Hello readers, and welcome back to On Politics. Kathryn Palmer here. While the ongoing war with Iran continues to dominate news coverage, today is also the beginning of the midterm election season. Three states are holding primaries today, which we'll be covering well into the evening. |
The 2026 midterm primaries kick off today |
Today is the day. Voters in three states usher in the first 2026 midterm races of the year, starting with Mar. 3 primaries in Arkansas, North Carolina and Texas. The three races will tip the dominoes in the packed primary calendar, with elections taking place across the country between now and November. Control of Congress is at stake, and these first few primaries in early March will be closely watched for what they might signal: voter turnout, interparty tussles and how last year's controversial redistricting is reshaping political dynamics. From a high-stakes Texas Senate primary that has garnered national attention for both the Democratic and Republican sides of the ticket, to dozens of House races in both Texas and North Carolina combined that will offer an initial test of how GOP-led redistricting efforts in both states could pan out, there's plenty to keep tabs on. Here's what to watch as today's election day unfolds. | A woman leaves the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center after early voting in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Oct. 29, 2025. John Oliva/Caller-Times, John Oliva/Caller-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images |
Ask us: USA TODAY reporters are answering questions from readers to help break down the war in Iran. What do you want to know? |
Exclusive: Israel decided to kill Iran's leader after Oct. 7 |
The decision to go to war with Iran, launched by U.S-Israeli joint airstrikes over the weekend, is starting to come into clearer view as more details emerge. The decision to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Iran-backed leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah was taken in the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel, according to USA TODAY exclusive reporting. But more specific planning for the operation Israel has named "Roaring Lion" and the United States is calling "Epic Fury" did not begin until after Israel's 12-day war with Iran in June 2025, and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu only gave the order for the operation in November that same year, according to a person familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Israel killed Hamas's political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in July 2024 and, two months later, assassinated Hassan Nasrallah, the longtime leader of Hezbollah. The killing of Khamenei appears to reflect Israel's decision, post-Oct. 7, to widen the scope of who it was willing to target. Read more of USA TODAY's exclusive reporting from international correspondent Kim Hjelmgaard. |
Supreme Court blocks NY map change before midterms |
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to a Republican request to intervene in the battle over the boundaries of a New York congressional district, blocking a ruling that would have given Democrats a chance to flip one seat. The court's three liberal justices dissented from the unsigned and brief decision on Mar. 2. A state GOP lawmaker and others had asked the high court to let New York use its existing congressional map for this fall's election, even though a state court said the map unlawfully diluted the voting power of the Black and Latino population. The emergency request was backed by the Trump administration, which has pushed red states to rejigger maps to improve Republicans' chances of keeping control of Congress and has opposed blue states' efforts to counterpunch. The decision is a win for the GOP ahead of the state's midterm primaries. | | By sucking up all the DC political oxygen and consuming lawmakers' time, the war is already threatening to preoccupy Congress ahead of the midterms. | | The Trump administration dropped its appeal against court rulings striking down executive orders that sparked outrage among government watchdogs. | | | | Emerson College Polling released its final surveys for the Texas Senate primaries. See who is winning. | | | | California became the first state to bar school districts from requiring that staff notify parents of their child's gender identification change. | | | | The House Oversight Committee released the videos of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's depositions. Watch them here. | | | | | Sign up for the news you want | Exclusive newsletters are part of your subscription, don't miss out! We're always working to add benefits for subscribers like you. | | | | | |
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