FOUR-MINUTE READ | UNBIASED COVERAGE OF TOP POLITICAL NEWS
Federal Level
Appeals Court Rejects Trump Coal Plant Order
On Friday, a federal appeals court rejected the Trump administration’s emergency order keeping Michigan’s J.H. Campbell coal plant open past its planned retirement. The unanimous three-judge panel said the Energy Department exceeded its authority under a Federal Power Act provision reserved for electricity emergencies requiring immediate federal action. Michigan and environmental groups challenged the order, which Energy Secretary Chris Wright first issued in May 2025 and repeatedly extended. The ruling concerns the original order, while Consumers Energy said it would continue following the current 90-day directive as it reviews the decision. The Justice Department declined to comment on the litigation. 1, 2
Trump-Linked PAC Expands Midterm Ad Campaign
On Friday, political advertising researchers reported that the Trump-affiliated No Going Back super PAC had reserved more than $74 million in advertising across 15 House races and six competitive Senate contests. The Senate states are Alaska, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire and Ohio. AdImpact said additional reservations were still being placed Friday afternoon. The largest Senate investment was $15.7 million in Michigan, where Republican Mike Rogers is running against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. Elon Musk’s America PAC has also spent more than $7 million on digital advertising, mail, voter calls and related activity intended to support Republican candidates and turnout. 3
Judge Blocks Political Question On Federal Job Applicant Form
On Friday, a federal judge ordered agencies to stop asking applicants for most federal jobs which Trump administration policy or executive order matters most to them. Judge George O’Toole Jr. found that unions challenging the question were likely to succeed in showing that it violated applicants’ First Amendment rights and federal administrative law. The question appeared in applications for positions at grade GS-5 and above under the Office of Personnel Management’s Merit Hiring Plan. The stay remains in force until further court action. OPM must notify agencies that used the question within seven days and declined to comment on the litigation. 4, 5
Trump Signs Disaster Tax Relief Into Law
On Friday, President Donald Trump signed legislation extending federal tax relief for people who suffer losses in certain federally declared disasters. The law allows qualified casualty losses above $500 to be deducted without itemizing and without the usual threshold tied to adjusted gross income. It covers eligible disasters beginning after December 27, 2019, and before January 1, 2027. It also excludes certain wildfire relief payments from taxable income for federally declared fires occurring after 2014 and before 2027. The Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation estimated that the measure would reduce federal revenue by $408 million through 2036. 6, 7
Justice Department Uses Dormant Removal Court
On Friday, the Justice Department announced the first completed case before the Alien Terrorist Removal Court, a specialized federal court Congress created in 1996. Afghan national Nazira Haji Zada was removed from the United States after conceding that she met the law’s definition of an alien terrorist and waiving an appeal. The court issued the removal order on August 20 but unsealed it Friday after her return to Afghanistan. The government said she supported family members’ plans for an ISIS-inspired Election Day attack in 2024. The court permits classified evidence while providing appointed counsel and access to federal appeals. 8
State Level
Texas Court Blocks Midcycle County Redistricting
On Friday, the Texas Supreme Court blocked Galveston County from using precinct boundaries that county officials redrew after the March primary. The unsigned opinion directed the county to use the same map for the November general election, saying state law requires elections to be conducted uniformly and consistently. The new boundaries, approved June 29, affect county commissioners, constables and justices of the peace. A constable and two residents sought emergency relief, arguing that changing precincts during an election cycle was unfair to voters and candidates. The court said the county may use the new map after November, although separate legal challenges remain pending. 9
Florida Cabinet Sets Terrorist Designation Rules
On Friday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet held an emergency meeting to establish procedures for designating domestic and foreign terrorist organizations under a law enacted this year. The chief of domestic security may recommend a designation, and the governor and Cabinet may approve or reject it by majority vote after receiving notice. Approved designations must be published in the Florida Administrative Register. A targeted organization may submit a written objection and later challenge the designation in Leon County Circuit Court. State law bars public agencies, local governments and school districts from funding or contracting with organizations once their designations have been published. 10, 11
Nebraska Certifies Ballot After Legal Challenges
On Friday, Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen certified the November general-election ballot after a series of lawsuits involving candidates, political parties and ballot measures. The ballot includes three citizen initiatives covering online sports betting and sex-separated school athletics, plus a legislative proposal that would extend state lawmakers’ term limits. Ten candidates petitioned onto the ballot after the May primary, including nominees from two newly recognized parties. One proposed amendment concerning legislative changes to voter-approved laws was excluded after a state Supreme Court ruling Thursday. County officials must send the first completed ballots to military and overseas voters by September 18. 12
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Article Sources
1. Reuters, “US court blocks Trump administration bid to keep Michigan coal plant open,” Sept. 11, 2026.
http://rmb.reuters.com/rmd/rss/item/tag:reuters.com,2026:newsml_KBN3UX1VV?channel=uNx795
2. Politico, “Court deals first blow to Trump’s coal rescue campaign,” Sept. 11, 2026.
3. Reuters, “Trump and Musk super PACs unleash millions to boost Republicans in battleground races,” Sept. 11, 2026.
4. Government Executive, “Judge halts ‘favorite EO’ question on federal job applications,” Sept. 11, 2026.
5. FedScoop, “Court blocks OPM ‘loyalty question’ from use in agency job applications,” Sept. 11, 2026.
https://fedscoop.com/court-blocks-trump-opm-loyalty-question-federal-hiring/
6. The White House, “Congressional Bills H.R. 1276, H.R. 2069, H.R. 2196 and H.R. 5366 Signed into Law,” Sept. 11, 2026.
7. Congressional Budget Office, “H.R. 5366, Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act,” Apr. 21, 2026.
https://www.cbo.gov/publication/62372
8. U.S. Department of Justice, “Department of Justice Removes Alien Terrorist in First Use of United States Alien Terrorist Removal Court,” Sept. 11, 2026.
9. The Texas Tribune, “Texas Supreme Court blocks Galveston County from using districts redrawn after the primaries,” Sept. 11, 2026.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/11/texas-galveston-county-redistricting-supreme-court-maps/
10. FOX 13 Tampa Bay, “Gov. DeSantis calls meeting on terrorism designations,” Sept. 11, 2026.
https://www.fox13news.com/news/gov-desantis-calls-meeting-terrorism-designations
11. Florida Senate, “2026 Florida Statutes, Section 943.03102,” 2026.
https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/943.03102
12. Nebraska Examiner, “Secretary of State Evnen certifies Nebraska’s fall 2026 ballot after lawsuit-heavy summer,” Sept. 11, 2026.