President Donald Trump plans to hold campaign rallies in Alabama and Oklahoma before the November midterm elections. These states are known to strongly support his party, and he is avoiding more competitive states.
Key Facts
President Trump will campaign in Alabama and Oklahoma.
The rallies are scheduled before the midterm elections in November.
Alabama and Oklahoma are considered reliably supportive of President Trump’s party.
He is not focusing on battleground states where the election is more competitive.
Political analysts Joel Payne and Kevin Sheridan discussed this strategy on CBS News.
The midterm elections will take place in less than six weeks.
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The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request to restore Missouri's congressional map backed by President Donald Trump, for the third time this month. The Court said changing the map now would cause confusion since absentee voting had already started, so Missouri will use the same district lines as in recent elections.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court refused to restore Missouri's Trump-supported congressional map before the November midterm elections.
This is the third time the Court has rejected this map change in the same month.
Changing maps now would create "electoral chaos" because absentee ballots were already being sent out.
Missouri will keep using the congressional districts set after the 2020 census.
Republicans wanted the new map to help win an extra House seat.
Voters will use the same district lines for both the primary and general elections.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe expressed disappointment but said the state will follow the Court’s decision.
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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports big improvements in processing veterans’ disability claims under President Donald Trump. The VA is reducing wait times and backlogs, helping veterans get their benefits faster, while also expanding access to health care.
Key Facts
The VA processed over 3 million disability claims in fiscal year 2026, more than ever before.
The VA awarded over $207 billion in benefits to veterans and survivors in the same year.
The average time to decide on a disability claim dropped from about 142 days in January 2025 to about 76 days in September 2026.
The backlog of pending claims fell by more than 70 percent.
Claims processing accuracy improved to roughly 94 percent, the highest in two years.
The VA expanded health care by enrolling 270,000 new veterans in 2026 and opening 41 new health facilities since January 2025.
The VA increased appointment availability outside regular hours and boosted community-care options for veterans.
VA modernization includes more use of technology and automation, reducing the time and paperwork needed for claims.
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The Cook Political Report moved 15 U.S. House of Representatives race ratings in favor of Democrats. The report also said it is very unlikely that Republicans will keep control of the House.
Key Facts
The Cook Political Report tracks and rates election races.
On Friday, it shifted 15 House seat ratings toward Democrats.
This change means those seats are now more likely to be won by Democrats.
The report said that Republicans have a low chance of retaining the House majority.
Zach Donnini, head of data science at VoteHub, discussed these changes on CBS News.
The House of Representatives is one of two parts of the U.S. Congress.
Control of the House affects which party can pass laws and set agendas.
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Health care costs are a key issue for many Americans as they face higher expenses. This year, fewer people signed up for insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) because federal financial help ended. Vice President Vance plans to cancel coverage for about 760,000 people due to suspected fraud.
Key Facts
Health care costs are a big concern for many voters.
Enrollment in ACA insurance marketplaces went down this year.
The drop is mostly because federal financial aid expired.
Vice President Vance will cancel coverage for nearly 760,000 people.
The cancellations are based on claims of widespread fraud.
Geoff Bennett spoke with Larry Levitt, a health expert from KFF.
The ACA marketplaces provide government-subsidized health insurance.
Rising health costs influence political discussions before the midterm elections.
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President Donald Trump wants to rename artificial intelligence (AI) as "super intelligence" and is promoting this new term across the U.S. government and internationally. He encouraged this change during his speech at the United Nations and urged federal employees to adopt the term. Experts say the new name may face challenges because it has a specific technical meaning and could increase public fears about AI.
Key Facts
President Trump proposes calling artificial intelligence "super intelligence."
He polled his supporters, with 65% choosing "super intelligence" over "superior intelligence."
The State Department told federal workers to use "super intelligence" in official documents.
Trump mentioned the change during his U.N. speech and on his social media platform, Truth Social.
During a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump said Xi was open to the new name.
Marketing and technology experts say "super intelligence" has a specific meaning beyond just AI.
Experts warn that the name might increase public distrust of AI because it sounds more threatening.
Past Trump rebranding efforts for other terms, such as geographic names, were easier to adopt than this one.
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The U.S. Supreme Court stopped the use of a new Missouri congressional map that President Donald Trump supported. The court let the Missouri Supreme Court’s ruling stand, which says the map cannot be used in the November elections unless voters approve it first.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court rejected a new Missouri congressional map backed by President Trump.
The rejection ended a legal fight over the map as absentee voting started for midterm elections.
A federal appeals court had ruled to revive the Republican-friendly map, but the Supreme Court blocked that.
There were no dissenting opinions from the Supreme Court justices.
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled that a citizen petition requires voter approval before using the new map.
Because of this, Missouri will use the same congressional districts as in the 2022 and 2024 elections.
The decision affects how voters will be represented in the November elections.
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The U.S. Supreme Court blocked a new congressional map in Missouri that had support from President Donald Trump, deciding the state should use the old districts for the upcoming midterm elections. This decision ended a long legal dispute and means voters will cast their ballots in the same districts used in 2022 and 2024.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court stopped a lower court ruling that would have allowed a new Missouri congressional map for the midterms.
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled the new map can’t be used without voter approval in a November referendum.
The new map was designed to help Republicans gain one more House seat, shifting district boundaries.
Over a million Missouri voters were confused because they were moved between districts with different candidates.
Absentee voting began using the old districts, despite some local officials advising voters to wait.
Republican leaders, including President Trump and Governor Mike Kehoe, supported the new map.
The legal fight included more than 16 lawsuits about Missouri’s redistricting, making it the longest battle among U.S. states changing congressional districts.
The Supreme Court said changing maps during an ongoing election would cause chaos.
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The White House defended TV ads supporting President Trump that aired before the 2026 midterm elections. They said the ads aim to remind Americans to appreciate and defend their country, and this message is not connected to any political party.
Key Facts
The White House released TV ads promoting President Trump just before the 2026 midterm elections.
Officials said the ads focus on patriotism, which they described as a non-partisan value.
The ads encourage Americans to appreciate and protect the country.
Topics mentioned include security at home, at the border, and abroad.
The White House statement defended the timing of the ads during the election season.
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The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked Missouri from using a new congressional map drawn to favor Republicans in the upcoming general election. Instead, Missouri will use the older map from 2022 for the November election to avoid confusion and problems with ballots that have already been sent out.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court stopped Missouri from using a new map designed to give Republicans an extra House seat.
Ballots using the 2022 congressional districts have already been printed and sent to voters, including those overseas and in the military.
The court said changing the map now would cause confusion because the election has already started.
Missouri’s new map was created by the GOP-led legislature and supported by President Trump.
The new map had been used for Missouri’s August primary but was blocked for use in the November general election.
Lower courts had conflicting rulings about which map Missouri should use, leading to multiple appeals and emergency orders.
A group called People Not Politicians opposes the new map and warned about election confusion and fairness.
Missouri officials said using the old map could conflict with legal deadlines and the rights of voters who participated in the primary.
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Texas Republicans changed the state's voting districts last year, hoping Latino voters who supported President Trump in 2024 would help them win in 2026. However, issues such as strict immigration policies and higher living costs in South Texas might be weakening this support.
Key Facts
Texas Republicans redrew congressional voting districts in 2023.
They aimed to gain support from Latino voters who backed President Trump in 2024.
This strategy focuses on winning the 2026 midterm elections.
Immigration crackdowns in South Texas are causing concern among Latino voters.
Rising everyday costs in South Texas are also affecting voter opinions.
These factors may reduce Latino voter enthusiasm for the GOP.
The Republican coalition in South Texas could be breaking apart before the midterms.
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The CEO of a Michigan credit union lost her job after posting a social media image that showed her family wearing sweaters labeled "Lake America," a name President Donald Trump had ordered for Lake Ontario. The post upset people in Canada, especially because it was shared on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and involved a location important to Halifax.
Key Facts
Jane Smith was the CEO of Family First Credit Union in Michigan.
She posted an AI-edited image of her family wearing “Lake America” sweaters, referencing President Trump’s renaming of Lake Ontario.
The post was made on September 11, the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
People in Canada, including in Halifax, found the image disrespectful and offensive.
Halifax had hosted many stranded passengers after the US closed its airspace on 9/11.
Family First Credit Union reviewed the situation and ended Jane Smith’s employment immediately.
Smith apologized, saying the post was a poor judgment and wasn’t meant as a political statement.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. officials rejected the forced renaming of the lake.
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David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart talked about recent political events, including Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States. They discussed how President Donald Trump welcomed Xi and the decision to ban some journalists from the White House.
Key Facts
Chinese President Xi Jinping made a state visit to the United States.
President Donald Trump gave Xi a warm welcome during the visit.
Some journalists were banned from entering the White House by President Trump.
David Brooks writes for The Atlantic.
Jonathan Capehart is a commentator on MS NOW.
The discussion took place on a news program hosted by Amna Nawaz.
The topics included politics related to China and press access at the White House.
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The U.S. Supreme Court stopped a last-minute change to Missouri's election maps before the November vote. This means the state will keep using the older 2022 map that some groups have worked to protect.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court issued an unsigned order to block a recent federal appeals court decision.
The appeals court had required Missouri to use a new election map favored by Republicans.
The Supreme Court's decision keeps the current election map in place for the upcoming election.
Some voting has already started in Missouri under the older map.
Democrats and voter advocacy groups supported keeping the 2022 map.
The ruling ended a long legal fight over redrawing congressional districts in Missouri.
There were no noted disagreements among the Supreme Court justices in this decision.
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More than 167,000 pounds of beef, pork, and goat meat were recalled because they were made without proper federal inspection and had fake inspection labels. This recall is part of a larger group of food products, including frozen blueberries and deli meats, that have been removed from stores due to risks of harmful bacteria like E. coli, listeria, and salmonella.
Key Facts
Over 167,000 pounds of meat were recalled for lacking federal inspection.
The recalled meats include beef, pork, and goat.
The meat had false federal inspection labels.
The recall was announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Other foods recalled this summer include frozen blueberries, deli meats, and broccoli sprouts.
These food recalls are linked to outbreaks of harmful bacteria such as E. coli, listeria, and salmonella.
The recalled products have been removed from store shelves to protect public health.
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Caleb Flynn, a former pastor and American Idol contestant from Ohio, is on trial for the murder of his wife, Ashley Flynn. Prosecutors say he killed her to be with his girlfriend and tried to make the crime look like a home invasion, while Flynn denies the charges.
Key Facts
Caleb Flynn is charged with aggravated murder, two counts of felonious assault, and three counts of tampering with evidence.
Prosecutors say Flynn shot his wife twice in the back of the head while she was sleeping.
Flynn allegedly wanted to be with his girlfriend, Alleigha Botner, and told her he fantasized about killing his wife.
Flynn sent Botner love songs created with artificial intelligence (AI).
Ashley Flynn found texts between her husband and Botner during their 15th wedding anniversary cruise.
Botner ended the relationship after Flynn said he would get a divorce.
Ashley’s sister did not know about the affair until after the murder and said the couple’s children were very upset by the news.
The trial is ongoing and expected to finish next week.
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The Supreme Court stopped Missouri Republicans from using their preferred new congressional map. Instead, Missouri must use an older map for the upcoming November elections after a dispute over redrawing districts.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court ruled against Missouri Republicans’ plan to use a new congressional district map.
The GOP’s proposed map favored their party with 7 districts to 1.
The court ordered that Missouri must use the previous, older district map for the November elections.
This decision came after a long and difficult process of redrawing the state’s political boundaries.
The ruling prevents Republicans from using a map seen as more beneficial to their election chances.
The court’s action shows it will not let Missouri change maps so close to the election.
The case highlights ongoing conflicts over how voting areas are drawn in the U.S.
Redistricting is the process where state maps are adjusted after population counts to decide political district lines.
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The White House defended a recent TV ad featuring President Donald Trump by comparing it to past public service announcements (PSAs) on health and wartime efforts. The ad shows patriotic images and policy highlights and is labeled as government-paid, but critics say it violates rules against political campaigning with government funds.
Key Facts
The ad uses the song "Love Me" and features President Trump with patriotic symbols and key policies like tax cuts.
It aired on Fox News and is also on the White House website and YouTube channel.
The White House says the ad is not a campaign ad because Trump is not on the ballot and there is no call to vote.
The White House compares the ad to past PSAs from other presidents during wars and health crises.
Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin claims the ad breaks laws banning government resources for political campaigns, including the Hatch Act.
President Trump’s White House launched a 24/7 video channel called "Trump TV: The Essentials Station."
Critics see this use of government resources as unethical, but the White House argues it is public education.
Past presidents like Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt used similar methods to communicate with the public during major events.
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Several Democratic senators have raised concerns that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may have hidden a deal to receive money from a vaccine lawsuit settlement. They say this is against the ethics agreement he made when confirmed, as he promised to remove himself from the lawsuit.
Key Facts
Senators from the Democratic party are questioning Secretary Kennedy’s actions.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the current Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Kennedy pledged to end his involvement in a vaccine-related lawsuit before his confirmation.
There are questions about whether he hid a financial agreement related to that lawsuit.
The lawsuit involves a vaccine manufacturer and possible settlement money.
The senators want to know if Kennedy broke ethical rules agreed upon earlier.
This issue came up during or after his confirmation process last year.
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A U.S. appeals court allowed the Trump administration to blacklist Anthropic, an AI company, for not enabling certain AI features. The court said the government has the authority to do this under a law that does not require malicious intent, especially because of concerns about military use of AI technology.
Key Facts
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled 2-1 to uphold the blacklisting of Anthropic.
The court said the government can blacklist companies even if they do not act with bad intent.
The blacklisting relates to Anthropic withholding some AI features important for military use.
The court cited concerns about AI models either shutting down unexpectedly or making wrong decisions that could affect military operations.
Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered federal agencies and defense contractors not to use Anthropic products.
Anthropic sued the government, arguing the blacklisting was unlawful under a different law requiring malicious intent.
A different court in California ruled the blacklisting was illegal under that other law, but the appeals court said the Trump administration acted under a different legal authority.
Anthropic says it disagrees with the ruling and may appeal again.
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