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New Texas laws expand repair rights, regulate solar sellers and recognize gold as money
Texas laws taking effect Sept. 1 will change how consumers repair electronic devices, strengthen oversight of residential solar sales and allow certain forms of gold and silver to be used as legal tender.
Progressive candidate is gaining on top two rivals in N.H. congressional race
While the establishment-backed top contenders, Stefany Shaheen and Maura Sullivan, are locked in a close contest, a progressive push by Carleigh Beriont may be gaining momentum.
Trump, Beef & Ballots
Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina delve into the latest news in politics
John Cornyn is raising money for competitive Senate races
The GOP senator said he plans to use his considerable fundraising prowess to help colleagues in New Hampshire, Michigan, Alaska and elsewhere.
What does it mean to be a Texas Republican in 2026? It depends who you ask
As Republicans prepare for the party's first national midterm convention in Dallas, we asked Texas Republicans what — and who — defines the Lone Star State's GOP in 2026.
James Talarico continues to edge out Ken Paxton in Texas’ U.S. Senate race, new poll finds
The latest University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll shows Democratic state Rep. Talarico leading Republican Attorney General Paxton by three percentage points, with 14% of respondents undecided. Republicans maintain a modest lead over Democratic candidates in most other leading statewide contests.
Dallas to pay nearly $2 million on security for Republican midterm convention
Dallas will pay nearly $2 million on police to provide security for a midterm Republican convention in September, officials said Monday.
Trump to headline RNC fundraiser in Houston aimed at boosting Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign
An analysis by AdImpact suggests that Paxton, Democratic state Rep. James Talarico, and groups supporting both campaigns could spend roughly $440 million on the Texas Senate race, making it the second-most expensive U.S. Senate contest in history.
Kean Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Fund Mental Health Support for First Responders
(August 24, 2026) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) introduced the Lifeline for First Responders Act with Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Gabe Evans (CO-08), and Sharice Davids (KS-03). The bipartisan bill would create the first federal grant program dedicated to mental health care for firefighters, paramedics, and dispatchers, addressing a gap in support that EMS workers have faced for years.
Cornered by Big Bend backlash, Texas Republicans tread carefully around Trump
Most of the state’s GOP leaders have hedged on the White House's plans for the region, welcoming a construction pause without breaking from a president they're loath to cross.
Boston Fed president listens to N.H. business, economic leaders
Susan M. Collins, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, met on Thursday with business leaders in New Hampshire who are grappling with lingering inflation and an especially tight labor market.
Confused about Big Bend area border plans? Here’s what you need to know.
There's been a lot of confusion this year about the Trump administration's plan for new border barriers across the Big Bend region of West Texas. Here's a rundown of what federal border agencies say they're planning.
Patriots Hit With Brutal Playoff Prediction Ahead of 2026 Season
The New England Patriots went from four wins to the Super Bowl during Mike Vrabel’s first season in charge.Bleacher Report is predicting a much different ending in Year 2.Brad Gagnon made the Patriots the key part of his AFC East entry in an list of one bold prediction for every NFL division.His forecast was that […] The post Patriots Hit With Brutal Playoff Prediction Ahead of 2026 Season appeared first on HEAVY.
The week in politics (Aug. 19, 2026)
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. And we contemplate what Houston might've been like if Texas had been allowed to split into five separate states.
The 2026 HDBuzz Prize for Young Science Writers Is Open!
⏱️ 5 min read | Announcing the 2026 HDBuzz Prize for Young Science Writers – sponsored by the Hereditary Disease Foundation!
The Scientists Who Want to Steer Hurricanes
Over the weekend, Hawaii was lashed by Hurricane Lala, which has washed away homes, left more than 125,000 people without power, shut down two of the state’s busiest airports, threatened dangerous flash flooding and, at time of writing, has killed one person. What if we could’ve steered the storm away from Hawaii, into the vast expanse of the empty Pacific Ocean that lies all around the islands—where no one could get hurt? This scenario might sound like the stuff of science fiction. But earlier this year, a peer-reviewed study published by the Public Library of Science found that it might be possible, and sooner than we think. The study was titled: “Weather Jiu-Jitsu: Prospects for atmospheric nudging to defuse the impact of catastrophic weather extremes.” According to the paper, the controversial practice of cloud seeding could enable human beings to make hurricanes change direction. The potential results could be astounding: The authors suggested that Hurricane Sandy, which in New York City alone killed 44 people and caused $19 billion of damage in 2012, could’ve been diverted by 200 miles, missing the metropolis entirely. Cloud seeding, which first succeeded in the U.S. in 1946, is a practice whereby small particles—for example, dry ice, silver iodide, or salt—are dropped into clouds, causing moisture to condense into precipitation. In the 1960s, the U.S. government launched Project Stormfury, an experiment that saw Navy pilots flying into the heart of a hurricane, dodging winds over a hundred miles per hour, to cloud-seed inside it, in the hope of reducing the storm’s power. “The seeding,” the theory went, “would stimulate the formation of a new eyewall that would surround the existing eyewall. The new eyewall would contract, strangling the old eyewall and reducing the intensity of the hurricane.”
As John Whitmire turns 77, the ‘spry’ and ‘vigorous’ Houston mayor wants to stay in office into his 80s
After 50 years in the Texas Legislature and nearly three at City Hall, Whitmire says he will seek a second term as mayor.
The week in politics (Aug. 12, 2026)
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. And we reflect on the classic film "Casablanca" ahead of a screening at the River Oaks Theatre.
Despite federal efforts to drop some children’s vaccine recommendations, Texas requirements unchanged
Public health officials said some parents are confused about what vaccines are required to attend Texas schools amid efforts to change recommendations.
Despite federal efforts to drop some children’s vaccine recommendations, Texas requirements unchanged
Public health officials said some parents are confused about what vaccines are required to attend Texas schools amid efforts to change recommendations.
David M. Shribman: The long road of a longshot in New Hampshire
GILFORD, N.H. — Taped on the refrigerator are four pictures of the bear that recently wandered behind Robby Cosgriff’s house. On the opposite...
Back-to-school health (Aug. 7, 2026)
On Friday's show: As school begins for many students, a pediatrician offers advice for keeping kids healthy throughout the school year. And we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
Usman Nurmagomedov to UFC Can’t Happen Just Yet
The UFC might want to sign free-agent lightweight Usman Nurmagomedov, but it can’t happen just yet due to the PFL holding his signing rights.With a 22-0, 1 NC record, it’s easy to see why UFC president Dana White wants to bring Nurmagomedov to the world’s leading MMA promotion.However, before the UFC can even speak to […] The post Usman Nurmagomedov to UFC Can’t Happen Just Yet appeared first on HEAVY.
Gov. Greg Abbott cleared the way for the hemp industry in 2019. Now businesses are being pushed out
Texas will ban hemp products containing certain intoxicating cannabinoids starting July 31, and local businesses are feeling the strain — and even closing.
With future of U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade in limbo, Texas businesses navigate choppy waters
The Trump administration announced July 1 it would not renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Rising uncertainty has led businesses that depend on the trade pact to pull back on investment in Texas, experts say.
The week in politics (July 29, 2026)
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. And we reflect on the role the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee had on Houston and the city’s desegregation more than 50 years ago.
Three measles cases reported by Montgomery County health department
The measles cases in members of the same family, who had not been vaccinated for the virus, mark the first reported cases in the Houston area this year.
The week in politics (July 22, 2026)
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup, and we talk with comedian Dulcé Sloan of "Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!"
Gov. Greg Abbott orders state health agencies to crack down on ‘birth tourism’
Immigration attorneys have expressed concerns the executive order could force health providers to determine the legal status of pregnant women before providing care, potentially endangering their lives and those of their unborn children.
Gov. Greg Abbott names Robert Howden as Texas secretary of state
Howden, previously Gov. Greg Abbott’s legislative director, succeeds Jane Nelson, whose resignation took effect Friday morning.
Ken Paxton’s campaign says he will debate James Talarico in Texas’ U.S. Senate race
Paxton's campaign said he plans to debate after Talarico challenged him to do so, though it did not commit to a specific host.
Texas Sen. John Cornyn appears on the fence about Todd Blanche’s nomination to be Trump’s attorney general
Cornyn, whose reelection defeat Trump ensured in May, expressed concerns during Blanche’s confirmation hearing about President Trump’s “anti-weaponization fund” – which Blanche helped craft as Trump’s personal lawyer.
Beck the Lead Author of Article Published in <em>Quaternary Science Reviews</em>
“Pleistocene record of a dynamic, fluctuating lacustrine margin from the Turkana Basin, Kenya,” co-authored by Associate Professor of Geosciences Catherine (Cat) Beck, appears in the October issue of Quaternary Science Reviews from Elsevier.
Messi hails 'special' World Cup win over England
Lionel Messi hailed a "special" win after Argentina beat England to reach the World Cup final, with the veteran at the heart of a come-from-behind 2-1 win.He said Spain, who beat France 2-0 to reach the final, were "a fantastic side, wonderful players".
The week in politics (July 15, 2026)
On Wednesday's show: We break down the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. And we discuss the state of Houston's environment.
N.H. lawmaker clocked at 107 mph asserts ‘legislative privilege’
The state representative likened her situation to that of an EMT or police officer responding to an urgent call. What was her emergency? She hasn’t said.
Roche ends two Huntington’s disease drug programmes after disappointing results
⏱️ 10 min read | Roche announced it is stopping development of two of its huntingtin-lowering ASO drugs, tominersen and RG6496. This marks a disappointing end to an important chapter in HD clinical research.
Transgender student athletes end legal fight over N.H.’s girls’ sports law after recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling
Student athletes withdraw lawsuit against New Hampshire law barring transgender girls from participating in girls' school sports after Supreme Court ruling.
Democrats are calling for an investigation into Houston ICE shooting. Republicans have been mostly silent
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was fatally shot by an ICE agent on Tuesday during what the agency called a "targeted enforcement operation."
Former Houston U.S. Rep. Bill Archer dies at 98
The Houston Republican served for three decades in Congress, rising to become chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.
Supreme Court decision loosening campaign finance rules could be boon for Paxton in Senate race
Now permitted to spend freely in coordination with GOP candidates, national Republican committees can use their flush war chests to help candidates like Paxton close fundraising deficits.
The week in politics (July 1, 2026)
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. And foodies discuss their favorite places for happy hour food and drink.
Ravens Rookies Expected to Make Immediate Impact in ‘Projected Roles’
The Baltimore Ravens are known for drafting players who can make an immediate impact on the field. For example, look at Kyle Hamilton.Hamilton is already a three time All-Pro after being drafted by Baltimore in 2022. In this year’s draft class, Baltimore’s draft picks have the same potential to make an immediate impact as soon […] The post Ravens Rookies Expected to Make Immediate Impact in ‘Projected Roles’ appeared first on HEAVY.
Texas Democrats leave convention united in effort to end GOP’s 30-year hold on state politics
Texas Democrats spent their 3-day convention in Corpus Christi rallying party activists, training volunteers and making the case for Democratic policies and candidates across the state ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
New York Knicks Champion Mitchell Robinson Makes Heartfelt Post
Mitchell Robinson is coming off his eighth season in the NBA.The 28-year-old has become an extremely valuable player for the New York Knicks in that span.He is coming off a season where he averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per contest while shooting 72.3% from the field in 60 games.Knicks Champion Robinson Makes […] The post New York Knicks Champion Mitchell Robinson Makes Heartfelt Post appeared first on HEAVY.
Texas Democrats head to convention with optimism, but questions about November remain
The Texas Democratic Convention begins Thursday in Corpus Christi. The three-day convention features several national and statewide figures in the party — this while polls show Democratic candidate James Talarico essentially even with his Republican opponent for U.S. Senate, Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Jasmine Crockett’s silence could hurt James Talarico’s U.S. Senate chances in November
The Dallas congresswoman, Talarico’s erstwhile rival in the Democratic primary, has yet to say whether she’ll campaign for him in the general election against Republican Ken Paxton.
Las Vegas woman accused of running illegal multi-million-dollar healthcare scheme in Pearland, prosecutors say
Marizel Yukee is accused of providing medically unnecessary allografts to patients while receiving kickbacks, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Her case is one prosecutors are citing as part of a national crackdown on health care fraud.
Houston Methodist receives $110M donation, largest in health system’s history
The donation, made by The Brockman Medical Research Foundation, is the largest in the hospital system's history.
Houston restaurants in East Downtown say business has improved as World Cup continues
The FIFA Fan Festival in East Downtown — where local residents and visitors can watch matches for free — had drawn more than 163,000 visitors as of Tuesday.
The week in politics (June 24, 2026)
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. And we ponder the art of crafting a compelling story from the public radio program, "The Moth."
NHL exploring Texas expansion opportunities in Houston and Austin, AP source says
Houston has never been home to an NHL franchise but previously had two pro hockey teams that both were called the Aeros.
From an indictment to an alleged affair, Ken Paxton’s controversies hang over his Senate bid
The attorney general has won statewide elections twice since his legal woes began. This time he will be at the top of the ticket, facing a fundraising juggernaut in James Talarico.
Jewish voters express growing isolation amid rising antisemitism in both major political parties
Faced with anti-Israel and even anti-Jewish sentiment by party activists, and by an increasing number of political candidates, many Jewish voters are facing uncomfortable choices as they cast their ballots this year.
Jewish voters express growing isolation amid rising antisemitism in both major political parties
Faced with anti-Israel and even anti-Jewish sentiment by party activists, and by an increasing number of political candidates, many Jewish voters are facing uncomfortable choices as they cast their ballots this year.
They’re leaving Congress with nothing to lose, spelling potential trouble for Trump
A trio of Senate Republicans, including Texas' John Cornyn, are on their way out of Congress. Each has previously drawn President Trump's scorn and now each are seen as newly liberated to complicate his agenda if they choose.
Mosquito population surge prompts public health emergency in Fort Bend County
The public health emergency was declared on Tuesday as Fort Bend County health officials are reporting "extraordinary mosquito populations" and activity that are well-above normal seasonal levels.
The week in politics (June 17, 2026)
On Wednesday's show: We get an update on the forecast for rainy weather across the region. And we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Community Market a super summer kickoff in Fulton
FULTON — It was a super market in Fulton on Saturday.The Fulton Community Market joined forces with the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce’s Fulton Farmers Market and the CNY Arts Center Arts Market to bring a variety of goods and activities to downtown Fulton. × This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. kAmuF=E@? $2G:?8D q2?< AC@G:565 DA@?D@CD9:A[ 2?5 E96 6G6?E H2D AC6D6?E65 3J E96 uF=E@? $A64:2= tG6?ED r@>>:EE66]k^AmkAm$F?D9:?6 8C66E65 E9@D6 2EE6?5:?8 E96 DF>>6C 2>F?:EJ @C82?:K2E:@?D]k^Am #placement_726068_0_i{width:100%;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid726068 = window.pid726068 || rnd;var plc726068 = window.plc726068 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=726068;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid726068+';place='+(plc726068++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');kAmu@@5 G6?5@CD :?4=F565 |C] |:>F?:EJ |2C>F?:EJ |2C2;@C 6G6?ED 4C62E65 2?5 >2?2865 3J E96 ?@?AC@7:E[ 2==\G@=F?E66C $A64:2= tG6?ED r@>>:EE66 @7 uF=E@?] %96 6G6?ED 2=D@ :?4=F56 E96 2??F2= u2== u6DE:G2=[ E96 r9C:DE>2D %C66 {:89E:?8 6G6?E[ 2?5 E96 C646?E q:8 %CF4< s2J] %96 $A64:2= tG6?ED r@>>:EE66 :D ?@E 277:=:2E65 H:E9 2?J 8@G6C?>6?E2= @C82?:K2E:@?]k^Am googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-2978731'); });
Texas Republicans press for local control over spread of AI data centers on first day of convention in Houston
The proposed language by the party’s Legislative Priorities Committee appears to have strong support from rural delegates, but it potentially stands at odds with the priorities of Gov. Greg Abbott and other state leaders.
After divisive U.S. Senate runoff, Texas Republicans seek unity at state convention in Houston
Now that the party's nominees are set for the general election, Texas Republicans are shifting their focus to defeating Democrats in November. The 2026 Republican Party of Texas State Convention runs through Saturday.
City of Houston passes Whitmire’s $7.5-billion budget for Fiscal Year 2027
Houston City Council approved Mayor John Whitmire’s budget with a vote of 15 to 1. Council Member Edward Pollard, the sole “no” vote, argued the plan was “fiscally irresponsible.”
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo proposing mental health leave policy for all county employees
In 2023, Hidalgo took a two-month leave of absence from her role as the county's top elected official to receive treatment for clinical depression at an inpatient care facility outside of Texas.
The week in politics (June 10, 2026)
On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. And writer Lauren Hough discusses a rambling cross-country road trip she took with her dog, which she recounts in her latest book.
Texas Republicans won by going all-in on MAGA. Now they have to sell it to everyone else
Some political scientists in the state believe going all-in on MAGA may have drawn a line in the sand, potentially hampering how well GOP nominees attract swing voters.
Landsman, Riley Lead the "Drain the Swamp Act"
Cincinnati, OH – Today, Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-01) and Congressman Josh Riley (D-NY-19) introduced the most comprehensive anti-corruption bill in U.S. history – a package of reforms to fight corruption and return power to the American people. In response to unprecedented, blatant corruption and increasing attacks on our democracy, Congressman Landsman and Congressman Riley introduced the Drain the Swamp […]
Rahm Emanuel bikes N.H. as he mulls 2028 presidential primary
“Look, I’m not into a politics of retribution, contrary to my image,” Emanuel said. “But I am into totally airing out all of this corruption.”
Texas’ health care workforce has increased 123% in 30 years. State officials say it isn’t enough
Health care is the largest and fastest growing industry in Texas — but the workforce isn't growing fast enough to meet increasing demand. Workforce shortages are getting worse, according to testimony from state officials during a House Committee on Public Health hearing.
Two Texans cleared of hantavirus risk after period of isolation
The two Texas residents monitored for hantavirus have been cleared by Texas Department of State Health Services.
LeBron James: Cooper Flagg had 'some unbelievable moments this year'
LeBron James is very impressed by what he saw from Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg this season.
Trump administration’s proposed rule would limit some immigrants’ ability to legally work in the U.S.
The proposal would make it harder for several categories of immigrants -- notably those in the U.S. on humanitarian parole as well as DACA recipients -- to obtain or renew legal work authorization.
Houston-area health officials launch Ebola-monitoring dashboard ahead of the World Cup
Public health officials have previously noted the threat of Ebola to the region is low. The new dashboard reflects that but also notes more than a dozen travelers to the Houston area are currently being monitored.
GOP leaders shunned Bo French for racist posts. Now they want him to regulate Texas’ oil and gas
After Bo French asked his social media followers whether Jews or Muslims were a "bigger threat to America," Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called for him to step down from his position at the Tarrant County GOP. Patrick is now backing French in his bid to be the next Texas railroad commissioner.
South Korea: 2026 World Cup Squad, Fixtures and Schedule
South Korea travels to North America for the FIFA World Cup this summer, aiming to recapture the spirit of their greatest tournament performance and push deep into the knockout rounds once again.Hong ...
Libertarian Ted Brown courts disaffected conservative voters in Texas’ U.S. Senate race
Brown received more than 267,000 votes in the 2024 Senate race, a record for a Libertarian candidate. He sees an opening this year with Republican voters who are reluctant to support the party’s nominee for the November election, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Houston Museum of Natural Science opens interactive exhibit exploring digital literacy
The exhibit is located on Level 2 of the Museum’s main campus, and is on view now through January 2027.
Best of Detroit 2026: Arts & Entertainment
Presenting our annual list of the very best metro Detroit has to offer, as voted by 'Hour Detroit' readers.
Houston-based Fertitta Entertainment to buy Caesars, a Las Vegas Strip icon, for $6 billion
Fertitta Entertainment was founded by Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta, the former chair of the University of Houston System Board of Regents who in April was confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino.
ExxonMobil shareholders approve moving company’s legal home from New Jersey to Texas
ExxonMobil’s board of directors said the legal and regulatory environment in Texas is more business friendly.
After two decades in Congress, Al Green will leave the Capitol in January. What’s next?
At 78, Green’s political career is likely to end when he leaves office in January. He said he would devote the remainder of his term to progressive causes.
Ebola is ‘not a broad public health threat’ in Houston, says city health director
Bush Intercontinental Airport is among those designated to screen passengers from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Uganda – the African countries at the center of a deadly Ebola outbreak. Congo's national soccer team will be based in Houston during the FIFA World Cup.
Christian Menefee beats Al Green in Democratic primary runoff in new TX-18, according to AP
The race was an election rarity: two incumbents of the same party facing one another. Its outcome could prove to be a bellwether for Texas Democrats.
Texas primary election runoff results 2026
Ken Paxton and John Cornyn are competing in the GOP primary runoff for U.S. Senate. In the Houston region there are multiple U.S. House runoffs, including two Democratic incumbents facing each other in District 18.
Study finds voting can help you live longer
Voting is typically associated with politics and civil engagement, but a new study finds evidence that voting helps older people live longer.
OGC Nice close in on new sporting director
In recent weeks, OGC Nice have been in the market for a successor for Florian Maurice, whose exit from the club is expected to be confirmed at the end of the season.However, the uncertainty looming ov...
The Biggest Political Moments of the Party Politics Season
Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina delve into the latest news in politics
Houston ISD plans to raise employees’ costs for health insurance
A draft of HISD’s budget proposal for next year reveals the district plans to increase salaries, but mostly to offset the rise in health insurance costs.
Camp Mystic chief health officer’s nursing license suspended over flood response
State regulators say Camp Mystic's chief health officer abandoned campers and staff as deadly floodwaters rose.
Trump picks Paxton over Cornyn in Texas’ GOP Senate primary runoff as early voting is underway
The Republican president had repeatedly teased his intention to endorse a candidate in the race, starting soon after Ken Paxton and John Cornyn emerged as the remaining contenders from the first round of primary voting in March.
Brown to Host OH-11 Small Business Expo Saturday June 6
Congresswoman Shontel Brown will host her 3rd Annual OH-11 Housing Expo Saturday June 6 at at Tri-C Corporate College East.
Gas Prices, Gerrymandering and Obama’s Return to Texas
Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina delve into the latest news in politics
Congressman Cohen Announces Plan for His Political Future
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen, who has represented Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District for more than 19 years, held a press conference at his office in Washington this morning to announced that he will not be a candidate for any of the newly drawn Congressional seats carved out of the 9th. His majority-Black district was gerrymandered into three Republican-leaning districts by the state General Assembly last week.He made the following statement:
Chartbook 449: Voldemort on Threadneedle street. The Bank of England and the "haunted house" of English politics.
Imagine the scene: In some Harry Potter version of 21st-century London, a group of deathless UK Treasury officials gathered from across the last century huddle over warm pints and glasses of Chardonnay. Around the table there are officials from the 1920s, the 1930s, the 1970s, 2022 and today. Inevitably, in May 2026, the subject of conversation is the disintegration of the current Labour government. Despite its huge majority in parliament, it has been reduced to tatters by catastrophic local election result. These exposed the fact that rather than having a government with a clear popular majority, the UK is like most other modern societies divided into 5 segments each of which commands between 26 and 16 percent of the vote. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the leadership at Nos 10 and 11 Downing Street - where the Prime Minister and the Chancellor (Treasury Secretary) work - seem paralyzed. They are caught between mounting discontent over unfairness and the cost of living, and tough fiscal strictures that push them into making unpopular spending decisions. In the London pub, the Treasury officials from across the ages, can barely hide their satisfaction at the latest display of democratic politics caught in the vice-grip of financial logic. “Remember the mur d’argent and the banker’s ramp?” “Just like yesterday!” There are smirks around the table. Then the representative of 2026 pipes up: “One thing you have to say about the current lot (referring to the latest hapless Labour government), you don’t have to teach them about the bond market!” There is a murmur of ascent from the Treasury Mandarins. The trauma of the fiscal crisis of September-October 2022 sits deep. Back then, in the final stages of Tory decay, a ‘mini budget’ that challenged fiscal orthodoxy led to a brief but fierce panic in one of the oldest government bond markets in the world (aka gilt market). Now all you have to do is to mention the “bond market” to hush debate. [ Paul Mason@paulmasonnews In the name of public service, and as ex-economics editor of BBC Newsnight, I offer to do a zoom call, tonight, with any Labour MP who wants to understand why bond markets do not "fall into line" with governments. 1/ 3:57 PM · May 12, 2026 · 466K Views 224 Replies · 674 Reposts · 3.93K Likes ](https://x.com/paulmasonnews/status/2054229532404519082?s=20) “And the funny thing is”, the young man in the huddle continues, “they don’t even want to talk about … ”. There is a sudden hush. Significant looks are exchanged around the table. About? One of the senior figures puts down his glass with a decisive “clink”. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has entered their thoughts. Meanwhile, a few miles away in a grubby pub in Bloomsbury, two conspirators from the camp of Critical Macrofinance huddle over cans of low-alcohol IPA. They look at each other and blurt out loud: “The Bank!” “Everyone in the bloody Labour party is talking about the bond market. But why aren’t they even mentioning … the Bank of England!?” “Why is no one talking about Voldemort?” In Paul Mason’s blogpost, after much chest-thumping about basic fiscal logic, the basic point about the Bank of England is buried in the fine print at #3 in his list of suggestions as to what a radical Labour government might actually be able to do! [ Conflict & Democracy Down with the bond market! Down with gravity! It may seem unfair to focus on Labour MP Paula Barker for her off-the-cuff assertion that the bond market would have to “fall in line” with Andy Burnham, should he replace Keir Starmer as prime minister. But Burnham himself told the New Statesman that Labour had to “get beyond this thing of being in hock to the bond markets… Read more 2 days ago · 100 likes · 3 comments · Paul Mason ](https://htsf.substack.com/p/down-with-the-bond-market-down-with?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web) Back in Bloomsbury they shake their heads and ask: “Didn’t we learn anything from the Eurozone crisis?” Meanwhile, as if summoned to the conversation by some higher force, the “pink pages” announce: “The days of ultra-cheap government borrowing have come to an end” and Martin “Whizzard” Wolf publishes the graph of the season Look at the UK in 2026, perilously positioned on the upper edge of the pack. No wonder no one in London needs any lessons about the “bond market”. But, look again. Imagine how they feel in Rome. What is London’s nightmare in 2026? The nightmare is that you end up like Italy in the early 2010s during the Eurozone crisis. Once comfortably situated in the middle of the pack, watching with horror as your ten-year yields explode to 7 percent and “spreads” become a national nightmare. One of the largest economies in Europe, a founding member of the euro, stigmatized. But the message of the Italian experience is ambiguous. After all, the stigma didn’t last. In 2026, Italy borrows at rates lower not only than the UK but the US. The US, which, as everyone knows, enjoys the “exorbitant privilege” of being the issuer of reserve, safe asets. What kind of magic is this? How did Italy, in the space of fifteen years, go from being good, to bad and back again? Which brings us back to our dissident friends in their Bloombury boozer and their memories of the Eurozone crisis. Italy never was Britain - with its ongoing fiscal deficits. Without interest payments, on primary balance, from 2000 to 2020 Italy ran a tight fiscal ship. Even in 2008 it barely went into deficit and when it was being put on the rack in the early 20210s its primary surplus matched that of austere Germany. So, what happened? How did it end up stigmatized? Of course Italian politics didn’t help. Berlusconi was at the helm and he had legal issues. But amongst friends in the Bloomsbury pub, Berlusconi is a sideshow, the name we whisper to each other is “Trichet”. From 2004 to 2011 the ECB was headed by Jean-Claude Trichet, ex of the French Treasury, more German than the Germans. After 2009 as the news of the Greek fiscal disaster broke, the European bond markets wento into panic mode and Trichet began a brutal game of cat and mouse. Between 2009 and 2011, Trichet intervened in the bond market to help, only when he thought he had compliance with austerity. When he thought they were uncooperative, he withdrew. In the summer of 2011, he even made direct suggestions to his Italian counterparts in Rome, as to how Italy should be governed. It was this cat and mouse game that drove the bond markets crazy and exposed Italy to a violent squeeze. When Mario Draghi took over the ECB at the end of 2011 and declared “whatever it takes”, the pressure on Italy, gradually eased. It is that starring role that has made Draghi into the towering figure in European politics that he remains today. So now you see why voices in London hush when it comes to the Bank of England. “The bond market” isn’t an irresistible objective force like the weather or an avalanche. It can appear like that. But that depends on the way it is being handled, or not handled by the central bank. Which is why the silence about the Bank of England in London right now is so significant. If you think this all sounds a bit fishy, coming from a left-liberal Keynesian like myself, well, let me introduce you to Robin Brooks, who, to put it mildly, plays on a different quidditch team to me. Here, from the position of a fiscal hawk is Robin’s celebratory account of the Bank of England’s role since 2022; In October 2022, at the height of the bond market blow-up in the UK, something incredible happened. Governor Andrew Bailey told British pension funds the Bank of England would end its support program for the country’s fragile gilt market, drawing a line under how much help the central bank was willing to give to exposed pension funds and - implicitly - the government. By the end of that week, Kwasi Kwarteng - the finance minister - had resigned. Prime Minister Liz Truss would soon follow. This episode is so incredible because it contrasts with what happened in the Euro zone earlier that year. Bond markets in Spain and Italy were under pressure amid high inflation and rising interest rates. In the middle of this, Mario Draghi - Italy’s Prime Minister - resigned, compounding pressure on bond markets of high-debt countries on the Euro periphery. Unlike the Bank of England, the ECB caved. It bought Italian and Spanish government bonds in an effort to cap yields and introduced a new tool that signaled to markets it might do such caps more frequently going forward. Faced with pressure on bond markets, the ECB capitulated to political pressure from high-debt countries like Italy and Spain. The Bank of England stood its ground and toppled the Truss government. This kind of thing has long-lasting consequences. It means markets price a higher probability of yield caps in the Euro zone, which keeps Italian and Spanish yields artificially low, while markets feel free to push up UK yields without fear of central bank intervention. As I flagged in yesterday’s post, this means you really can’t compare UK yields to those of other high-debt countries. The UK looks worse, but only because its central bank isn’t interfering with markets. There’s more to this than just that 2022 episode. The Bank of England has also been much more aggressive in its quantitative tightening (QT) than other central banks. If one motivation for quantitative easing (QE) is to lower bond yields - especially longer-dated ones - then it stands to reason QT pushes yields up. The left chart above shows a four-quarter moving average of UK government debt issuance (black line) in percent of GDP and which sectors absorb this issuance, including the Bank of England (blue bars). The right chart above compares the Bank of England’s accumulation or run-off of government bonds (blue line) with that of other central banks, where this blue line is the same as the blue bars in the left chart. The Bank of England was quicker and more aggressive than other central banks in downsizing its bond holdings, so UK yields will have risen more than elsewhere also for this reason, not just because of Governor Andrew Bailey’s remarks in October 2022. Back in October 2025, after a conversation in New York with friends in British politics, my sense of dysphoria was such that I raised the issue of the Bank of England openly in the FT Since 2008, the UK has slid into a deep economic and political predicament. Growth has stagnated to a degree far worse even than in the 1970s. The Tory leadership’s wager on the Brexit referendum spectacularly backfired, leaving the UK isolated from Europe and at the mercy of its special relationship with the US, many of whose political class regard the UK as a basket case. After years of austerity, the Labour party lurched to the left and then back to the centre. The Tory party has been eclipsed by the populist nationalism of Reform. Any British government should be worrying first and foremost about how to restart growth. Instead, Keir Starmer is beset by shades of the gilt market panic triggered by the Liz Truss government in 2022. The debt level is higher than in recent years, but there is no cause for panic. UK debt is at far from critical levels and of long duration. Whether you want to “take back control” or launch progressive economic policy, a democracy dogged by fear of bond market vigilantes is unhealthy. In a country that is a monetary sovereign, this climate points to one thing: a disconnect between the government and the central bank. Since 1997, the independence of the Bank of England has become a sacred cow. But independence is what you make of it. And in the wake of the gilt market crisis of September 2022, relations between the Bank of England and the UK government need a reset. In normal times, there is no doubt that an inflation-targeting independent central bank can serve a country well. But since 2008, the UK and other advanced economies have not had the luxury of such simple problems. To their credit, central bankers around the world have not stood on orthodoxy. After 2008, the US Federal Reserve rescued the global banking system and, through quantitative easing, it stabilised the Treasury market in the face of huge deficits. In Europe, things were trickier. Both the Bank of England under Mervyn King and Jean-Claude Trichet’s European Central Bank played cat and mouse with national governments. This was a high stakes wager that between 2010 and 2012 escalated bond market tension and triggered a disastrous turn to austerity. Shaken by the impact of those shocks, their successors, Mark Carney and Mario Draghi adopted a more protective stance (assuming you were not the government of Greece). Recall that Draghi’s legendary slogan, “Whatever it takes”, was uttered to face down the City of London’s bond vigilantes. In 2015, Draghi launched QE — financial repression by another name. In 2016, Carney used the authority of the Bank of England to stabilise markets following the vote for Brexit, an exemplary demonstration of how central banks can underpin democratic choice, even when those choices are wrong headed. All these were independent central bankers steeped in the best practice of the 1990s, who recognised that historic crises demanded radical action. It was the price surge of 2021-2023 that poisoned the atmosphere. Though the shock came mainly from the supply side, central banks ended up in the dock. Nowhere more so than in the UK. The Bank of England reacted with aggressive normalisation. Faced with a cost of living crisis, the governor called for workers to accept real wage cuts. In early 2022, as gas prices were at record levels and Russia’s army was poised to invade Ukraine, the Bank adopted a stringent programme of quantitative tightening, elevating interest rates. When the Truss government got itself in trouble, the Bank took almost a week to come to the rescue. Rather than enacting a charade of normality, it is time to recognise that in 2025 the UK faces a period of historic transition. To meet this challenge, what is needed is a new concordat with the Bank. This should not ignore inflationary pressures or the long-run trajectory of debt, but should affirm the priority of reviving investment-led growth. One could follow Donald Trump in demanding interest rate cuts. The Bank could shadow the ECB in its commitment to capping Eurozone yields. But the top priority should be to lay the ghost of September 2022. The Bank’s slowing of QT last month was a concession. An immediate and complete end would send the right signal. Such a concordat will not by itself restore sanity to politics, solve the housing problem or rebuild the NHS. But it would help to lift the fear of bond market crisis, which is paralysing the effort by democratic politicians to answer the fundamental questions facing the nation. Now, that call for a new concordat between government and Bank of Englands seems more urgent than ever. The problem is that in October 2025, Starmer still had some authority. Today the government is in tatters. And when you are the “under the harrow” - to echo a phrase of Montagu Norman’s from the 1920s - it is the worst possible time to consider institutional change. To make general arguments at a time of crisis can only seem like special pleading rather than a general argument for long-term change. The same, unfortunately, is also true for the other basic institutional reform that Britain urgently needs i.e. the abolition of the out-dated first past the post electoral system and its replacement by a moderated form of proportional representation. And thirdly - whilst we are saying the quiet parts out loud - Britain needs to reopen the question of EU membership. What the local election results of 2026 show is that this remains a key issue. And what they also show is that there is a clear majority that would favor a return. Until these basic features of Britain’s political economy are addressed the country will carry on its politics as though in a haunted house, governed by governments that lack actual majorities, conjuring up false constraints whilst ignoring the real ones. This one is for DG and MI. I love writing the newsletter. If you enjoy it too and fancy buying me a coffee once a month, you know what to do. Click below! Subscribe
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