White House Press Freedom Clash: CNN, MS NOW, and Politico say Trump’s administration denied them White House access after a ban on their reporters, setting up First Amendment lawsuits. Midterm Politics & Public Trust: A new NBC poll finds Trump’s approval at 41% and voters increasingly say his policies hurt the economy, with the war in Iran also weighing on perceptions. Immigration Enforcement at Polls: A lawsuit in D.C. seeks to stop armed ICE agents from being stationed at voting sites, arguing it could suppress votes. Congressional Oversight: House Republicans say they’re continuing their ActBlue probe after internal records raised new questions about screening for potentially illegal foreign donations. Entertainment Meets Antitrust: Paramount and state AGs reached a settlement over the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, including commitments tied to film releases and independent editorial boards. Statehouse & Campaign Pressure: Maine senators urged Senate Commerce leaders to advance a lobster regulation moratorium extension; in Iowa, GOP Senate candidate Ashley Hinson called for ending the Iran war despite prior votes to continue it. Climate Readiness: California declared a statewide emergency ahead of a potentially record-strong El Niño, directing agencies to stage flood and landslide preparations. Global Stakes for U.S. Policy: Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington is set to focus on trade, rare earths, and AI as U.S.-China talks ramp up.