First Lady Melania Trump and Texas Senator John Cornyn will not attend the Republican midterm convention in Dallas on September 9-10. Many other Republican lawmakers and candidates in close races are also expected to miss the event, which aims to support President Trump and his party but has high security costs for the city.
Key Facts
The Republican midterm convention in Dallas is scheduled for September 9-10 at the American Airlines Center.
First Lady Melania Trump will not attend, according to a White House official, but has not issued a public statement.
Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican who lost the Senate nomination to Ken Paxton (endorsed by Trump), confirmed he will not attend.
About 45 Republican candidates and lawmakers, including two senators and a House committee chair, will not attend.
Some Republican candidates are skipping the convention to campaign locally or due to costs related to attendance.
The event is organized by the Republican National Committee (RNC) to promote candidates and rally supporters but will not conduct official party business.
The convention is expected to draw around 20,000 attendees and cost Dallas over $2 million in security and logistics.
Some Republican leaders will focus on local meetings or other events instead of attending the convention.
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President Donald Trump signed an executive order for the Interior Department to review if gray wolves should lose their endangered-species protections. He also directed the Interior and Agriculture departments to permit ranchers to kill wolves if needed to protect livestock.
Key Facts
President Trump signed the executive order on a Friday.
The order asks the Interior Department to evaluate gray wolves' endangered status.
The goal is to address losses of livestock caused by wolves.
Another goal is to help reduce domestic beef prices.
The order allows ranchers to kill wolves if they threaten their animals.
Both the Interior and Agriculture departments will work on these changes.
The executive order is part of President Trump’s broader efforts to support ranchers and farmers.
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The U.S. Attorney General, Todd Blanche, criticized some public schools for handling gender transitions without always informing parents. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against a Kansas school district for allegedly allowing secret gender transitions, risking loss of federal funds. President Donald Trump has also expressed strong concerns about surgeries on children related to gender transition.
Key Facts
Attorney General Todd Blanche called gender transitions in schools a "pandemic" on Fox News.
Blanche emphasized that parents should be informed if schools change their child's name or pronouns.
The Justice Department sued a Kansas school district for allowing secret gender transitions without parent consent.
The Kansas district could lose nearly $70 million in federal funding if found guilty.
The lawsuit centers around internal school guidelines that allow case-by-case decisions on notifying parents about a student’s preferred name or pronouns.
President Trump has claimed schools secretly perform gender reassignment surgeries on children, though no evidence supports this.
Todd Blanche was Trump’s personal lawyer before becoming Attorney General and supports the president’s agenda.
Early in his tenure, Blanche’s Justice Department expanded executive privilege to include non-administration advisers, affecting investigations.
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The murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of killing her three children in January 2023, ended without a verdict because the jury could not agree. A mistrial was declared, and a second trial is possible, with the decision resting with the local district attorney.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is accused of killing her three children aged five years, three years, and eight months.
The trial lasted five weeks and took place in Massachusetts.
Clancy did not deny the killings but pleaded not guilty, citing postpartum psychosis and overmedication.
Jurors were unable to reach a unanimous decision, with one juror holding out.
The judge declared a mistrial after the Massachusetts supreme court refused to remove the holdout juror.
Defense plans to request a ruling of not guilty due to insufficient evidence from the prosecution.
The district attorney, Tim Cruz, who has been in office for over 20 years, will decide if the case is retried.
Clancy remains in hospital custody, and a court hearing is scheduled for late September to discuss next steps.
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Dawn Jemison had severe pelvic pain for over 30 years without a clear diagnosis. After a chance meeting with a doctor who recognized her symptoms, she was diagnosed with pelvic congestion syndrome, a condition caused by blocked veins, and received treatment that relieved her pain.
Key Facts
Jemison began experiencing pelvic pain at age 11, which worsened over time.
She was wrongly diagnosed with anemia, lupus, and possibly endometriosis.
Doctors suggested treatments that did not help, and some doubted her pain was real.
In December 2024, Jemison planned to have a hysterectomy to stop the pain.
In January 2025, while working as a server, she heard about a similar patient case involving a pelvic vein stent.
Dr. Abigail Qin-Nelson diagnosed Jemison with pelvic congestion syndrome using a venogram, finding major vein blockages.
The diagnosis gave Jemison relief because her symptoms were finally explained.
Dr. Qin-Nelson treated Jemison by placing stents to open the blocked veins.
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Two former senators, John E. Sununu and Scott Brown, are the main candidates in New Hampshire’s Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat. Voters seem comfortable choosing familiar names rather than new candidates for the November election.
Key Facts
John E. Sununu served three terms in the U.S. House and one term in the Senate before losing in 2008.
Scott Brown previously represented Massachusetts in the Senate and is running again in New Hampshire.
Jeanne Shaheen, the current Democratic senator, is retiring after three terms.
Sununu has not been on a ballot for 18 years but is gaining support partly due to his brother Chris Sununu’s recent popularity as governor.
New Hampshire Republican voters prefer established candidates, contrasting with a national trend favoring newcomers.
Both Sununu and Brown are part of a group of former Congress members seeking to come back into office this election cycle.
The Democratic primary features younger and more progressive candidates, presenting a clear contrast to the Republican race.
Voters express a desire for leaders who focus on common ground rather than division.
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President Donald Trump plans to remodel the East Potomac Park Golf Course in Washington, D.C., aiming to create a high-end golf venue that can host major tournaments. Some local people worry that these changes will raise prices and reduce public access to a historic, affordable park area.
Key Facts
East Potomac Park was created by Congress in 1897 for public recreation.
The golf course opened in 1919 and has been known for being affordable and accessible.
President Trump wants to upgrade the golf course to host big events like the U.S. Open and Ryder Cup.
Local residents are concerned about higher fees and losing public space.
The area includes a mix of luxury and economy vehicles in its parking lot, showing its diverse users.
In 2026, Trump toured the golf course with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and golf course designers.
Debris from the demolished White House East Wing was dumped nearby and tested positive for toxic metals.
No construction activity was visible at the park at the beginning of September 2026, despite plans to start then.
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Turning Point Action, a conservative youth group, is working to influence the 2028 Republican presidential primary by building voter support in key states like Iowa. The group is active in registering voters and holding events, aiming to back Vice President JD Vance, who may run for president.
Key Facts
Turning Point Action is active at the Iowa State Fair, distributing buttons and registering voters.
The group wants at least one staff member in each of Iowa’s 99 counties to encourage conservative voter turnout.
Iowa still holds the first Republican caucuses, making it important for early election influence.
Turning Point Action is also increasing its presence in New Hampshire and Nevada, states important for the 2028 primary.
Vice President JD Vance is expected to run for president and has indicated possible support from Turning Point Action leaders.
The group is continuing its work after the 2024 assassination of its previous leader, Charlie Kirk.
Some Republican insiders see the group’s presence but are unsure how much influence it will have.
No candidates have officially announced for the 2028 race yet, but campaign preparations have begun.
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Missouri has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to bring back a Republican-favored congressional map after a lower court invalidated it. The state says the ruling has caused major problems for managing the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
Missouri wants the Supreme Court to restore its previous congressional district map.
The map favors the Republican Party.
A lower court ruled that the map is not valid.
The state claims this decision is causing chaos for election administration.
Missouri’s Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed an emergency request on Friday.
The issue affects preparations for the midterm elections in Missouri.
The state describes the situation as a "federal-election-administration disaster."
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A group of transgender youth activists in Massachusetts protested at the state attorney general’s office to demand protection of gender-affirming healthcare for trans children. Although Massachusetts legally supports trans care, some hospitals have stopped offering it due to legal pressures following actions by President Trump’s administration. Protesters were eventually arrested after occupying the office and refusing to leave without a commitment to safeguard trans rights.
Key Facts
Trans youth activists brought their hormone treatments to protest at Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office in Boston.
Protect Trans Futures (PTF), a youth-led group, occupied the office to demand protection for trans kids’ healthcare.
Massachusetts allows gender-affirming care, but some hospitals stopped youth surgeries amid national legal battles.
President Trump’s administration issued policies threatening funding for hospitals providing trans youth care.
In 27 states, gender-affirming care for youth is restricted or banned, affecting half of all trans youth aged 13 to 17.
Massachusetts has laws shielding LGBTQ+ residents from penalties related to accessing gender-affirming care.
Nine protesters, including PTF member Teddy Walker, were arrested after refusing to leave the attorney general’s office.
Local leaders such as Governor Maura Healey and Senator Edward Markey support trans rights and care access in Massachusetts.
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Republicans' confidence in the economy has dropped sharply in the past six months, despite President Donald Trump being in office. This decline in Republican sentiment is unusual because usually the president’s party feels positive about the economy, while the other party feels negative.
Key Facts
Republican consumer confidence fell 15.1 points since February, from 97.1 to 82, based on University of Michigan surveys.
Democratic consumer confidence stayed mostly steady, dropping only 1.6 points from 41.8 to 40.2.
The current Republican confidence level is the lowest during Trump’s presidencies, except for December 2020 after he lost reelection.
Normally, both parties’ views on the economy move together, but now Republicans feel much worse than Democrats in this case.
Many Republicans expected good results from Trump’s policies, like tariffs, but inflation has not slowed down as hoped.
Despite the drop, Republicans still feel better about the economy than Democrats do. For example, they expect gas prices to fall after the Iran war ends.
Recent polls show fewer Republicans think Trump’s policies have improved the economy, dropping from 57% to 42%.
The White House says Americans remain strong because of Trump’s economic policies like tax cuts and trade deals, and expects more progress ahead.
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A strong storm hit Memphis, Tennessee on August 22, causing $18 million in damage and leaving over 100,000 people without power. Community members and local groups worked together to provide food, cooling centers, and supplies while official relief efforts were set up.
Key Facts
The storm lasted about 30 minutes but caused major damage and widespread power outages.
Over 100,000 Memphis residents lost electricity, with temperatures reaching about 91°F (33°C) days after the storm.
Amber Sherman, a local organizer, helped coordinate relief and shared updates with the community.
Memphis opened several cooling centers and community centers for residents to get food, water, and charge devices.
The city created MemphisCares, a program to support residents with up to $100,000 for groceries and food aid.
The MemphisCares hotline opened more than a week after the storm, and funds were quickly used up due to high demand.
Community leaders and business owners worked quickly to provide generators and supplies when government help was delayed.
Similar power outages occurred in Gary, Indiana, another majority-Black city, raising concerns about infrastructure in such communities.
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A judge declared a mistrial in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy. Job hiring numbers recently came out better than expected. An airline passenger was duct-taped to a chair after causing a disturbance.
Key Facts
A judge stopped the Lindsay Clancy murder trial without a verdict, calling it a mistrial.
Recent government reports showed more people were hired for jobs than experts had predicted.
An airline passenger had an outburst during a flight.
The passenger was restrained by duct-taping them to a chair.
This news was reported on CBS Saturday Morning on September 5.
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Many cities and states across the United States are celebrating September 25 as Dolly Parton Day to honor the late singer Dolly Parton, who died on August 25 at age 80. The date 9/25 is chosen as a reference to her famous song and movie "9 to 5," and events include music, parades, and fundraising for her Imagination Library, which provides free books to children.
Key Facts
September 25 is recognized as Dolly Parton Day in several U.S. locations.
New Orleans will have a parade, live music, and a fundraiser for the Imagination Library.
Lexington, Kentucky will host a free event with music, food, and activities.
Manhattan named September 25, 2026, Dolly Parton Appreciation Day but no public event is planned.
Cocke County, Tennessee declared Dolly Parton Day annually to honor her contributions, including disaster recovery donations.
California officially created Dolly Parton Day through a state Senate bill.
The Imagination Library, started by Parton, has given over 300 million books to children worldwide.
Some locations offer symbolic proclamations without holding public events.
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A Tennessee mom and teacher was surprised by how much school lunches now cost after pandemic subsidies ended. Her son’s daily lunch price rose to $3, meaning an extra $540 for the school year, which hurts families with tight budgets. The local school district follows federal guidelines, offering free or reduced-price meals for eligible families, but some still face challenges.
Key Facts
Kathryn Vaughn is an elementary teacher in rural west Tennessee with 20 years of experience.
Her son started kindergarten and she discovered school lunch now costs $3 per day.
Without pandemic subsidies, her family must pay about $540 more per school year for lunches.
School lunches are generally more nutritious than packed lunches from home.
Tipton County Schools follows federal nutrition programs and provides free/reduced meals for qualifying families.
Many families struggle with the stigma and paperwork related to free or reduced-price meals.
School lunch debt is a growing problem nationwide, sometimes causing issues like withheld report cards.
Vaughn believes the decision to cut subsidies made feeding children less of a priority in her district.
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Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee faces a Democratic primary challenge from Helena Foulkes, who previously ran against him four years ago. The campaign is marked by voter frustration over a delayed and costly repair of the Washington Bridge, which has affected traffic and regional travel.
Key Facts
Dan McKee is the current governor of Rhode Island, seeking re-election in the Democratic primary.
Helena Foulkes, a former CVS Health executive, is McKee’s challenger and has raised more campaign funds.
Voters have shown more willingness this year to replace incumbent politicians.
A critical repair project on the Washington Bridge, closed in 2023 due to structural failure, has lasted longer and cost more than expected.
The bridge carries about 100,000 vehicles daily between Providence and East Providence, including traffic to Massachusetts.
McKee defends his handling of the bridge fix, promising completion by 2028 and citing safety efforts.
The bridge repair delays have become a major issue in the campaign, affecting public opinion of McKee’s leadership.
Historically, no Rhode Island governor has lost a primary in over 30 years, and losing would be notable for McKee.
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Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, is facing strong criticism for his leadership during escalating tensions and military actions against Iran. There have been disputes within the Pentagon, including the resignation of the Army Secretary, blocked promotions, and concerns over extended troop deployments in the Middle East.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth serves as the U.S. Secretary of Defense during the current President Donald Trump administration.
The U.S. Treasury Secretary recently imposed heavy sanctions on Iran to pressure its government.
Hegseth has been criticized for taking a high-profile role amid military conflicts with Iran.
The Army Secretary resigned due to clashes with Hegseth, exposing internal Pentagon conflicts.
Some senior military leaders opposed extended U.S. troop deployments in the Middle East, but Hegseth approved them anyway.
There have been recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets, causing civilian casualties and accusations of war crimes by Iran.
Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican, publicly called for President Trump to fire Hegseth citing poor management.
A retired major general stated that Hegseth’s leadership harms U.S. national security.
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A federal judge recently allowed ICE to force-feed a Cuban detainee on hunger strike at a Texas detention center. The force-feeding involved a rare surgical procedure where a tube is inserted directly into the stomach without the detainee’s consent. ICE reported the man has now resumed eating on his own.
Key Facts
ICE received a court order to force-feed a Cuban hunger striker in Texas using a surgical feeding tube.
The procedure is called percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, which requires an incision in the abdomen.
This is one of 19 hunger striker cases since January 2025 where ICE was approved to perform involuntary medical procedures.
The detainee is held at Montgomery ICE processing center near Houston, a private facility.
DHS said the detainee has stopped the hunger strike and is eating and drinking again.
Most court records about the case are sealed, so details remain undisclosed.
Human rights groups widely condemn force-feeding in detention centers as cruel and degrading.
Ice typically uses a nasal tube for force-feeding but this surgical method is a newer development.
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A man in the UK said his sister-in-law from Gaza died of cancer because the Home Office refused to bring her and her family to the UK. The family’s visa was denied partly because they could not attend a biometric check in Gaza, which has no visa center, despite serious illness and dangerous living conditions.
Key Facts
Anwar, living in Glasgow, fled Gaza in 2020 and became a UK refugee in 2021.
After heavy damage in Gaza from conflict in 2023, Anwar asked the Home Office to bring his brother’s family to the UK in October 2025.
The Home Office rejected the visa request because the family could not attend biometric checks; no visa center exists in Gaza, and travel out of Gaza is difficult.
The family asked the Home Office to waive the biometric check but was refused and later denied again after reconsideration.
Maryam, the sister-in-law, gave birth to a child and was diagnosed with cancer that spread to her lungs; local Gaza doctors could not provide treatment.
The Home Office acknowledged the poor medical care but said the family did not meet the “compelling circumstances” threshold to skip usual visa requirements.
Maryam died from cancer on August 28, 2025.
A UK Member of Parliament raised the case with government ministers, calling it an “exceptional humanitarian circumstance.”
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Sean Parnell, the top choice of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to be the next Army secretary, is competing with at least three other candidates. The group includes current officials like Marc Anderson, who is an assistant secretary.
Key Facts
Sean Parnell is the main candidate supported by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
At least four people are being considered for the Army secretary position.
Marc Anderson, an assistant secretary, is one of the current officials in the running.
The selection is for the new leader of the U.S. Army.
The information comes from sources familiar with the process and was reported by The Hill.
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