September 6-12, 2026
NEWS DIGEST
As the midterms approach, what is one small action you can do to put America back on the path of science, law, and prosperity? Make a commitment to vote, however busy you may be. And vote early, at this point we cannot trust that the USPS will deliver mail on time. (What a tragic state of affairs) Then talk to your friends and family about getting their votes done and dusted as soon as they can. .
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL
Iran war is escalating, not slowing down: A lightning offensive by the Iran-aligned Houthis has put the militants in a position to control a crucial Middle East waterway, creating a major new problem for U.S. President Donald Trump as his war with Iran grinds on in its seventh month. Widening the Middle East conflict, Houthi fighters have advanced south along Yemen's coast, increasing their ability to choke off the Bab el-Mandeb Strait — the "Gate of Tears" at the mouth of the Red Sea — giving Tehran potential leverage over both of the region's main oil-shipping corridors. REUTERS
US budget deficit shrinks in August, year-to-date flat at $1.97 trillion: The U.S. federal budget deficit for August shrank to $167 billion due largely to some calendar shifts in benefit payments rather than any underlying trend, leaving the fiscal-year-to-date budget gap essentially flat at $1.97 trillion. REUTERS
US existing home sales drop to 14-month low in August: U.S. existing home sales dropped to a 14-month low in August as rising mortgage rates continued to suppress demand. Home sales fell 2.0% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.98 million units, the lowest level since June 2025, the National Association of Realtors said. REUTERS
Demand for riskier mortgages rises again, along with interest rates: Mortgage rates moved up again last week, prompting more borrowers to search for savings. They found that in riskier, adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs. Demand for those loans made up 8.5% of all mortgage applications last week, up from 8% the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, and the highest level since June. CNBC
Proof from the states: The right wing attempt to repeal the 20th century: Republicans are trying to make a case at their convention in Dallas this week that they’re responsible stewards of the government, while their opponents are extremist ideologues. However, a review of legislation introduced across all 50 states indicates that they are the ones with an extremism problem. From banning no fault divorce to studying chemtrails, the Republican Party has gone off the rails. In the table here, you can find 1,182 separate bills proposed by Republicans across every state except Delaware and Nevada. They have a single theme: they want to repeal the 20th century. HEARTLAND SIGNAL
A US Census Report on Noncitizen Voting Used Bad Data to Reach Faulty Conclusions: President Trump is using an unusual report from the Census Bureau to renew false claims of widespread illegal voting by noncitizens. NPR has learned the analysis that he's relying on has ties to a think tank aligned with Trump, and both data and election experts say the report's conclusions are questionable. NPR
In big win for voters, Supreme Court won’t revive Missouri gerrymander before midterms: Missouri cannot use its gerrymandered map for the upcoming midterm elections after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to wade into a purely state matter. Justice Brett Kavanaugh Tuesday denied Missouri Republicans’ appeal of a state supreme court order barring state officials from moving forward with the GOP’s new congressional gerrymander in this year’s election. DEMOCRACY DOCKET
Wave of Tax Cuts Has Left Many States Vulnerable to Trump SNAP and Medicaid Crisis: President Donald Trump’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act will shift billions in costs for SNAP and Medicaid to states. But with 26 having cut or eliminated state income taxes just since 2021, they may not have the money to continue the programs. PRO PUBLICA
American workers are getting the smallest slice of the pie on record: Since 2000, the value of the S&P 500 stock index has gained about 600%. Over the same period, inflation-adjusted worker earnings have climbed just 12.5%. NBC
DESI NEWS
US Commerce Department finalizes steep duties on solar imports from India, Indonesia, Laos: The U.S. Commerce Department on Friday finalized steep duties on imports of solar cells and panels from India, Indonesia and Laos, finding that producers in those countries dumped cheap products in the United States and benefited from unfair government subsidies. REUTERS
IMMIGRATION
Silicon Valley immigrants to face stricter green card requirements: Federal rule changes taking effect later this month will make it harder for immigrants applying to live and work in the U.S. Starting Sept. 18, obtaining a green card will require a greater burden of proof that the applicant won’t become a “public charge” who is dependent on government benefits. As part of the process, green card applicants must submit more documentation, including showing their individual income, the financial status of everyone in their household and whether they are receiving any public benefits, according to San Jose immigration attorney Richard Hobbs. Other factors that may be considered include age, health, education, skills, assets and more. SAN JOSE SPOTLIGHT
Trump administration proposes axing grace period for H-1B visa holders after job loss: The Trump administration has proposed eliminating a 60-day grace period that allows certain immigrants, including skilled workers on H-1B visas, to stay in the United States and find a new sponsor after losing their job, according to a government notice posted online. REUTERS
Federal prosecutor fired after investigating ICE officer for civil rights offenses in Minnesota shooting: A federal prosecutor in Minnesota who was investigating an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer for possible civil rights crimes has been fired, four sources familiar with the matter told CBS News. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Evans was investigating ICE officer Christian Castro over the shooting of a Venezuelan immigrant earlier this year. The Justice Department ultimately charged Castro this week with making false statements about the incident, but the indictment remains sealed,
CORRUPTION ALERT
Trump gave $45,000 cash gifts to close aide Natalie Harp and others: President Donald Trump gave tens of thousands of dollars in cash gifts last year to executive assistant Natalie Harp and three other close aides working in the West Wing, according to financial disclosures released by the White House. The payments raised ethics concerns because federal employees are generally barred by statute from receiving compensation beyond their government salaries. REUTERS
Trump, hoping to salvage midterms, makes a dubious pledge to give every US adult $5,000 if GOP wins: President Donald Trump pledged Wednesday to send every American adult $5,000 if Republicans retain control of the House and Senate in the midterm elections, an extraordinary gambit to reverse his party’s sagging fortunes in November. The dubious promise would most likely cost more than $1 trillion and require congressional approval, and would further exacerbate the country’s nearly $1.8 trillion annual budget deficit and concerns about inflation. AP
SCIENCE, HEALTH, AND SAFETY
Ectopic Pregnancy Deaths Have Nearly Doubled. It’s Worse in States With Abortion Bans.: The number of women who died after an ectopic pregnancy has spiked in recent years, a ProPublica analysis found. The mounting deaths in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data have drawn little scrutiny or response. PRO PUBLICA
Trump 2.0 has deleted or altered nearly 400 US datasets, endangering public health, education and more: A database of federal law enforcement officer misconduct records. A survey measuring physical, sexual and emotional violence against children and youth. Real-time pollution readings collected by air quality monitors from US embassies around the world. These are among the hundreds of federal datasets that the Trump administration has taken down or altered as part of its aggressive campaign to wipe all mentions of data findings that do not align with the administration’s priorities.9 states were recalled because they may be chemically contaminated by ink. Health data appears to be most affected by administration’s attempt to wipe findings that don’t align with its priorities, tracker shows. THE GUARDIAN
Federal court tells lead-poisoned Jackson, Mississippi residents they have no constitutional right to clean water: The U.S. constitution offers the right to bodily integrity, but that does not include access to clean drinking water, a federal court just ruled in a divisive Mississippi case. YAHOO FINANCE
Kennedy asked to remove Pennsylvania measles death from CDC tally: U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asked his new CDC director to remove a reference to two Pennsylvania deaths from the agency’s online measles tally after he questioned whether the disease contributed to the fatalities. REUTERS
Newsletter courtesy of They See Blue (theyseeblue.org)
TheySeeBlue.org
Developed by They See Blue® organization and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.