NPR News: 05-05-2026 1PM EDT

Voters headed to polls in Ohio and Indiana for primaries, alongside a pivotal Georgia special election, while reports touched on persistent Iran tensions amid a US ceasefire, climbing summer energy costs, regional conflicts in Lebanon, and Tony Award nominations. The update mixes domestic politics with global and economic pressures.

Primaries in Ohio and Indiana

In Indiana, President Trump is targeting several incumbent Republican state senators in primaries after they blocked a redistricting plan to redraw the US House map last year. The failed effort leaves the current map in place, influencing key races. NPR's Steve Fowler noted that Trump's push aims to oust those senators, reshaping GOP control ahead of midterms.

Ohio's primaries feature newly required House maps with minor adjustments under state law. These changes make re-election slightly harder for two Democratic incumbents but easier for one. While Senate and governor primaries lack competition, Trump's low approval ratings and Democratic enthusiasm signal both parties are gearing up for costly November midterm battles. Fowler emphasized how redistricting decisions from prior years continue to steer these contests.