The Morning Roundup – November 13, 2026

Good morning from The Monolith Media. Today’s top stories: Washington adjusts to the post-midterm landscape as Republicans rush to confirm judges before Democrats take the Senate, Senate Democrats deal with Chris Van Hollen’s challenge to party leadership, House Democrats hit early stumbles, and a deadly building collapse hits Brooklyn. The left is celebrating Democratic wins and warning about last-minute judicial confirmations. The center is focused on the shifting balance of power and the growing 2028 field. The right is leading with the Brooklyn tragedy, crypto crime, and spending in public institutions.

LEFT

Charles P. Pierce (Esquire) – “I Can Feel the Tremors of History Rumbling Beneath Scott Colom’s Victory”

Pierce reflects on Scott Colom's win in Mississippi's Senate race, noting that the senator-elect invoked civil rights leader Medgar Evers in his victory speech. He argues the moment shows how far the state has come, and how far it still has to go.

Lisa Rubin and Paula Reid (MS NOW) – “Trump rushes to fill judicial seats before Democrats take over”

With only weeks left before the Senate changes hands, the White House and Senate Republicans are pushing hard to confirm district and appeals court judges. The piece looks at the race to lock in lifetime appointments before Democrats take control of confirmations.

CENTER

USA TODAY – “Riding high from midterms, House Democrats confront early political stumbles”

This USA TODAY video report looks at House Democrats who, fresh off their midterm gains, are already running into early political stumbles as they get ready to hold the majority.

Calen Razor (POLITICO) – “Capitol agenda: Van Hollen's challenge puts Senate Dems in tough spot”

POLITICO's live coverage looks at how Sen. Chris Van Hollen's challenge involving Chuck Schumer's leadership is putting pressure on Senate Democrats. It argues that dozens of Democratic senators who have stayed quiet will now find it harder to avoid taking a position.

Calder McHugh (POLITICO) – “Former Rep. Brad Carson likely to run for president”

Former Rep. Brad Carson, who helped build the political infrastructure of the AI safety movement, is likely to run for president. The piece describes him as a central voice in the debate over artificial intelligence.

Mateo Rosiles (USA TODAY) – “Does Texas have a state income tax? Here’s what the law, Hinojosa say”

Texas has no state income tax, and Gina Hinojosa says she doesn't want one. The article explains what it would take to change the state's constitutional ban and why such a tax would be hard to enact.

POLITICO – “‘The final pump of the AI mania’”

POLITICO's Morning Money newsletter says Wall Street's artificial intelligence trade appears to have survived a major scare. It warns that investors might not want to get too comfortable.

POLITICO – “Aldermen have a message for the mayor”

POLITICO's Illinois Playbook covers Chicago aldermen sending a message to the mayor, a sign of rising tension between the City Council and City Hall.

RIGHT

New York Post – “Harrowing video shows inside view of moment Brooklyn building collapses, killing at least 8: report”

The Post reports on video that shows the inside of a Brooklyn building at the moment it collapsed, a disaster that killed at least eight people according to reports.

TIPP Insights – “How Did US Authorities Recover $1.2 Billion In Stolen Binance Cryptocurrency”

The article explains how U.S. authorities recovered $1.2 billion of the cryptocurrency stolen in the October 29 Binance breach, which caused losses of more than $6 billion. The FBI has blamed the hack on TraderTraitor, a group of hackers linked to North Korea's military.

Zain Khan (New York Post) – “California community college profs rake in up to $800K a year teaching dozens of online classes at once”

The Post reports that some California community college professors earn up to $800,000 a year by teaching dozens of online classes at the same time, which raises questions about oversight in the system.

Sheetal Banchariya (New York Post) – “Horrific details revealed about death of famous farmers at friend's posh California home: suit”

The family of the founders of Frinj Coffee has filed a lawsuit over a carbon monoxide leak that killed the couple at a friend's California home. The suit reveals new details about how they died.

Mike Houlihan (John Kass News) – “Houli in Ireland”

Mike Houlihan writes about a week-long trip to Ireland with 35 of his radio listeners, which he calls a preview of Heaven. It's a personal travel column that offers a break from the political news cycle.