Shutdown could have big impact on travel
The threat of a government shutdown could have profound impacts on travel, especially at TSA checkpoints. It underscores a deep divide with the TSA workforce and the rest of the federal government. Ellen Gilmer from Bloomberg Government joins Jim Lokay on "The Final 5" to explain.
Shutdown threat: 48 hours and counting
Jim Lokay is joined by Punchbowl News reporter Mica Soellner for a look at the last-minute maneuvering as Congress veers towards the nation's seventh government shutdown in the last 3 decades.
Instant reaction to second GOP debate
The second Republican presidential debate is in the books, and "The Final 5" offered the only live, local reaction with conservative strategists Sarah Selip and Jack Kalavritinos. They join Jim Lokay to look at the winners, losers, and...the best eyebrows.
Commentary: Boebert targets trans Pentagon official
In Jim Lokay's closing commentary, he offers his thoughts on why Rep. Lauren Boebert's push to reduce Deputy Defense Secretary Shawn Skelly's salary to $1 over the botched Afghanistan withdrawal may have been fair, had she not included anti-trans rhetoric in her floor remarks.
Progressives react to poll showing Trump surge
A Washington Post/ABC News poll puts President Biden down 10 points to Donald Trump, and down even lower when it comes to younger voters. Santiago Mayer, executive director of Voters of Tomorrow, joins Jim Lokay on "The Final 5" to weigh in on a poll that even the Post admitted was an "outlier."
Larry Elder runs for President
He's a familiar face in the media, and was the leading Republican vote-getter in the recent California recall election. Now Larry Elder is setting his sights on the White House. He tells "The Final 5's" Jim Lokay why he's in the race, and why he says he's been shunned from the GOP debate stage so far.
Juan Pablo Segura makes run for VA Senate seat
Control of the Virginia Senate is up for grabs, and with early voting underway, much attention has been focused on the 31st District race, encompassing Loudoun and Fauquier Counties. Republican nominee Juan Pablo Segura joins Jim Lokay on "The Final 5" to make his case for the seat.
Shroff: Menendez indictment disproves "weaponized DOJ" theory
The indictment of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has prompted bipartisan calls for his resignation, something the veteran lawmaker is resisting as the corruption case against him plays out. Attorney and political commentator Kaivan Shroff joins Jim Lokay on "The Final 5" to explain why he thinks the indictment of a powerful Democrat disproves Republican claims that the Biden administration has used the Dept. of Justice for political gain.
Woodsboro's Heath Barnes running in Maryland's 6th
In our series of chats with candidates for Maryland's 6th Congressional District, a seat that's set to be vacated in 2025 by Rep. David Trone (D), we talk with Heath Barnes. The Republican current serves as Burgess of Woodsboro. He joins Jim Lokay to talk about the issues in the hotly-contested race.
Strikes underscore changing face of America's workforce
High profile labor disputes in Hollywood, the auto industry, and health care underscore a shifting dynamic when it comes to workers and their changing priorities, including the emergence of the gig economy. Tashira Halyard, attorney, activist, and co-host of the "Just-Us" podcast, is Jim Lokay's guest on "The Final 5."
What is Section 702, and will it stay?
Years after the "Patriot Act" became a symbol of government overreach, a new debate over the fate of Section 702 is raging in D.C. The measure, which grants authority to search and collect information on foreign nationals outside of the United States, is up for renewal later this year, but many want to see it overhauled. James Czerniawski of Young Voices met with Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines for look at the current debate. He joins Jim Lokay on "The Final 5" to explain more.
Book bans and racial conversations
A new report by the Education Trust says the rising number of book bans in America's libraries and schools may have a negative impact on racial representation. Dr. Tanji Reed Marshall, co-author of the study, joins Jim on "The Final 5" to explain.
Georgia's slow wheels of justice in Trump case
Prosecutors in Atlanta want to get moving on the 19 cases related to alleged election interference against former President Trump and associates, but it won't all be smooth sailing. Former Fulton County public defender Chandelle Summer provide some insight on "The Final 5" with Jim Lokay.
Spending talks, McCarthy's fate atop agenda for House
The back and forth continues over whether Congress will avert a government shutdown, plus whether or not Speaker Kevin McCarthy will make it through the talks without a vote on his own feature. Reese Gorman from the Washington Examiner joins Jim on "The Final 5" with more on the talks, plus the latest on Rep. Matt Gaetz's efforts to oust the speaker.
John Fetterman and the Senate's new casual look
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Monday he'd relax the dress code, a move tailor-made for Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), whose hoodies and shorts look has elicited bemusement by some and outrage by others. Jim Lokay takes a look at Senate tradiiton on "The Final 5."
House GOP splinters on deal to avert shutdown
A compromise plan to fund the government and avert a potential shutdown is running into opposition among a faction of the House Republican caucus. Jim Lokay gets the latest on the talks from Punchbowl News reporter Max Cohen on "The Final 5."
America's outdoor rec economy could suffer under shutdown
While the debate over how to fund the government rages on Capitol Hill, one of the hardest-hit sectors could be the nation's outdoor recreation economy -- from monuments and parks, and the trickle-down effect to small business. Kellie Lunney of Bloomberg Government breaks it down on "The Final 5" with Jim Lokay.
COMMENTARY: Biden skips out on DC, NY, PA on 9/11 anniversary
President Biden chose to break precedent and mark the 22nd anniversary of the September 11th attacks at a site other than the three locations that were attacked. Have we moved on as a country? Jim Lokay's commentary from "The Final 5" on 9/11.
Commentary: The hypocrisy of "family values" politicians
A rumored affair involving SD Gov. Kristi Noem, public embarrassment from Rep. Lauren Boebert, and more hypocrisy from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: when politicians tell you they care about "family values," they have a responsibility to start at home. Jim Lokay's commentary from "The Final 5."
Commentary: The hypocrisy of "family values" politicians
A rumored affair by a prominent governor, public embarrassment from a sitting member of Congress, and more hypocrisy from another: when politicians tell you they care about "family values," they have a responsibility to start at home. Jim Lokay's commentary from "The Final 5."