Explore every episode of the podcast Unbiased Updates

In This Episode Midterms are less than a week away. Beyond who wins and who loses, what’s really at stake? We’ll speak with our senior politics reporter about overlooked storylines and how Tuesday’s election could reshape Washington. Plus, 34 years ago, James Carville had a simple message: “It’s the economy, stupid.” With prices still squeezing Americans, could that same message decide who controls Congress? We’ll ask our cost-of-living reporter. And more than 50 years after a teenage girl was murdered in Utah, investigators finally have an answer. How DNA evidence links her death to serial killer Ted Bundy. Become a Straight Arrow subscriber to get the full episode every week: san.com/getoffscript

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fires the military’s top planner as President Donald Trump reportedly considers new strikes against Iran after the midterms. Plus, a federal judge blocks the Trump administration from setting aside 20,000 California mail ballots, questioning its claims that the voters are noncitizens. And Alaska’s governor orders an investigation into alleged Democratic efforts to recruit a candidate with the same name as Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026.

Israel’s election produces no clear winner, leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s future uncertain as Arab-led parties could determine who forms the next government. Plus, Brazil’s defeated presidential candidate flees the country despite a court order, with the U.S. preparing to welcome him. And President Donald Trump rallies for Ken Paxton in Texas as rival James Talarico draws thousands across town in a heated Senate race. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026.

Israelis vote on Benjamin Netanyahu’s future as three years of war hang over an election that could leave neither side with a governing majority. Plus, James Comey is facing a third criminal case, this time accused of leaking national defense information in 2016, but the former FBI director denies wrongdoing. And a federal appeals court rejected the DOJ’s emergency request to set aside roughly 20,000 California mail-in ballots, with a lower court set to hear the case today. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won reelection, but opponent Flávio Bolsonaro refuses to concede and wants the results thrown out over an extension of voting hours. Plus, President Donald Trump called Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed a “jihadist” and alleged Muslim Brotherhood ties, prompting a sharp response from the Democrat. And the Trump administration is defending its lawsuit over Alaska’s Senate race, where two candidates with nearly identical names have sparked a fight over certifying election results. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Oct. 26, 2026.

President Donald Trump says Vivek Ramaswamy should not take down a controversial campaign ad featuring his opponent’s mother, who claims she’s lying to voters about childhood abuse. Plus, the Justice Department is investigating Corey Lewandowski, one of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s top aides, for allegedly using his position to make extra money. And Ukraine’s access to Starlink has mostly been restored, but Trump refuses to say whether he made it happen. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Oct. 23, 2026.

In This Episode A candidate for the U.S. Senate has an unusual way of handling tough questions. He fires back with questions of his own. Is Abdul El-Sayed calling out unfair attacks, or is he dodging them? I’ll ask our senior politics reporter, Azi Paybarah. Plus, AI needs a lot of power. So much that tech companies are now building power plants to run their data centers. But our energy reporter, Keaton Peters, found that some of those plants are getting approved with little public input. And the communities are pushing back. And Ukraine says it just pulled off a first in warfare, using a flying drone to rescue a wounded soldier from the front lines. We’ll tell you how they did it. Become a Straight Arrow subscriber to get the full episode every week: ⁠san.com/getoffscript

Michigan’s Senate candidates clash in their final debate, with Republican Mike Rogers questioning Democrat Abdul El-Sayed’s loyalty to the U.S. Plus, Vice President JD Vance fires back at Republicans criticizing a controversial attack ad against Ohio Democrat Amy Acton, defending the ad despite growing backlash. And the Pentagon approves testing a military heat ray at the southern border, a weapon that causes an intense burning sensation to drive people away. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.

President Donald Trump is promising more money ahead of the midterms — this time, offering cash rewards to people who report government fraud. Plus, Elon Musk was the one who reportedly ordered restrictions on Ukraine’s Starlink service, disrupting military drones. Also, federal investigators question Ilhan Omar’s sister about immigration records, as Trump raises the possibility of the congresswoman going to jail. And a new attack ad from Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign features his opponent Amy Acton’s estranged mother calling her a liar, prompting a fierce response from Acton’s brother over her childhood abuse. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026.

President Donald Trump suggests Ukraine needs a new negotiator as his administration reportedly holds up approval of critical Patriot missile transfers. Plus, Alberta voters overwhelmingly reject a move toward independence, with roughly 76 percent opposing a proposal that could have led to separation. And newly unsealed records raise fresh questions about whether O.J. Simpson had help covering up the murders, including disposing of the missing weapon. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fears the U.S. could side with Russia as President Donald Trump eases sanctions on Moscow and accuses the Ukrainian president of resisting peace. Plus, deadly riots leave two dead and thousands arrested across France, as Macron promises a crackdown and unions call for more protests. And four Canadian soldiers die and 39 are injured when shifting winds send a fast-moving fire through a military training exercise. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Oct. 19, 2026.

Four people, including three children, are killed at an Oregon elementary school, where police say a bystander shot and killed the teenage gunman. Plus, Senate debates get heated in Maine and Alaska, with candidates trading accusations and one Democrat telling his Republican opponent, “Oh, shut up.” And the Trump administration sues California to block ballots from thousands of suspected noncitizens, but state officials say the government hasn’t provided reliable evidence. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Oct. 16, 2026.

Newspapers that look like traditional news but have a political agenda. Who’s behind them, and why they’re targeting voters ahead of the midterms. We talked to the reporter who investigated. Plus, AI is making political attack ads a lot more convincing. Now, candidates are threatening legal action over videos that put words in their mouths. Our media, bias and algorithms reporter, Mark Keierleber, looks at where the law draws the line. And earlier this week, we asked how growers get those record-breaking pumpkins so big. One of you had an answer — and it involves something you probably have in your fridge. We’ll see if it checks out.Become a Straight Arrow subscriber to get the full episode every week: san.com/getoffscript

President Donald Trump says government leakers should be shot, while new reporting reveals the military is considering using its largest non-nuclear bomb against Iran. Plus, new satellite restrictions disrupt Ukrainian drone operations, deepening Zelenskyy’s frustration with Washington as he questions whether the U.S. remains a reliable partner. And Trump’s new press secretary faces scrutiny over her legal credentials after a watchdog group requests an investigation into whether she misrepresented them. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026.

A federal judge blocks President Donald Trump’s White House press ban, ruling the president likely violated the Constitution by punishing news outlets for unfavorable coverage. Plus, Houthi attacks intensify across Saudi Arabia, raising pressure on Trump as he weighs whether to bring the U.S. into the fight. And Pope Leo is recovering from successful lung surgery as the Vatican confirms he has cancer. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026.

President Donald Trump defends easing restrictions on Russian diesel as lawmakers from both parties warn the move could help fund Putin’s war. Plus, Rep. Ilhan Omar accuses Trump of political intimidation after federal agents search her home just weeks before the midterms. And newly released 911 recordings reveal a half-hour delay in getting help to Christa Pike after her failed execution, as responders question whether the emergency is real. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026.

New video captures the terrifying moment a deadly Houthi strike hits a Saudi airport, sending ceiling panels crashing down on passengers. Plus, President Donald Trump is reportedly considering firing his ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, amid allegations she sought money from a donor in exchange for political access. And a federal judge orders Trump’s $20 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign off the air, just hours before it was scheduled to end. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Oct. 12, 2026.

An ICE agent shoots a man in New York City with a five-year-old in the back seat, prompting outrage from the mayor. Plus, Michigan’s Senate candidates clash over President Donald Trump’s tariffs in a tight race that could help decide control of the Senate. And the USS Abraham Lincoln returns after more than 10 months at sea, with dozens of sailors meeting their babies for the first time. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Oct. 9, 2026.

Unbiased Updates went Off Script this week to discuss Obama returning to the campaign trail and the mysterious death at a Russian plague lab. We spoke with Straight Arrow’s Azi Paybarah and Jess Craig.Become a Straight Arrow subscriber to get the full episode every week: san.com/getoffscript

President Donald Trump faces repeated heckling at a Texas rally as he campaigns for Ken Paxton, with Republicans fighting to hold onto the traditionally red state. Plus, Isaias becomes the season’s first hurricane, rapidly strengthening as Gulf Coast communities prepare for a potentially dangerous weekend landfall. And the USS Abraham Lincoln returns home after more than 300 days deployed, including a record stretch at sea marked by difficult conditions and mental health concerns. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.

Susan Collins and Troy Jackson clash over President Donald Trump in their first debate, as voting begins in a key Senate race. Plus, Christa Pike is awake and speaking after Tennessee’s failed execution, as her lawyers head to court seeking answers. And more than a quarter-million people join student-led protests across France, as police fire tear gas and make hundreds of arrests. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026.

President Donald Trump says his super PAC will now pay for ads promoting his administration after bipartisan criticism over taxpayers footing the bill. Plus, U.S. officials are watching a mysterious death at a Russian plague lab, though Russia says no dangerous pathogen has been found. And Trump approves the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan by firing squad, though federal appeals could delay the first military execution since 1961. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026.

The U.S. pulls its bombers from a key base in England after a suspected terror plot, with British officials saying Iran may have played a role. Plus, new questions surround the FlyDubai co-pilot accused of trying to crash a passenger jet, as investigators examine his background and possible gaps in pilot screening. And a California woman is accused of spying for China after the FBI says she tracked the Taiwanese president’s son and sent information about his family to Chinese officials. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Oct. 5, 2026.

The FlyDubai captain who fought off his co-pilot speaks out from the hospital, saying he “couldn’t let everybody else die.” Plus, Christa Pike remains in critical condition after surviving two lethal-injection doses, as her lawyers push to have her sentence commuted. And Letitia James takes over the Cornell University sexual-assault case after New York’s governor says she’s lost faith in the local district attorney. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.

Tennessee halts executions after Christa Pike survives two lethal doses, triggering a third-party review into what went wrong. Plus, an Israel-bound flight plunges thousands of feet after violence erupts in the cockpit, before passengers and crew help regain control. And a secret recording captures Ken Paxton saying the GOP’s midterm convention hurt his campaign, while President Donald Trump defends the event. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026.

President Donald Trump and top AI companies agree to voluntary safety measures, putting much of the responsibility on the industry itself as Democrats push for mandatory safeguards. Plus, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth plans another major Pentagon shakeup, calling for a 20% cut in generals and admirals as he targets what he sees as unnecessary bureaucracy. And former special counsel Jack Smith stands by his Trump prosecutions, telling senators he would make the same decisions again and won’t be silenced by threats of prosecution. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.

A New York prosecutor reopens a 2024 Cornell University gang-rape investigation after a civil lawsuit brings new scrutiny to how the handling of the case. Plus, former special counsel Jack Smith faces Senate Republicans Tuesday over his investigations into President Donald Trump and the authority behind them. And Trump will meet with top AI leaders, including executives warning about risks he has dismissed as a “hoax.” These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026.

Five men are arrested near a U.S.-operated air base in Britain as investigators probe possible ties to Iran. Plus, a powerful nor’easter floods coastal communities across the Northeast, with more rain and flooding possible Monday. And the White House airs government-funded President Donald Trump ads, including one that resembles a 2024 campaign spot, prompting scrutiny over the use of taxpayer money. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.

President Donald Trump hosts Xi Jinping in Washington, where the Chinese leader pushes cooperation as tensions over AI, trade and Taiwan hang over the relationship. Plus, Benjamin Netanyahu attacks New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani from the U.N. stage, escalating a feud that’s now spilling into Israeli politics. And it’s officially Dolly Parton Day: Cities across the country are celebrating on 9/25 with parades, tributes and, naturally, plenty of rhinestones. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.

A federal judge orders the White House to restore access to CNN, MS NOW and Politico, temporarily blocking President Donald Trump’s media ban while the larger court fight continues. Plus, Chinese President Xi Jinping gets the red-carpet treatment in Washington before talks with Trump, as the two rivals extend their trade truce through January and try to hammer out a broader deal. And an FDA advisory panel backs a blood test that screens for dozens of cancers at once, despite questions about how well it detects cancer in its earliest stages. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026.

Iran’s president takes the U.N. stage today after arriving in New York, with U.S.-Iran talks already underway and President Donald Trump warning he could “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if there’s no deal. Plus, Missouri’s congressional map fight is back before the Supreme Court for a third time, even as absentee voters are already casting ballots using the state’s 2022 districts. And Kamala Harris is back on the campaign trail, starting with Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed as Democrats try to close party divisions left by a contentious primary. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026.

President Donald Trump prepares to address the United Nations on Tuesday morning, as the war with Iran looms over his speech and his meetings with world leaders. Plus, CNN, MS NOW and Politico sue to restore White House access, with a federal judge taking up their request Wednesday. And flights resume across the Northeast after a communications outage caused more than 1,000 cancellations, with delays still lingering. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026.

President Donald Trump says he’s in “deciding mode” on Iran as Tehran lays out conditions for renewed negotiations and the U.S. weighs its next move in the war. Plus, an ICE officer shoots and seriously wounds a Venezuelan DoorDash driver in Austin, prompting overnight protests and calls from city leaders for a broader investigation. And Trump heads to Gracie Mansion for his third meeting with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, putting the two face-to-face for the first time in New York. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.

The U.S. grants visas to Iran’s president and foreign minister for next week’s U.N. General Assembly, even as the two countries remain at war. Plus, Trump-endorsed Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar criticizes his immigration crackdown, warning that Hispanic voters who backed him now “feel betrayed.” And Anthropic says Claude is now leading roughly a quarter of its AI development work, putting AI to work building the next models. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.

Canada gets an invitation to move closer to Europe as its trade fight with the U.S. deepens, prompting President Donald Trump to threaten new, heavy tariffs. Plus, a sweeping Russia sanctions bill heads to Trump, giving him new authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue buying Russian oil and gas. And the Fed raises interest rates for the first time in three years, a move that could ripple through borrowing costs for American consumers. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026.

An NBC News helicopter crashes while covering a deadly bus accident in Los Angeles, killing the pilot, a photojournalist and a person on the ground. Plus, the House votes for a third time to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to continue military action against Iran without congressional approval — with seven Republicans now joining Democrats. And the Kennedy Center abruptly closes its main building for a planned two-year renovation, but Trump says the work won’t happen if courts continue blocking his name from the building. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026.

Mail ballots are already going out in some states, and now the Supreme Court is keeping the existing systems in place — blocking the Trump administration’s new restrictions ahead of the midterms. Plus, Mitch McConnell is back on Capitol Hill after three months away, casting his first Senate vote since a fall sent him to the hospital. And the U.S. burned through $22.3 billion in the Iran war’s first four months, and a new Pentagon watchdog report warns of trouble replenishing them. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026.

Oil prices push higher again after an attack shuts down a key Saudi pipeline, tightening another route for crude as most shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains halted. Plus, President Donald Trump resists calls to slow AI development as some of the industry’s biggest names urge more time for safety measures. And Trump says his promised $5,000 checks are “going to happen 100%,” but Speaker Mike Johnson says there’s a step the president can’t skip: getting Congress to approve them. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Sept. 14, 2026.

Diesel has topped $6 a gallon for the first time, raising costs for the trucks and trains that move nearly everything Americans buy. Plus, President Donald Trump closed the Republican midterm convention with a voting pledge that included “cheat like hell like they do,” after Vice President JD Vance delivered the final-night keynote. And Anthropic says scientists used Claude for research that could support biological weapons development, prompting the AI company to block their accounts. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.

President Donald Trump makes a big promise at the RNC Convention in Dallas: every American adult gets $5,000 if Republicans keep Congress in November. But who pays for it? Plus, Trump’s trip to Dallas hit an unusual snag before he even boarded: an emergency slide deployed on the new Air Force One. And a pilot repeatedly warned they were going too fast before the deadly Amazon cargo plane crash; now a victim’s widow says what happened was not only foreseeable, but preventable. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026.

President Donald Trump escalates the trade war with Canada by banning some Canadian imports entirely, widening the fight beyond tariffs. Plus, Britain bans goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, prompting Israel to retaliate by closing the British consulate in Jerusalem. And Republicans host their first-ever national convention during a midterm election year, bringing the party to Dallas for two days. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026.

Canada’s new tariffs on about $20 billion of U.S. goods are now in effect, while President Donald Trump threatens further action. Plus, Russia resumed its attacks on Ukraine with a deadly overnight strike on Kyiv, just hours after U.S. envoys wrapped up a new round of diplomacy aimed at ending the war. And Trump spent the holiday weekend pushing “New America” as a new name for New Mexico, but unlike his other renaming efforts, he can’t do it himself. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026.

Two workers have been pulled alive from a hydropower tunnel nine days after Nepal’s catastrophic floods, and rescuers say they can hear more voices as they dig by hand to reach them. Plus, Lindsay Clancy’s jury returns for a seventh day of deliberations after a dispute erupts over one juror and the possibility of a mistrial grows. And Vice President JD Vance says he wouldn’t call the U.S. conflict with Iran a “war,” even with no clear timeline for when hostilities will end. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.

A gunman opens fire inside a Minneapolis high-rise, killing two people and injuring several others as responding officers come under fire themselves. Plus, Lindsay Clancy’s jury returns for a sixth day of deliberations after reporting a second deadlock, with the possibility of a mistrial growing. And President Donald Trump’s new $1 coins sell out within hours of going on sale, but collectors aren’t the only ones who can get one. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.

U.S. forces are striking Iran again — and Tehran is firing back across the region, reigniting a war that had gone quiet for a month as Trump threatens an even harsher response. Plus, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk is headed to trial, with a Utah judge handing prosecutors another major win by allowing them to continue pursuing the death penalty. And Lindsay Clancy’s jury returns for a fifth day after telling the judge it can’t reach a unanimous verdict, putting the possibility of a mistrial increasingly into focus. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll submits his resignation after months of friction with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, reportedly raising concerns that Hegseth was blocking efforts to improve Army readiness. Plus, Duane “Keffe D” Davis has been convicted of orchestrating Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing, delivering the first conviction in a murder case that remained unsolved for nearly three decades. And the Supreme Court allows construction of President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom to continue, though Chief Justice John Roberts calls the project “likely unlawful.” These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026.

Fighting between the U.S. and Iran resumed overnight for the first time in more than a month, just days after President Donald Trump declared the Strait of Hormuz free from mines. Plus, a flash flood at the Grand Canyon leaves one person dead and leaves about 15 potentially missing, while damage to a key water pipeline could disrupt visits heading into Labor Day weekend. And Google Maps is now calling Lake Ontario “Lake America” for U.S. users, but Ontario Premier Doug Ford isn’t playing along, unveiling a giant sign and promising Canada won’t be bullied. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Aug. 31, 2026.

Rescue operations along the Nepal-China border are temporarily on hold because of a new flood threat, complicating an already desperate search as 90 Americans remain unaccounted for. Plus, the Trump administration is reportedly discussing taking a U.S. ownership stake in Venezuelan oil fields, a potentially massive deal emerging as America’s strategic petroleum reserves sit at a four-decade low. And President Donald Trump has followed through on his threat to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America,” signing an order that makes the change official for the federal government — even as Canada and New York reject it. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.

At least 270 people are dead, and several hundred remain missing after catastrophic flash floods tore through the Nepal-China border region, where rescuers are searching for survivors amid widespread destruction. Plus, why CIA Director John Ratcliffe secretly traveled to Moscow this week: it was reportedly a warning to Russia not to test NATO’s resolve. And 24 states and Washington, D.C., are suing to block new Postal Service rules governing mail ballots, arguing the changes could disrupt voting and disenfranchise people ahead of the midterms. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026.

Fans are mourning Dolly Parton from Nashville to Hollywood, remembering a country music legend whose humor and songwriting connected with audiences for more than six decades. Plus, Trump-backed Darline Graham has won South Carolina’s Republican Senate nomination, defeating Rep. Ralph Norman in a runoff after the president put considerable political muscle behind her campaign. And the Trump administration says the Kennedy Center could eventually face demolition if its two-year renovation plan is blocked in court. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026.