Episode Details

Fed's first rate hike since 2023, gas and diesel price surge, major DOJ gun rule changes, and the Michigan Senate race on this episode of The States.

- Gas & diesel prices climbing: Regular gas near $4.43/gallon, diesel around $6.48, driven by Middle East tensions, Russia-Ukraine war, and flooding at an ExxonMobil refinery in Joliet, IL. GasBuddy's Patrick DeHaan says relief may come if the Joliet refinery restarts and Iran talks at the UN progress, though a BP Indiana refinery's maintenance could offset gains. Strategic Petroleum Reserve releases are tapering off after reaching their lowest level since being filled.
-Federal gun policy shifts: DOJ tells prosecutors not to criminally enforce the ban on licensed dealers selling handguns to 18-20 year olds, though the statute and ATF paperwork haven't formally changed yet. DOJ will not appeal the Texas ruling striking down NFA suppressor/short-barreled firearm registration. DOJ opens applications today for restoring firearms rights, with a $30 fee. Fifth Circuit rules gun dealers can sell handguns to non-residents; case could be headed for Supreme Court review.
- Michigan U.S. Senate race: Democrat Dr. Abdul El-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers in a race tighter than expected for a typically safe Democratic seat. El-Sayed's past campaign appearances with Twitch streamer Hasan Piker have become a major flashpoint; Rogers skipped a scheduled debate, leaving El-Sayed to field questions alone.
- Everyday Economics: The Fed raised rates a quarter point to 3.75%-4%, dropping earlier "supply shock" language and signaling inflation concerns remain. Divounguy breaks down a "two-speed economy" — savers benefiting from higher rates while renters and younger, credit-reliant households fall further behind.
America's Talking headlines:
National: Trump set to meet Xi Jinping this week as U.S.-China trade deficit hits $202.1 billion.
Georgia: DFCS spent $7.3M on case-management software tied to a $71M rise in service authorization costs.
Illinois: State and federal taxpayers to spend $619M+ on homelessness prevention; chronic homelessness rose 28% even as overall homelessness declined.
Texas: DHS approved a $7.5 billion reimbursement to Texas for border security costs incurred during the Biden administration.

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