The Supreme Court’s New Term, and a Race for Nuclear Power on the Moon

October 5, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The Supreme Court’s New Term, and a Race for Nuclear Power on the Moon

The Supreme Court opened its new term this morning with a climate change case that could determine whether states and local governments can sue fossil fuel companies to force them to pay for damage from wildfires, heat waves, and other global warming impacts. The justices have selected about 60 cases for the coming months, and this first one—which could clear the way for dozens of similar lawsuits seeking billions from the oil industry, or potentially doom such efforts entirely—is just the beginning of a term packed with consequential disputes over guns, religion, immigration, and possibly the midterm elections themselves.

The Court's Docket and Its Political Predicament

Beyond the climate case, the justices will hear a closely watched challenge to bans on semi-automatic rifles like AR-15s, testing whether such weapons are protected by the Second Amendment. They'll also consider a Texas law requiring every public school classroom to display the Ten Commandments, and multiple cases tied to the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement agenda.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:28) **Supreme Court Kicks Off New Term with Climate Case** - The justices begin a new term by hearing arguments on whether states can sue fossil fuel companies for climate change damages.
2 (01:05) **Other Major Cases on the Docket** - The court will also weigh in on gun control, religious displays, and immigration this term.
3 (01:36) **Court Braces for Election Challenges** - The justices may be drawn into disputes over voting maps, mail-in ballots, and potential post-election chaos.
4 (02:27) **Justices Want to Avoid Election Cases** - The court is "keenly aware" of its polarized image and is trying to stay out of election disputes.
5 (03:29) **Alito's Retirement Speculation** - The 76-year-old conservative justice faces pressure to retire if Democrats win the Senate in November.
6 (04:21) **U.S. Bombers Rushed Out of British Base Over Iran Threat** - Military commanders scrambled a dozen Air Force bombers out of a UK airbase after new threats of an Iran-backed attack.
7 (05:10) **Investigators Puzzled by Suspects' Actions** - Officials are debating why one of the men in the vans called emergency services before being arrested, potentially tipping off authorities.

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Show Notes

Plus, why school music classes are under threat.

Here’s what we’re covering:

A Supreme Court Battle Over Climate Change Begins, by Karen Zraick
How the Midterms Could Complicate the Supreme Court’s New Term, by Ann E. Marimow and Abbie VanSickle
As Midterms Near, Justice Alito Says He Considers Each Year Whether to Retire, by Abbie VanSickle
U.S. Rushes to Withdraw Bombers From U.K. Air Base After New Threats, by Eric Schmitt
An Iranian Threat, 3 Vans and a Phone Call: Behind the Mystery at a U.K. Air Base, by Michael D. Shear, Eric Schmitt, Megan Specia and Adam Goldman
Superpowers Race to Put Nuclear Reactors on the Moon, by Selam Gebrekidan
Soaring Instrument Prices Could Stop the Music at Many Schools, by Sydney Ember

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