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Afternoon Sun Newsletter

‘Peanuts’

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at a campaign event in front of a sign that reads "Paxton for Senate 2026 #TexasFirst"

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, speaks to supporters at a campaign event in McKinney, Texas, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. LM Otero/AP Photo/LM Otero

By Marissa Martinez

May 19, 2026 04:43 p.m.

Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for May 19, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!

THE LATEST

Donald Trump is at odds with Senate Republicans over ballroom funding, the new $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund and today’s endorsement of Ken Paxton over incumbent John Cornyn in the Texas Senate race.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche refused to say whether any of the “anti-weaponization” money would go to people who had assaulted police officers during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot at a Senate hearing this morning.