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Key Highlights of the Day
The Justice Department has decided to comply with a federal court ruling that halts funding for the Trump administration’s $1.8 billion anti-weaponization initiative. This fund was intended to reimburse individuals who claim they were unjustly targeted by federal authorities. However, it has been met with criticism from both political parties, amidst concerns that it could be used to compensate those convicted in connection with the January 6 Capitol incident. For further details, click here.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche testifies during a Senate appropriations hearing on May 19, 2026 in Washington, D.C.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
- 🎧 NPR’s Elena Moore reports for Up First that this fund has provoked unusual Republican opposition. Despite the DOJ’s compliance with the court’s ruling, some Senate Republicans persist in urging the White House to discontinue the fund. Moore notes that this issue is proving to be a distraction as the GOP gears up for the midterms. Discover more here.
Primaries are underway in six states — California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, South Dakota, and New Mexico. The gubernatorial primaries in California and Iowa are particularly competitive, with the top two contenders in California advancing, irrespective of party affiliation. The Democratic Party views these states as potential opportunities to seize control of Congress in the upcoming fall elections. Check out the key races to watch.
- 🎧 California voters approved new district lines last November to weaken five current Republican House members. According to Scott Shafer of NPR station KQED, three of these five seats are easily flippable for Democrats, though the remaining two seats will present challenges. Learn more about the upcoming battles.
President Trump has brokered a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah following Iran’s decision to halt peace talks with the U.S. over Israel’s military activities in Lebanon. This came after warnings from Israel’s military to southern Beirut residents about impending airstrikes. Read more about the developments here.
- 🎧 Trump and Netanyahu were united in their approach to Iran, but NPR’s Aya Batrawy highlights the apparent divisions in their strategies to end the conflict. With elections looming for both leaders, the war remains unpopular in the U.S. but garners significant support in Israel. Hezbollah seeks a complete cessation of hostilities and Israeli withdrawal; however, Lebanon’s Washington embassy notes that the group has agreed to the temporary ceasefire. More insights can be found here.
A Closer Look
“I Voted” stickers are seen as a person casts their ballot in Philadelphia in Pennsylvania’s primary election on May 19.
Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images
With primary elections underway across the U.S., some lawmakers are voicing opposition to closed, single-party primaries, where only registered party members can vote. Critics argue this system limits voter choice and favors party loyalty. Here’s how single-party primaries could reshape Congress:
- 🗳️ Closed primaries exclude independent voters and see lower participation compared to general elections.
- 🗳️ With over 90% of House seats considered safe for one party, primaries effectively determine nearly all U.S. House members.
- 🗳️ Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., argues that closed primaries push Congress members away from compromise, fearing ousting by more extreme opponents.
- 🗳️ Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., lost his Senate seat primary to a Trump-backed candidate. Cassidy, one of six Republicans to vote for Trump’s impeachment conviction, was unable to garner support from Democratic or unaffiliated voters under Louisiana’s semi-closed system.
- 🗳️ Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, remains the only Republican senator backing Trump’s impeachment to win reelection. Alaska uses a unified ballot for statewide offices, advancing the top four candidates to the general election.
Health or Hype?
Healthy or Hype? is an NPR series that helps readers and listeners discern the truth from fiction regarding online health claims.
Wellness influencers are advocating for bovine colostrum, the initial milk produced by cows post-birth, as a supplement for gut health. Since cows produce more colostrum than their calves require, the surplus is harvested, pasteurized, dried, and packaged for human consumption. But how effective is it? Here’s what science says:
- 🐂 Initial studies in humans indicate that colostrum could aid certain types of inflammatory bowel syndrome, gastroenteritis, and upper respiratory tract infections.
- 🐂 Research is still in its infancy, and some scientists advise caution, though others find the early results promising.
- 🐂 Health professionals suggest improving overall lifestyle before adding supplements, prioritizing regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and stress management.
- 🐂 While serious side effects from colostrum are rare, individuals who are lactose intolerant or have a milk allergy should avoid it.
3 Things to Know Before You Go
Serena Williams is returning from retirement to play doubles tennis at the HSBC Championship in London. Welcoming the news, the tournament stated, “THE QUEEN RETURNS.” Williams is seen here at last month’s Met Gala in New York.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
- Serena Williams has announced her return to competitive tennis this month, nearly four years after retiring.
- Over 1,000 Marilyn Monroe enthusiasts gathered in Palm Springs, California, to set a new Guinness World Record for the most Monroe lookalikes in one location, in honor of the actress’s 100th birthday. (via KVCR)
- AI company Anthropic is preparing to go public. The firm, known for its popular AI model Claude, revealed Monday that it has filed paperwork for an initial public offering (IPO).
This newsletter was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
