A wildfire crisis dominates news across the American West today. Utah’s Cottonwood Fire in Beaver County has surpassed 70,000 acres and is poised to become the most destructive and costly fire in state history, fueled by record drought conditions and blustery winds, with mandatory evacuations in effect and 0% containment. Nevada’s Grapevine Fire near Caliente has reached 23,818 acres with 0% containment, while multiple fires are burning across Washington state, including a rapidly expanding fire in Yakima County at over 20,000 acres. The 2026 midterm election cycle is also accelerating across all 50 states, with primaries recently completed in New York, Maryland, Utah, and South Carolina. Nationally, a federal judge in Boston blocked parts of President Trump’s executive order to limit voting by mail, and a federal appeals court allowed the Trump administration to resume speedy deportations of undocumented migrants throughout the United States. The Supreme Court ruled on a Missouri pesticide-labeling case involving Roundup, with the central issue being whether federal law overrides state claims regarding what must appear on pesticide labels. Measles remains a major public health story: as of June 18, 2026, more than 2,104 confirmed measles cases have been reported across 41 states in 2026, with 30 outbreaks and 93% of cases being outbreak-associated.
STATE-BY-STATE NEWS
ALABAMA
- Alabama has essentially postponed its House primaries in all but the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Districts after the state obtained a court order allowing it to run its 2026 elections under a different congressional map designed to give Republicans one more seat in the House. Primaries for the redrawn districts will be held later in the year. The move has drawn legal challenges and national attention heading into the November midterms.
ALASKA
- Multiple wildfires are actively burning across Alaska, including the Starry Fire one mile south of Anderson (threatening structures and railroad infrastructure), the Pogo Fire northeast of Delta Junction, the Nowitna Fire north of McGrath with moderate behavior, and several BLM-managed fires in the Tanana zone northwest of Minto and southeast of Lake Minchumina. Warm temperatures and scattered thunderstorms are feeding continued fire activity.
ARIZONA
- The Pocket Fire, burning in timber and chaparral seven miles north of Sedona in the Coconino National Forest, is exhibiting moderate fire behavior with flanking, torching, and spotting, with numerous structures threatened and area and road closures in effect. The Sycamore Fire continues burning 15 miles north of Globe in the Tonto National Forest with active fire behavior.
ARKANSAS
- Arkansas is in a midterm election holding pattern, with congressional primaries completed and general election candidates certified. Four states — California, Missouri, North Carolina, and Texas — will use different congressional maps in 2026, with Arkansas also having held state legislative primaries in which several incumbents lost to challengers. Statewide focus has shifted to economic development and the upcoming November races.
CALIFORNIA
- Two California men freed from prison last year over prosecutorial misconduct have filed lawsuits against Alameda County, and separately, a federal lawsuit accuses gas station operators in California of using AI-powered software to illegally collude and raise prices. A rural area of Northern California also experienced its strongest earthquake since 1940, though it caused only mild shaking with no immediate reports of major damage.
COLORADO
- Colorado is at elevated wildfire risk. Lightning-ignited fires are expected to be most likely across northern Arizona and New Mexico into southern and eastern Utah, southern and western Colorado, and far southern Wyoming, with gusty and erratic outflow winds anticipated to accompany this activity. Politically, Democrats are working to build legislative supermajorities in both chambers ahead of November.
CONNECTICUT
- All seats of the Connecticut State Senate and Connecticut House of Representatives are up for election in 2026, with Democrats currently controlling both chambers. The state is focused on down-ballot races as Democrats attempt to consolidate legislative power in a blue state amid the national midterm wave environment.
DELAWARE
- Half the seats in the Delaware State Senate and all of the Delaware House of Representatives are up for election in 2026, with Democrats currently controlling both chambers. Democrats are targeting a legislative supermajority in the House as part of a nationally coordinated effort ahead of November.
FLORIDA
- The Rookery Fire, a 3,700-acre wildfire in Volusia County, is currently 0% contained. Elevated fire weather and lightning holdover conditions are expected across the Southeast from Florida to the coastal Carolinas. On the political front, Rep. Byron Donalds’ gubernatorial campaign continues to shape the Republican primary field heading toward November.
GEORGIA
- Georgia Republicans selected nominees for competitive U.S. Senate and Governor elections in June primary runoffs. Jim Kingston won the Republican primary for Georgia’s 1st Congressional District, NBC News projected. The state features some of the most closely watched Senate and gubernatorial races in the country this cycle.
HAWAII
- Half of the seats in the Hawaii Senate and all of the Hawaii House of Representatives are up for election in 2026, with Democrats currently controlling both chambers. The state is also monitoring regional wildfire smoke impacts and continuing to address tourism recovery and housing affordability as key legislative concerns.
IDAHO
- Idaho is part of the Great Basin region currently described as “one of the most active areas in the country” for wildfires, with fire officials warning that resources are stretched across the region. All seats in the Idaho Senate and House of Representatives are up for election in 2026.
ILLINOIS
- Illinois is one of four states that voluntarily underwent mid-decade redistricting and will use a different congressional map for the 2026 election than it did in 2024. The new map is expected to advantage Democrats in several competitive districts. State legislative races are also on the November ballot across both chambers.
INDIANA
- Indiana Republicans hold a legislative supermajority, and Democrats are targeting the Indiana House as part of a broader effort to break Republican dominance in the statehouse. All seats in both Indiana legislative chambers are up for election in 2026. The state has seen above-average candidate recruitment by Democrats for the first time in years.
IOWA
- An Iowa attorney with the Office of the State Public Defender settled with the state after being fired and later reinstated following online comments she made about the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The case drew national attention over free-speech questions for public employees.
KANSAS
- Kansas is focused on its upcoming November midterms, with all legislative seats on the ballot. Democrats have targeted the Kansas House as part of a national strategy to break or prevent Republican supermajorities. The state continues to deal with ongoing drought conditions affecting agriculture.
KENTUCKY
- Kentucky held its House primary elections recently, with projected winners emerging in several districts including Gallrein and Strange in District 4. Senate candidate Andy Barr is running for the seat being vacated by Mitch McConnell. Kentucky’s November Senate race is one of the most watched in the country.
LOUISIANA
- Rep. Julia Letlow jumped into the Louisiana Senate race after receiving backing from President Trump over incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy. The race is viewed as a key test of Trump’s influence in state-level GOP primaries ahead of the general election.
MAINE
- Maine held its ranked-choice voting primary on June 18, 2026. A federal judge in Boston blocked parts of President Trump’s executive order to limit voting by mail, a ruling with direct implications for Maine, a state that has long relied on robust mail-in and absentee voting. The Trump administration is expected to appeal the ruling.
MARYLAND
- Incumbent April McClain Delaney won the Democratic primary for Maryland’s 6th Congressional District. Maryland’s Senate president defeated a Democratic primary challenger amid redistricting anger, reflecting internal party tensions over the state’s newly drawn legislative maps.
MASSACHUSETTS
- A federal judge in Boston blocked parts of President Trump’s executive order to limit voting by mail, with the Trump administration expected to appeal. Separately, Sen. Ed Markey is defending his seat from a primary challenge by Rep. Seth Moulton in what has been billed as a generational contest between progressive and more centrist wings of the Democratic Party.
MICHIGAN
- Rep. John James is running for governor in what shapes up to be a competitive general election. Michigan is also a key state in the push for the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, identified as one of six states whose participation could push the compact over the threshold needed to activate it, requiring 270 electoral votes.
MINNESOTA
- Rep. Angie Craig is running for U.S. Senate in a competitive Democratic primary. The Minnesota House changed party control following the 2024 general election, with Republicans securing a tie, making November’s legislative races particularly high-stakes for both parties.
MISSISSIPPI
- Mississippi is heading toward general election season with all legislative seats on the ballot in November. The state is also dealing with ongoing infrastructure investment debates related to water systems, a lingering issue since the 2022 Jackson water crisis. All congressional seats are safely held by incumbents with little primary drama.
MISSOURI
- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a pesticide-labeling case filed by Missouri resident John Durnell, centered on whether federal law overrides state claims regarding what must appear on a Roundup herbicide label. Separately, two arrests were made in Missouri in connection with a planned attack on a White House South Lawn event, with law enforcement having learned of the threat on June 10.
MONTANA
- Montana held its congressional primaries on June 1, 2026, with results certified for both congressional districts. Montana’s Senate race, featuring an open seat, is drawing national GOP attention. Wildfire conditions are active in western Montana, with quick-moving thunderstorms expected to affect Idaho and western Montana in the coming days.
NEBRASKA
- The South Fork Fire in Sioux County, Nebraska, has reached 38,914 acres and is currently 64% contained. It is one of the largest fires in the state in recent years. Nebraska’s unicameral legislature is also on the ballot in November, with Democrats targeting several competitive seats.
NEVADA
- The Grapevine Fire near Caliente is burning 23,818 acres in the Clover Mountain Wilderness Area and remains 0% contained, with Beaver Dam State Park closed as a precautionary measure. The Kane Springs Fire, also near Caliente, is burning in short grass and brush 17 miles southwest of Caliente. Nevada’s Democratic gubernatorial primary was won with 63.3% of the vote on June 9.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
- Rep. Chris Pappas is running for U.S. Senate in a competitive Democratic primary for an open seat. New Hampshire is identified as one of the key swing states in the National Popular Vote Compact debate. A federal judge blocked parts of Trump’s mail-in voting executive order, directly impacting states with strong absentee voting traditions like New Hampshire.
NEW JERSEY
- New Jersey held its primaries on June 1, 2026. The state’s competitive congressional districts are among the most watched in the country as Democrats try to flip the House. New Jersey’s general assembly and senate seats are all on the November ballot.
NEW MEXICO
- The Bear Fire in Catron County has burned 7,769 acres and is currently 35% contained. Lightning-ignited fires are expected across northern Arizona and New Mexico in the coming days as monsoonal moisture moves through the region. New Mexico held its congressional primaries on June 1.
NEW YORK
- New York prosecutors dropped a rape charge against Harvey Weinstein instead of retrying the former movie producer for a fourth time in the state. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s three backed progressive candidates swept their primary elections, with all three nearly guaranteed to win in November in safe Democratic seats, putting the mayor’s political power on display.
NORTH CAROLINA
- North Carolina is one of four states using a new congressional map for 2026, following voluntary mid-decade redistricting. The new map is expected to favor Republicans. Lightning holdover fire conditions are expected along the coastal Carolinas from Southeast heat and storm activity heading into the weekend.
NORTH DAKOTA
- North Dakota held its primaries on June 8, 2026. The state’s agriculture sector is monitoring ongoing drought conditions affecting crop yields. Both legislative chambers are up for election in November, with Republicans holding solid majorities in both.
OHIO
- The Ohio Supreme Court declined to review Mackenzie Shirilla’s post-conviction appeals after determining the petition was filed late. Shirilla was sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after 15 years, a case that gained significant national attention following the release of a Netflix documentary. Ohio will also use a different congressional map in 2026 due to state law.
OKLAHOMA
- Oklahoma held its primary elections on June 15, 2026. Rep. Kevin Hern launched a Senate bid for the seat being vacated by Sen. Markwayne Mullin, setting up a competitive Republican primary. Oklahoma’s several competitive congressional districts are also drawing national attention.
OREGON
- Oregon held its primaries on May 18, 2026. Washington’s wildfire season is active, with above-average fire risk across Eastern Washington spilling over into Eastern Oregon as well. Elevated fire weather conditions with humidity below 15% and gusty winds are forecast to persist through the region.
PENNSYLVANIA
- Pennsylvania held its primaries on May 18, 2026. Pennsylvania is also identified as a key state for the National Popular Vote Compact. The state’s highly competitive Senate and congressional races are top national targets for both parties. 270toWin.com
RHODE ISLAND
- Rhode Island held its primary on May 18, 2026. Rhode Island is among the 41 states reporting measles cases in 2026, part of the ongoing national outbreak that has surpassed 2,100 confirmed cases. State public health officials continue to urge vaccination amid the growing epidemic.
SOUTH CAROLINA
- The South Carolina House passed a new congressional map aimed at electing seven Republicans to Congress in the 2026 midterms, following more than three hours of floor debate and an overnight vote session. The proposal faces an uncertain future as the state Senate must still approve the map and a pending lawsuit could put the House’s actions in question.
SOUTH DAKOTA
- South Dakota held its primaries on June 1, 2026. Rep. Dusty Johnson launched a gubernatorial campaign. The state continues to rank highly in economic development and business climate rankings but faces rural healthcare access challenges. Both legislative chambers are on the November ballot.
TENNESSEE
- Tennessee held its primaries on May 18, 2026. Rep. John Rose is running for governor. Nashville remains the top-ranked U.S. city for corporate headquarters operations according to site selectors. The state is preparing for competitive November congressional and statehouse races.
TEXAS
- Utah’s Cottonwood Fire in Beaver County has surpassed 70,000 acres and is poised to become the most destructive and costly wildfire in state history. Fueled by record drought and blustery winds, it destroyed the Eagle Point ski lodge and remains 0% contained. Mandatory evacuations are in effect and a statewide fireworks ban has been announced, including for the Fourth of July.
VERMONT
- Vermont held its primaries on June 22, 2026, as part of a multi-state primary day. Vermont Democrats are pursuing a legislative supermajority in both chambers. The state remains a focal point in national debates on healthcare access and climate policy, and its small-town communities continue to recover from flooding damage from prior seasons.
VIRGINIA
- Virginia Republicans gained control of the state Senate following the 2025 elections, ending years of Democratic legislative dominance. Virginia’s House and Senate seats are both on the November 2026 ballot, setting up a major contest over legislative control in a competitive purple state.
WASHINGTON
- Washington state is seeing multiple major wildfires, including the 4170 Tule Rd Fire in Yakima County at 20,665 acres with 0% containment, the Juniper Dunes Fire in Franklin County at 10,578 acres, and the Twin Sisters Fire in Walla Walla County at 8,262 acres. The state legislature appropriated $120 million for firefighting in 2026, twice the previous year’s budget, as above-average wildfire risk was predicted across Eastern Washington.
WEST VIRGINIA
- West Virginia’s Senate seat is among the targeted pickup opportunities for Republicans nationally. The state continues its economic transition away from coal, with workforce development and broadband expansion as key legislative priorities. Both House and Senate seats are on the November ballot.
WISCONSIN
- Rep. Tom Tiffany launched a gubernatorial bid, setting up a competitive Republican primary. Wisconsin is identified as one of the key potential swing states for the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. The state’s competitive legislative chambers and governor’s race make it one of the most watched states in the 2026 midterm cycle.
WYOMING
- Rep. Harriet Hageman launched her bid for the Wyoming Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Cynthia Lummis. Wyoming’s Great Basin region is among the most active for wildfire activity nationally, with lightning-ignited fires expected in far southern Wyoming as monsoonal moisture and storms move through the region.
