No more 51st state talk, but Trump-Canada dynamic remains tense
Political commentator Wyatt Sharpe joins "The Final 5 with Jim Lokay" to discuss President Trump's approach to Canada, and the contrasts between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Political commentator Wyatt Sharpe joins "The Final 5 with Jim Lokay" to discuss President Trump's approach to Canada, and the contrasts between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
How will Spanberger govern Virginia?
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is in her first week, but with Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, she's giving some indications on how her term will shape up. Jim Lokay speaks with Federal Fallout podcast host and political analyst Sam Shirazi on "The Final 5."
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is in her first week, but with Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, she's giving some indications on how her term will shape up. Jim Lokay speaks with Federal Fallout podcast host and political analyst Sam Shirazi on "The Final 5."
The Final 5: January 20, 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.
MD GOP lawmakers push for immigration cooperation
As Maryland lawmakers convene in Annapolis, Republican lawmakers say public sentiment is on their side when it comes to allowing federal immigration authorities into jails. It comes as Democrats push to stop cooperation with ICE amid rising national tensions in cities like Minneapolis. Del. Matt Morgan discusses on "The Final 5 with Jim Lokay."
As Maryland lawmakers convene in Annapolis, Republican lawmakers say public sentiment is on their side when it comes to allowing federal immigration authorities into jails. It comes as Democrats push to stop cooperation with ICE amid rising national tensions in cities like Minneapolis. Del. Matt Morgan discusses on "The Final 5 with Jim Lokay."
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month highlights fight against modern slavery
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month — and 2026 marks 100 years since the world first tried to abolish slavery. But advocates say the crisis is far from over, with an estimated 50 million people worldwide still living in modern slavery, including in the United States. On The Final 5 with Jim Lokay, Dr. Xanthe Scharff of the Freedom Fund and survivor-advocate Evelyn Chumbow join the program to discuss how trafficking happens, what warning signs viewers should know, and why survivor-led programs are key to ending exploitation. (More information: freedomfund.org)
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month — and 2026 marks 100 years since the world first tried to abolish slavery. But advocates say the crisis is far from over, with an estimated 50 million people worldwide still living in modern slavery, including in the United States. On The Final 5 with Jim Lokay, Dr. Xanthe Scharff of the Freedom Fund and survivor-advocate Evelyn Chumbow join the program to discuss how trafficking happens, what warning signs viewers should know, and why survivor-led programs are key to ending exploitation. (More information: freedomfund.org)
The Final 5: January 19, 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.
Bill Scher on Trump's "Ephemeral Presidency"
Washington Monthly politics editor Bill Scher joins "The Final 5 with Jim Lokay" to talk about his new piece on President Trump's first year in office, one defined mostly by executive action and a passive Congress.
Washington Monthly politics editor Bill Scher joins "The Final 5 with Jim Lokay" to talk about his new piece on President Trump's first year in office, one defined mostly by executive action and a passive Congress.
The Final 5: January 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.
The Final 5: January 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.
Trump unveils healthcare plan focused on drug prices, transparency and HSAs
NOTUS reporter Violet Jira joined “The Final 5 with Jim Lokay” to break down President Trump’s newly released healthcare plan, which the White House says is now in Congress’s hands. Jira outlined key elements including efforts to codify “most favored nation” drug pricing deals, new price transparency requirements for providers that accept Medicare or Medicaid, and a push to route more healthcare spending directly to consumers through HSAs rather than insurance companies. She noted lawmakers are still evaluating what — if anything — can realistically pass given tight House margins and the Senate filibuster
NOTUS reporter Violet Jira joined “The Final 5 with Jim Lokay” to break down President Trump’s newly released healthcare plan, which the White House says is now in Congress’s hands. Jira outlined key elements including efforts to codify “most favored nation” drug pricing deals, new price transparency requirements for providers that accept Medicare or Medicaid, and a push to route more healthcare spending directly to consumers through HSAs rather than insurance companies. She noted lawmakers are still evaluating what — if anything — can realistically pass given tight House margins and the Senate filibuster
Taking a closer look at Iran and what's next
Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute joins The Final 5 with Jim Lokay to offer insight on the potential of U.S. action in Iran, and what's behind the demonstrations that's roiled the country and pushed the regime to the brink.
Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute joins The Final 5 with Jim Lokay to offer insight on the potential of U.S. action in Iran, and what's behind the demonstrations that's roiled the country and pushed the regime to the brink.
Former Rep. Comstock weighs in on future for Spanberger & Youngkin
Former Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R) joins The Final 5 with Jim Lokay to talk about the road ahead for Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger. Comstock also weighs in on outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin's future and his decision to endorse Vice President J.D. Vance for a 2028 White House run.
Former Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R) joins The Final 5 with Jim Lokay to talk about the road ahead for Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger. Comstock also weighs in on outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin's future and his decision to endorse Vice President J.D. Vance for a 2028 White House run.
GOP blocks war powers resolution as focus turns to Iran
A push to place guiderails on President Trump's potential military moves in Venezuela fails as tensions rise in Iran. Jim Lokay discusses that and more with Kevin Walling on "The Final 5," including why the Trump administration has zeroed in on the human rights abuses at the hands of the Iranian regime.
A push to place guiderails on President Trump's potential military moves in Venezuela fails as tensions rise in Iran. Jim Lokay discusses that and more with Kevin Walling on "The Final 5," including why the Trump administration has zeroed in on the human rights abuses at the hands of the Iranian regime.
The Final 5: January 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.
The Final 5: January 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.
HRC Foundation sues Trump administration over loss of gender-affirming care for federal employees
A new class action lawsuit against the Trump administration claims federal employees and their dependents are being denied insurance coverage for gender-affirming care. Cathy Harris, lead counsel from Correia and Puth, joins Jim Lokay on “The Final 5” to discuss the case and its potential impact on transgender federal workers and their families.
A new class action lawsuit against the Trump administration claims federal employees and their dependents are being denied insurance coverage for gender-affirming care. Cathy Harris, lead counsel from Correia and Puth, joins Jim Lokay on “The Final 5” to discuss the case and its potential impact on transgender federal workers and their families.
HRC Foundation sues Trump administration over loss of gender-affirming care for federal employees
A new class action lawsuit against the Trump administration claims federal employees and their dependents are being denied insurance coverage for gender-affirming care. Cathy Harris, lead counsel from Correia and Puth, joins Jim Lokay on “The Final 5” to discuss the case and its potential impact on transgender federal workers and their families.
A new class action lawsuit against the Trump administration claims federal employees and their dependents are being denied insurance coverage for gender-affirming care. Cathy Harris, lead counsel from Correia and Puth, joins Jim Lokay on “The Final 5” to discuss the case and its potential impact on transgender federal workers and their families.
NOTUS' Levinthal on Powell probe, Kennedy Center
NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal joins The Final 5 with Jim Lokay to discuss the boiling tensions between the White House and Fed chair Jerome Powell, plus new reporting detailing how the National Symphony Orchestra might be re-thinking its relationship with the Kennedy Center as President Trump tightens his control of the performing arts landmark.
NOTUS senior editor Dave Levinthal joins The Final 5 with Jim Lokay to discuss the boiling tensions between the White House and Fed chair Jerome Powell, plus new reporting detailing how the National Symphony Orchestra might be re-thinking its relationship with the Kennedy Center as President Trump tightens his control of the performing arts landmark.
The Final 5: January 12, 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: January 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.