Trump-Backed Feenstra Loses Iowa Primary; Lahn Faces Sand in Midterms

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Key Updates

Zach Lahn, a businessman, has defeated Trump-endorsed Congressman Randy Feenstra in the Iowa gubernatorial primary race. This loss marks an unusual setback for Trump, who has generally seen success with his endorsed candidates. Trump’s policies, including tariffs and the conflict in Iran, have notably affected Iowa’s farmers. Although the state is Republican-led, recent elections have seen voters opting for Democrats in both federal and state contests. Democratic voters are selectively choosing candidates they believe can secure seats in the upcoming November elections.

• 🎧 In the upcoming midterm elections, Lahn will face Rob Sand, the Democratic candidate who faced no competition in the primaries and is the sole Democratic elected official statewide. As NPR’s Stephen Fowler reports for Up First, the race is starting as a genuine toss-up. Read more here.
• ➡️ Check out the results from the six states that held primaries yesterday.
• ➡️ The California governor’s primary election is still too close to call. Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton are the frontrunners, with Democrat Tom Steyer following them.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche informed Congress that plans for a $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund are on hold. This announcement came after a federal judge temporarily halted the fund’s creation following a lawsuit by Democracy Forward and other groups. Read the full story.

• 🎧 Many Republicans, especially senators, are publicly opposing Trump over the fund, according to NPR’s Ryan Lucas. The opposition stems from concerns that the funds might reach Capitol rioters involved in the January 6 events. This pushback has delayed some legislative goals, including immigration enforcement funding. Democrats have voiced their criticism, suggesting the fund could become a “slush fund” for Trump’s supporters. Read more here.

President Trump announced the appointment of Bill Pulte as the acting director of national intelligence, replacing Tulsi Gabbard. Pulte, currently the Federal Housing Finance Agency Director, lacks a background in intelligence, according to his official biography. Read full details here.

• 🎧 Although the director of national intelligence role requires “extensive national security experience,” Pulte’s appointment as acting director bypasses Senate confirmation, NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben reports. This role is crucial as the U.S. navigates global threats, notably the ongoing conflict with Iran. Pulte has previously engaged in legal actions against Trump’s critics. Explore more here.

Researchers are criticizing a new White House webpage for using language that dehumanizes immigrants. The site, aliens.gov, equates undocumented immigrants with extraterrestrial beings and uses The X-Files theme music. The administration refers to these individuals as “it” and suggests they don’t belong in the country, sparking concerns about inciting hate crimes, as noted by Ernesto Castañeda from American University. Read more here.

Advice for Everyday Life

“Forever chemicals” are ubiquitous, found even in our food and water. These substances, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are associated with adverse health effects, including certain cancers. While eliminating PFAS exposure entirely is not feasible, reducing it is advised. Here are a few methods to minimize your PFAS exposure:

• 💧 Check if your water has been tested for PFAS by contacting your utility’s customer service or reviewing online water quality reports. Utilities are mandated to test for PFAS by 2027 under current EPA regulations.
• 💧 If PFAS levels exceed EPA limits in your water, see if your community plans to implement a filtration system. Effective treatment options include activated carbon filters and reverse osmosis. Ensure any personal filter is certified for PFAS treatment.
• 💧 Federal guidance advises against consuming fish from PFAS-affected waterways. Produce irrigated with contaminated water may also pose exposure risks.

For more insights on whether your drinking water contains forever chemicals, tune into this episode of NPR’s Life Kit. Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships, and more.

Visual Stories

Iraq war veteran John Follmer leads a team of veteran volunteers who rejuvenate a neglected Japanese garden at the West LA Veterans Affairs Campus every Thursday. An NPR investigation in 2012 revealed misuse of the campus by the VA while many veterans were homeless. Despite lawsuits, protests, and government commitments, housing for over 1,200 veterans has been built, but construction lags behind schedule. Although Trump pledged to expedite construction, no new funding was allocated for beds in this year’s budget request. The VA stated that funding will be forthcoming. The ultimate goal is to create a community where veterans can choose permanent residence, rather than just temporary housing. Discover more about how this garden is benefiting veterans.

3 Essential Insights

1. Julia Elliott has been awarded the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction for her collection of short stories, Hellions, recognizing work by women and nonbinary authors in the U.S. and Canada.
2. Federal regulators are investigating former New York Congressman George Santos for allegedly betting on his attendance at February’s State of the Union address on the prediction market site Kalshi.
3. Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York indicates that companies are less inclined to hire young college graduates for roles that can be performed remotely, likely due to a reluctance to hire candidates requiring additional training and mentoring.

This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.