American politician and activist, senior U.S. senator from Vermont since 2007
Twelve senators have urged congressional leaders to drop provisions that would deepen US-Israel defense technology cooperation, arguing they risk compromising US national security and signaling a move away from traditional military aid. The NDAA’s Section 219 would create a US-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative, appointing a Pentagon executive agent to coordinate joint R&D, testing and production in AI, autonomous systems, biotech, quantum tech, cyber and more. The House has passed the NDAA; the Senate must act. Critics warn such integration could embed Israeli tech in American weapons programs and reduce oversight.
The Guardian reports that President Trump is pressing for influence over election results as midterm contests approach. Democrats argue Congress has the final say on seating members, while concerns grow about the potential for political interference in close races. Analysts warn that a loyal clerk or manipulated rolls could threaten the integrity of the 2027 seating process.
Developing contests across the U.S. see heavy spending from national committees and super PACs. Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, and Kansas are among the states where ads and funding shifts aim to influence close races. The dynamic spending reflects a broader scramble to protect or seize Senate control as Election Day approaches.
California has signed a broad package of laws regulating AI in the workplace, banning momentum-based firing decisions, emotional-state surveillance, and neural data collection. Companies must warn workers if AI contributes to layoffs, and state agencies will enforce the measures. The governor frames this as placing people at the center as AI reshapes work; enforcement remains primarily public rather than private.
The director of national intelligence has been named as the administration's AI czar, overseeing a new “Super Intelligence Force” to guide the U.S. leadership in AI while prioritizing the American public. The move follows a wave of industry concerns and political debate about rapid AI development and regulation.
Nassau County has densely wired roads with more than 330 public Flock Safety cameras across 3,200 miles, placing it among the nation’s top counties for camera density. Suffolk County trails with hundreds of cameras across about 7,100 miles. Officials defend privacy safeguards while critics warn of overreach, as lawmakers consider tighter regulation and potential federal funding consequences.
States are debating and enacting taxes on high earners amid a broader shift in tax policy. Massachusetts has already seen revenue from a millionaire tax, while California and other states consider or challenge wealth taxes. Ballot measures in November could reshape where high earners live and how much they pay.
El-Sayed has sparked controversy by saying Israel is not an ally if it drags the US into unnecessary wars, during a debate in Grand Rapids. Rogers pressed him on Israel vs. Iran, and the exchange has intensified scrutiny from Jewish Democrats and donors. The candidate maintains he has condemned Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, while critics push back on his foreign policy stance.
Trump has publicly urged Sen. John Fetterman to switch parties, a move that could reshape Senate dynamics. Fetterman has rejected becoming a Republican, while observers note the potential impact on party control and midterm prospects.
Barbara Bush has donated to James Talarico’s Texas Senate campaign while Neil Bush backs his nephew’s opponent, Ken Paxton. The endorsements reflect a rare fissure within a prominent Republican family ahead of the November midterms as polling shows a tight race in a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1988.
Meta has created a new class of non‑voting Class C shares and agreed a deal with Mark Zuckerberg that will let him sell a portion of those shares to cover a potential California one‑time billionaire tax (Proposition 40) without losing voting control. The company has said the move will also raise capital for AI investment and keep Zuckerberg working near Meta's headquarters.
Banks are tightening access to AI agents after reports of unauthorized agent activity, while preparing for a potential “day after” scenario in cyber risk planning. Executives warn that agents with user login data could act without explicit permission, prompting strict controls and read-only access options.
Trump has characterized Abdul El-Sayed as a jihadist and suggested he would require a metal detector to enter the Senate, remarks that have drawn sharp criticism for stoking anti-Muslim sentiment amid a closely watched Michigan race.
Voters are weighing Proposition 3 and Proposition 40 in California’s November ballot. Prop 3 would permanently lock in top-earner tax rates, while Prop 40 seeks a one-time 5% wealth tax on billionaires to fund healthcare. Polls show narrowing margins and sharp partisan divides as campaigns mobilize around education funding and fiscal priorities.
Dolores Huerta has died at age 96, ending a lifetime of organizing with Cesar Chavez to improve farmworkers’ conditions. New revelations about Chavez’s abuse echoed in Huerta’s 2026 disclosure about sexual assault, highlighting the complex, painful history of the UFW and its leadership.
Democrats have consolidated leads in final polls and forecasters ahead of Tuesday's midterms, making House control likely and giving them a real chance at the Senate. Early network calls on Wednesday have declared Abdul El‑Sayed the winner in Michigan's Senate race, making him the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate and a symbolic pickup for Democrats.
The Alaska Senate race has intensified as investigations and court rulings unfold after reports that a second Dan Sullivan was recruited to siphon votes from incumbent Republican Dan J. Sullivan to aid Democrat Mary Peltola. The Biden-era procedural battle around ranked-choice voting adds complexity, with new questions about ballot integrity and campaign involvement.
California voters have rejected Proposition 40, a one-time 5% wealth tax on net worth over $1 billion, aimed at backfilling federal healthcare funding cuts. Opponents warn it would drive billionaires away; supporters cite healthcare funding needs. Major backers include tech figures like Sergey Brin and Peter Thiel’s networks. The vote underscores tensions over wealth, taxes, and economic policy in the state.
With votes tallied, California has rejected Proposition 40, a one-time 5% tax on residents worth over $1 billion. Opposition led by Gov. Gavin Newsom and major tech donors, including Sergey Brin, has outspent supporters and pushed rival ballot measures that neutralised the proposal. Backers framed the measure as a $100bn fix for federal healthcare cuts.
Google has set Gemini, Gemini Notebook, Gemini in Classroom and Google Search off by default for K–12 student accounts and said school administrators must explicitly enable them. Google has also said its Search features are "deeply integrated" with AI, so schools that block AI entirely will lose access to Google Search until they re-enable it.
Abdul El-Sayed has secured a U.S. Senate seat, becoming the first Muslim senator from the country. He has campaigned on Medicare for All, affordable housing and anti-corruption measures, while facing Islamophobic attacks from opponents. The Guardian, AP and BBC report his victory in Michigan, with reactions highlighting his historic win and its implications for American politics.
Google has changed default settings for K–12 accounts so Gemini, Gemini Notebook and Search AI are turned off by default; Google says schools can enable each tool individually but warned that fully opting out of AI will block access to Google Search. Politicians and privacy-focused competitors have condemned the policy as coercive.
House Republicans have elected Rep. Jim Jordan (R‑Ohio) as their minority leader in a secret ballot, defeating Rep. Steve Scalise 106–73. Jordan has won backing from the party's conservative wing and will lead Republican messaging and oversight as the party moves into the House minority after heavy midterm losses.
California's incoming insurance commissioner Jane Kim has proposed a nonprofit wildfire-disaster fund, signaling a sharp shift from private insurers amid rising premiums and retreating carriers. The plan would separate wildfire coverage into a state-run pool, with private coverage continuing for other risks.
Mamdani has been meeting with labor leaders to push for a left-wing or labor-aligned candidate in the 2028 race, amid uncertainties about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's plans. He is coordinating behind the scenes with unions and left figures to align momentum from the midterms with a potential challenger to moderate Democrats.
California voters have rejected Proposition 40, a one-time 5% tax targeting billionaires with assets over $1 billion. The measure, aimed at funding healthcare and other programs, faced a multimillion-dollar opposition led by Silicon Valley figures like Sergey Brin and Eric Schmidt. Supporters argued the tax would replace lost Medi-Cal funding; opponents warned of economic harm. The vote is decisive as of today, with affected residents potentially facing future tax debates.
Voters have backed tighter rules on AI datacenters in multiple states, forcing delays in planned capacity. Democrats have won key governor races, signaling increased governance over AI infrastructure and its economic impact. The results show broad political pressure to curb unchecked tech expansion ahead of a pivotal 2028 cycle.
A wave of new rules and political pressure is reshaping where and how AI data centers can be built. CNBC reports water use and cooling methods are under scrutiny; Politico describes a blueprint for cost-sharing and grid safeguards; TechCrunch notes voters’ and lawmakers’ pushback may slow expansion. The crosscurrents signal a tighter, more local-driven path for AI infrastructure.
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan’s US Senate race, becoming the first Muslim elected to the Senate. He defeated Republican Mike Rogers, despite aggressive attacks on his faith, and pledges to address healthcare and economic concerns while pushing for a more inclusive democracy.
Senators Wyden and Alsobrooks have opened an inquiry into Kennedy, requesting documents from CHD related to Samoa trip, vaccine remarks, and 2024 campaign, signaling heightened scrutiny of Kennedy’s health tenure.
Democrat leaders face a contested race for Senate Majority Leader as Chris Van Hollen mounts a challenge to Chuck Schumer ahead of December’s leadership election. The move has exposed divides within the party and energized progressive voices pressing for change.