Politics and views in the United States

Democrats challenge the messaging at the GOP’s midterm convention in Dallas, Missouri's redistricting returns to the Supreme Court and energy costs look likely to stay high.

Transcript

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

Nothing Republicans say over the next two days is going to change how clinically deranged and out of touch the GOP has become.

And they chose the wrong place to hold this clown show of theirs.

Illinois Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker is dismissing the first ever midterm convention.

President Donald Trump is headlining the two-day Dallas Republican gathering, which won party leaders, calling Trump a palooza.

In spite of his unpopularity, Republicans hope he can energize voters and help them keep control of Congress.

Across town from the convention, Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Tellarico held a food drive.

Oil topped $100 a barrel Wednesday as fighting between the U.S. and Iran intensified.

Trump says Americans hoping for relief from high energy prices may have to wait until after the midterms.

Right after the election, oil prices are going to be tumbling downward.

They're going to be tumbling down and we'll get them down, I think, for gasoline.

We'll get them below $2 a gallon.

Missouri congressional redistricting is back before the U.S.

Supreme Court, with lower courts split on whether to use a new Republican-backed map that could help the GOP gain a seat.

Missouri Supreme Court says the state's old map remains in effect unless voters approve the new districts in November.

A federal court separately ruled in favor of the new map.

Washington voting watchdogs say the midterms should run smoothly there despite a legal fight over new Postal Service ballot rules.

Washington, which votes entirely by mail, is one of two dozen states temporarily blocking the changes.

Sawyer McRab with Fix Democracy First says it's still secure.

Be prepared to vote this electoral cycle.

If you want to vote by mail, that is still a safe and secure process.

Just be conscious of the delays that are there in the Postal Service and vote as soon as you get your ballot.

Don't wait on that.

A federal appeals court is questioning Louisiana's effort to restrict abortion pill access nationwide.

The state wants the FDA to restore in-person dispensing requirements for Mifeprestone.

Judges question whether Louisiana could show it was directly harmed by current rules.

The FDA argues the state lacks legal standing.

Utah Republican Governor Spencer Cox says America's political divide is increasingly becoming personal.

On The Daily Show, Cox argued politics is replacing institutions that once brought people together.

Four times as many people have lost a friend or a family member to politics.

We've replaced healthy tribes in our country, faith-based organizations, with politics.

Politics has become a religion.

House Democrats face a leadership fine over education.

Virginia Congressman Bobby Scott wants to remain the top Democrat on the Education and Workforce Committee.

Connecticut Congresswoman Johanna Hayes is challenging him, calling for a stronger response to efforts to dismantle the Education Department.

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

Find our trust indicators at publicnewsservice.org.