Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) announced on Wednesday that he will not seek re-election in the 2026 midterm elections. “Serving the people of Montana in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate the past 13 years has been the greatest honor of my professional career. I am grateful to God for allowing me to serve,” Daines said in a video posted to X. “But after much careful thought, I have decided not to seek re-election,” he continued. More below: An announcement pic.twitter.com/7HCofBTUMA — Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) March 5, 2026 POLITICO has more: Daines’ announcement makes him the sixth Republican senator to choose not to seek reelection in this fall’s midterm elections, joining a list that includes North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who announced his decision last year, and Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor instead of seeking a second term. Sens. Joni Ernst, Cynthia Lummis, and Mitch McConnell, a former Senate majority leader, also announced they won’t seek reelection this cycle. Daines, who was first elected to the Senate in 2014 and defeated then-incumbent Montana Gov. Steve Bullock in his 2020 reelection race, chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee from 2023 to 2025. “Steve Daines, of Montana, is one of our truly Great United States Senators. He honorably served for 12 years in the Senate, and 2 in the House of Representatives. He did a job like few others are capable of doing but, sadly for our Country, Steve’s Term is up, and he has decided to leave the Senate and, ‘pass the torch’ to Kurt Alme, my TRUMP 45 and TRUMP 47 U.S. Attorney. In fact, if Kurt didn’t have the highest level of aptitude and talent, Steve would have remained exactly where he is but, Kurt is exceptional, and I will be giving him, based on Steve’s strongest recommendation, my Complete and Total Endorsement. Governor Greg Gianforte and Senator Tim Sheehy have also Endorsed Kurt,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social. “A Highly Respected Criminal Prosecutor in my Administration, and distinguished Harvard Law School Graduate, Kurt knows the Wisdom and Courage it takes to ensure LAW AND ORDER, advocate for our Heroes in Law Enforcement, and strongly support our Military and Veterans. As your next Senator, Kurt will fight tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Champion our Farmers and Ranchers, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment,” he continued. “Kurt Alme is an exceptional person, and will do a fantastic job as your next United States Senator from the Great State of Montana — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!” he added. Full post below:

Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT) announced on Wednesday that he will not seek re-election in the 2026 midterms. “After prayer, reflection, and many long conversations, I have decided that I will not seek reelection in 2026. I will complete this term fully committed to my work in Washington, DC, and then step away from elected office,” Owens wrote. “I began this political journey over six years ago with a simple question: Can I do more to advocate for our at-risk children? That question led me into public service, with a focused passion on education where the cancer of hopelessness and training for ‘social advocacy’ has taken hold in too many of our public schools,” he continued. Just in: Utah Republican Congressman Burgess Owens won’t run for reelection in 2026 pic.twitter.com/oKmB1bd9qf — The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) March 4, 2026 Owens steps down as Utah redraws its congressional districts ahead of the midterm elections. POLITICO explained: Owens’ retirement helps Utah Republicans avoid a possible member-on-member primary after a Utah judge implemented a new congressional map that created a new Democratic-leaning seat and drew Rep. Mike Kennedy (R-Utah) and Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-Utah) into the same district. Utah’s 4th congressional district, which Owens represents, will remain a strongly Republican seat under the new map. Owens’ decision to serve out the remainder of his term helps House Republican leadership preserve their narrow majority for the remainder of the cycle. Republicans’ four-seat House majority means they can only afford to lose one Republican on a party-line vote. In addition to Owens leaving Congress, Reps. John James (R-Mich.) and Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) are running for governor, and Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Tex.) launched a failed bid for Texas’ Senate seat, meaning there will likely be no Black members of the House Republican conference next year. Owens is the latest in a wave of House Republicans looking to leave the lower chamber this cycle. Since the beginning of 2025, 35 other House Republicans have resigned, announced their retirements or launched campaigns seeking other elected positions. “I came to Congress with a simple ask from my constituents: to represent Utah’s nation-leading culture of faith, family, the free market, and education. I have been proud to fight alongside President Donald J. Trump, whose leadership exposed the insidious spread of Marxism in our country and who has demonstrated that only a proud, focused, and unapologetic America can defeat it,” Owens said. “His commitment to working families and his willingness to confront corruption head-on reaffirm that courage still matters in public life,” he added. Roll Call shared further: A former NFL star, Owens has been a backbencher in Congress since he was elected to the House in November 2020, beating former Rep. Ben McAdams, a Democrat, by 47 percent to 46 percent. Owens, 74, is a vocal backer and supporter of President Donald Trump, and has focused on promoting conservative culture war issues embraced by his party’s right flank. From his perch on the Education and the Workforce Committee, and as chairman of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development, Owens has taken aim at higher education diversity initiatives — like the DEI movement — and changes to college sports policies. “It has been an honor to witness our House leadership unite our body with the Senate and President to deliver some of the most consequential legislation of our time,” Owens said. “History will record that the 2024 trifecta gave our nation a second chance to continue our 250-year journey toward our Founders’ vision of a more perfect Union.”

Legendary college football coach Lou Holtz has passed away. He was 89. Holtz famously won a national championship with Notre Dame in 1988. “One of the most affable coaches of his generation, Holtz won 249 games as a collegiate head coach with 100 of those victories earned at Notre Dame from 1986 through 1996. He led the Irish to the 1988 National Championship with a 12-0 record capped by a victory over West Virginia in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl,” Notre Dame News wrote. “The ’88 title season began a 64-9-1 (.871) run for Holtz at Notre Dame that included a 23-game win streak, back-to-back 12-win seasons for the first time in school history and a program record nine consecutive bowl game appearances,” it continued. Lou Holtz has died at the age of 89, his family announced Wednesday. The legendary football coach and ESPN analyst led six college programs and won the 1988 national title at Notre Dame. pic.twitter.com/r6v7lhQ3wA — ESPN (@espn) March 4, 2026 ESPN shared further: According to a statement released by Notre Dame, Holtz died in Orlando, Florida, where he was surrounded by family. A spokesperson said a cause of death was not provided by the family. Current Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman said Holtz had offered him “great support” since he arrived in South Bend and praised the values Holtz emphasized to him: love, trust and commitment. “Lou’s values have gone well beyond the football field,” Freeman said in a statement on social media. “He and his wife, Beth, are respected across campus for their generous hearts and commitment to carrying out Notre Dame’s mission of being a force for good. On behalf of the Notre Dame football program, we send our love to Lou’s family, friends and former players, wishing you all comfort and peace during this difficult time.” Holtz had a 249-132-7 record over his head coaching career with six schools: William & Mary, NC State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina. He also coached the NFL’s New York Jets for the 1976 season, finishing 3-10. After retiring from coaching, Holtz worked in television, including more than a decade with ESPN, but what he did with the Irish stands as his greatest accomplishment. Head Coach Marcus Freeman’s statement on the passing of Lou Holtz pic.twitter.com/q7WwLVwoSX — Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) March 4, 2026 “Remembering the life and legacy of Lou Holtz. The man who always reminded us to play like a champion. We love you, Coach,” Notre Dame Football wrote. Remembering the life and legacy of Lou Holtz The man who always reminded us to play like a champion We love you, Coach.#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/iZi7DUsiG4 — Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) March 4, 2026 More from Notre Dame News: “Notre Dame mourns the loss of Lou Holtz, a legendary football coach, a beloved member of the Notre Dame family and devoted husband, father and grandfather,” said University of Notre Dame President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. “Among his many accomplishments, we will remember him above all as a teacher, leader and mentor who brought out the very best in his players, on and off the field, earning their respect and admiration for a lifetime. In the years since leaving the head football coach position, Lou, together with his beloved wife, Beth, supported Notre Dame in innumerable ways, among them making possible the refurbishment of four residence hall chapels and the construction of the Beth and Lou Holtz Grand Reading Room on the first floor of Hesburgh Library — tangible signs of their great love for their Catholic faith and the mission of Our Lady’s University. Whenever Notre Dame called to ask for his help, Lou answered with his characteristic generosity, and he will be sorely missed. The prayers of the entire Notre Dame community are with his family and many friends in this time of sorrow. May he rest in the peace and love of Christ.” Holtz was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and instituted several traditions at Notre Dame that carry on to this day. The famous “Play Like A Champion” sign in the football locker room, which Fighting Irish players continue to honor on the way out to the playing field, was first displayed during the Holtz era. Holtz also removed names from the back of the football jerseys to emphasize the team dynamic, a tradition that is still followed today during all regular-season games. Holtz returned to campus during the 2025 football season and presented the colors for the national anthem before the kickoff of the Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M game. Among the legendary players coached by Holtz at Notre Dame are 1987 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown and College Football Hall of Famers Raghib “Rocket” Ismail, Michael Stonebreaker, Aaron Taylor and Chris Zorich. Holtz’s lasting legacy at the University of Notre Dame goes beyond his accomplishments and traditions with the football program. Football student-athletes who played for him developed Holtz’s Heroes, a charitable foundation that supports former student-athletes facing financial, physical or mental hardships, provides scholarship aid to deserving youth and serves communities in need through charitable works. More below:

Another Trump official will soon testify before the House Oversight Committee as part of its probe into Jeffrey Epstein. The House Oversight Committee has just voted to subpoena AG Pam Bondi to testify before lawmakers regarding any knowledge she has of the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The subpoena comes just days after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick volunteered to speak before the House Oversight Committee. CBS News broke the story and reported more on Bondi being subpoenaed: The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee voted Wednesday to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi for testimony as part of its investigation into the federal government’s handling of the case against convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The panel approved a motion from Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, to subpoena Bondi, with five Republicans in all joining with Democratic members in support of the bid. The Oversight Committee had issued a subpoena to the Justice Department for documents last August. Legislation passed with bipartisan support from Congress last year, which was signed by President Trump in November, also required the Justice Department to disclose all material from its investigation into Epstein. Millions of records were made public as a result of the law, with the last tranche of documents released in late January. House Oversight Chair James Comer previously called for Bondi to begin arresting people connected to Epstein’s crimes: BREAKING EXCLUSIVE: House Oversight Chair James Comer urges AG Pam Bondi to begin exposing and arresting individuals connected to the Epstein network and its cover-up: “Take the ball and run. People want to see accountability. Let’s start prosecuting and setting an example.” pic.twitter.com/KUgsCrrdPJ — Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 15, 2025 Politico reported Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was also asked to testify before the House Oversight Committee: The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is making a new round of requests for interviews in its long-running Jeffrey Epstein investigation — this time targeting billionaire tech entrepreneur Bill Gates and Kathryn Ruemmler, the former White House counsel under President Barack Obama and the exiting top lawyer at Goldman Sachs. Oversight Chair James Comer sent letters to Gates and Ruemmler Tuesday evening, asking them to sit for transcribed interviews on May 19 and April 21, respectively, although the dates could change. Ruemmler will soon resign from Goldman Sachs amid the mounting scrutiny over her close relationship with Epstein. Material released by the Justice Department revealed that Epstein called her when he was arrested for sex crimes. A spokesperson for Goldman Sachs declined to comment. Ruemmler, through a spokesperson, has said previously that she regrets knowing Epstein. She has not been charged with any misconduct. “Ms. Ruemmler welcomes the opportunity to appear before the Committee,” said Jennifer Connelly, a spokeswoman for Ruemmler, in a statement. “At the time she interacted with Jeffrey Epstein, she was a practicing criminal defense attorney and shared a client with him. She has done nothing wrong and had no knowledge of any ongoing criminal activity on his part.” Gates has not been accused of misconduct in connection with Epstein’s crimes, but his name was featured in the files released by the Justice Department in the Epstein case, including an allegation that he contracted a sexually transmitted disease in an extra-marital affair from a woman Epstein knew.

Aaron Spencer — a combat veteran who is facing murder charges after killing his daughter’s rapist — has won the Republican primary for sheriff in Lonoke County, Arkansas. He won 53% of the vote and will now be facing off with Democrat Brian Mitchell Sr. in November. Check it out: BREAKING: Aaron Spencer, the Arkansas father accused of k*lling a s*x predator that he found with his missing daughter, has WON the Republican primary for Sheriff of Lonoke County. https://t.co/o1fZzaJjKi pic.twitter.com/EynLQunhJe — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 4, 2026 In October 2024, Aaron Spencer shot and killed a 67-year-old man named Michael Fosler who sexually abused Spencer’s 13-year-old daughter. Despite claiming that his actions were justified to protect both his daughter and himself, Spencer was outrageously charged with second-degree murder. His trial is still pending. Fox News reported: Spencer allegedly shot and killed Fosler in October 2024 after he woke up and found his daughter missing from the family’s home. He found his daughter inside Fosler’s truck and forced the vehicle off the highway before an altercation led to a shootout. After allegedly fatally shooting Fosler, Spencer called 911. Court records show, prior to his death, Fosler was charged with “numerous sexual offenses” against Spencer’s daughter and was out on bond at the time of the shooting. Spencer, an Army veteran and farmer, is out on bond awaiting trial, which was initially scheduled for January. He has pleaded not guilty. Last year, Spencer announced that he would be running for sheriff so that nobody else has to suffer such a tremendous failure of the legal system. Here’s his announcement video: JUST IN: Man accused of killing his daughter’s rap*st wins the Republican primary for county sheriff in central Arkansas. Aaron Spencer, who is awaiting his murder trial, received over 53% of the vote in Lonoke County. Last year, Spencer announced on social media that he was… pic.twitter.com/aMAwSqYZVi — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 4, 2026 JUST IN: Man accused of killing his daughter’s rap*st wins the Republican primary for county sheriff in central Arkansas. Aaron Spencer, who is awaiting his murder trial, received over 53% of the vote in Lonoke County. Last year, Spencer announced on social media that he was running for sheriff because the legal system had “failed.” In 2024, Spencer allegedly woke up to find his 14-year-old daughter missing from her bed. Spencer searched the neighborhood and found his daughter in a car with 67-year-old Michael Fosler, according to court documents. He then chased the car down and drove it off the road before shooting and killing Fosler. Fosler was facing over 40 child s*x crime charges involving Spencer’s daughter when he was shot. Spencer’s wife says their daughter was “targeted, groomed and ultimately r*ped by the boyfriend of a family friend.” “I’m the father who acted to protect his daughter when the system failed,” Spencer said at the time of his announcement. Wow. I honestly can’t think of someone better qualified to bring justice than this dad who saved his daughter from a dangerous pedophile. He’s already proven that he has what it takes to do the job well! Here’s what folks are saying online: Hero – he deserves to win because he knows how to handle the predators — Real Carolinagurl (@carolinagurl68) March 4, 2026 Hey. At least I believe him that he’ll do the job. — K *Bo* Bowden (@K_Bowden) March 4, 2026 Sounds like he’ll make a great sheriff. He certainly know how to dole out justice. — Zeppo (@Zeppo81190327) March 4, 2026 The nonsense charges against this father should be dropped immediately. Hopefully, we will see him elected as sheriff this Fall!