Good morning, it’s Monday, May 18, 2026. In today’s edition, Illinois advances AI package; South Carolina takes up redistricting; Arizona poll shows Biggs up, well, big in GOP primary:
Top Stories
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: Illinois Senate Democrats are fast-tracking a set of eight bills aimed at regulating AI before the end of session this month. One measure seeks to prevent AI systems from creating catastrophic harm. Another would regulate chatbots used by both minors and adults. Others seek to require disclosure when consumers are interacting with a chatbot and establish rights and protections to prevent against algorithmic profiling. (Pluribus News)
REDISTRICTING: South Carolina lawmakers will meet in special session today to begin considering new U.S. Congressional district maps aimed at drawing out the state’s lone Democrat, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D). The legislation would move primary elections for U.S. House seats from June 9 to August, if it wins approval. (Associated Press)
MORE: The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected Virginia Democrats’ bid to revive their redistricting plan. The unsigned order denied a request to overturn the state Supreme Court order rejecting the new maps. No justices publicly dissented. (Reuters)
SOCIAL MEDIA: The Minnesota Senate has approved legislation requiring parents to sign off on social media accounts for children under 16. The bill would ban features like infinite scrolling, push notifications, autoplay videos and targeted advertising for minors. It won unanimous support and goes back to the state House after minor amendments. (MPR News)
GUN POLITICS: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed legislation effectively banning the manufacture, sale and transfer of assault weapons. The law prohibits the sale of magazines with the capacity of more than 15 rounds. The National Rifle Association and state groups sued to block its implementation. (Cardinal News)
WATER: The California Department of Water Resources said Friday it will be able to deliver about 45% of requested water supplies this summer, up from 30% under earlier projections. The revised predictions come as state reservoirs sit at or above capacity. California reservoirs stand at 117% of average levels for this time of year, despite the lousy winter snowfall and unexpectedly hot March. (Sacramento Bee)
The Bureau of Reclamation forecasts Lake Mead will drop more than 20 feet below its previous record low in the next two years, threatening power generation at the Hoover Dam. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
ECONOMY: The Alaska legislature is advancing a proposal to issue $1,000 dividends out of the state Permanent Fund, along with a $200 energy relief check. Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) proposed a full statutory $3,800 dividend check. The House and Senate are still debating the final number. (KTUU)
In Politics & Business
ARIZONA: A new Noble Predictive Insights poll finds U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs (R) leads fellow Rep. David Schweikert (R) 48% to 18% in the GOP gubernatorial primary. In hypothetical general election matchups, Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) leads Biggs 41% to 37%, with independent Hugh Lytle at 5%. Hobbs leads Schweikert and Lytle 42% to 35% to 6%. (Noble Predictive Insights)
GEORGIA: An InsiderAdvantage survey of Republican primary voters shows businessman Rick Jackson (R) leading the field with 31%, followed by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R) at 27%, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) at 16% and Attorney General Chris Carr (R) at 10%. (InsiderAdvantage)
Georgia’s primary is tomorrow. If no candidate reaches 50%, the top two contenders head to a June 16 runoff.
CONNECTICUT: State Democrats endorsed Gov. Ned Lamont (D) for a third term at the party’s convention on Saturday, but state Rep. Josh Elliott (D) won enough support to secure a spot on the primary ballot. (Hartford Courant) Sen. Ryan Fazio (R) won the GOP nomination, claiming 92% of delegate support. Former New York Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey (R) dropped out after winning just 8%. (Hartford Courant)
CRIME BLOTTER: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) on Friday granted clemency to former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters (R), sentenced to nine years in prison for orchestrating a security breach of election systems in a failed attempt to uncover fraud related to the 2020 election. Peters will be released on parole on June 1. (Colorado Sun)
The clemency unleashed widespread opposition among Democrats, including both leading candidates to succeed Polis, and even the Republican district attorney who prosecuted Peters.
MORE: Dana Williamson, the former chief of staff to California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), has pleaded guilty to charges of bank fraud, filing a false tax return and lying to the FBI. Williamson admitted in court she helped siphon about $225,000 from a dormant campaign account belonging to then-Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D). (Sacramento Bee)
By The Numbers
$71.2 billion: The amount of revenue North Carolina economists expect the state to receive this fiscal year, up about $1.3 billion since March projections and $2.7 billion over the state’s budget expectations. Capital gains taxes account for much of the unexpected windfall. (State Affairs)
50%: The decline in the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population since 2010, according to a new study. The main cause of the decline is a mystery, though invasive blue catfish are at least a part of the problem. (Maryland Matters)
55: The number of gray wolves alive in California at the end of 2025, spread among nine wolf packs. That’s up from 50 wolves in seven packs the year before, a promising sign of growth after wolves were reintroduced to the state in recent years. (Los Angeles Times)
Off The Wall
Ohio Reps. Veronica Sims (D) and Michele Grim (D) have introduced legislation honoring the band Devo. They want to designate April 18, the anniversary of the band’s first official performance at Kent State University, as a celebration of the “Whip It!” performers. (Columbus Dispatch)
Barack Obama is running for governor of California. Not that Barack Obama — Barack Obama Shaw, who changed his name in 2013, is one of 61 candidates who will appear on the primary ballot. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Quote of the Day
“He’s kind of Wikipedia.”
— Ohio Rep. Dave Thomas (R), on House Ways and Means Committee chair Bill Roemer’s (R) knowledge of tax legislation. (State Affairs)