Axios

The nation's election system is in a messy legal limbo, with fights over mail-in voting, electoral maps and voter records still locked in court.

Why it matters: Americans are in the eye of the storm, with over half saying they don't think the 2026 midterms will be conducted fairly or are unsure, according to a new poll.

Politicians have long made it hard to trust their words. Now, AI-generated campaign ads flooding the airwaves and social media are making it harder to trust your own eyes and ears.

Why it matters: Americans' trust in politicians and institutions has been tanking in recent years — and AI campaign ads could deepen that erosion, political tech experts say.

The Energy Department's statistics arm on Wednesday sharply raised its forecast for U.S. diesel prices next year as tight global supplies keep domestic inventories unusually low.

Why it matters: The outlook suggests Americans could face elevated fuel costs well into 2027, as President Trump acknowledged Wednesday that oil prices may not fall until after November's midterm elections.