Thursday, November 5th
The Pano newsletter, as it was sent that morning.
Most covered
- 1
Democrats Prepare To Check Trump
Balanced· 513 articles - 2
Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate
Balanced· 82 articles - 3
State Voters Back Abortion Rights
Mostly Right· 42 articles - 4
Elon Musk’s Spending Draws Ridicule
Mostly Center· 31 articles - 5
Mississippi Senate Race Unresolved
Leans Left· 28 articles - 6
Mike Johnson Exits GOP Leadership
Mostly Right· 27 articles - 7
Israel Certifies Election Results
Balanced· 20 articles - 8
Voters Reject AI Data Centers
Mostly Center· 19 articles - 9
Nithya Raman Leads Karen Bass
Leans Right· 19 articles - 10
Tampa Citibank Shooting Kills Two
Balanced· 16 articles
In depth
The biggest stories, and how each side covered themDemocrats Prepare To Check Trump
Democrats plan investigations of Trump's administration after winning both chambers of Congress.
Balanced· 513 articles
What happened
- After winning control of the House and Senate, Democrats are preparing investigations and legislation to check President Donald Trump during his final two years in office.
- When Democrats take charge in January, their committee leaders will gain power to issue subpoenas and demand documents and testimony from administration officials.
- The Senate homeland security committee has already posted jobs for investigators and lawyers as Democrats prepare to examine alleged corruption and wrongdoing.
- House Democrats plan early votes to restore enhanced health insurance subsidies, reverse Medicaid cuts and tariffs, and end or require congressional approval for the Iran war.
- Democrats still face limits on what they can deliver because Trump can veto legislation, and Republican senators have pledged to resist their agenda.
From the left
Left-leaning outlets emphasized the return of congressional oversight after two years of Republican support for Trump. The New York Times described Congress reclaiming its role as a presidential check, while The New Yorker highlighted incoming oversight chairman Robert Garcia’s “LAWYER UP” warning and Mother Jones detailed Democrats’ hiring preparations.
From the right
Right-leaning outlets emphasized the scale of Republicans’ defeat and the coming struggle over Democratic power. Fox News called the result a “midterm massacre” and highlighted Republican promises to resist; the Washington Examiner detailed Democrats’ rapid hiring of investigators after Garcia’s “lawyer up” warning.
Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan’s U.S. Senate race.
Balanced· 82 articles
What happened
- Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race and will become the first Muslim U.S. senator.
- El-Sayed said Wednesday that voters rejected a “hateful, spiteful campaign” targeting his Muslim identity, after attacks including President Trump calling him a “jihadist.”
- He led by about seven percentage points with nearly all votes counted, keeping retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters’ seat in Democratic hands.
- El-Sayed campaigned on lowering living costs, Medicare for All and reducing corporate money in politics.
- He will be sworn in on January 3, joining the new Democratic Senate majority.
From the left
Left-leaning outlets framed El-Sayed’s historic victory as a progressive breakthrough despite anti-Muslim attacks. The Guardian highlighted the first Muslim senator, while Al Jazeera’s headline emphasized voters “rejecting hate.” HuffPost called the result a “notable win for the left wing,” and MS NOW examined its implications for progressives in battleground states.
From the right
Right-leaning outlets emphasized El-Sayed’s progressive politics and confrontational style. Fox News called his victory speech “gloating” and “combative,” while the New York Post said his win shattered assumptions that a “hard-left candidate” could not win a battleground state. The Washington Examiner explored potential friction with Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.
State Voters Back Abortion Rights
Ballot measures brought abortion-rights wins and setbacks for Trump-backed election changes.
Mostly Right· 42 articles
What happened
- Voters backed abortion rights in Missouri, Nevada and Virginia, while Idaho voters rejected a measure to expand access, preserving the state’s near-total ban.
- Idaho’s proposal, rejected by about 56% of voters, would have allowed abortion until a fetus could survive outside the womb, with exceptions afterward for medical emergencies.
- Missouri voters rejected a Republican-backed proposal to reverse abortion protections approved in 2024 and add a constitutional ban on gender-affirming care for minors.
- Nevada and Virginia approved constitutional abortion protections, with Nevada completing the second statewide vote required to adopt its amendment.
- Idaho’s ban will remain in place, and repeal campaign leader Melanie Folwell warned that more doctors would leave the state after the result.
From the left
Left-leaning outlets emphasized abortion rights’ continued appeal, including in conservative states, while noting Idaho’s exception. Vox summed up the results: “Abortion rights weren’t the story of the midterms. They still won.” HuffPost and Mother Jones highlighted Missouri’s rejection of Republicans’ effort to undo protections voters approved in 2024.
From the right
Right-leaning outlets generally framed the abortion results as setbacks for abortion opponents, with Idaho the exception. The Federalist called Idaho’s vote “a major win for the unborn” and the only positive abortion result. The Washington Examiner emphasized Virginia’s loosened third-trimester restrictions and Missouri’s rejection of abortion and transgender-care limits.
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