Supreme Court Climate Case, Mail-In Voting and New Seattle Shooting Info | The States

The Supreme Court takes up a major climate lawsuit, questions continue over mail-in voting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, and new Seattle public records raise questions about the July shooting. The States also examines NASA's missing total cost estimate for its Moon-to-Mars efforts, the possibility of a larger U.S. military presence in South America, and rising Illinois school transportation costs.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Suncor Energy v. Boulder County, a case involving Boulder County's effort to seek damages from energy companies over alleged contributions to climate change. The justices questioned whether state or federal law should govern the case, with the outcome potentially affecting similar climate lawsuits around the country.

The 2026 midterm elections are already underway in some states, and mail-in voting remains a major focus. The Supreme Court previously rejected efforts by the Trump administration to impose new restrictions on the Postal Service's processing of mail-in ballots. Election officials continue operating under existing state rules, with different procedures and safeguards across the country.

In Seattle, public records obtained by The Center Square provide new details surrounding the July 26 shooting, including preliminary information about firearms potentially connected to previous crimes. The reporting also examines questions surrounding the delayed press conference after the shooting and communications among officials. Police have not confirmed all of the potential weapons connections discussed in the records.

The show also looks at NASA's Moon-to-Mars efforts and why there is no single top-line cost estimate for the program. A Government Accountability Office official told The Center Square that NASA tracks individual project costs but does not maintain one figure combining the entire effort.

In international and national security news, President Donald Trump was asked about the possibility of a U.S. military base in Venezuela or elsewhere in South America. The administration has also discussed expanding the U.S. presence and partnerships across the Western Hemisphere.

And in Illinois, schools spent $1.86 billion on student transportation during the 2025–26 school year, up $610 million from 2021. Rising fuel and transportation costs are putting additional pressure on school district budgets—and ultimately the taxpayers who fund them.

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