South County Mail

Missouri and the World

Politics

Tulsi Gabbard resigns from Trump Cabinet amid husband’s cancer diagnosis

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Tulsi Gabbard has announced she is stepping down as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence, citing her husband’s serious illness as the reason for leaving the administration.

Gabbard said her husband, Abraham Williams, had been diagnosed with “an extremely rare form of bone cancer” and would require her full support in the months ahead.

“At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle,” Gabbard wrote in her resignation letter. [Read more…] about Tulsi Gabbard resigns from Trump Cabinet amid husband’s cancer diagnosis

Why Britain could soon have a new prime minister without a national election

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing growing political pressure after Labour suffered heavy losses in recent local elections, triggering speculation that a leadership challenge could emerge from within his own party.

One name increasingly being discussed is Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester and one of Labour’s most popular politicians.

For many Americans, the idea that Britain could end up with a completely new prime minister without holding a national election may seem unusual. But under the UK’s parliamentary system, that is entirely possible. [Read more…] about Why Britain could soon have a new prime minister without a national election

Missouri lawmakers approve tougher penalties for businesses hiring undocumented workers

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Missouri lawmakers have passed legislation that would give the state attorney general significantly expanded powers to investigate and penalize businesses accused of knowingly hiring undocumented immigrants.

House Bill 2366, sponsored by State Rep. Jeff Vernetti, was approved during the final weeks of the legislative session and now awaits action from Gov. Mike Kehoe.

Supporters say the measure is aimed at businesses that deliberately circumvent labor laws and gain unfair competitive advantages by employing unauthorized workers outside legal hiring systems. [Read more…] about Missouri lawmakers approve tougher penalties for businesses hiring undocumented workers

Why one FDA resignation could affect abortion access across America

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The planned resignation of Marty Makary from the US Food and Drug Administration is creating fresh uncertainty over abortion access across the United States, particularly regarding the future of abortion pills prescribed through telehealth and delivered by mail.

Makary, who faced criticism from anti-abortion groups during his tenure as FDA commissioner, is expected to leave the agency amid growing political pressure from conservative activists and internal tensions within the Trump administration.

The development matters because the FDA now sits at the center of one of the country’s most significant legal and political battles over abortion access. [Read more…] about Why one FDA resignation could affect abortion access across America

Trump’s China diplomacy could weaken Russia’s influence

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The summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping last week was closely watched around the world, particularly in Moscow, where Russian president Vladimir Putin may have seen signs that improving relations between Washington and Beijing could gradually reduce Russia’s global influence.

While the meeting focused publicly on trade, technology, Iran and Taiwan, the broader geopolitical significance may lie in the possibility that the United States and China are attempting to stabilize one of the world’s most important relationships after years of growing tension.

For Russia, that could create new challenges. [Read more…] about Trump’s China diplomacy could weaken Russia’s influence

Zohran Mamdani’s first 100 days are testing democratic socialist ideas in New York

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Since taking office at the start of 2026, Zohran Mamdani has begun rolling out a series of policies aimed at lowering living costs, expanding public services and increasing taxes on wealthy property owners in New York City.

The democratic socialist mayor, who won office on promises including free childcare, rent reform and stronger labor protections, is now using his first months in office to test whether progressive economic policies can deliver measurable results in one of the world’s most expensive cities.

A report published by The Better News says Mamdani’s administration has already begun implementing several major campaign pledges after roughly 100 days in office. [Read more…] about Zohran Mamdani’s first 100 days are testing democratic socialist ideas in New York

Ohio governor race could become one of 2026’s biggest political battlegrounds

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The race for governor in Ohio is shaping up to become one of the most closely watched political contests of the 2026 midterm elections after Democrat Amy Acton secured her party’s nomination and set up a November showdown with Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.

Acton, who became nationally known during the Covid-19 pandemic as Ohio’s public health director under current Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, easily won the Democratic primary, according to Decision Desk HQ. Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur aligned with President Donald Trump, won the Republican nomination.

The election could become historic regardless of the outcome. [Read more…] about Ohio governor race could become one of 2026’s biggest political battlegrounds

Why the 2026 governor races could reshape American politics

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More than 30 governorships will be contested across the United States during the 2026 midterm elections, with several key races expected to shape the future direction of American politics on issues ranging from abortion and healthcare to education, voting rights and LGBTQ+ policy.

A new analysis published by The 19th highlights a series of closely watched gubernatorial contests unfolding in battleground states and politically divided regions across the country.

Many of the races involve open seats as term-limited governors step aside, creating opportunities for new political figures to emerge ahead of the 2028 presidential election cycle. [Read more…] about Why the 2026 governor races could reshape American politics

Tennessee lawmaker protests redrawing of majority-Black congressional district

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A tense special session of the Tennessee legislature ended this week with Republican lawmakers approving a new congressional map that redraws the state’s only majority-Black district, prompting protests from Democratic lawmakers and voting-rights advocates.

At the center of the protest was state Sen. Charlane Oliver, who disrupted proceedings throughout the week and, in the final moments before the vote, climbed onto her desk in the Senate chamber holding a banner reading “Jim Crow 2.0” and “Stop the TN Steal”.

Dressed in white, Oliver then began singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, often referred to as the Black National Anthem. [Read more…] about Tennessee lawmaker protests redrawing of majority-Black congressional district

Trump’s support in Europe may be weaker than it looks

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US President Donald Trump may still enjoy strong support among some European conservative movements, but political tensions in Italy suggest that backing for Trump-style politics across Europe could be more fragile than it appears.

A new analysis published by The Conversation argues that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has begun distancing herself from Trump after initially building close ties with his political movement.

Meloni, leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, spent years cultivating relationships with American conservatives and became closely associated with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement. [Read more…] about Trump’s support in Europe may be weaker than it looks