Virginia's economy is slowing significantly, with GDP growth dropping from 6.2% to 1.7%, job losses in major metro areas, and a decline in trade and manufacturing sectors, largely attributed to federal policy impacts under Trump. The next governor will need to address these economic challenges as the state's growth ranks among the lowest in the U.S.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized President Trump's administration for an obsession with California, highlighting the state's resilience and achievements amid ongoing conflicts over policies and federal funding, while also addressing California's 175th anniversary and its progressive accomplishments.
Some seniors and younger individuals with health conditions are facing difficulties in accessing COVID-19 vaccines due to new federal policies requiring prescriptions or attestations, amidst rising case numbers and confusion over vaccine guidance, exacerbated by recent changes at the CDC and pharmacy regulations.
Nearly two-thirds of the US Justice Department unit responsible for defending Trump-era policies have left since his election, citing workload, ethical concerns, and policy disagreements, leading to staffing challenges amid ongoing legal battles.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, a former hog farmer, navigates state governance amid federal policy uncertainties, emphasizing support for Trump’s policies, advocating for fair trade, managing budget cuts, and addressing agricultural and trade issues while maintaining strong local relationships.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell criticized the federal judiciary's move to restrict "judge-shopping," a tactic used by conservative lawyers, arguing that it favors Democrats and limits access to justice for conservatives. The new policy aims to assign cases randomly from larger pools of judges, addressing concerns about judge selection bias. McConnell contends that the policy will disproportionately benefit Democrats and hinder access to justice for conservatives, while some conservative judges have also criticized the move.