American politician and engineer; senior U.S. senator from California since 2021
Lonnie G. Bunch III will leave the Smithsonian Institution by year’s end. The departure follows a White House report criticizing Smithsonian leadership and a broader push from the Trump administration to realign how American history is presented in national museums. The move comes as the institution faces renewed calls for changes to exhibits and leadership amid partisan pressure.
The whistleblower disclosures have prompted lawmakers to demand answers as officials face scrutiny over how voter data is accessed and logged. Officials say state restrictions on voter lookups are at risk of being bypassed as federal probes seek data across multiple states.
The Supreme Court has denied the Trump administration's request to lift lower-court orders that blocked new U.S. Postal Service rules narrowing mail-in ballots, leaving states to use their existing procedures for the Nov. 3 midterms. Justices Alito and Thomas dissented; the court has not decided the rule's longer-term legal fate.
The Supreme Court has not lifted constraints on mail voting, and states are continuing to administer ballots under existing procedures as officials prepare for the midterms. Officials warn of potential interference, while voters are urged to act early to ensure timely delivery.
California voters face a high-stakes battle over Prop 39, which would require photo-ID at the polls and verification for mail ballots. The Yes campaign has drawn major funding from Airbnb cofounder Joe Gebbia, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, Nicole Shanahan, and other wealthy backers, while opponents led by Gov. Gavin Newsom and large Democratic donors warn of civil-rights risks. Polls show a tight race.
Suspicious letters containing a white powder have been sent to more than three dozen congressional and election offices across the United States, triggering evacuations and security alerts ahead of the 2026 midterms. Federal agencies are investigating; initial tests show no hazardous material, and officials warn more letters may still be circulating.
Demonstrators have organized more than 3,000 events nationwide to urge early voting ahead of the 2026 midterms, with protests highlighting concerns about democracy and voting access. Authorities say the events are nonpartisan but politics remain in the air as lawsuits and high-profile figures weigh in on mail voting.
Federal courts have rejected the Justice Department’s emergency requests to force California to separate roughly 20,000 mail ballots the administration says are tied to likely non‑citizens. Lower courts and the 9th Circuit have flagged unreliable data and the risk of disenfranchising lawful voters as voting has already been processing across the state ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.
The Independent and AP News report that Matthew Unglesbee has been charged after sending four white envelopes with a powdery substance to Chicago-area elected officials. Substances tested as non-dangerous; investigators say the suspect knew the method could provoke a hazmat response. Court appearances have begun.
Senator Murphy has experienced a stroke while at a family event. He is awake and undergoing treatment at Johns Hopkins and is responding to care. He is not up for reelection this cycle and has been campaigning for fellow Democrats ahead of the midterms.