Political News For 2026-08-17
Politics moves fast, and finding reliable coverage without constant outrage can be difficult. A Skeptic News brings together a wide range of daily political reporting, analysis, and commentary from across the spectrum — curated with a focus on balance, substance, and moderation. Whether you're center-left, center-right, or simply tired of partisan noise, you'll find informed perspectives worth reading every day. Today's edition includes 43 articles from 15 sites. We chose these from 1457 articles found on 39 sites.
Today's featured sites are:
MS NOW, Politics, The Bulwark, Washington Examiner, NBC News Politics, The Hill News, Politics - CBSNews.com, Bloomberg Politics, Latest Political News on Fox News, Politics | The Guardian, ABC News: Politics, The American Conservative, NPR Topics: Politics, NYT > U.S. > Politics, Reason.com.
Hasan Piker torched over playbook to dodge his past controversies: 'Bats--- crazy'
Shannon Watts accused Hasan Piker of deflecting past controversial remarks, sparking a heated exchange over Democrats' responsibility for rhetoric.
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 16, 2026 - foxnews.com
Democrats Put South Carolina First in New Primary Calendar
State of the Union: Citing diversity concerns, the Democratic Party locked in a new schedule for its 2028 primary. The post Democrats Put South Carolina First in New Primary Calendar appeared first on The American Conservative.
The American Conservative
Aug 15, 2026 - theamericanconservative.com
Class act: The working-class game binding London and Canberra
Andy Burnham and Anthony Albanese have found something few world leaders can replicate: a shared obsession with rugby league.
Politics
Aug 16, 2026 - politico.com
Democrats disagree over abolishing or reforming ICE at DNC meeting
Democrats have approved dueling messages on immigration enforcement, disagreeing on whether U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement should be abolished or reformed
ABC News: Politics
Aug 15, 2026 - abcnews.com
Blanche on whether DOJ will be independent: ‘I’m not going to pledge that’
The newly sworn-in attorney general rejected the idea of an independent Justice Deportment, lent support to Jeanine Pirro and declared the “anti-weaponization” fund dead.
Politics
Aug 16, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
Progressive Minneapolis mayor's viral hip-hop moves spark 'humiliation ritual' mockery online
Video captures Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey dancing alone at the Black Entrepreneur State Fair, sparking a wave of conservative mockery online.
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 16, 2026 - foxnews.com
Trump's Assault on Judicial Review Undermines a Crucial Safeguard Against Tyranny
In one case after another, the president has tried to cut the courts out of the picture painted by the Framers.
Reason.com
Aug 16, 2026 - reason.com
The only map you need to see as California's billionaire tax fight heats up
Mark Cuban warns he'll pull startup investments from California if the proposed billionaire wealth tax passes, calling founders who stay "idiots."
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 16, 2026 - foxnews.com
It’s official: South Carolina to be first 2028 Democratic presidential primary
While some states expressed displeasure, the new calendar was overwhelmingly approved at the DNC’s summer meeting. The post It’s official: South Carolina to be first 2028 Democratic presidential prima...
MS NOW
Aug 15, 2026 - ms.now
Is the Democratic Party Facing Its Own Tea Party Moment?
A string of primary wins by progressive candidates has revealed the strength of a high-energy insurgent movement but also its potential limitations.
NYT > U.S. > Politics
Aug 16, 2026 - nytimes.com
Nigerian Ruling Party Loses State Election Before National Polls
A governor in Nigeria’s southwestern Osun state fended off a challenge from the ruling party to secure another four-year term, giving the fractured opposition a morale-boosting victory ahead of national elections in January.
Bloomberg Politics
Aug 16, 2026 - bloomberg.com
Something Doesn’t Look Right
What emergency could possibly justify omnipresent bureaucratic hectoring? The post Something Doesn’t Look Right appeared first on The American Conservative.
The American Conservative
Aug 16, 2026 - theamericanconservative.com
Parents struggle with back-to-school season as tariffs, Iran war drive up costs
School supplies are becoming too expensive for families across the U.S. as they budget for mounting gas and grocery expenses. The post Parents struggle with back-to-school season as tariffs, Iran war ...
MS NOW
Aug 16, 2026 - ms.now
New York Republican says DSA candidates will make up ‘commie caucus’ if elected to Congress
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) on Sunday said that Democratic candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) will make up the “commie caucus” if the party reclaims Congress after the fall midterm elections. Malliotakis started off by criticizing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamda...
The Hill News
Aug 16, 2026 - thehill.com
'What are we going to do?' The mom of a trans teen grapples with Trump's Medicaid move
A longtime Republican living in California says the Trump administration's continuing actions to target transgender youth take a personal toll.
NPR Topics: Politics
Aug 16, 2026 - npr.org
Wisconsin Turnout Fuels Democrats’ Midterm Hopes
Joining Bloomberg This Weekend, Former Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler tells hosts Joe Mathieu and Carol Massar that David Crowley’s narrow gubernatorial primary victory and unusually strong Democratic turnout show voters are focused on affordability and eager for political change ahead ...
Bloomberg Politics
Aug 16, 2026 - bloomberg.com
In Florida, Congressman Byron Donalds' seat is up for grabs for Republicans
In southwest Florida, ten Republicans are vying for the nomination to replace Rep. Byron Donalds. With the majority of candidates from outside the state - it's raising questions about representation.
NPR Topics: Politics
Aug 16, 2026 - npr.org
Trump says White House needs ‘military complex’ as courts block his ballroom
When Trump first unveiled his plans for the new East Wing addition, he said it was needed to host VIP guests. More recently, he is calling it a “desperately needed National Security structure.”
Politics
Aug 16, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
Attorney General Todd Blanche says the DOJ may take states’ voter roll fight to Supreme Court
Todd Blanche said there’s a “possibility” that the Justice Department will ask the Supreme Court to rule on cases where the federal government’s is attempting to gain access to state voter rolls ahead of November’s midterm elections.
NBC News Politics
Aug 16, 2026 - nbcnews.com
New UK cost of living crisis looms with soaring energy bills forecast to lift inflation
Latest reading on Wednesday likely to frame scale of challenge for new PM to ease pressures on households amid Iran war fallout British households are facing a renewed cost of living squeeze, with official figures expected to show this week that soaring energy bills drove up inflation in July to clo...
Politics | The Guardian
Aug 16, 2026 - theguardian.com
Senate hopeful Talarico touts his faith. Texas Republicans call it blasphemy.
The Democratic nominee is seeking to win over faith-based voters in Texas, the Bible Belt’s largest state, but evangelical Republicans aren’t sold.
Politics
Aug 16, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
Democrats Make South Carolina the First Contest in 2028 Presidential Primary Calendar
The party’s membership finalized the new order for the first six states to winnow the candidate field, pushing back Iowa and New Hampshire.
NYT > U.S. > Politics
Aug 15, 2026 - nytimes.com
Andy Burnham has barely acknowledged the climate crisis. If only Britain’s workers had that luxury | John Harris
Nurses collapsing, builders with heatstroke, bus drivers in cabs that reach 44C. The new PM wanted to spend the summer talking about the cost of living – he should change his plansI don’t think I have ever written before about a British strike directly related to the climate emergency. But that’s ex...
Politics | The Guardian
Aug 16, 2026 - theguardian.com
Sunday shows preview: Key primary races set stage for tight November battles, Democrats raise concerns over USS Lincoln conditions
Key primary races in Minnesota and Wisconsin this month set the stage for tight battles in November as both parties seek to expand their hold in Congress. Progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed narrowly defeated moderate Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) in Michigan’s tightly-contested Democratic Senate pr...
The Hill News
Aug 15, 2026 - thehill.com
State Department spokesperson on Iran war and U.S. visa revocations
NPR's Rob Schmitz speaks with State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott about the with Iran and the hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals who have had their U.S. visa revoked.
NPR Topics: Politics
Aug 15, 2026 - npr.org
Angry at the Supreme Court, liberals push a slew of plans for overhauling it
As the midterms near, Democrats are proposing adding more justices, limiting their terms and more.
Politics
Aug 16, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
Rep. Don Bacon demands ‘truth’ from brass over conditions aboard USS Lincoln
Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) is seeking answers from the Navy about reports of dire conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed for more than 260 days. Asked by CBS News whether there should be a congressional investigation into the aircraft carrier’s nearly nine-month deployment, Ba...
Washington Examiner
Aug 16, 2026 - washingtonexaminer.com
Democrats set their 2028 primary calendar, with South Carolina going first
AUSTIN, Texas — Democrats teed up South Carolina to lead a six-state gantlet of early presidential contests, sealing a 2028 road map that pushes Black and Latino voters and labor to the front of the line for choosing the party’s next national leader.
NBC News Politics
Aug 15, 2026 - nbcnews.com
Politics chat: Democrats take lessons from the primaries, set 2028 calendar
We look at how the Democrats are gearing up for the 2028 presidential primaries, as well as their takeaways from the current batch of primary races.
NPR Topics: Politics
Aug 16, 2026 - npr.org
Democrats approve 2028 primary calendar that puts South Carolina first
South Carolina would hold its primary on Jan. 22, 2028 under the Democratic National Committee’s plan. Nevada would follow on Feb. 1. The plan aims to give a bigger voice to Black and Latino voters.
Politics
Aug 15, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
What to know about James Fishback as he tries to undermine Byron Donalds
Unlike his opponents in the Republican primary for Florida governor, James Fishback has no prior political experience that could prove useful for the job he’s seeking. But he prides himself on being a lifelong Floridian who knows the needs of ordinary residents. The self-described “anti-establishmen...
Washington Examiner
Aug 16, 2026 - washingtonexaminer.com
Polls everywhere in primary season. Can they be trusted?
How reliable are political polls right now? NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben speaks to G. Elliott Morris from the data-driven news website, Strength In Numbers.
NPR Topics: Politics
Aug 16, 2026 - npr.org
Federal judge clears path for border wall construction in Arizona
A federal judge ruled against a Native American tribe's trespassing claims, citing a 1907 proclamation reserving 60 feet of Arizona border land.
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 16, 2026 - foxnews.com
Colombian president asks Trump to suspend tariffs to help earthquake recovery
BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Colombia‘s President Abelardo de la Espriella has asked his ally U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend tariffs to help the South American nation recover from a powerful earthquake that killed at least 289 people. De la Espriella took office earlier this month just days befor...
Washington Examiner
Aug 16, 2026 - washingtonexaminer.com
South Carolina to hold first 2028 Democratic presidential primary
South Carolina's Democratic presidential primary will take place on Jan. 22, 2028. Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia will also hold early Democratic nominating contests.
Politics - CBSNews.com
Aug 16, 2026 - cbsnews.com
Trump’s latest scheme is part of a broader assault on presidential recordkeeping
A president cannot strip us of timely access to executive decisions simply because he found a way to turn the podium into a private revenue stream. The post Trump’s latest scheme is part of a broader ...
MS NOW
Aug 16, 2026 - ms.now
ID requirements for mail-in voting in Texas reinstated by federal appeals court
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated multiple provisions of a 2021 legally contested Texas election integrity law that, among other things, created an ID requirement for mail-in ballots and applications. A lower court blocked those changes in March.
The Hill News
Aug 16, 2026 - thehill.com
Trump backs Republican challenger to oust Letitia James amid ongoing mortgage fraud feud
President Donald Trump endorsed Saritha Komatireddy to challenge Letitia James, calling the New York attorney general the "WORST" in the country.
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 15, 2026 - foxnews.com
Colombia Asks US to Pause Tariffs in Deadly Quake’s Aftermath
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella asked US President Donald Trump to temporarily suspend tariffs on Colombian goods as the country grapples with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that killed nearly 300 people.
Bloomberg Politics
Aug 15, 2026 - bloomberg.com
8/16: Face The Nation
This week on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," amid a number of socialist candidates in the Democratic Party, President Trump has found his rallying cry for the midterm elections. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky and GOP Rep. Don Bacon join, plus a new poll from CBS News executive dir...
Politics - CBSNews.com
Aug 16, 2026 - cbsnews.com
DNC gives final approval of 2028 primary calendar starting in South Carolina
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has voted to approve the 2028 presidential primary calendar, starting with South Carolina. The party okayed a plan that has the Palmetto State kicking off the cycle on Jan. 22, 2028, followed by Nevada on Feb. 1. New Hampshire, long a first-in-the-nation cont...
The Hill News
Aug 15, 2026 - thehill.com
Todd Blanche: DOJ ‘absolutely’ may take voter roll fight to Supreme Court
The Trump administration has lost more than 20 cases trying to force states to hand over voter roll information. The post Todd Blanche: DOJ ‘absolutely’ may take voter roll fight to Supreme Court appe...