specialized care.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. national debt has reached $40 trillion, which is affecting the daily expenses of American citizens. President Donald Trump once described the national debt as a “time bomb,” and experts say the increasing debt is now causing real financial problems.
Key Facts
The U.S. national debt is currently $40 trillion.
This large debt impacts Americans by increasing costs in their daily lives.
President Trump previously called the national debt a “time bomb.”
Experts agree that the growing debt is causing financial challenges.
The debt level has been rising over recent years.
Higher national debt can lead to higher taxes or cuts in government services.
Managing the debt is important for the country’s economic health.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump praised the U.S. economy on social media, saying it has the best financial numbers ever. He also criticized news organizations for not reporting these positive economic facts and called their reports "fake news."
Key Facts
President Trump posted on Truth Social about strong U.S. economic numbers.
He said the economy's financial numbers are the best ever.
Trump accused news media of refusing to share these positive facts.
He used the phrase "fake news" to describe media coverage.
The situation is part of an ongoing conflict between Trump and the media about how his administration is reported.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Natalie Harp, President Donald Trump’s executive assistant, has been featured in recent comedy sketches on Saturday Night Live and Jimmy Kimmel Live that made fun of her close loyalty to the president. Harp has worked for Trump since 2022 and is known for her strong devotion to him.
Key Facts
Natalie Harp is President Donald Trump’s executive assistant as of January 2025.
She first gained Trump's attention in 2019 after praising his Right to Try Act that helped her cancer treatment.
Harp previously worked at the conservative TV station One America News Network until 2022.
She started working for Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida in 2022.
Comedians Ashley Padilla on SNL and Molly McNearney on Jimmy Kimmel Live recently satirized Harp's loyal behavior toward Trump.
Harp has written letters to Trump expressing deep devotion, calling him her “Guardian and Protector.”
She accompanied Trump to a college football game in September 2025.
Harp has been criticized by some political opponents for her close relationship with the president.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham plans to introduce a social care system in England similar to the NHS, where services are free for everyone and paid for by contributions from all. He will present his proposals in the next general election but has not yet detailed how the system will be funded.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham wants free social care services for all people in England.
The proposed system would work like the NHS, meaning "everyone contributes, everyone is covered."
Social care in England is currently not free and depends on a person’s savings, unlike the NHS.
Burnham is considering all funding options, including possible tax increases.
The cost of a free social care system for England is estimated at around £18 billion per year, but Burnham said it could be less.
Social care helps people live independently by providing help with tasks like eating and bathing.
Burnham’s plans will be reviewed by Baroness Casey, who will advise on the best approach.
Details will be subject to political talks and tested in the next general election.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A nor’easter storm is affecting the U.S. Northeast with heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding from Delaware to Massachusetts. Coastal areas are experiencing flooding during high tides, and inland regions face risks of flash floods from continued rainfall. The storm is expected to weaken and move away by Monday evening.
Key Facts
Heavy rain has fallen from Delaware to Massachusetts, with some places getting 2 to 3 inches or more in 24 hours.
Coastal areas, including the Jersey Shore and southeastern New England, face minor to moderate flooding during high tides.
Wind advisories warn of gusts up to 50 mph from the Delmarva Peninsula to central Massachusetts.
High wind warnings remain for the Jersey Shore and parts of Connecticut, with possible tree and power line damage.
Inland flooding and flash floods are a concern from New Jersey to eastern Massachusetts due to ongoing heavy rain.
Flood watches are in effect for eastern Massachusetts and all of Rhode Island until Monday night.
Total rainfall could reach 5 to 7 inches in parts of southern New England.
The nor’easter will weaken and move away by late Monday evening, bringing some lingering showers and breezy weather afterward.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Smithsonian Institution has recently become a focus of political conflict under President Donald Trump’s administration, which accuses it of promoting divisive, politically motivated views. This led to a White House report criticizing the Smithsonian’s exhibits and leadership, executive orders demanding warnings for visitors, and threats of federal funding cuts. The Smithsonian’s secretary, Lonnie Bunch, announced his resignation amid the controversy.
Key Facts
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History opened an exhibit on Benjamin Franklin, noting his connection to slavery and suggesting enslaved people may have helped with his electrical experiments.
A White House report accused the Smithsonian of “ideological capture,” claiming it shifted from education to political activism.
In March 2025, President Trump signed an executive order criticizing the Smithsonian for promoting “divisive, race-centered ideology.”
On July 4, the White House publicly released a 162-page report on the Smithsonian’s alleged political bias.
Two House committees held hearings criticizing the museum’s director and exhibits.
President Trump ordered the Department of the Interior to put warning signs outside the museum about its “ideological capture.”
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum warned the Smithsonian’s board that federal agencies might stop supporting the institution due to leadership concerns.
Smithsonian secretary Lonnie Bunch resigned on September 8, citing stress related to the ongoing controversy.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Trump TV is a YouTube streaming channel that plays 24/7 content approved by President Donald Trump and his White House. The channel features speeches, events, and promotional videos tied to President Trump and his administration.
Key Facts
Trump TV streams content nonstop on YouTube, focusing on President Trump's activities.
The channel includes speeches from Trump, such as one given in Hebron, Kentucky.
The broadcasts often show unedited or spontaneous remarks by President Trump.
Other content includes appearances by figures like Dr. Oz and speeches from White House advisers.
One highlighted event was the National Prayer Breakfast, featuring a White House faith adviser’s remarks.
Melania Trump spoke about artificial intelligence on the channel as well.
This channel is a new form of digital news aligned with President Trump’s White House messaging.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A new poll shows that rural voters care most about the cost of living and health care costs for the 2026 midterm elections. Many rural voters worry about everyday expenses, but more trust Republicans than Democrats to handle these issues.
Key Facts
69% of rural voters say it is extremely important for candidates to talk about the cost of living.
56% of rural voters want candidates to address health care costs.
54% want candidates to discuss fraud in government programs.
57% of rural voters say economic concerns like rising costs, jobs, wages, and housing are the biggest issues in their communities.
Many rural voters are worried about affording gas or transportation (67%), health care (66%), and food or groceries (60%).
Three-quarters of rural voters rate the cost of living in their area as fair or poor, a rise since 2017.
More rural voters trust Republicans (40%) than Democrats (25%) to handle the cost of living.
Rural voters lean Republican: 54% identify as Republican or Republican-leaning, while 32% identify as Democrat or Democrat-leaning.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Andy Burnham, the prime minister of England, outlined a plan to create a free social care system similar to the NHS. The service would be paid for by everyone and aim to fix the current system, but details on funding are still being worked out and the plan won’t happen before the next general election in 2029.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham wants a universal social care system free at the point of use for all in England.
The system would be funded by contributions from everyone but exact methods are still under review.
Burnham said the current social care system is unfair and vulnerable people can lose everything.
He plans to include this reform in the Labour party’s next general election manifesto.
The new service is expected to be costly and complicated but necessary to fix long-standing issues.
Burnham’s personal experience with his father’s Alzheimer’s care motivates his efforts.
Proposed social care funding might differ from the NHS’s tax-funded model but aims for broad coverage.
Past proposals included taxes on estates, but details remain open to change as the plan develops.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Experts warn that President Donald Trump and his allies might try to disrupt the counting of votes after the November midterm elections. They could challenge the results by raising unproven claims during the time it takes to count all votes, especially since some states take days or weeks to finish counting.
Key Facts
President Trump’s attempt to restrict mail-in ballots was blocked by the Supreme Court.
Election experts say the period after Election Day is vulnerable to disruptions and false claims.
Some states, like California, take a long time to count all votes, making the results slower to finalize.
Experts warn that Trump’s team could use claims of foreign interference to seize ballots or voting machines.
Election officials are working to inform the public about the vote counting process to reduce confusion and distrust.
Early voting is encouraged because it helps voters feel more confident that their vote will count.
Civil rights groups remain concerned about Trump's claims that the 2026 elections will be illegitimate without federal intervention.
The Department of Homeland Security is still collecting voter-roll lists and election documents, despite the usual “quiet period” before elections.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Hasan Piker is a political streamer and commentator who recently sparked controversy after saying the US committed more atrocities than al-Qaida. Republicans are using him as a symbol in the midterm elections, trying to link Democratic candidates to him, although many voters do not recognize or consider him important.
Key Facts
Hasan Piker is a 35-year-old socialist streamer from West Hollywood.
He made a statement comparing US atrocities to those of al-Qaida in an Axios interview.
Republicans are focusing on Piker to criticize Democrats ahead of the November midterm elections.
Many voters have not heard of Piker or the streaming platform Twitch where he appears.
Republican ads and events have highlighted Piker to connect him to left-leaning Democrats.
Some moderate Democrats also use Piker as an example against more left-wing party members.
Piker streams daily for about seven hours and has hundreds of thousands of viewers.
He says the attention on him distracts from discussing real political policies.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump's biggest news this week was not his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, but a ban he announced on social media. He called Xi's visit “magnificent” but was unhappy about the low number of Democrats showing interest in the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan in the U.S.
Trump praised Xi’s visit as “magnificent.”
Trump announced a new ban related to social media during this time.
The media coverage focused more on Trump’s social media ban than the state dinner or their tour.
Trump expressed concern about low Democratic enthusiasm for the midterm elections.
The midterm elections are approaching soon.
The interaction between Trump and Xi took place at important U.S. locations, including the National Archives.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson said during recent talks that their fellow justices are more often writing public opinions explaining quick decisions on emergency appeals. These appeals have increased under President Trump’s administration, which frequently uses a fast process called the "shadow docket" to ask the court for urgent rulings.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court is receiving many emergency appeals, which need fast decisions.
The Trump administration has increased the use of these emergency appeals.
Justices Kagan and Brown Jackson spoke about these issues at events with judges and law students.
They noted progress as more justices now write public opinions explaining their quick decisions.
The “shadow docket” refers to this fast-track process where rulings can come without full arguments or full written opinions.
The liberal justices often disagree with these quick rulings, but they are seeing more transparency.
Public explanations help people understand the court’s emergency decisions better.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Jon Ossoff from Georgia is becoming a leading candidate in early polls for the 2028 Democratic presidential primary. His Jewish faith may present challenges within the Democratic Party, especially as tensions over Israel and the war in Gaza affect party discussions.
Key Facts
Jon Ossoff is a Democratic senator from Georgia.
He is a top contender in early 2028 Democratic primary polls.
Ossoff is Jewish, which is noted as a potential challenge in his political rise.
There are ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party related to Israel and the Gaza conflict.
Some Democrats are concerned about how Ossoff’s religion might affect his support.
The article suggests that Jewish Democrats face unique challenges in their political careers.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
