On this day in 2026 - 9/15/2026
On this day in 2026 - 9/15/2026
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court dealt President Donald Trump a significant defeat on voting rules Tuesday as the 2026 midterm campaign entered its final stretch, while a federal judge separately blocked an effort to put the president’s name on the Kennedy Center and markets slipped amid inflation pressures and an intensifying debate over artificial intelligence.
In an unsigned order late Monday, the high court refused to let the U.S. Postal Service implement new restrictions on mail-in ballots that Trump had sought through an executive order. The decision allows states to continue sending and accepting mail ballots under existing procedures with voting already underway in some places. Trump responded sharply on social media, saying the justices who ruled against him — including some he appointed — “were not the people I interviewed.”
The ruling capped a flurry of last-minute legal fights over election administration. A lower court had already blocked parts of the plan, and voting-rights groups hailed the outcome as preserving access for millions of Americans who rely on mail ballots. Administration officials have long argued, without presenting evidence accepted by courts, that mail voting invites widespread fraud.
The legal setback arrived alongside new polling that showed Democrats opening a clear lead on the generic congressional ballot. A New York Times/Siena University survey of likely voters found Democrats favored by about 8 to 9 points, with Trump’s approval rating lingering near 38 percent. Voters expressed particular dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling of the cost of living, the economy, and the ongoing conflict with Iran. Other recent polls showed similar Democratic advantages.
A separate courtroom loss came at the Kennedy Center. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper barred the performing-arts venue’s Trump-aligned board from inscribing the president’s name on the building or renaming the campus “President Donald J. Trump Plaza.” The judge said the proposal violated both his earlier injunction and a statute requiring congressional approval for such memorials. The board had voted to add language crediting Trump for renovations.
Meanwhile, Washington remained divided over artificial intelligence. Tech executives have issued increasingly urgent warnings about risks from rapidly advancing systems, including potential loss of control over the internet. Trump dismissed the concerns as a “hoax” and “sick conspiracy,” arguing the United States cannot afford to slow development in competition with China. House Speaker Mike Johnson said industry self-regulation should take the lead. Unusual alliances formed as Sen. Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon prepared to share a stage calling for faster congressional action. The EPA also repealed Biden-era greenhouse-gas limits on power plants, with officials citing rising electricity demand from AI data centers.
Economic news added to the tense atmosphere. Stocks fell Tuesday as oil prices stayed elevated because of the Middle East conflict and the 10-year Treasury yield moved above 5 percent, raising borrowing costs. The Federal Reserve was meeting Sept. 15-16 with markets pricing in a possible quarter-point rate increase — the first in years — to combat stubborn inflation, a move that would put Chairman Kevin Warsh at odds with Trump’s preference for lower rates.
Other developments included the State Department notifying Congress it would shift $52 million in military aid from several European and Middle Eastern countries to governments in Latin America aligned with the administration’s priorities on immigration and drugs. FBI Director Kash Patel faced Senate questioning over leadership and hiring-policy changes. The Senate prepared to vote on a major cryptocurrency regulatory framework.
With less than two months until Election Day, the combination of court rulings, polling, economic strain, and policy fights over technology and foreign aid set a contentious tone for the campaign’s closing weeks.
PHOENIX — A police shooting in Gilbert, a dramatic freeway crash in Phoenix, and returning monsoon storms that prompted water rescues in Tucson lead local news Tuesday as Arizona also reacted to a U.S. Supreme Court decision preserving mail-in voting ahead of the midterms.
Gilbert police shot and killed a man who was reportedly wielding a knife early Tuesday in a neighborhood near Lindsay and Guadalupe roads. No officers were injured, and authorities said there was no ongoing threat to the public. Mesa police were investigating the incident as part of the East Valley Critical Incident Response Team. Neighbors described the usually quiet area as being sealed off with crime tape as investigators worked the scene.
In Phoenix, a crash involving large trucks on University Drive just off Interstate 10 left one vehicle partially dangling over an overpass. Police cited possible brake failure. Aerial footage showed the chaotic scene, though no serious injuries were immediately reported. The incident snarled traffic on a major corridor.
Weather compounded the day’s challenges. Tropical moisture brought renewed monsoon activity, with rain, strong winds, and flooding risks across the Phoenix metro and southern Arizona. Tucson firefighters rescued three people from rushing floodwaters in about 30 minutes Monday evening as washes and streets turned into fast-moving currents. Highs were expected to drop into the low-to-mid 90s later in the week. Human remains were also found in the Colorado River at the Grand Canyon, downstream from earlier flooding.
The Supreme Court’s rejection of President Trump’s attempt to restrict mail ballots carried particular weight in Arizona, where more than 80 percent of voters typically use mail-in ballots. Secretary of State Adrian Fontes called the decision “a big win for voters” that upholds states’ authority over election procedures.
Other stories included Tucson Unified School District facing another enrollment drop and possible school closures or consolidations, federal funding for water-reuse research tied to semiconductor manufacturing, and utilities watching the EPA’s repeal of greenhouse-gas rules on power plants as energy demand rises. The Arizona Diamondbacks also notched a late-inning win at home.
Local officials and residents continued to monitor both the weather and the investigation into the Gilbert shooting as the midterm campaign season intensified.
9/15/2026 - On this day in:
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