Aug 30-Sep 5, 2026
NEWS DIGEST
Our phonebanking, textbanking, and postcarding efforts are in full swing. Our volunteers know how critical these midterms are for the country's future, but budget constraints limit investment in radio and TV ads; we are prioritizing local stations with English and Indian-language ads. Could you chip in to help? Please consider donating to fund our outreach efforts.
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL
The economy produces a surprisingly strong jobs report — but inflation remains a problem: The job market delivered a surprising rebound in August, adding 162,000 jobs, far more than economists had expected. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%, and the Labor Department revised July numbers upward. The stronger-than-expected report comes as the Federal Reserve is set to weigh interest rates. PBS
U.S. strikes 3 Iranian oil tankers after saying warships were targeted with ballistic missiles: U.S. forces struck three Iranian oil tankers after Navy warships were targeted with ballistic missiles, the American military said Saturday, warning that it would "if necessary, destroy Iran's limited and exposed oil fleet." Experts called it a dangerous escalation after Iran's previous attacks at sea targeted commercial shipping. PBS
US diesel prices hit a record high, pushing up transportation costs for a long list of goods: Diesel hit a record price in the U.S. on Friday, soaring to an average of $5.85 a gallon for the first time as the six-month war with Iran disrupts the world’s flow of fuel. Diesel powers many freight and delivery networks; higher diesel prices mean higher transportation costs for many everyday goods. AP
Trump plans to break ground on Washington arch without final approval: The Trump administration on Thursday announced plans to break ground on a 250-foot (76-meter) arch in Washington, despite legal challenges and the lack of final approval from a government planning authority. The arch is part of Trump's broader effort to leave his architectural mark on America's capital city, with projects including a new White House ballroom, renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and redevelopment of a golf course in East Potomac Park. REUTERS
Defense Officials Attempt to Raid NIH Funds to Cover Department of Defense Activities: House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) has learned that officials at the Department of Defense (DoD) are working to divert billions of dollars from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to supplement the Department’s budget. Without notifying Congress or the American people, DoD has signed an interagency agreement that could give the Department access to billions of dollars that Congress provided to NIH for critical biomedical research. These funds were provided to support research to develop treatments or cures for infectious diseases such as influenza, malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, Ebola, and other dangerous pathogens.
US judge extends block on Trump order to restrict mail-in voting: A federal judge on Friday again blocked Donald Trump’s executive order to impose sweeping restrictions on mail-in voting, the latest in a legal back-and-forth playing out less than two months before election day. THE GUARDIAN
Pentagon secretly installs military influencers in civilian roles: The Pentagon has reportedly hired conservative military veterans with large social media followings to unspecified government positions. The Washington Post reported late Sunday that the Pentagon hired two conservative commentators—Rob Maness, a retired Air Force colonel with more than 135,000 X followers, and Kurt Schlichter, a retired Army colonel with 620,000 X followers—to work in Anthony Tata, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.
Missouri court blocks Trump-backed U.S. House map and orders it to be put to a vote: The Missouri Supreme Court has unanimously blocked new congressional districts backed by President Donald Trump from being used in the November election and ordered a statewide vote on whether to uphold or reject the new map. The decision Thursday marks a rare setback for Republicans in a national redistricting battle that Trump urged GOP-run states to launch last year. PBS
DESI NEWS
Trump losing support from Indian-Americans ahead of November midterms, survey finds: A new survey found that an overwhelming majority of Indian-Americans plan to vote for the Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections in November. HINDUSTAN TIMES
IMMIGRATION
ICE Skipped Basic Checks in Rush for Recruits, Whistleblower Says: A whistleblower complaint reveals that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement fast-tracked recruits by issuing final job offers before completing essential background, fingerprint, and credit checks. The official warned that this rapid hiring surge created an unprecedented lowering of standards, exposing the agency to national security vulnerabilities and potential criminal infiltration. NYT
H-1B visa: Trump administration proposes new rule to strip right to work from visa holders’ spouses: The Trump administration has added a rule to its regulatory agenda that would end employment authorization for the spouses of H-1B professionals, reversing a 2015 rule designed to attract global talent. DHS did not list a target date for publishing the rule. This move, part of broader restrictions on high-skilled foreign nationals, could affect more than 200,000 people, many of whom are highly educated in STEM fields. FORBES
After second ICE threat, UC Berkeley indefinitely suspends international student work authorizations: The Berkeley International Office announced Wednesday that it will pause international students’ applications for Course Credit Curricular Practical Training “for the foreseeable future.” The office is acting in accordance with a new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo sent to the office Monday, a follow-up to another memo sent less than two weeks earlier that provides additional guidance to universities on monitoring CPT authorizations to comply with federal regulations. DAILY CALIFORNIAN
CORRUPTION ALERT
The 75 Most Corrupt Things Trump Did in 2026: A handy reference list (and it’s only September! MEIDAS TOUCH
Trump administration to grant $12m to groups founded by UK conservatives Jacob Rees-Mogg and Toby Young: The intended grants, revealed in US government documents, are part of a package of support for European groups the Trump administration views favorably. Some former US officials have criticized the funding as a misuse of public money to seek influence over foreign politics. (Our tax money, by the way) THE GUARDIAN
SCIENCE, HEALTH, AND SAFETY
HHS Cancels Infant Mortality, Postpartum Grants to Focus on Sperm Counts, ED: The Health Department’s office to improve the health of minorities has abruptly terminated more than half its existing grants, saying they didn’t focus on the Trump administration’s new priorities of addressing infertility and encouraging exercise. NOTUS
Tofu recalled in 29 states for contamination: According to a recall enforcement report from the Food and Drug Administration, over 10,000 cases of tofu produced by Hodo and sold in 29 states were recalled because they may be chemically contaminated by ink. LOCAL 12
Newsletter courtesy of They See Blue (theyseeblue.org)
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