Politics and views in the United States

Wisconsin Democrats nominate moderate David Crowley for governor, Trump ally Mike Lindell refuses to concede in Minnesota and inflation cools as Fed weighs its September rate decision.

Transcript

Welcome to 2026 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

Today is also a time to recognize everyone who participated in this primary.

Democracy is stronger when people step forward to serve their families, their communities, and engage in spirited debate.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley very narrowly won Wisconsin's Democratic primary for governor.

The moderate will face Trump-endorsed Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany in November. after defeating Democratic Socialist Francesca Hong, who had a strong lead in the polls.

Election denier and Trump ally Mike Lindell is refusing to concede Minnesota's Republican primary for governor.

The Associated Press called the race for state House Speaker Lisa DeMuth, who led the MyPillow CEO by double digits.

DeMuth faces long odds against Senator Amy Klobuchar, who sounded forceful after winning the Democratic nomination.

You expect leaders to deliver results, not excuses.

And you are rightfully tired of this partisan theater and the punchlines.

Progressive Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic nomination for Klobuchar's Senate seat and will face Republican sports reporter Michelle Tafoya in the general election.

Connecticut Democrats voted for a generational shift.

Former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin defeated 78-year-old Representative John Larson in the primary, ending Larson's nearly three decades in Congress.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt is stepping down at the end of the month.

She just gave birth to her second child, and the president says she wants to spend time with her family.

Inflation cooled for a second straight month in July.

Consumer prices rose 3.4% from one year ago, matching economists' expectations.

That and slow job growth could strengthen the Federal Reserve's case for holding interest rates steady in September.

Democratic lawmakers want federal regulators to stop prediction markets from taking bets on wildfires, arguing it could encourage arson.

Poly Market reportedly took more than $1 million in bets tied to January's deadly Los Angeles wildfires.

University of New Mexico biology professor Matthew Herto calls the idea disturbing.

Because of the loss that occurs from that, it seems we suck to a new low.

Whether that wildfire intersects with a community or watershed or whatnot, there's big implications.

Massachusetts is loosening restrictions on abortions after 24 weeks.

Democratic Governor Maura Healy signed a law allowing doctors to decide when those abortions are medically appropriate.

A retired Kansas journalist and her weekly newspaper will share nearly $3 million in legal settlements over police raids three years ago that followed aggressive coverage of local officials.

Investigators concluded the raids on the Marion County recorder and people connected to it were unjustified.

I'm Joe Ulory for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

Find our trust indicators at publicnewsservice.org.