US blockade of Iranian oil exports squeezes Tehran's economy

The continued US blockade of oil shipments out of Iran is straining Iran's economy and testing Washington's bet that economic pressure forces concessions from Tehran, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Sherrill administration reportedly investigating Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell

Former state Attorney General Christopher Porrino is reportedly leading an inquiry into Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell over alleged inappropriate behavior with women and potential ethics violations involving state jobs; Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco says Caldwell should temporarily step down.

Record Labor Day fuel prices land in a toss-up New Jersey House district

One New Jersey station was posting $4.59 a gallon as national average gasoline prices tracked toward a Labor Day record, per AAA, with the cost pressure concentrated in NJ-07, one of only 21 districts the Cook Political Report rates a toss-up.

Several Pennsylvania Democrats are publicly criticizing Sen. John Fetterman (co-op: all 13 PA member co-ops) after the Journal reported he has shown "little interest" in the job beyond conservative media relationships and Israel advocacy; Fetterman called the story a "hit piece."

A May 2025 working paper by University of Michigan political scientist Walter Mebane Jr. estimating potentially fraudulent 2024 Pennsylvania votes exceeded Trump's margin was cited in litigation against the state and counties, but all 10 experts Votebeat consulted doubt the model can detect fraud.

House · Bill On Concurrence (keywords: data center, data centers)

Senate · Third Consideration (keywords: data center, data centers)

Canada imposes retaliatory tariffs of up to 50% on US goods

Canada's retaliatory tariffs took effect shortly after midnight, covering about $20 billion a year of American imports including clothing, steel and cheese, after bilateral talks collapsed last month.

With 56 days to the midterms, Republican committees and super PACs are competing for donors on the sidelines of this week's Dallas convention: entry to Trump's RNC roundtable Wednesday runs $250,000 and a photo $88,600, while Vance's Thursday roundtable is $75,000 per person.

Leaked audio: Nebraska's Osborn called Trump's border wall "a symbol of racism"

In leaked audio from a private July meeting with Latino and Black Democrats, independent Senate candidate Dan Osborn called the border wall "a symbol of racism" that "does nothing," a reversal from his 2024 campaign ads that he attributed to "trying to win votes in a Republican state."

Former Sen. John Sununu and Rep. Chris Pappas are favored to advance to a tightening Senate race, while the open 1st District Democratic primary pits Stefany Shaheen against Maura Sullivan, who has narrowly led recent polls.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said "We're healthy" heading into Sunday's opener against Atlanta, with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. sounding likely to play after missing the preseason, though safety DeShon Elliott remains out at least four weeks; the first injury report comes Wednesday.

Pittsburgh came away from Sunday's 11 a.m. kickoff at Pittbull Stadium in Miami with a 2-2 draw against The Miami FC.