5 states hold primaries today. And, Spokane police arrest man connected to wildfire
This is NPR's daily "Up First" news roundup, covering several distinct stories rather than a single event. The lead items are primary elections in five US states and a Justice Department confirmation battle, alongside an arrest connected to devastating wildfires in Washington state and an ethics finding against a US congressman.
– Primaries were held in Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia and Washington, with attention on Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, a contest between Congresswoman Haley Stevens and former public health official Abdul El-Sayed seen as a test of establishment versus progressive strength in a key battleground state. – Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's confirmation moved forward after Republican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis dropped their objections, following his written pledge to scrap a controversial $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" set up via a Trump-era IRS settlement. – In Spokane, Washington, 37-year-old Aaron Farinacci was charged with first-degree arson over one of three major wildfires that displaced around 65,000 people, burned more than 7,000 acres and destroyed roughly 600 homes. – North Carolina Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards was recommended for censure by the House Ethics Committee over "persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct" towards two female staffers. – Other briefs: US Soccer extended manager Mauricio Pochettino's contract to 2030; Michigan reported two deaths linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak; and federal charges were dropped against three people accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
In short
- Five US states voted in primaries, Michigan's Senate race key
- Todd Blanche's AG confirmation advanced after fund pledge
- Man charged with arson over Spokane's devastating wildfires
Explained simply
US primary elections are contests within political parties to choose their candidates for later elections. Voters in five states were choosing nominees, including Democrats competing for a Senate seat in Michigan, where Congresswoman Haley Stevens and former public health official Abdul El-Sayed represent different approaches within the party.
The roundup also covers federal government oversight and accountability. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is seeking Senate confirmation, while the House Ethics Committee examines the conduct of North Carolina Congressman Chuck Edwards towards two staff members.
In Washington state, wildfires displaced tens of thousands of people and destroyed hundreds of homes. Spokane police arrested a man accused of setting one of the fires; the case concerns how the fires started and the damage they caused.