The 2026 midterm elections won’t just be decided by what happens in Washington — they’ll be shaped by how those decisions ripple through statehouses, city halls and, ultimately, your audiences’ daily lives. The Trump administration is using new levers to pressure states on everything from voting access to education funding, from environmental rules to public safety policy. He is expanding the footprint of federal law enforcement. Understanding these moves — and explaining them to your community — is essential to meaningful, relevant coverage.
In this 75-minute Beat Academy webinar on Sept. 18, 1–2:15 p.m. Eastern, you’ll learn how to track and interpret federal actions so you can connect the dots between national policy shifts and the realities your audience faces. We’ll break down the legal frameworks at play, show how state governments can push back or comply, and give you practical tools to localize complex national stories.
Looking ahead to the 2026 midterms, we’ll explore how the current gerrymandering battles between red and blue states could intensify polarization — and what that means for the communities you cover. By putting in the extra effort to map national decisions to local consequences, you can give your audience the clarity they need to see exactly how power in Washington shapes their daily lives.
Enroll as soon as you know you’re interested. Tune in live on Sept. 18 to get your questions answered. Replay access will be available to reference any time you need it.
Questions?
If you need assistance, email us at info@poynter.org.
