2020Talks

Political leaders sharpen housing and auto affordability arguments as midterms approach. Democrats work to engage minority voters who have been staying on the sidelines and California watchdogs have their eyes on plans for a new city backed by tech billionaires.

President Donald Trump backs claims a slain Minnesota protestor was connected to a left-wing network, Minneapolis sues to block a surge of federal agents and Chair Jerome Powell responds to an administration investigation of him and the Fed.

Anti-ICE protests sweep the nation, as the Trump administration defends the actions of the agent who shot a Minnesota woman. The SCOTUS is set to debate transgender student athletes rights and Dems wrestle with a 'diploma divide.'

The nation is divided by a citizen's killing by an ICE officer, a group of Senate Republicans buck Trump on a Venezuela war powers vote and the House votes to extend ACA insurance subsidies.

Minneapolis Mayor demands ICE leave, after woman is shot. Minnesota officials testify on fraud investigations and a new Republican-led January 6th panel makes plans for its first hearing.

Five years after the January 6th riot, watchdogs warn that disputes over voter data, mail-in ballot rules, could hamper smooth and fair midterms. They say misinformation is still undermining confidence in American elections.

Nicolas Maduro pleads not guilty to federal drug-trafficking charges. US officials debate the value and future of the Venezuela operation and MN Gov. Tim Walz drops his re-election bid.

Americans are reacting to military operations in oil-rich Venezuela, and wondering what comes next. Maryland prepares for a political battle over redistricting and the now former NYC mayor vetoes a bill designed to lower rents.

Zohran Mamdani becomes 111th Mayor of New York City, President Donald Trump ends National Guard deployments and Affordable Care Act health insurance premiums increase after subsidies expire.

Voting rights fluctuated this year amid demands from President Trump. The future of clean energy looks uncertain as federal funding cuts take hold and student loan borrowers prepare for wage garnishment.

Civil-rights advocates warn of expanding surveillance, families weigh new adoption supports, farmers face uncertainty from shifting federal ag policies and attacks on Venezuela ordered by President Trump are raising international tensions.

Trump meets with Ukraine's Zelensky in pursuit of a peace deal, while faith leaders hold vigils for detained immigrants. Iowans face losing health insurance and college education has become a major indicator of party support.

Domestic violence allegations against a Cincinnati ICE supervisor, new concerns over online surveillance, and disputes over federal aid highlight growing questions about accountability and who benefits from government power.

New files from the Epstein investigation mention Presidents Trump and Clinton, the US moves special ops aircraft into the Caribbean and the Trump Administration is expanding its immigration ban.

New battleships to be named after President Donald Trump. The Trump Administration halts offshore wind developments again and a federal judge continues the order preventing immigration officials from re-arresting Kilmar Abrego-Garcia.

Congress leaves D.C. for the year with unfinished business on the table, Elise Stefanik ends her New York gubernatorial bid and Maryland pushes forward with its redistricting plans.

Legal fights over free speech, federal power, and public accountability take center stage as courts, campuses and communities confront the reach of government authority.

House Democrats gain support for forcing a vote on extending ACA subsidies. Trump addresses first-year wins and future success and the FCC Chairman is grilled by a Senate committee.

House Republicans leaders won't allow a vote on extending healthcare subsidies. The White House defends strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats and escalates the conflict with Venezuela and interfaith groups press for an end to lethal injection.

Gun violence advocates call for changes after the latest mass shootings. President Trump declares fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction and the House debates healthcare plans.

Debates over prosecutorial power, utility oversight, and personal autonomy are intensifying nationwide as states advance new policies on end-of-life care and teen reproductive access. Communities also confront violence after the Brown University shooting.

The Senate fails to extend ACA subsidies all but ensuring higher premiums in January, Indiana lawmakers vote not to change their congressional map, and West Virginia clergy call for a moratorium on immigration detentions during the holidays.

U.S.-Venezuela tensions escalate with the seizure of an oil tanker. The Senate prepares to vote on a GOP healthcare plan and the House approves a new National Defense Authorization Act.

President Trump asserts he's bringing economic gains in Pennsylvania as families nationwide continue to grapple with rising medical, utility, and energy costs. States and local organizations expand relief efforts and push for new consumer protections.    

The Supreme Court looks likely to expand presidential power over independent agencies, the Justice Department sues states to get voter registration data and legal aid groups struggle to keep staff amid increased ICE enforcement.    

Indiana and Florida advance redrawn congressional maps, as part of the redistricting race. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discusses boat strikes and New Orleans' Mayor-elect speaks out on ICE raids.    

Trump escalates rhetoric toward Somali Americans as his administration tightens immigration vetting, while Ohio blocks expanded child labor hours and seniors face a Sunday deadline to review Medicare coverage.

President Trump justifies Venezuelan boat strike survivor deaths as part of war. The ACA subsidy deadline fuels debates on healthcare affordability and the administration threatens to withhold SNAP funds for Democratic-led states not providing recipient data.    

Tennessee holds a surprisingly close special election. North Carolina can use newly drawn congressional maps and court practices in Ohio and Alabama bring calls for reform.    

As the administration faces charges of possibly illegal military orders, Sen. Mark Kelly says he won't be silenced. The White House blames the Biden Administration for National Guardmen being shot and Indiana lawmakers unveil new congressional maps.    

The shooting of two National Guardsmen leads to sharp immigration action by the Trump Administration. Nursing degrees are becoming harder to obtain and Medicaid cuts force parents to stock up on medications.    

The economy remains strong, despite increased tariffs. But experts warn consumers to expect higher prices, and less selection on Black Friday & Cyber Monday and child safety advocates also warn of the pitfalls of toys that use AI.    

WV National Guard members are shot near the White House. The Georgia election interference case is dropped and 21 attorneys general sue over a new SNAP benefits rule.    

Senator Mark Kelly blasts the Pentagon for an 'absurd' investigation, as the White House says a Ukrainian peace deal is within reach. More childcare workers run for political office and experts offer tips for difficult Thanksgiving conversations.    

The White House says it'll appeal the dismissal of charges against James Comey and Letitia James. The BBC Chair apologizes for its editing of a Trump documentary and the resignation of Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene from Congress leaves more questions than it answers.    

The abrupt cancellation of immigration protection for Somalis sparks alarm in Minnesota and intensifies political tensions, while IRS policy changes, health-care costs and foreign-policy debates sharpen concerns nationally.    

President Trump says Democratic lawmakers should be hanged for sedition. A judge is blocking National Guard deployments in Washington. The FCC warns of growing government pressure to free speech, and bi-partisan Florida groups oppose offshore drilling.    

President Trump signs the bill to force the release of the Epstein files. ICE actions have advocates and community members afraid and educators are upset by the new stage of the dismantling of the Education Department.    

A federal court's ruling on Texas' congressional map sends the redistricting battle to the Supreme Court, while the state's governor labels a Muslim civil rights group a terrorist organization and cities deal with shifting federal energy policy and the shutdown.    

Donald Trump urges Republicans to vote for Epstein documents to be released. Finger-pointing over the government shutdown continues and federal cuts impact the youth mental health crisis.    

Watchdogs worry about the national wave of redistricting, as NC professors say they're getting ideological record requests. Trans rights advocates say they'll continue fighting after SCOTUS ruling and the U.S builds up forcers in the Caribbean.    

The federal government reopens after a lengthy shutdown. Questions linger on the Farm Bill extension and funding and lawmakers explain support for keeping the shutdown going.    

New Epstein documents put heat on Trump, as House Democrats try to force a vote on health insurance tax credits and federal incentives mean more local police are enforcing immigration, despite wrongful ICE arrests in Illinois.    

Lawmakers race to end the longest shutdown in history, as food aid and safety net services hang in the balance. Utah's redistricting ruling reshapes that state's congressional maps and the U.S. expands its naval presence in Latin America.    

As a shutdown deal nears completion, Minority Leader Schumer faces blowback from Democrats in Congress. Voting rights groups defend against federal demands for private voter data, and a new poll finds term limits still very popular.

The Senate seems ready to end the government shutdown. Democratic candidates run on the promise of standing up to Trump and election security could be a top issue in the 2026 elections.    

Nancy Pelosi won't seek reelection, flyers begin to feel the government shutdown, anti-ICE organizers encourage lawful resistance and postal workers aim to rally local governments in support of the USPS.    

President Trump blames GOP losses in key governor races on the government shutdown. Republicans sue to block California s new voter maps and SCOTUS hears a case on the legality of the president's tariffs.    

Democrats notch key governor race victories, a possible sign of Trump's weaknesses in the midterms. The government shutdown becomes the longest one ever, as California looks likely to move towards redistricting.    

Californians will vote on a constitutional amendment for mid-decade redistricting. The Trump Administration will partially fund SNAP and advocates worry about racial profiling amid intensified immigration raids.    

Nebraska farmers struggle as the shutdown stalls loans and delays the Farm Bill. Indiana Republicans clash over redistricting and policy experts warn millions could lose Affordable Care Act coverage without tax credits.