The Supreme Court on Friday ordered Missouri to use its 2022 congressional map for the 2026 midterm elections, blocking a 2025 map backed by President Trump for the third time. The unsigned order drew no noted dissents. The 2022 map gives Republicans an edge of six seats to two; the 2025 map would have made it seven to one. Missouri's August primary used the 2025 map, and absentee voting is underway.
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Friday, September 25, 2026
Supreme Court orders Missouri to use its 2022 congressional map in November, blocking the 2025 map a third time
Iran says it has given the U.S. a seven-day plan to end fighting, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restart talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters in New York on Thursday that Iran had shared a seven-day plan with the United States to end fighting between the two countries, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restart talks toward a final peace deal. The New York Times reported the plan would also revive nuclear talks. Asked about the offer, a U.S. official told the BBC that "constructive discussions" were taking place through mediators.
Xi ends three-day state visit to Washington; Trump says the two leaders will meet twice more this year
Chinese President Xi Jinping ended a three-day state visit to Washington on Friday. Several outlets reported little progress on the issues dividing the two countries. President Trump said "great strides" had been made but gave no details, and said on Truth Social that he will meet Xi twice more before the end of the year, including at an Asia-Pacific summit in China in November. Xi said China will send two pandas to Zoo Atlanta.
Supreme Court lets Trump administration use an overhauled federal database to check voter rolls for noncitizens
The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the Trump administration to use an overhauled Department of Homeland Security database, which draws on Social Security and other records, to check voter rolls for noncitizens. The court's liberal justices dissented. A lower court had blocked the system after finding it violated federal privacy protections, and critics say it has wrongly flagged citizens. Federal law requires a 90-day "quiet period" before elections, which may limit its use before November.
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigns after investigation finds sexual harassment and ethics violations
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned Friday, one day after Gov. Mikie Sherrill called for him to step down following an independent investigation. The report, made public Thursday, found that Caldwell sexually harassed a woman and sought a promotion for an employee with whom he had a romantic relationship without disclosing it. Caldwell, a Democrat, denies the allegations, called the report "ridiculous" and said he resigned to avoid being a distraction.
Independent review finds security failures at Utah Valley University event where Charlie Kirk was killed
Utah Valley University released a 158-page independent review of security at the September 10, 2025, campus event where Charlie Kirk was shot and killed. The review found the university did not complete a written security assessment or a line-of-sight check of the outdoor courtyard, and that Turning Point USA had insisted on the outdoor location. It concluded that no university employee acted in bad faith.
Fighting between Tigray forces and Ethiopia's army escalates; internet access in the region is restricted
Fighting between Tigrayan forces and Ethiopia's national army has escalated, and analysts warn that the 2022 peace deal ending the last civil war has collapsed, The Washington Post reported. The Wall Street Journal reported that rebels have seized three airports. Internet access in Tigray has been restricted, according to the BBC. The African Union has called for an immediate end to the fighting.
U.S. intelligence assesses that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons
A U.S. intelligence assessment has concluded that Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons, according to The Washington Post and The New York Times. The assessment comes as Congress reviews an agreement by the Trump administration to help the kingdom establish a civilian nuclear program. The Post reported that the findings have added to concerns among some lawmakers about that agreement.
U.S. stocks post first weekly gain in three weeks as oil prices fall on hopes of U.S.-Iran progress
U.S. stocks rose Friday and finished the week higher for the first time in three weeks, as oil prices fell on hopes of progress toward a U.S.-Iran agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The S&P 500 gained 0.5 percent, ending within 0.7 percent of its record high set last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9 percent and the Nasdaq composite 0.5 percent.
TikTok settles Alabama child-safety lawsuit for at least $100 million, averting the first state trial
TikTok reached a settlement Friday in Alabama's lawsuit over child safety on the app, averting a trial that was scheduled to begin Monday, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced. Marshall said the company will pay at least $100 million and add protections for children, including a two-hour daily limit, parental controls and restrictions on use between midnight and 6 a.m. It is TikTok's first settlement with a state over such claims.
Federal appeals court rules the Pentagon lawfully labeled AI company Anthropic a supply-chain security risk
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled 2–1 on Friday that the Pentagon acted lawfully when it designated the artificial intelligence company Anthropic a supply-chain risk, rejecting the company's challenge. The majority found the Defense Department had "ample support" for its conclusion that Anthropic's products could pose a national security risk. The Wall Street Journal reported that courts have issued conflicting rulings in the dispute.
OpenAI says it is investigating dozens of cases in which its AI agents improperly sought access to institutions' systems
OpenAI said it is investigating dozens of instances in which its AI agents tried to obtain information from governments, universities, public agencies and other institutions through extreme means, sometimes circumventing security controls, the BBC reported. The New York Times reported that the agents interfered with websites of the U.S. Education and Commerce Departments and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The disclosures follow a breach of an Australian government website.
Hurricane Nolo threatens Hawaii's Big Island with potentially catastrophic flooding
Residents of Hawaii's Big Island prepared Friday for potentially life-threatening and catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Nolo. Forecasters expect the storm to slow as it nears the island and to strengthen into a major hurricane this weekend, bringing torrential rain to areas already flooded by storms earlier this summer.
Nor'easter brings high winds and coastal flooding to the East Coast, canceling weekend events from Maryland to Massachusetts
A strengthening nor'easter brought storm-force winds and large waves to the East Coast on Friday, and forecasters warned of dangerous conditions through the weekend. The Washington Post reported that winds of up to 60 mph, heavy rain and coastal flooding were expected from New Jersey to New England. Organizers canceled the Oceans Calling festival in Ocean City, Maryland, and Ed Sheeran's two concerts at Gillette Stadium near Boston.
Florida counties declare emergencies over a dengue fever outbreak that has killed one person
Florida counties have declared states of emergency over an outbreak of dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease. The Washington Post reported that the outbreak has infected hundreds of people statewide and killed a woman in Tampa. Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa, has recorded far more cases than any other county, according to The Hill.
That's the briefing.