Politics and views in the United States

Maine Democrat Graham Platner suspends U.S. Senate run and President Trump says he is the number one target of Iran.

Transcript

Welcome to 2026 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

Over the past couple of days, I have faced some very serious allegations, and I just want to make it clear, this is all false.

The things that have been claimed did not happen.

And for that reason, we are suspending campaign operations.

Insurgent Maine Progressive Graham Plattner is suspending his bid for the Senate.

A rape accusation collapsed what had been remarkable support, and state Democrats were already jockeying to find replacement.

They have until the 27th to name a new candidate.

President Donald Trump took an older Air Force One home from a NATO summit in Turkey and sent the newer Qatari-donated aircraft to tour military bases in Europe.

The Qatari jet has weaker security and communications, more pressing with the Iran ceasefire collapsing.

Trump repeated that he's the country's, quote, number one target, but dismissed concerns.

The life of a president is very dangerous.

You don't make it, but I don't really care because I'm doing my job.

Iran has attacked commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. struck more than 80 Iranian military installations.

Tracking sites show the vital waterway as essentially closed, oil prices jumped and stocks fell.

The administration is denying federal disaster aid for February snowstorms in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The White House says politics played no role and that it's just applying a stricter review process.

The governors in New York and Massachusetts plan to appeal, arguing there is a pattern of rejecting aid for blue states.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is urging 84-year-old Republican Senator Mitch McConnell to update Kentuckians on his health after weeks in the hospital.

Beshear says voters deserve transparency about McConnell's ability to serve.

McConnell's office has not responded, and his absence could complicate Senate work on defense spending.

New reaction today to a federal appeals court ruling part of Florida's Stop Woke Act violates free speech.

University of South Florida Professor Adriana Navoa hails the decision.

I'm very proud of this effort, mostly because we did it with students.

This challenge was an idea of a student of mine and a group, the First Amendment forum that they created.

The 11th Circuit says the state cannot restrict how race and gender are taught in public colleges and universities.

A new poll finds strong support for Pennsylvania's Beagle Bill, which would allow dogs and cats used in research to be adopted when they are healthy enough.

Kristen Tullow with Humane World for Animals says many research animals never get that chance.

This is really important.

The majority of these animals will be killed once the experiments on them have ended.

Senate Bill 381 gives these dogs and cats the opportunity for adoption after the experiments have ended.

I'm Joe Ulory for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

Find our trust indicators at publicnewsservice.org.