Mizzou quarterback Brady Cook points towards his teammates after being presented with the MVP (copy)

(The Center Square) - Octogenerian U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., overcame an intense primary challenge from a candidate who said he was too old to serve the people of Massachusetts.

Markey, 80, secured election for a third full term on Tuesday night, overcoming a challenge from insurgent candidate Seth Moulton. The incumbent senator focused his campaign on fiercely advocating for progressive values, pointing to his support of the Green New Deal, Medicare for All legislation and calls to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“We don’t just need a Democratic majority in the Senate,” Markey said. “We need a progressive majority. That’s why I’m working to take on this corrupt administration and build a better future for working class Americans.”

Markey pledged this term would be his final one in office if elected. Moulton, 47, had fiercely attacked Markey’s age and called for new leadership in Congress.

Moulton said Markey is not prepared to advance regulations on new technology advances, including in artificial intelligence. He called for federal AI regulations, including bans on data harvesting, protections for children and unemployment insurance, while keeping the technology based in the United States.

“We can’t let China dominate this technology, but we also cannot allow AI systems to be deployed unless they are safe,” Moulton’s website reads. “The best version of American leadership means winning and doing it right.”

Markey hit back at Moulton and touted his record to advance regulations on bias in AI generation. His legislation called for ensuring algorithms used in AI tools do not reflect or exacerbate preexisting biases when used in the hiring process, for example.

“A 2025 study found that AI resume screening tools almost never selected Black male names to proceed in the hiring process,” Markey said in a press conference. “This is unacceptable.”

Markey will face off against Republican candidate John Deaton, a trial attorney who has focused his campaign on increasing healthcare affordability. He has slammed Democrats who proposed Medicare for All legislation and called for proposals that do not substantially raise taxes for Massachusetts residents.

“I’ll work to lower prescription drug costs, increase price transparency, and expand access to quality care without growing Washington’s bureaucracy or raising taxes,” Deaton’s website reads.

U.S. House

Several races across Massachusetts for the U.S. House saw tense challenges against incumbent Democrats as well. Here is a look at some of those races.

District 1

Incumbent Democrat Rep. Richard Neal, was leading against a challenge from progressive Jeromie Whalen with 7% of precincts reporting. Neal, 77, is seeking his 18th consecutive term in the U.S. House.

The incumbent Democrat focused his campaign on fighting against the Trump administration’s tax and tariff policies. He touted his record as chairman of the Joint Committee on Taxation in the 117th Congress.

“Congressman Neal has been an advocate of fairness and simplification of the U.S. tax code, supporter of policies that increase the national savings rate, and fought relentlessly to protect Social Security and Medicare from privatization,” Neal’s website reads.

Whalen, a 39-year-old high school teacher, has focused his campaign on Medicare for All and the Fair Share Amendment, a Massachusetts amendment that funds public education and transportation through taxation on high-income earners.

“Raise the tax threshold for working and middle class: Create a Cost of Living Exemption so that federal taxes do not apply to income up to a realistic cost of living for a single adult, set around $45,000 per year,” Whalen told Ballotpedia. “Surcharge on the ultra wealthy: Add a 3 percent surtax on income over $1 million, and an 8 percent surtax on income over $15 million.”

A Republican candidate in the first congressional district did not file for election. The winning Democrat will is expected to win the seat unless a mass write-in campaign overtakes him.

District 6

No clear winner emerged atop a crowded field of Democratic primary contenders early Tuesday night in a race to face off against Republican Micah Jones in November.

Dan Koh, who was endorsed by President Joe Biden, was in a favored lead with 13% of precincts reporting over state Rep. Tram Nguyen, software engineer Beth Andres-Beck and attorney John Beccia. Koh focused his campaign on fighting back against the Trump administration, expanding healthcare and childcare and supporting affordable housing.

“Everyone who works hard should have a fair shot at building a good life,” Koh told Ballotpedia. “I’ve seen firsthand how government can make people’s lives better when it focuses on real challenges and real solutions.”

Nguyen, a member of the Massachusetts legislature, has championed progressive values throughout her campaign. She focused on Medicare for All, increasing the federal minimum wage and expanding affordable housing opportunities.

“In Congress, Tram will work to: Significantly expand funding for deeply affordable housing and rental assistance, Increase the affordable housing supply, Support first-time home buyers with low interest loans and developing more starter homes,” Nguyen told Ballotpedia.

The winning Democrat will face off against Republican Micah Jones, a lawyer, who has focused his campaign on reducing tax burdens and focusing on AI legislation.

“Eliminating unnecessary barriers to economic growth, encouraging common sense innovation in areas like artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, expanding clean and reliable energy, and creating more pathways for young Americans to serve their communities and develop valuable career skills,” Jones told Ballotpedia.

District 8

The race for Massachusetts' eighth congressional district was still awaiting results early Tuesday night Incumbent Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., and Patrick Roath, a lawyer and aide to former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick are in the race for the Democratic ticket

Lynch focused his campaign on touting his voting record and his pursuit of President Donald Trump. However, Roath sharply criticized Lynch for not doing enough to aggressively go after the president.

“I’ve worked every day in Congress for policies that will make life better for you and your family – fair wages and economic security, funding for higher education, housing assistance, preserving Social Security, protecting against threats to our environment, and health care that is affordable and accessible,” Lynch’s website reads.

Roath also supported expansion of the Fair Share Amendment beyond Massachusetts and across the country.

“Every American worker deserves what we've already achieved here–12 weeks of guaranteed paid family leave, regardless of whether you work for a corporation or a small business, whether you’re salaried or hourly,” Roath wrote.

The winning Democratic candidate will face off against Republican Robert Burke, who ran unopposed and called for a complete immigration pause across the country.

“It’s time to reevaluate every program, from H1B to TPS, prioritizing American interests, border security, and a balanced system that truly serves our nation’s needs,” Burke’s website reads.

Mizzou wrestling promoted Jarrett Jacques to its director of operations, the team announced via press release Tuesday.

Jacques, 27, spent two years as Mizzou's recruiting coordinator after wrestling for the Tigers from 2018-2023.

While competing at MU, Jacques went 102–40, tying for 26th in the program's all-time wins count. He qualified for the NCAA Championships five times.

“I am very excited to move into this new role with Mizzou wrestling, and I’m thankful to coach Smith for giving me this opportunity,” Jacques said in the release. “From my time as a student-athlete, to being recruiting coordinator, to now, I look forward to continuing to elevate Tiger Style for the next generation of Tigers.”

Jacques spent his junior and senior high school seasons at Tolton, going 94-0 during his time as a Trailblazer. He won four consecutive state titles, going 191-1 in his prep career. His lone defeat came via medical forfeit in his freshman season at Kirksville.

After graduating from Missouri, Jacques also has carved out a notable senior career, qualifying for the U.S. National Team in both 2024 and 2025.

"First, I recruited Jarrett, then I coached him, and then I hired him. Now we are elevating him to a full-time role, and it’s exciting because we have gotten to watch him grow; he buys into Tiger Style and what this program can do for young men,” coach Brian Smith said in the same release.

Mizzou finished with a 12-8 overall record in the 2025-26 season and is set to return two All-Americans, Aeoden Sinclair and Cam Steed, for the 2026-27 campaign.

Mizzou gymnastics grew its 2027 recruiting class with the commitment of three-star prospect Paityn Adams on Tuesday. Adams originally committed to Denver in September 2025 before flipping to the Tigers after visiting Columbia this past weekend.

A Texas product, Adams competes as a member of Metroplex Gymnastics. Adams competes on all four apparatuses, winning state titles on floor and beam. Her top score at Level 10, the highest level in the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics Program, was a 9.900 on bars during the 2026 Region 3 Level 9/10 Championships in February. During that same event, she recorded or tied her personal best on every apparatus.

This marks the second recruit in the class of 2027 for Mizzou, as Adams joins four-star Ruthie Wehrug. Recruiting has been a major strength for coach Shannon Welker, who brought in the No. 5 class for 2026 according to College Gym News.

The Tigers will continue to bolster their 2027 recruiting class ahead of the season. While a schedule has not been released, Mizzou has typically started its seasons with a Black & Gold practice in December.

A day after the Mizzou basketball team welcomed back All-SEC forward Mark Mitchell, the program is positioned to add former Indiana and DePaul guard CJ Gunn, according to reports. This gives Mizzou coach Dennis Gates another experienced player navigating college basketball’s rapidly changing eligibility landscape.

Gunn is enrolled at Missouri, according to the university’s online student database, but his availability for the 2026-27 season remains dependent on the resolution of eligibility questions surrounding his case.

The Indianapolis native spent four seasons in college basketball, including two years at Indiana and two at DePaul. He started 54 games for the Blue Demons and averaged 13 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists during his two seasons in Chicago. His addition would provide Missouri with another veteran perimeter option and a player with extensive Big Ten and Big East experience.

Gunn’s potential return to college comes during the first year of Division I’s new age-based eligibility model, commonly referred to as “five for five.” However, the nickname is somewhat misleading.

The NCAA’s new rules create a continuous five-year eligibility period based on an athlete's age and initial full-time college enrollment rather than simply guaranteeing every player five seasons. Transition rules and individual eligibility circumstances can still complicate who qualifies.

That uncertainty is particularly important in Gunn’s case.

After his time at DePaul, Gunn participated in pre-draft workouts and briefly signed with the Calgary Surge in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, appearing in two games before being released. He is also among the players involved in ongoing litigation challenging restrictions connected to additional eligibility and professional participation. A Texas judge recently issued a temporary restraining order involving SEC eligibility restrictions, adding another layer to an already unsettled national debate over which former college athletes can return to competition.

If Gunn is ultimately cleared, Missouri will face another roster-management question.

Division I men’s basketball programs are limited to 15 players under the roster rules implemented following the House settlement. However, NCAA rules include exemptions for certain designated student-athletes who were protected from losing roster opportunities during the transition to the new limits. Those players can remain exempt from their sport's roster cap for the duration of their eligibility.

That exemption helped Missouri accommodate Mitchell’s return. Gunn would potentially push the Tigers’ roster even further beyond the traditional 15-player number, meaning another exemption or roster adjustment could become necessary.

For Gates, however, the appeal is obvious. Gunn brings experience, shooting range and familiarity with high-level college basketball. Missouri offered him out of high school in 2020, creating an unexpected reunion six years later.

Now, the Tigers wait for eligibility clarity. If Gunn receives it, Missouri will have added another veteran in an era in which eligibility is changing almost as quickly as the rosters themselves.

Mizzou men's golf began its 2026-27 campaign tying for an eighth-place finish in the 17-team Visit Knoxville Collegiate on Tuesday.

The top-four Tiger performances from each round combined for a -5 score over three rounds, including a four-under-par 276 in Tuesday's third round. 

Trent Mieri was the top individual finisher for Mizzou, as he tied for eighth overall out of 96 competitors at -4. The junior shook off a one-over 71 in Round 1, shooting a 67 in the second round Monday before coming back with a two-under 68 on Tuesday.

Utah Valley transfer Paxton Maxwell rounded out his Mizzou debut with a two-under showing in Round 3, pushing him to -1 on the tournament.

Freshman Antoni Hawkins also debuted for the Tigers, shooting a 73 in Round 3 to bring him to three-over in the tournament.

As a team, the Tigers notably placed in front of Golfweekly's No. 15 team, Charlotte, and two Southeastern Conference foes in South Carolina and Kentucky.

Mizzou finished second-to-last in the SEC Championship in April, besting only Kentucky.

The Tigers will next take to the tees in the Canadian Collegiate Invitational starting Sept. 13 in Muskoko Lakes, Ontario.

hold on to your butts, this is only a test. text only for this one.

(The Center Square) – Attorneys general from two Republican-led states have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to throw out an antitrust lawsuit seeking to block Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

The antitrust lawsuit was brought by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and his fellow Democratic attorneys general from 11 other states. Bonta, a Democrat, has claimed the $110 billion merger would extinguish competition and limit viewers' choices.

"It would result in higher prices, lower content quality, and fewer movies and TV shows,” said Bonta in a July 13 announcement covered by The Center Square. “Movie theaters, basic cable TV distributors, and audiences on every sofa and in every movie seat would feel the impact of this unlawful merger.”

Still, two Republican attorneys general - Brenna Bird of Iowa and Austin Knudsen of Montana, a state where many Westerns were filmed - say their Democratic counterparts are using politicized enforcement to veto a merger that’s already been cleared by the U.S. Department of Justice and regulators in other countries.

“Attorney General Bird is fighting to protect Iowans from higher streaming costs and fewer entertainment choices because California, once again, refuses to stay in their lane,” said Jen Green, communications director for the Office of Iowa Attorney General.

“Federal antitrust enforcers, 68 regulators around the world, Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass all think California’s lawsuit is unnecessary, at best, and harmful at worst," Green told The Center Square in an email.

The antitrust division at the U.S. Department of Justice approved the Paramount/Warner Bros. deal on June 12. Regulators at the European Union approved it on July 22.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has called for a settlement in the lawsuit amid concerns that the dispute could harm California jobs. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said on Aug. 20 that “it’s time for all parties to come to the table” for negotiations.

“Productions in LA are hurting and hardworking Angelenos are out of a job because ongoing disputes over the proposed merger have stalled filming in our city,” Bass said in a news release. “Any resolution must put the long-term stability of LA-based entertainment jobs, productions and investments first. This is not about taking sides. This is about fighting for Los Angeles’ talented and unparalleled creative workforce." 

Green of the Iowa attorney general's office said “the Constitution and federal statutes mandate that State against State lawsuits be filed in the U.S. Supreme Court,” and that is what Bird has done.

Wayne Winegarden, senior fellow in business and economics at the Pasadena, Calif.-based Pacific Research Institute, said the Iowa attorney general is correct.

"If the law empowers 50 attorneys general to play M&A [mergers and acquisitions] regulator, the costs from anti-growth regulations will skyrocket,” Winegarden told The Center Square in an email. “The fact that there are no antitrust concerns with this deal only makes these issues worse."

A federal trial over the Paramount/Warner Bros. deal has been scheduled for March 2, 2027. This trial would be over the lawsuit filed by Bonta and the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Washington.

Paramount Skydance agreed to delay the merger until June 2027.

The Writers Guild of America and the Writers Guild of America East (jointly WGA) have also filed a lawsuit over the deal.

With the Mizzou football season opener days away, the Tigers’ roster remains unsettled.

Defensive tackle Sterling Webb filed a request for a new temporary restraining order with a St. Louis County judge against the University of Missouri on Tuesday, a development first reported by St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Eli Hoff via X.

He was initially granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA on July 30 with a circuit court in St. Louis to receive a fifth season of eligibility to align with the NCAA's new age-based eligibility model.

His new restraining order would stop Mizzou football from, “withholding Webb from practice (or) competition," and, "withholding, reducing or conditioning the revenue-sharing or name, image and likeness compensation available to Webb."

The defensive tackle is in his third year at Mizzou. He has recorded 38 tackles and two sacks as a Tiger. He is currently listed as the second-string defensive tackle ahead of Mizzou’s matchup against Arkansas-Pine Bluff Thursday night at Memorial Stadium.

This restraining order comes less than a week after Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz spoke out against the ongoing eligibility rollercoaster in college football.

“The season’s kicked off (and) we do not know what the rules are for eligibility,” Drinkwitz said. “That’s embarrassing, man. This is the second most watched sport in the United States, and for us to be operating like this is a complete clown show. It’s disappointing.”

Webb was welcomed back to Mizzou’s roster ahead of fall camp and was immediately added to the defensive line rotation.

“I'm going to focus on my team. If I'm told that I can add players, then I'll look to add players,” Drinkwitz said. “I'm going to do whatever I'm supposed to do to help the University of Missouri win. That's my job.”

Mizzou basketball forward Mark Mitchell announced his return to the Tigers on Monday for his fifth season of college basketball. Mitchell was granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA in Kentucky in August with an intention to transfer to UK. However, he was barred from transferring between Southeastern Conference schools outside the traditional transfer window due to the conference's bylaws. Mitchell will likely have to file a TRO within the state of Missouri to return to the Tigers.

Webb’s hearing, along with the NCAA’s motion to dismiss his case, is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday. The Tigers open the season against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 7 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Stadium.

(The Center Square) – Republican leaders in the U.S. House are confident they will maintain control of the chamber after the midterm elections, despite coping with party infighting that has delayed progress on critical legislation.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters Tuesday that he feels “very optimistic” and that House Republicans had received “great feedback in their districts” over the August recess.

“Republicans are going to defy history in 63 days, and we're going to hold this House majority. And that's for a simple reason: because the American people recognize the historic stakes of this,” Johnson said. “This is going to be a midterm unlike any other.”

Johnson, like other Republican lawmakers, pointed to growing numbers of self-identified Democratic Socialist candidates appearing on the 2026 ballot as a sign of “absolute madness that is ensuing on the other side.”

“The question that voters across the nation have to answer this Fall is whether we're going to turn the greatest nation in the history of the world over to communism and big government socialism as radical left Democrats insist — or, whether we're going to maintain our status as a constitutional republic, the great nation, the grand experiment in self-governance that's built on our foundational principles,” Johnson added. “That's what Republicans stand for. That's what we'll always stand for.”

Democrats, in their midterm messaging, have hammered Republicans on affordability, particularly over rising prices of gas and consumer goods resulting from the Trump administration’s military operations in Iran.

Johnson breezed past the criticism, touting other parts of Republicans’ record in the 119th Congress, such as permanently extending the 2017 tax cuts and domestic manufacturing rebates and pushing legislation targeting migrant crime.

“If you're like most Americans, the battle comes down to a simple question. Really, at the end of the day, which policies are going to be better for my family?,” Johnson said. “Do American families want a return to rampant inflation, record crime, record illegal immigration that we had under Democrat governance, or do they want to continue the restoration of common sense?”

He acknowledged that Republicans “have a lot more to do,” but argued that “this is the team that you must keep in place to continue those great strides and not reverse it and not go back to what we had.”

“As I like to say all the time, it is record over rhetoric. We're confident American voters are going to remember that when they had to vote this Fall,” Johnson added. “When they have the facts, they will make the right decision.”

According to recent polling, however, Republicans’ chances of staying in power look shaky. Only 42% of registered voters surveyed in The Center Square’s newest Voters’ Voice Poll chose a Republican candidate, versus 47% who chose a Democratic candidate.

The poll was conducted by Noble Predictive Insights from Aug. 12-16 with a +/- 2.0% margin of error. It surveyed 2,533 registered U.S. voters, with the sample comprised of 930 Republicans, 930 Democrats, and 673 Independents.

(The Center Square) – The ongoing contentious debate around data center development is not solely falling along partisan lines. 

The latest example is U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., backing President Donald Trump’s support of the industry. 

On Monday, Trump posted on social media expressing his support for data center development across the United States. 

“The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor,” Trump wrote. “If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign.” 

“The good news is that there are plenty of other places that want them. If we kill the Golden Goose, you will only have yourselves to blame,” the president continued. “China could not be happier with this anti Data Center movement. Actually, they can’t believe it is happening! President DJT.”

Just a few hours later, Fetterman shared a screenshot of an article from Bloomberg headlined “Trump says ‘let data reign’ in response to data center blowback,” saying that he agreed with the president. 

“We must win the war for AI supremacy over China. They foment the ‘anti’ argument through misinformation,” Fetterman wrote on social media. “There’s nothing more damaging to a Democrat than agreeing with Trump AND data centers—but what’s right is right.”

While Trump’s post embracing data center development made headlines on Monday, it was not the first time that Fetterman had issued statements in support of the industry. 

On Aug. 22, Fetterman shared a screenshot of a Semafor article headlined “China closes the gap in AI race with US.”

“AI supremacy and energy dominance underpin our national security. China continues to fuel and benefit from our overreaction,” Fetterman wrote on social media, in response to that article. “I reject the political pandering and hyperbole over data centers or AI doomsdaying.”

On Aug. 10, Axios reported that U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders was calling for a pause in AI development. 

Fetterman responded to that report, claiming that China loves to hear that. 

“America must lead in the development of AI, otherwise we live under China’s rules,” Fetterman said on social media. “That must not happen.”

Nearly one month prior, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a data center moratorium executive order. 

Fetterman also described that as a win for China.

U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., is an ally of the president. 

Although he didn’t issue a statement on social media following Trump’s comments on Monday, McCormick has also highlighted his belief that America needs to win the AI race. 

On Aug. 27, McCormick shared a pair of reports on social media detailing an investigation led by Republicans into anti-data-center non-profits over their ties to China. 

“China knows the AI race will shape the future,” McCormick said. “Now we’re learning Chinese money may be funding groups working to stop the data centers America needs to compete and meet our growing demand for AI.”

“We cannot let the CCP sabotage American AI dominance from inside our own borders,” he added. 

McCormick, in a separate post, argued that China is trying to “manipulate America’s debate over AI and energy” because they want to see the United States lose. 

“The Chinese Communist Party knows that whoever dominates AI will shape the future. They want America divided, afraid to build, and dependent,” McCormick said. “Our communities are rightly debating what should be built in their backyards. But those decisions should be based on reliable facts—not Beijing’s propaganda.”

In late July, McCormick delivered an address at the Manhattan Institute, where he detailed his “vision for American AI leadership.”

During that address, McCormick acknowledged the need to “reckon with the growing opposition to data centers on both sides of the aisle.” 

“I understand the concerns. No American should face higher power or water bills or have a hulking facility dropped into his backyard,” McCormick said. “But the choice is not between a moratorium and a runaway buildout that steamrolls communities. That false choice threatens America’s future.”

He argued that there needs to be cooperation and buy-in from local residents before a data center is built in a community.

The issue of data center development is also playing out in the race for governor. 

On Aug. 18, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order he said put the “strictest guardrails in the nation” on the industry, arguing that Pennsylvania has become filled with data center speculators.

State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a Trump supporter, has said she supports a “pause” on data center development.

The contentious debate is even taking place in local congressional races in the Keystone State. 

Recent polling indicates that data centers are not popular in Pennsylvania.

Sixty-two percent in Pennsylvania, according to a New York Times/Philadelphia Inquirer/Siena poll, said that they either strongly or somewhat opposed the construction of data centers, while 33% said they support it. A Franklin and Marshall College poll showed that four in five, 79%, oppose having a data center built in their community.