Minnesota voters will hold state primary elections to choose candidates for the U.S. Senate and governor. The Democratic race features moderate and progressive candidates, while Republicans aim to end two decades without statewide wins. Key political issues include a childcare fraud investigation and immigration enforcement.
Key Facts
Minnesota’s U.S. Senate primary is between Democrats U.S. Rep. Angie Craig (moderate) and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (progressive).
Sen. Tina Smith and Gov. Tim Walz, both Democrats, are not seeking reelection, leading to a reshuffling of races.
Flanagan is supported by progressive leaders like Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders; Craig is backed by party moderates including House Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Angie Craig has raised about $3.6 million, while Flanagan has about $1.1 million available for spending.
Political action committees have spent millions supporting Craig and Flanagan, with moderate PACs backing Craig.
The Republican primary has nine candidates, including former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze (party-endorsed) and former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya.
President Donald Trump has not endorsed any candidate in the Minnesota Republican primary.
Key campaign issues include a state childcare fraud probe and immigration enforcement policies from the Trump administration.
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President Donald Trump will officially appoint Todd Blanche as attorney general on Monday after the Senate confirmed him by a narrow 50-49 vote. Trump also compared the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict to a strategic game like chess, indicating careful planning in U.S. actions.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche was confirmed by the Senate as the new attorney general.
The Senate vote was very close, with 50 votes in favor and 49 against.
President Trump will swear in Blanche on Monday.
Trump described the U.S.-Iran conflict as “like a chess game.”
This statement suggests the U.S. is being strategic and deliberate in handling the Iran situation.
The confirmation followed several weeks of controversy.
The article provides live updates on these topics.
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A Newsweek map shows 17 U.S. states where child marriage is illegal, while 33 states, including California, still allow it. Advocates in California are urging lawmakers to pass Assembly Bill 1267, which would ban child marriage by setting the minimum marriage age at 18 with no exceptions.
Key Facts
Child marriage is when at least one person in the marriage is under 18 years old.
California currently has no minimum age for marriage but requires a court order and parental consent for minors.
Assembly Bill 1267 aims to ban child marriage in California by raising the marriage age to 18 with no exceptions.
The bill has passed the California Assembly and the Senate Judiciary Committee and is awaiting a full Senate vote.
Since 2018, 17 states have banned child marriage by raising the minimum marriage age to 18.
Nearly 315,000 children were married in the U.S. between 2000 and 2021, with about 34,875 marriages involving minors in California during that time.
Organizations like Unchained at Last argue child marriage is linked to forced marriage, harms children’s lives, and can violate laws against statutory rape and human trafficking.
Oklahoma will become the 17th state to ban child marriage when its new law takes effect on November 1.
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The United States Postal Service (USPS) may close thousands of post offices, reduce services, and raise prices if Congress does not approve new laws and funding to help with its financial problems. Postmaster General David Steiner said the Postal Service needs support to cover costs or else it must make changes to become financially stable on its own.
Key Facts
USPS faces severe financial difficulties, including billions in yearly losses and less mail being sent.
The agency does not usually get tax money but relies on selling postage and services.
Congress sets many USPS rules and public-service duties that cost money but do not always bring revenue.
If Congress provides funding and changes, USPS could maintain service levels; without it, USPS plans to cut services and close many unprofitable post offices.
Steiner said USPS will present a legislative plan to Congress and President Trump to include funding, employee benefit changes, and borrowing increases.
USPS wants federal funding to be seen as an investment in a larger postal industry that supports millions of jobs and $2 trillion in sales.
Any federal support could be adjusted in the future as USPS’s financial situation improves.
Lawmakers are also examining whether USPS is reliable enough to borrow more money from the government.
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The UK government is facing pressure over the planned early release of two men convicted of manslaughter in the killing of PC Andrew Harper. Officials warn that changing the early release rules to keep these men in jail would require releasing many other prisoners even sooner, creating legal and prison capacity challenges.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is urged not to change the early release scheme to stop PC Andrew Harper’s killers from being freed early.
Prison officials say exempting manslaughter convicts like Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers would force other early releases within 18 months.
The government plans to release 5,000 prisoners early over 10 months starting in October to free up space.
Harper’s killers are scheduled for release in January.
A petition with nearly 900,000 signatures demands stopping their early release.
The prime minister has already exempted 1,000 rapists and child abuse offenders from early release, reducing the total releases.
Blocking these two could delay releasing 500 other manslaughter convicts.
Experts warn that making exceptions for specific cases could lead to legal problems and set bad legal precedents.
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Ty Cobb, a lawyer who worked in President Donald Trump’s White House, said that acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has shown full loyalty to President Trump. Cobb said this during a weekend interview and defended Blanche against questions about whether he would resist pressure from the President.
Key Facts
Ty Cobb is a former lawyer for President Donald Trump’s White House team.
Cobb spoke on a show called “Mehdi Unfiltered” on Zeteo.
Cobb said that acting Attorney General Todd Blanche shows “total fealty” to President Trump, which means full loyalty.
Cobb was asked if Blanche would resist pressure from President Trump to find false evidence, and he pushed back against this idea.
Todd Blanche is currently serving as acting Attorney General.
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Francesca Hong is leading a crowded Democratic race to become Wisconsin’s next governor. She is a progressive candidate known for grassroots support and a platform that includes universal childcare and fully funded public schools. Hong faces challenges from within her party and criticism from President Trump but remains the frontrunner.
Key Facts
Francesca Hong is a 37-year-old chef, former restaurant owner, single mom, and state lawmaker from Madison, Wisconsin.
She is running in the Democratic primary for governor with a progressive platform, including universal childcare and fully funding public schools.
Hong also wants to pause new datacenters in the state, which sets her apart from other candidates.
She has gained strong grassroots support through hundreds of events, like bike races and community gatherings.
Other candidates in the Democratic primary include Kelda Roys, Joel Brennan, and David Crowley (who left and then reentered the race).
Outgoing Democratic Governor Tony Evers supports Crowley and suggested Hong’s campaign struggles due to attention on her past tweets.
Hong faces criticism from President Donald Trump, who mocked her old tweets, including one about canceling Thanksgiving.
The Wisconsin gubernatorial primary winner will run against Republican Tom Tiffany in the November general election.
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A Texas detective who investigates internet crimes against children warns parents about posting swimsuit photos of their kids online. He explains that once a photo is online, parents lose control over who sees or saves it, and recent technology can alter images in harmful ways.
Key Facts
Seth Cockerham is a Texas detective working on crimes against children on the internet.
He warns parents about the risks of posting swimsuit photos of their children online.
Once a photo is uploaded, anyone can save or misuse it without parents' knowledge.
Advances in artificial intelligence can change or manipulate these photos.
Many parents think social media accounts are private, but private profiles often have hundreds of followers.
A 2021 survey showed over 75% of parents share information about their kids online, with fewer than 25% asking permission.
Cockerham found some photos posted by parents were later discovered on devices used by child abuse offenders.
He suggests sharing photos only with trusted family or friends or posting pictures that do not show the child’s face or revealing clothing.
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Louisiana health officials are warning beach visitors about a rise in infections from a flesh-eating bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus, found in coastal waters. This year, nine cases have been confirmed in Louisiana with five deaths, and infections tend to increase in warm months along the Gulf Coast.
Key Facts
Louisiana reported nine Vibrio vulnificus infections this year, with five deaths.
Most infections occur from May to October in brackish or salt water areas like estuaries and lagoons.
Vibrio vulnificus causes severe symptoms quickly and can be fatal without fast antibiotic treatment.
People can get infected through cuts or wounds exposed to coastal waters or by eating raw or undercooked shellfish.
Elderly people and those with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses are at higher risk.
Warmer ocean temperatures due to climate change are increasing bacterial growth and spreading infections northward.
Florida has reported 14 cases and two deaths this year, showing the spread along the US coast.
The CDC advises washing cuts thoroughly after exposure to seawater or raw seafood to lower infection risk.
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Connecticut will hold state primaries featuring Democratic Governor Ned Lamont and longtime U.S. Representative John Larson facing strong primary challenges. These races reflect a broader Democratic effort to bring in younger, more progressive candidates ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
Governor Ned Lamont is running for a third term and faces a challenge from state Rep. Josh Elliott.
Lamont has spent $9.5 million of his own money on his campaign, while Elliott raised nearly $400,000 from donors and $3.8 million from public funding.
If Elliott wins, it would continue a trend of progressive challengers defeating Democratic incumbents in recent primaries.
U.S. Rep. John Larson is seeking a 15th term and faces three Democrats: former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, Ruth Fortune, and Jillian Gilchrest.
Larson has never faced a primary challenge since 1998 but turned 78 and suffered a health episode in 2025 related to a heart condition.
The 1st Congressional District is heavily Democratic; Larson won 63% of the vote in 2024.
All 36 state Senate seats and all 151 state House seats will be contested in 2026, with Democrats holding large majorities.
Only registered party members can vote in their party’s primary; independents cannot vote in either party’s primary.
Polls close at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on primary day.
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Vermont voters will hold primary elections to choose candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, state auditor, and U.S. House. Republican Governor Phil Scott, popular in the state, faces two Democrats hoping to unseat him in the November general election.
Key Facts
Vermont holds primary elections for governor, lieutenant governor, state auditor, and more.
Republican Governor Phil Scott is running for reelection and is unopposed in his primary.
Scott won 73% of the vote in 2024, showing strong support.
He has criticized President Donald Trump and voted for Democratic candidates in recent presidential elections.
Two Democrats, Amanda Janoo and Aly Richards, compete in the Democratic primary to challenge Scott.
Richards has endorsements from former Vermont governors and has raised more campaign funds than Janoo.
Vermont state officials serve two-year terms; if reelected, Scott will become the state’s longest-serving governor.
Any registered Vermont voter can participate in any party’s primary since the state does not register voters by party.
Around 501,000 voters are registered in Vermont, with primary turnout around 23,000 Republicans and 33,000 Democrats in 2024 gubernatorial primaries.
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A new law starting in September will limit English schools to three branded uniform items plus a tie to help families save money. However, a mother who runs a community school uniform exchange doubts this will reduce costs because children want all their uniform items to match, and sportswear and additional items still add up.
Key Facts
From September, schools in England can only require three branded uniform items plus a tie.
The government believes this rule will help families spend less on school uniforms.
Michaela Wilson started a free school uniform exchange in Colne, Lancashire, four years ago.
She says children want all their uniform pieces to match, so parents still buy many branded items.
Sports kits, like rugby and football gear, often cost a lot and are required for teams.
Michaela’s exchange lets families donate and take uniforms freely to reuse clothes and reduce waste.
The average cost of school uniforms in 2023/24 was about £250, with PE kits costing around £140.
The government says some families could save up to £50 per child with the new law.
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Left-wing candidates have won fewer elections than news reports imply. Most of their victories occur in districts that are already safely controlled by the Democratic Party.
Key Facts
Left-wing candidates’ election wins are fewer than media headlines suggest.
Their victories mostly happen in districts that strongly support Democrats.
These districts are considered "safe," meaning they reliably vote for the Democratic Party.
The left-wing has not made significant progress outside these safe areas.
This shows they have not yet changed the overall balance of political power.
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Abdul Khan, an asylum seeker in the UK, was jailed for raping a 13-year-old girl after pretending to be a teenager on Snapchat. He received a nine-and-a-half-year sentence and will face automatic deportation to Afghanistan after serving part of his prison term.
Key Facts
Abdul Khan arrived in the UK in 2015 hidden in the back of a lorry.
He used Snapchat to contact a 13-year-old girl, pretending to be a 14-year-old boy.
Khan met the girl in a nature reserve in Nottingham and later claimed to be 16 when it was clear he was older.
He was convicted of rape and other related sexual offenses following a four-day trial.
The victim reported feeling scared and unable to trust others after the assault.
Khan was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison and must register as a sex offender for life.
After serving two-thirds of his sentence, Khan will be automatically deported to Afghanistan.
The judge criticized Khan for lying about his identity and age throughout the case.
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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage proposes sending foreign prisoners to serve their sentences abroad, such as in El Salvador, to end early release schemes and free up prison space in England and Wales. The plan includes deporting foreign criminals after they complete sentences and renting prison places from other countries.
Key Facts
Reform UK wants to send all foreign prisoners to serve time outside the UK to prevent early release.
Countries mentioned for housing prisoners include El Salvador, Kosovo, Estonia, Lithuania, and possibly others.
About 10,134 foreign nationals were in custody in England and Wales in June, around 12% of prisoners.
Reform claims that outsourcing foreign prisoners could free over 10,000 prison spaces.
Foreign prisoners with non-custodial sentences would be deported immediately.
Reform plans that foreign prisoners would be barred from returning to the UK after serving their sentences.
El Salvador has the world’s highest incarceration rate and a large prison called Cecot.
The early release scheme in England and Wales, starting October, faces criticism, with some serious offenders still eligible for early release.
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Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has distanced herself from some of the extreme progressive positions she supported during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as defunding the police. She described the earlier intense "Woke 1" policies as rhetoric she would not use today but said the discussions from that time were still valuable.
Key Facts
Ocasio-Cortez referred to the peak of radical progressive activism during 2020 as "Woke 1."
"Woke 1" policies emerged after the murder of George Floyd and focused on systemic racism and social injustice.
During that period, some progressive positions included calls to defund the police, which Ocasio-Cortez now distances herself from.
She said the rhetoric used then was different from what progressives would use today.
Ocasio-Cortez emphasized that the period led to important conversations about issues like crime and social justice.
The New York City Council member Chi Ossé, who coined "Woke 1," admitted that those earlier stances were extreme.
Ocasio-Cortez supports a renewed focus on improving the lives of working-class Americans ahead of the November midterm elections.
She highlighted issues like healthcare costs and affordable housing as current Democratic priorities.
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Ten Republicans are running in a special primary in South Carolina to replace the late Senator Lindsey Graham on the November ballot. His sister, Senator Darline Graham, who was appointed to fill his seat temporarily, has President Donald Trump's endorsement as the Republican nominee for the general election.
Key Facts
Senator Lindsey Graham passed away unexpectedly on July 11 due to an aortic tear.
Graham had won the June 9 Republican primary for renomination before his death.
Senator Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister, was appointed to serve the remainder of his term.
Ten Republican candidates, including two congressmen and a former governor, are competing in the special primary.
If no candidate wins more than half of the votes, the top two will compete in a runoff election on August 25.
Republican Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to fill the vacant seat.
Donald Trump has endorsed Senator Darline Graham for the general election.
The special primary winner will face Democrat Annie Andrews, a Charleston pediatrician, in November.
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The article discusses the appeal of socialism in America and the confusion surrounding what socialism actually means. It explores why some people are drawn to socialist ideas and what those ideas could mean for the country’s future.
Key Facts
Socialism is gaining interest among some Americans.
There is misunderstanding about what socialism really means.
The article examines reasons why socialism appeals to people.
It explores how socialism might affect happiness and well-being in America.
The discussion focuses on American society and politics.
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Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced she is freezing her eggs while considering her future political plans ahead of the 2028 elections. She shared this to encourage open talks about women’s reproductive choices and to highlight the challenges women face under President Donald Trump’s policies.
Key Facts
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is freezing her eggs to have more control over her reproductive options.
She is thinking about running for president or U.S. Senate in 2028 but has not decided yet.
Ocasio-Cortez wants to normalize conversations about women’s personal and professional challenges.
She criticized policies from President Trump’s administration that limit reproductive healthcare access.
Trump’s Supreme Court appointees helped overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, ending federal abortion rights.
In 2025, President Trump signed an order to reduce the cost of in vitro fertilization.
Ocasio-Cortez sponsored a 2022 bill to make abortion rights law at the federal level.
She pointed out that women face more questions about family plans than men in politics and work.
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President Donald Trump announced that Will Scharf will become the White House counsel on September 1. Scharf’s role will be important as Congress may issue many legal demands, called subpoenas, especially if Democrats gain control of the House in the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
Will Scharf currently works as the White House staff secretary.
He will replace David Warrington as White House counsel.
Scharf has worked on Trump’s Supreme Court immunity case.
Todd Blanche, another former Trump lawyer, recently became attorney general.
The White House counsel gives legal advice to the president and senior officials.
This role is key during conflicts with Congress, such as investigations and subpoenas.
Democrats are preparing to issue many subpoenas if they win the November elections.
Scharf also chairs the National Capital Planning Commission related to a halted White House ballroom project.
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