What to watch in blockbuster Michigan primary and suspect arrested in Spokane wildfire: Morning Rundown

Michigan’s primary races will test the Democratic Party’s deepest divisions. A man is arrested in connection with one of the major wildfires burning in Washington. And a defunct SpaceX rocket is on a collision course with the moon.

Democratic divides, Trump’s endorsement: What to watch in today’s primaries

Across primaries in five states, the Democratic Party’s deepest divisions are on full display today.

In Michigan, the race for the Democratic nomination for Senate between Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed is a crucial test for opposing factions and fights within the party. The campaign, which has highlighted divide over support for Israel, is a show for moderates against progressives, insiders against outsiders and pragmatists against idealists. The matchup is also in a crucial Senate battleground, which Democrats need for any hope of chamber control.

This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.

Stevens has gained the support of Democrats Sen. Gary Peters — who currently holds the seat — and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, as well as a pro-Israel lobbying group. She has focused her campaign on kitchen table issues. El-Sayed is backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He supports liberal policies, such as abolishing ICE. Beyond Michigan, these endorsements offer a sneak peak at how the 2028 presidential campaign could look for Democrats.

The divides within the Democratic Party will also play out in races in Kansas, Missouri, Virginia and Washington.

Key Republicans are also battling, with Trump-endorsed candidates facing tests. The president’s most significant endorsement is in Michigan’s governor’s race. There, Trump has backed Rep. John James, who’s up against businessman and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Perry Johnson.

Here’s what else to watch in today’s primaries.

NBC News’ chief data analyst Steve Kornacki dives deeper into Michigan’s blockbuster primary in The Data Dive, a new subscriber-exclusive newsletter on the numbers, trends and data shaping the biggest stories heading into the midterms. Read today’s edition here.

The legal loophole that could revive the ‘anti-weaponization’ fund

Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee are expected to advance Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination after it had been delayed by Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis over concerns about the Trump administration’s “anti-weaponization” fund. If the committee approves Blanche’s nomination, it would advance to a vote before the full Senate.

On Sunday night, Blanche announced that the fund “is rescinded and shall have no force or effect.” But the deal has a major loophole that could allow it to come back to life. Blanche was the only person who signed the rescission order — but he wasn’t among the people who signed the underlying agreement that established the fund. And according to that agreement, the deal “may be modified only with the written agreement of the Parties.”

What Cornyn and Tillis said about their deal with Blanche.

More politics news:

Trump brands the Iranian regime ‘unbelievably duplicitous’

President Donald Trump branded the Iranian regime “unbelievably duplicitous” in a post on Truth Social, a day after he called off intense new strikes on Iran and said the two countries would hold talks. The comments came after Iran’s Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told reporters that “we currently do not have negotiations with America.”

But after he posted on social media, Trump told reporters at the White House that talks with Iran were “going on right now.” He also claimed the Strait of Hormuz would be open to marine traffic today.

Trump has repeatedly threatened big attacks and then canceled them. Now, the latest twist comes as the war expands and threatens even greater fallout for the global economy.

Man accused of arson in Spokane wildfire

A 37-year-old resident of Spokane, Washington, with a previous manslaughter conviction was arrested in connection with the largest of the region’s three wildfires, which have burned more than 8,000 acres and destroyed more than 700 structures . Aaron Farinacci was taken into custody yesterday after a judge signed a warrant based on an allegation of first-degree arson, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said.

Police said a witness reported seeing a man near the Old Trails Fire shortly before it started Saturday morning, Nowels said. Deputies questioned Farinacci that day, but he was ultimately released. Then, on Sunday, major crimes detectives were able to link the suspect to the fire.

Related coverage:

Staff Pick: A SpaceX rocket is about to crash... where?!

A defunct part of a SpaceX rocket is on course to smack into the moon tomorrow, slamming into the lunar surface at up to 5,500 mph around 2:35 a.m. ET. The moon’s pockmarked surface is evidence that it has taken a lot of hits over its lifetime, but this will be only the second known case of a rocket unintentionally crashing into the lunar surface.

The culprit is an upper stage of a Falcon 9 rocket that launched two lunar landers to the moon in January 2025. Since then, the 10,800-pound booster has been adrift in orbit. The spent rocket part is expected to hit the moon’s sunlit side, likely along the western edge as viewed from Earth. The impact will likely create a brief flash, but the sun’s light might wash out any views from ground-based telescopes.

The unusual event has sparked fresh debate on sustainability issues in space. With renewed focus on the moon, I talked to experts about what’s needed to ensure the safe handling of orbiting space junk. — Denise Chow , science reporter

Read All About It

NBC Selected: Online Shopping, Simplified

REI has a secret outlet with up to 70% off summer outdoor gear, and Walmart is helping parents beat the back-to-school rush with up to 55% off backpacks, lunchboxes and crayons. Plus, an editor-loved toiletry bag is marked down by 40% on Amazon.

Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.

Thanks for reading today’s Morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Robinson and Delia Sara Rangel. If you’re a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can sign up here .