American politician and Texas attorney general since 2015
Several states are placing abortion-related measures on ballots this fall, with Idaho proposing a return to viability-based access, while Missouri, Nevada and Virginia consider constitutional changes or other revisions. The movement follows a wave of post-Dobbs ballot initiatives that have shaped access across the country.
South Carolina Republicans are lining up to fill Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat after his death. Darline Graham Nordone is seeking a full term with Trump’s backing, while Ralph Norman and Russell Fry are mounting primary challenges ahead of the Aug. 11 vote. Filing closes July 28 and the November general election will determine the six-year term.
A Texas suit has been filed to block a state law requiring framed Ten Commandments posters in every public school classroom. Plaintiffs argue the mandate burdens religious freedom under state law and Prop. 15. The case seeks a temporary restraining order before the new school year. The action follows earlier federal rulings on the same law.
The Senate and House are pressing ahead with scheduling amid talks on government funding, crypto regulation, and voting integrity. Republicans push for votes on the SAVE Act and the CLARITY Act, while Democrats warn that bipartisan support is required to avert a lapse in funding and to address other urgent policy items.
Democratic state official Francesca Hong has seen a shift in her gubernatorial bid as old social media posts are scrutinized. While she emphasizes focusing on policy and delivering for Wisconsinites, Republicans and some Democrats worry about electability in a close general election. The race is drawing national attention as endorsements and opposition converge ahead of the August primary.
Max Miller faces mounting calls to resign amid domestic abuse allegations from his ex-wife and other sources. The House Ethics Committee has opened a probe as Republicans weigh potential action while Miller pledges to stay in the race. Political fallout intensifies as several senators and Trump allies weigh in.
At the National Urban League conference, Kamala Harris has proposed revisiting the Electoral College, expanding the Supreme Court to 13 justices, and considering statehood for Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. She frames these ideas as part of a broader push to engage voters and recalibrate U.S. institutions ahead of midterm battles.
Todd Blanche has been confirmed as attorney general in a 50-49 vote, ending weeks of Republican opposition surrounding the handling of Epstein documents and an anti-weaponization fund. Cassidy voted in favor; Collins and Murkowski opposed. Blanche will lead the DOJ, continuing the department’s alignment with the White House while facing scrutiny from survivors and critics.
Michigan's Abdul El-Sayed has won the Democratic primary, reshaping the path to the Senate for 2026. The result complicates incumbent dynamics and tests Democratic unity ahead of November as Republicans eye a potential pickup in a 50/50 battleground.
Kellogg has identified fruit- and vegetable-based juices to color cereals such as Froot Loops and Apple Jacks and is investing in equipment to switch to natural colors. The company is also phasing out BHT, an artificial preservative, from the cereals that still contain it. Retailers are aligning policies too, with Target and Walmart pushing to remove synthetic colors from store brands.
Federal judges have blocked key parts of President Trump’s attempts to centralise voter-roll control and to curtail birthright citizenship, and lawyers have asked courts to treat his new August orders as violations of earlier injunctions. Separately, the Fifth Circuit has reversed a lower court ruling and restored Texas’s 2021 election restrictions.
Annelise Camp has died after life-support was withdrawn following weeks of court battles over brain-death testing and treatment options. Families and doctors weighed legal and medical options while transfers between hospitals occurred; public statements and legal filings highlighted ongoing debates about brain death and care.
Todd Blanche has been confirmed 50–49 as U.S. attorney general and sworn in at the White House. He has served as acting attorney general since April, previously represented the president, and has rescinded a proposed $1.8bn compensation fund while facing criticism that he is politicising the Justice Department and presiding over mass departures.
A surrogate has given birth to Gabriel in Dallas after a dispute over a termination request tied to a severe heart condition. California-based parents are the legal guardians, while the surrogate seeks parentage. Texas orders require life-saving care for Gabriel, with ongoing court battles looming.
A surrogate birth in Texas has sparked a legal battle over custody and life-saving medical decisions for a newborn with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The case pits the birth parents against the surrogate, with state authorities stepping in amid competing contracts and fears for the child’s care.
Texas politics are shifting as districts face rising backlash over data centers. A four-point plan aims to curb Chinese tech, protect children, and cut tax exemptions, while opponents accuse leaders of courting big tech and dodging local concerns. Polls show broad cross‑party opposition to new centers, potentially altering the 2026 midterms and beyond.
A surrogate mother, McKenna West, has refused a couple’s abortion requests after a prenatal HLHS diagnosis. The baby has survived birth and will undergo Norwood surgery in Texas, with legal battles ongoing across states.
Shein has floated on the Hong Kong stock exchange at HK$48.56 a share, valuing the company at about US$26.3bn and raising roughly HK$13.6bn. Shares plunged as much as 10% on open before recovering to close marginally below the offer price. The IPO follows failed plans to list in New York and London and rising trade and regulatory costs that have squeezed margins.
Shein's Hong Kong listing is priced lower than hoped, valuing the company around $26.3 billion. Trading began shakily, with early losses narrowing as markets digest regulatory twists, tax changes, and weak consumer sentiment that have weighed on the fast-fashion group after a rapid ascent.
The race for the Texas Senate seat is tightening. Paxton has secured the GOP nomination and is pursuing funding from Trump's MAGA network to fend off a strong Democratic challenger backed by polls and internal data. Other races show Trump’s endorsements affecting outcomes and the broader GOP landscape as Republicans weigh fundraising and support strategies.
Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey remains in a competitive Democratic primary against Rep. Seth Moulton as voters choose nominees for multiple offices. Markey has endorsements from senior members and an edge in fundraising, while Moulton argues Markey is too old for another term. The contest reflects a broader progressive-versus-moderate dynamic in the party ahead of the 2026 midterms.
General Mills has shifted to natural colorings derived from fruits, vegetables and spices in most U.S. cereals. About 90% of U.S. retail products are now free of artificial dyes, with remaining items set to convert by end-2027. Kellogg has followed suit, and other major brands have pledged to remove synthetic dyes amid regulatory and consumer pressure.
The Texas Senate contest remains tight with James Talarico leading Ken Paxton by about 0.6 percentage points in polls. Trump’s backing is shaping fundraising and messaging as Paxton seeks to close the gap before Election Day.
President Trump has signed an executive order to begin creating a U.S. Space Academy to train astronauts, engineers and civil operators for NASA, the U.S. Space Force and the civilian spaceflight industry. A presidential commission chaired by NASA administrator Jared Isaacman will deliver proposals within 120 days; the academy’s location and funding remain undecided.
The Trump administration has escalated a trade dispute with Canada, unveiling an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” Polls show most Americans oppose the change and tariffs, while Canada vows retaliation. The move coincides with broader tariff fights and political pressure ahead of midterm elections.
Democratic Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed has apologized for remarks linking a Temple Israel attack to broader context and is pursuing outreach to Jewish voters in Michigan as the race against Republican Mike Rogers intensifies.
Castellanos has committed to Texas Tech after Brendan Sorsby’s gambling-related exit. Will Hammond is slated as the starter; Castellanos could back him up as Tech opens against Abilene Christian. Castellanos has thrown for 6,449 yards and 48 TDs in 38 college games.
Polls show Texas Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico edging incumbent Ken Paxton by about 0.6 points among likely voters, with the race expected to go down to the wire. Other Texas contests, including the gubernatorial race, show shifting dynamics as data centers and AI concerns surface in public debate.
Voters across the United States remain skeptical of AI data centers amid concerns over power use and water resources, even as the administration argues for rapid permission and expansion to sustain AI progress. Polls show broad opposition, while politicians debate permits, regulations, and local impacts.
Republicans have held an unprecedented two‑day midterm convention in Dallas that has placed President Donald Trump at the centre of the party’s campaign. Trump and Vice‑President JD Vance have delivered hardline attacks on Democrats and offered a controversial $5,000 "Trump dividend" pledge if Republicans win both houses. Attendance by vulnerable GOP lawmakers has been uneven and many candidates have chosen to stay in their districts.
The Texas Senate race remains extremely close as MAGA Inc. launches a $10 million ad blitz backing Ken Paxton, while James Talarico contends with Paxton’s exposure to controversy. The midterm convention in Dallas adds to the high-profile backdrop. This report uses multiple outlets to track the latest live moves and campaign responses.
Sen. John Fetterman has recorded a one-minute video praising Republican Sen. Dave McCormick and saying he will work with President Trump to defend Pennsylvania’s steel industry. The clip has intensified Democratic doubts about Fetterman’s party loyalty, prompted fresh talk of a possible party switch and handed Republicans a high‑profile talking point ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.
Voters remain skeptical about election integrity and Trump’s influence ahead of the November elections. YouGov, FT/Focaldata, and Gallup show rising doubt, wavering support for mail-in voting, and concerns about Trump’s impact on conservative candidates. The political landscape remains volatile as independents and Democrats push back against perceived interference and misgivings about funding for promised measures.
Voters head to the polls as midterms approach, with forecasts suggesting Democrats may defend the Senate and House in a challenging political climate. Inflation, Iran tensions, and Trump-era dynamics are shaping campaigns and fundraising. Maps and debates are intensifying as campaigns stress costs and stability.
Dr. Amy Acton’s campaign event at the Canfield Fair was interrupted when an armed individual lunged toward her. Law enforcement stopped the threat; Acton was unharmed and no serious injuries are reported. The incident, which occurred as Acton campaigns in Ohio’s gubernatorial race, underscores the persistent risks surrounding political events as elections approach.
Democrats face a challenging stretch as the 2026 midterms approach. The GOP is staging a two-day event in Dallas with Trump appearing again; Vance headlines, and a plan to send every adult $5,000 sparks debate. Polls show mixed views on AI and economic concerns. The events are shaping the political landscape.
The Republican midterm convention is underway in Dallas with Trump set to speak on both nights, as organizers chase turnout amid flagging support and a crowded field. Donors are offered tickets and VIP experiences, while several high-profile Republicans skip the event, citing cost and strategic concerns. The schedule features Trump, Vance, and key GOP leaders as the party aims to energize voters ahead of November.
The midterm contests are intensifying as key Senate races move toward toss-ups amid headwinds from Trump-era unpopularity and internal party divisions. Republicans hold a fragile Senate edge while Democrats seek gains in Michigan, Maine, Texas, Iowa, Alaska and Ohio; fundraising and redistricting battles shape outcomes.
Prediction markets tied to elections and sports have surged, with record volumes and new entrants. Regulators warn of manipulation risks as platforms expand amid ongoing court battles over their legality.
Jimmy Kimmel has said he will post his interview with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico to YouTube rather than air it on ABC, accusing the Federal Communications Commission under President Donald Trump of threatening his show and local ABC affiliates. ABC and parent company Disney have sued the FCC over early licence reviews and new equal-time guidance.
Trump has mobilized a midterm convention in Dallas to promote his legislative wins, backing his chosen candidates and attempting to rally GOP voters. Polls show his unpopularity and limited appeal beyond loyal supporters. The event is designed to energize MAGA voters while risking independence among swing voters.
President Donald Trump has said the US war with Iran will end "immediately after" the November midterm elections and predicted oil and gasoline prices will fall once voting is over. His comments have come as Brent crude has climbed above $100 a barrel, US fuel prices and diesel records have risen, and Republican leaders are campaigning at a two‑day midterm convention in Dallas.
President Donald Trump has promised a $5,000 payment to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans retain control of both houses in November’s midterms. The White House has provided only a short fact sheet; Republicans, legal experts and budget analysts have questioned the plan’s legality, cost (about $1.2–1.4 trillion) and how it would be funded.
McKenna West has filed an emergency appeal seeking to halt a California court order that recognizes California couple Omar Ahmed and Nausheen Gilkar as the parents of a seriously ill infant. The child, born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, has undergone surgery. West argues the couple would withhold life-saving care; the Supreme Court’s involvement remains uncertain.
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 2026 midterm contest is intensifying as Republicans and allied groups deploy hundreds of millions in advertising, while Democrats match some spending. Cash on hand favors Republicans in several toss-up districts, signaling a crucial edge ahead of Election Day.
Vice President Kamala Harris has appeared with Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El‑Sayed at a Detroit-area roundtable on Black maternal health as Democrats push to flip a pivotal Michigan Senate seat now less than six weeks from Election Day. El‑Sayed has faced criticism over his positions on Israel; Harris is aiming to boost turnout among Black voters in Wayne County.
A U.S. district court has ordered Google to share data on its ad auctions, make its ad tech interoperable with rivals, and appoint an internal monitor. The judge rejected a forced breakup, instead mandating targeted remedies intended to open competition in ad tech markets.
Policy leaders warn that unchecked AI risks could reshape the economy and elections. Democrats are weighing committees and guardrails, while Republicans push for industry-led standards amid a fragmented political debate.
A lawsuit filed in San Antonio accuses Texas leaders and medical officials of upholding a near-total abortion ban that endangered Tierra Walker, who died in December 2024 after facing life-threatening pregnancy complications. The suit argues the emergency exception is effectively unusable and seeks accountability for preventable deaths.