‘Not Great, But Good’

Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for Aug. 26, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!

THE LATEST

USPS can proceed with its plan to regulate mail-in ballots, a federal judge ruled, but a challenge filed today by 23 Democratic-led states could block the finalized rule.

THE ADMINISTRATION

ICE has released a U.S. Navy sailor’s father from detention. The sailor had shared his distress over the detention while aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.

The White House will announce new infrastructure initiatives, including shielding water systems from hackers (Politico) and a DOT plan for utility corridors (Semafor).

• The administration asked environmental regulators to allow small oil refineries to blend less biofuel into their gasoline in an effort to ease pump prices, Reuters reports — which would please the oil industry and anger biofuel advocates in the Midwest.

The president of the International Criminal Court says her credit cards and assets have been frozen as part of the Trump administration’s effort to sanction the organization.

The price of toilet paper and other paper products has surged as the U.S. trade war with Canada ratchets up.

THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Republican Bobby Charles says he plans to ask White House border czar Tom Homan to send ICE agents to Maine polling stations this election season.

Dan J. Sullivan has advanced to third place in Alaska’s all-party Senate primary, The Associated Press projected today. He and a yet-unknown fourth candidate will face off against former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola and … Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan.

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-South Carolina) had the look of a “not great, but good” member of Congress — but his career was ruined after endorsing Nikki Haley for president, Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social today, after Norman’s special primary election loss.

THE COURTS

A federal judge struck down Texas’ ban on drag shows, deeming it an unconstitutional restriction on free speech.

• “The solution is relatively simple ... just don’t go,” the judge wrote.

A Maryland court ruled the state’s Democratic-led redistricting amendment can’t go on the ballot in November, but lawmakers have room to appeal to the state Supreme Court.

THE HILL

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had let her DSA annual membership lapse in 2019 after becoming the organization’s most prominent member. The New York Democrat just rejoined this month, the DSA confirmed.

THEY JUST HAD TO GET STONED

Thank you for reading! Today’s newsletter was produced by Matt Berman and Erik Schutz. If you liked it, please forward it to a friend. If someone shared it with you, please sign up — it’s free! Got a tip or comments to share? Email us at finalnotus@notus.com.