VA Democrats say they're energized to fight Trump, Musk policies and lower costs
In an interview on The Final 5, Virginia Delegate Dan Helmer, chair of the House Democratic Caucus campaigns, laid out the party?s 2025 strategy. Helmer touted strong grassroots energy across the Commonwealth, driven by what he calls the damaging economic policies of Trump and Musk that have raised costs for Virginians. He also praised gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger?s national security background and legislative record.
The Final 5: June 30, 2025
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.
GOP?s Road Map to Retake Virginia ? One District at a Time
In an interview on The Final 5, Virginia House Republican Leader Terry Kilgore laid out the GOP?s game plan to flip control of Virginia?s House of Delegates in a razor-thin election year. Kilgore touted Governor Youngkin?s record on tax cuts, job creation, and parental rights, framing the campaign as a continuation of that agenda ? with Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears at the top of the ticket. He acknowledged Virginia?s deep political divisions but remained optimistic about GOP gains, urging voters to embrace early voting,
Senate burns the midnight oil on Trump's tax bill
The Senate continues its "vote-a-rama" on amendments to President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," but the weekend brought the wheeling and dealing of the U.S. Senate into full view. Jim gets some perspective from commentator Andrew Donaldson of Ordinary Times on "The Final 5."
The Final 5: June 27, 2025
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.
COMMENTARY: Tuberville likens some Americans to "inner city rats"
Jim Lokay calls out Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville for what he calls ?raging hypocrisy? after Tuberville insulted people in cities like D.C. as ?inner city rats? living off taxpayers. Lokay points out that Alabama receives nearly $60 billion a year in federal aid?funded by the very people Tuberville criticizes.
Dems line up for Saturday's 11th district primary in Va.
Jim Lokay hosts 7 of the candidates running in Saturday's special election for Virginia's 11th congressional district primary as they look to succeed the late Rep. Gerry Connolly. Appearing in order off the top: Irene Shin, Stella Pekarsky, Amy Roma, James Walkinshaw, Candice Bennett, Ross Branstetter, and Dan Lee.
The Final 5: June 26, 2025
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.
"Big Beautiful Bill" faces big hurdles as July 4th deadline looms
President Trump is turning up the heat on the Senate to pass his signature tax and spending package before a July 4th deadline, but several hurdles remain among his fellow Republicans. Jim Lokay discusses those with Riley Rogerson from NOTUS, plus why the Senate parliamentarian has suddenly become a lightning rod for criticism.
Former CIA officer warns of Iran?s cyber threat, urges Americans to stay vigilant
Bryan Cunningham, former CIA intel officer and president of Liberty Defense, joins The Final 5 to break down the risks of retaliation from Iran following the U.S. bombings from the weekend. He warns of potential cyberattacks and sleeper cell activity, and shares simple steps viewers can take to protect themselves and their data.
Trump-Netanyahu alliance reshapes Middle East after Iran-Israel clash
Foreign policy expert Harley Lippman joins The Final 5 to break down the Iran-Israel ceasefire, calling it a historic military victory for Israel and a major shift in the region?s balance of power. He discusses the Trump-Netanyahu partnership, U.S. involvement, and what could come next for peace in the Middle East.
The Final 5: June 25, 2025
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: June 24, 2025
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.
Veteran-Led Breakthrough Could Revolutionize PTSD Detection
PTSD and trauma often remain hidden until it's too late?but what if a simple blood test could change that? Army veteran and immunologist John Schmitt is part of a groundbreaking effort to detect the biological markers of trauma before symptoms appear. As co-founder of iXpressGenes, Schmitt joined The Final 5 to explain how his team?s Trauma Autoimmune Indicator Test uses RNA analysis to identify trauma responses in real time?offering hope for earlier intervention and prevention.
GOP Split On Iran, "Big Beautiful Bill" As Trump Deadline Looms
Two major debates unfolding on Capitol Hill: a major faction of the GOP appears to split with the White House on the President's actions in Iran, while a July 4th deadline looms for the Senate to pass a version of Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill." Principles First executive director Brittany Martinez is Jim's guest on "The Final 5."
Kaine Demands Vote Before Further U.S. Acts on Iran
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) tells The Final 5's Jim Lokay that the U.S. must not go to war with Iran without a vote from Congress, warning against repeating past mistakes like the Iraq War and calling for accountability before sending Americans into conflict.
The Final 5: June 23, 2025
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.
Why some companies are rebranding, not retreating from anti-DEI efforts
Amid political backlash and boycotts, Winmark Concepts founder Andrew Isen tells The Final 5 that while some companies are scaling back public-facing DEI efforts, many are quietly rebranding programs under new names like ?belonging? and ?opportunity? as some companies find inclusion remains good for business.
Will the Iran/Israel ceasefire hold?
Middle east expert and Young Voices contributor Abdullah Hayek joins "The Final 5 with Jim Lokay" to weigh in on the state of the newly-announced ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
The Final 5: June 20, 2025
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.