Television station

Nexstar Media Group's Michigan television stations will air two live, multi-market debates dubbed "Debate Week in Michigan" ahead of the state's high-profile 2026 races. The gubernatorial debate airs October 6 from 7 to 8 p.m. ET, followed by the U.S. Senate debate on October 8, same time slot. Both events will originate from WOOD-TV's studios in Grand Rapids, moderated by political reporter Rick Albin with anchor Amber Krycka fielding viewer questions on topics including technology, healthcare, immigration, and the economy.

In the governor's race, Republican U.S. Representative John James faces Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, competing to succeed term-limited Gretchen Whitmer. The Senate debate pits Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official and past gubernatorial candidate, against Republican former Congressman Mike Rogers, vying for the seat being vacated by retiring Senator Gary Peters. The debates will broadcast across Nexstar's Michigan stations, stream digitally, and have excerpts air nationally on NewsNation and The Hill.

Gray Media, South Carolina's largest television ownership group, is requiring candidates in this fall's gubernatorial and U.S. Senate debates to sign contracts barring them from joining rival broadcasters' debates without Gray's written consent. The clause, confirmed by multiple campaign sources, could limit other outlets' ability to host their own televised debates before the Nov. 3 general election.

Gubernatorial nominees Alan Wilson (R) and Jermaine Johnson (D) have tentatively set an Oct. 6 debate with Gray station WIS-TV, Gray's sixth debate broadcast since April. A Senate debate between Darline Graham and Annie Andrews remains under negotiation. Andrews' campaign said it signed Gray's pledge but has also accepted invitations from other stations, including SCETV and Nexstar- and Hearst-owned outlets, raising questions about how the exclusivity clause applies to debate clips and other coverage.

The dispute follows Gray's earlier partnership with the state GOP on primary debates and comes amid broader competition between Gray, Nexstar, and other networks for control of political debate coverage nationally.

Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno has stepped back from earlier openness to closing Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport, saying he won't contradict the FAA after agency chief Mike Whitaker publicly opposed shutting down the 450-acre lakefront facility. Critics, including local commentators, argue Moreno's stance amounts to deferring entirely to a federal agency whose institutional default is to oppose any airport closure, rather than exercising independent judgment as an elected senator.

The dispute centers on whether the prime lakefront land should remain an airport serving relatively few business travelers or be redeveloped for broader public and recreational use, an idea backed by Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, and business groups. Rep. John Husted has similarly said he'd defer to the FAA, though he faces voters in November, while Moreno's six-year term insulates him from immediate electoral consequences. The episode has become a flashpoint over political leadership as much as land use, with detractors saying Moreno abdicated a core legislative responsibility by treating the FAA's predictable position as final.