During this segment of The Morning Update, host Jeff Chidester talks with regular political and government policy expert Dr. John Lappie, Associate Professor of Political Science at Plymouth State University, for a broad analysis of state and national political dynamics heading into the 2026 Midterm elections.

Dr. Lappie and Chidester first examine the legal and logistical fallout surrounding redistricting attempts in Missouri, unpacking how delayed court battles and shifting map proposals are impacting election administration and voter clarity.

The conversation then shifts to Washington, where mounting pressure is building on Congress to establish federal AI regulation—a topic gaining urgency after prominent tech executives publicly called for immediate “guardrails” over the weekend.

Finally, the discussion turns home to New Hampshire to evaluate the state of unity within the state Democratic Party following high-stakes primary contests. With runner-up candidates—State Representative Paige Beauchemin in the 2nd Congressional District race and medical scientist Karishma Manzur in the U.S. Senate race—refusing to endorse the primary victors, incumbent Representative Maggie Goodlander and Representative Chris Pappas, Jeff and Dr. Lappie dissect whether these intra-party rifts could linger and impact voter turnout in November.