May 6, 2026 - Ohio's Marquee Matchups for Midterms

Tonight, at 7pm ET on my YouTube channel, I am releasing Episode 26 of the Mingle Project – and I think it's the most important chapter to date.

My guest is Dr. Robert Putnam, the Harvard political scientist who wrote “Bowling Alone” a quarter century ago. His core argument: Donald Trump is a consequence, not the cause, of our social isolation. The forces that give rise to populism will remain until we weave back together the fabric of American life.

There've been so many great conversations in this series about our societal disconnect and need for common experience, but Putnam brings the historical sweep to match the diagnosis. We've been here before – at the end of the 19th Century – and there is a path forward. It requires both a governmental and individual response. Technology, properly programmed, could be part of the solution rather than the problem. And in short: Go Young, Go Local, and Go Moral.

He also inspired today's poll question.

Following the half-hour interview on YouTube, I will lead a 30-minute discussion on Zoom. Additionally, all the relevant links will be sent again to our readers prior to the event. If you can't watch the debut tonight, you'll be able to watch at your leisure after the premiere.

If you want to do one tangible thing to improve yourself and your country – go join. It's not one size fits all. Join something in your community where you can have impact and establish social capital. 

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Ohio’s primary has set the stage for high-stakes fall elections, with a pivotal U.S. Senate showdown between Sherrod Brown and Jon Husted likely to influence control of the chamber, alongside a closely watched gubernatorial race between Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton.

Associated Press

Five Trump-endorsed challengers defeated Indiana state senators who opposed redistricting in primary races, underscoring the President’s influence within the GOP, while one incumbent survived and another race remained too close to call.

The Indianapolis Star

President Donald Trump abruptly paused a newly launched U.S. military mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, halting "Project Freedom" and transit-clearing operations amid ongoing tensions with Iran and hopes for a potential peace agreement.

The Washington Post

Rising foot traffic at Costco—up more than 18% since 2019—has made stores noticeably more crowded, prompting the retailer to expand locations and introduce new technologies to manage the surge while preserving its shopping experience.

DNYUZ

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio used a wide-ranging and confident White House press briefing on foreign policy to showcase his leadership style and political instincts, fueling speculation about his potential 2028 presidential ambitions.

The Hill

A new University of Houston poll shows Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton narrowly leading Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP Senate runoff, with the race effectively tied within the margin of error just weeks before the May 26 election.

The Texas Tribune

Around 100 anti-Israel protesters gathered near Manhattan’s Park East Synagogue during an event tied to Israeli real estate, clashing with police as tensions escalated, leaving one officer injured and prompting renewed scrutiny over security measures at houses of worship.

New York Post

Pope Leo XIV found that even papal authority couldn’t bypass everyday bureaucracy when a bank customer service agent refused to update his information over the phone — and even hung up after he revealed his identity.

The New York Times

Media mogul Barry Diller said he would buy CNN “tonight” if possible, warning the network risks further decline amid looming corporate changes while also revealing he had seriously explored acquiring Vox Media.

The Hollywood Reporter

The Eagles have added six new fall 2026 dates to their record-setting Las Vegas Sphere residency, further extending a multimedia concert series that celebrates their iconic catalog and enduring commercial success.

Variety