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TODAY'S NEWS, May 19-20, 2026

TODAY'S NEWS, May 19-20, 2026

Episode 242 Published 2 months, 1 week ago
Description

IN POLITICAL NEWS

  • Commentary claimed prominent conservatives are increasingly agreeing that Democrats face structural long-term decline at both state and national levels.
  • Stacey Abrams cited as acknowledging potential major Democratic legislative losses under new electoral maps.
  • U.S. semiconductor production projected to expand enough within 18 months to reduce reliance on Taiwan.
  • Polling from Democracy Institute showed JD Vance performing competitively against leading Democratic figures.
  • Trump DOJ established a $1.8B compensation fund tied to alleged victims of prior federal “lawfare” actions.
  • Trump-backed candidates continued winning primaries and judicial races, including victories tied to Senate and Supreme Court contests in Georgia.
  • Senator John Cornyn targeted by Trump through endorsement of Ken Paxton.
  • Senate Republicans confirmed another large batch of Trump nominees under Majority Leader John Thune.
  • Minnesota population decline cited as evidence of migration away from progressive states.
  • Another election-fraud case highlighted involving allegations of homeless individuals being paid to vote in Los Angeles.
  • Research from Christopher Rufo claimed many homeless residents in Los Angeles originated outside the city.
  • Oregon voters rejected proposed gas-tax increases and transportation fees.
  • Former Congressman Barney Frank died at 86.

IN AI NEWS

  • GE Aerospace reportedly reduced ramjet-engine design time from months to seconds using AI.
  • Airbus significantly expanded onboard computing capabilities in newer aircraft.

IN TRANSOID NEWS

  • California athlete controversy resurfaced after a biological male reportedly won multiple women’s track titles.

IN ECONOMIC NEWS

  • Pentagon drone production constrained by Chinese control over critical magnet supply chains.
  • House lawmakers considering EV-related road-use fees due to vehicle weight impacts.
  • Modern vehicles criticized as increasingly intrusive and surveillance-heavy.
  • Jury ruled OpenAI lawsuit filed by Elon Musk came after the statute of limitations expired.
  • Heart Attack Grill closed in Las Vegas.
  • New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh signaled tighter monetary policy alongside lower short-term interest rates.

IN INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • New reporting and books alleged continued organ-harvesting abuses in China.
  • Mexican cartel figures and officials increasingly surrendering or being extradited to the U.S.
  • DOJ reportedly preparing or pursuing actions tied to Cuban leadership figures, including Raúl Castro.
  • China’s economy described as weakening, with government detaining executives to prevent corporate instability.
  • UK authorities criticized for handling grooming-gang and assault cases involving Muslim offenders.

IN ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

  • Peacock reportedly trailing competitors in the streaming market.

IN MEDICAL NEWS

  • UK vaccine data discussed in claims about higher mortality among vaccinated populations.
  • Obamacare enrollment projected to decline as costs increase.

AND FINALLY…

  • India introduced “Good Samaritan” protections rewarding people who help accident victims.
  • Ancient biblical parable meets modern traffic law: somewhere, a theologian and a highway patrol officer just nodded at each other across the cosmos.

Larry Schweikart

Rock drummer, Film maker, NYTimes #1 bestselling author

 

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