politicsThursday, August 20, 2026
Today's political news is a grab bag of scandals, policy moves, and cultural flashpoints. The federal raid on Eric Swalwell's home dominates the day, but California's frantic bid to fix its film tax credits and the UK's reckoning with normalized racism and sexism are equally telling.
The biggest story today is the federal investigation into former Congressman Eric Swalwell, which escalated with a raid on his home.
Former Rep. Eric Swalwell's Washington, D.C. home was raided by the FBI, and his electronic devices were seized, as part of a federal sexual assault investigation. Swalwell resigned from Congress in April after multiple women accused him of misconduct.
The AP confirms the Swalwell raid: his devices were seized at San Francisco airport on Saturday, and agents searched his home a day later. The investigation is into allegations of sexual misconduct by the former Democratic congressman.
California lawmakers are in a last-minute dash to fix the state's film tax credit program and fund affordable housing.
California legislators are racing against the August 31 deadline to fix a "snafu" in the state's film and TV tax incentive program, which could cost the industry $750 million annually by 2030. They're also trying to pass a new post-production incentive bill.
Governor Newsom awarded $11.3 million to 13 "prohousing" communities to build more affordable housing. The program rewards local governments that streamline approvals and meet housing targets.
Across the Atlantic, the UK is dealing with a different set of tensions: normalized bigotry, Reform UK's policy proposals, and the royal security question.
UK Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson says racism and sexism have become normalized in Britain, blaming politicians for fueling hatred and warning that young men are being drawn into violent misogyny via social media.
Texas Tech’s Administration Is Just As Embarrassing As Its Football Programdefector.com
WGA Rips L.A. Mayor Karen Bass For Supporting “False Choice” In Paramount-WBD Merger Tangledeadline.com
How the U.S. national debt got to $40 trillionflowingdata.com
Reform’s new economic adviser has called for end of pensioners’ triple lockwww.theguardian.com
One Army unit is offering 4 bonus days off to play Grand Theft Auto for soldiers who reenlistkstp.comCanada silent as Israel clears itself in death of aid workers, including a Canadiancalgary.citynews.ca
OTTAWA — Israel has concluded its military did not commit a criminal act when it killed a Canadian and six other aid workers in Gaza two years ago.
California sends FREE life-saving asthma inhalers to ALL schoolswww.gov.ca.gov
Source
Inside Government with PoliticsNY: A Q&A with New York City Comptroller Mark Levinepoliticsny.com
Inside Government is a Q&A series that gives New Yorkers a glimpse inside the role of the elected officials who represent them. This edition of Inside Government with PoliticsNY features New York City Comptroller Mark Levine. Comptroller Levine serves as New York City’s chief fin
Harry and Meghan's security arrangements a private matter, PM sayswww.bbc.co.uk
The prime minister also wishes the duke and duchess well after it emerged they are returning to the UK later this month.
Reform UK proposes tax rebates for firms to boost apprenticeshipswww.bbc.co.uk
Suella Braverman also advised student's "not to get ripped off by the great university scam".
A Supreme Court case may be slowing Trump’s next climate rollbackwww.eenews.net
“EPA is trying to have their cake and eat it, too,” said one environmental lawyer. The post A Supreme Court case may be slowing Trump’s next climate rollback appeared first on E&E News by POLITICO .
Pressure Increases for Texas to Allow Treated Drilling Waste Into Rivers and Rangelandinsideclimatenews.org
ORLA, Texas—Elected officials and industry leaders warn that Texas is at the “precipice” of running out of underground space to dispose of the nearly 1 billion gallons of wastewater that oil and gas production generates every day in the Permian Basin. The toxic wastewater, known
How the super-rich are buying UK democracydemocracyforsale.substack.com
Our new video series shows how British politics is bought and sold – and what can be done about it
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