The Final 5: April 17, 2026
The Final 5 is a daily recap of the roller coaster that is American politics. It's not your regular newscast and that's something we're proud of.
The Final 5 is a daily recap of the roller coaster that is American politics. It's not your regular newscast and that's something we're proud of.
The Final 5: April 16, 2026
The Final 5 is a daily recap of the roller coaster that is American politics. It's not your regular newscast and that's something we're proud of.
The Final 5 is a daily recap of the roller coaster that is American politics. It's not your regular newscast and that's something we're proud of.
Kinney Zalesne on her bid for DC Delegate
The race to replace Eleanor Holmes Norton as D.C.'s congressional delegate includes a large Democratic field, and one of the candidates vying to succeed her is former DOJ and DNC official Kinney Zalesne. She joins Jim Lokay on The Final 5 to make her case for the job in the June 16th primary.
The race to replace Eleanor Holmes Norton as D.C.'s congressional delegate includes a large Democratic field, and one of the candidates vying to succeed her is former DOJ and DNC official Kinney Zalesne. She joins Jim Lokay on The Final 5 to make her case for the job in the June 16th primary.
The Final 5: April 15, 2026
The Final 5 is a daily recap of the roller coaster that is American politics. It's not your regular newscast and that's something we're proud of.
The Final 5 is a daily recap of the roller coaster that is American politics. It's not your regular newscast and that's something we're proud of.
"Yes" on redistricting has the edge, but wild cards remain
New polling from StateNavigate.org shows proponents of Virginia's mid-decade redistricting referendum pushed by Democrats holding the edge, 50.7%-45.4%, but strong early turnout in some heavily Republican parts of the Commonwealth could sway the outcome next week. Jim discusses the poll with Chaz Nuttycombe on The Final 5.
New polling from StateNavigate.org shows proponents of Virginia's mid-decade redistricting referendum pushed by Democrats holding the edge, 50.7%-45.4%, but strong early turnout in some heavily Republican parts of the Commonwealth could sway the outcome next week. Jim discusses the poll with Chaz Nuttycombe on The Final 5.
The Final 5: April 14, 2026
The Final 5 is a daily recap of the roller coaster that is American politics. It's not your regular newscast and that's something we're proud of.
The Final 5 is a daily recap of the roller coaster that is American politics. It's not your regular newscast and that's something we're proud of.
Rushern Baker eyes poltiical return in MD-05
Former Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker is vying for the Democratic nomination in Maryland's 5th District as longtime Rep. Steny Hoyer retires. He joins Jim Lokay on The Final 5 to talk about the race, the issues, and how the future of the FBI headquarters played a role in his decision.
Former Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker is vying for the Democratic nomination in Maryland's 5th District as longtime Rep. Steny Hoyer retires. He joins Jim Lokay on The Final 5 to talk about the race, the issues, and how the future of the FBI headquarters played a role in his decision.
Miyares calls Dem push to redistrict VA "rigging elections"
Former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares joins Jim Lokay on The Final 5 ahead of next week's referendum, urging voters to reject the proposed redistricting changes, arguing the current bipartisan system already reflects the will of Virginians and serves as a national model. He says the new plan would undo that progress, accusing its backers of attempting to “rig” districts for political gain.
Former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares joins Jim Lokay on The Final 5 ahead of next week's referendum, urging voters to reject the proposed redistricting changes, arguing the current bipartisan system already reflects the will of Virginians and serves as a national model. He says the new plan would undo that progress, accusing its backers of attempting to “rig” districts for political gain.
Miyares on VA redistricting push: “rigging elections”
Former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares joins Jim Lokay on The Final 5 ahead of next week's referendum, urging voters to reject the proposed redistricting changes, arguing the current bipartisan system already reflects the will of Virginians and serves as a national model. He says the new plan would undo that progress, accusing its backers of attempting to “rig” districts for political gain.
Former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares joins Jim Lokay on The Final 5 ahead of next week's referendum, urging voters to reject the proposed redistricting changes, arguing the current bipartisan system already reflects the will of Virginians and serves as a national model. He says the new plan would undo that progress, accusing its backers of attempting to “rig” districts for political gain.
Can the IRS be fixed by Tax Day? (Probably not.)
With tax day looming and major changes to the tax code facing filers, the calls to reform or do away with the IRS are familiar amongst frustrated Americans. David McGarry of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance joins Jim on The Final 5 to offer some ideas on how the IRS can work better in the future.
With tax day looming and major changes to the tax code facing filers, the calls to reform or do away with the IRS are familiar amongst frustrated Americans. David McGarry of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance joins Jim on The Final 5 to offer some ideas on how the IRS can work better in the future.
Dems pushing for vote on Iran war, but GOP resists
Congress returned to Capitol Hill on Monday, as Democrats continue calls for a war powers resolution on the War in Iran. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) joins the Final 5 to explain why he's continuing the push in the face of the measure's almost likely defeat.
Congress returned to Capitol Hill on Monday, as Democrats continue calls for a war powers resolution on the War in Iran. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) joins the Final 5 to explain why he's continuing the push in the face of the measure's almost likely defeat.
The Final 5: April 13, 2026
The Final 5 is a daily recap of the roller coaster that is American politics. It's not your regular newscast and that's something we're proud of.
The Final 5 is a daily recap of the roller coaster that is American politics. It's not your regular newscast and that's something we're proud of.
The Final 5: April 10, 2026
The Final 5 is a daily recap of the roller coaster that is American politics. It's not your regular newscast and that's something we're proud of.
The Final 5 is a daily recap of the roller coaster that is American politics. It's not your regular newscast and that's something we're proud of.
Retired Coast Guard officer bikes 2000 miles to help vets
A retired Coast Guard lieutenant with D.C. ties is biking all the way from Key West to Maine to raise awareness for the challenges that disabled veterans face, and the organizations that serve them. Jodie Knox joins Jim Lokay on The Final 5 to talk about Wheels of Grit, and how it benefits The Wounded Warrior Project and Achilles International. MORE: wheelsofgrit.com
A retired Coast Guard lieutenant with D.C. ties is biking all the way from Key West to Maine to raise awareness for the challenges that disabled veterans face, and the organizations that serve them. Jodie Knox joins Jim Lokay on The Final 5 to talk about Wheels of Grit, and how it benefits The Wounded Warrior Project and Achilles International. MORE: wheelsofgrit.com
Hexagon returns for its 70th year with "Lollapalosers!"
Washington’s long-running political satire troupe, Hexagon, is back for its 70th year with a new original show, Lollapalooza, opening April 17 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. Former board chair Doug Brown and assistant choreographer Carol Newell described the production as a labor of love featuring all-new songs, skits, and lyrics, while continuing Hexagon’s tradition of poking fun at everyone in politics, regardless of party. Organizers say the show is also about community and rebuilding its charitable impact after the pandemic. More info at hexagon.org
Washington’s long-running political satire troupe, Hexagon, is back for its 70th year with a new original show, Lollapalooza, opening April 17 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. Former board chair Doug Brown and assistant choreographer Carol Newell described the production as a labor of love featuring all-new songs, skits, and lyrics, while continuing Hexagon’s tradition of poking fun at everyone in politics, regardless of party. Organizers say the show is also about community and rebuilding its charitable impact after the pandemic. More info at hexagon.org
The Final 5: April 09, 2026
The Final 5 is a daily recap of the roller coaster that is American politics. It's not your regular newscast and that's something we're proud of.
The Final 5 is a daily recap of the roller coaster that is American politics. It's not your regular newscast and that's something we're proud of.
Wala Blegay eyes Hoyer seat in Maryland's 5th
Prince George's County Councilmember Wala Blegay is part of the Democratic field seeking to succeed retiring Congressman Steny Hoyer in Maryland's 5th District. She joins Jim Lokay on The Final 5 to talk about the race and the issues she sees as most important to voters in the June 23rd priamry.
Prince George's County Councilmember Wala Blegay is part of the Democratic field seeking to succeed retiring Congressman Steny Hoyer in Maryland's 5th District. She joins Jim Lokay on The Final 5 to talk about the race and the issues she sees as most important to voters in the June 23rd priamry.
Reaction to Iran ceasefire, plus preparing for the midterms
Democratic strategist Kevin Walling and conservative commentator Christopher Johnson join The Final 5 with Jim Lokay to discuss the situation in Iran after the President's averted threat that "a whole civilization will die tonight" and the subsequent ceasefire, plus what a Georgia special election tells us - if anything - about the midterms this year.
Democratic strategist Kevin Walling and conservative commentator Christopher Johnson join The Final 5 with Jim Lokay to discuss the situation in Iran after the President's averted threat that "a whole civilization will die tonight" and the subsequent ceasefire, plus what a Georgia special election tells us - if anything - about the midterms this year.
The Final 5: April 08, 2026
The Final 5 is a daily recap of the roller coaster that is American politics. It's not your regular newscast and that's something we're proud of.
The Final 5 is a daily recap of the roller coaster that is American politics. It's not your regular newscast and that's something we're proud of.
Warner: Trump rhetoric “sounds more like a Middle East dictator than an American president”
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, says President Trump’s threat that “a whole civilization will die tonight” was wildly outside the norm for an American president — and could backfire by rallying Iranians around a regime many had opposed. On The Final 5, host Jim Lokay asked Sen. Warner about the President's since-delayed vow to attack infrastructure, and whether the U.S. is achieving its stated goals in Iran.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, says President Trump’s threat that “a whole civilization will die tonight” was wildly outside the norm for an American president — and could backfire by rallying Iranians around a regime many had opposed. On The Final 5, host Jim Lokay asked Sen. Warner about the President's since-delayed vow to attack infrastructure, and whether the U.S. is achieving its stated goals in Iran.