Words This Friday (WTF) with Dr. Kyle Dell

Executive Director Dr. Kyle Dell breaks down the words making headlines this week in “Words This Friday” (WTF) — a quick, insightful look at the language shaping our news and civic conversations.

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U.S. House Passes Record-Level Defense Policy Bill for FY 2026

Source 1: Newsmax, Source 2: Reuters

Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett Announces U.S. Senate Campaign in Texas

Source 1: CNN, Source 2: Fox News

Congress

For full details on each bill, visit our Vote Smart Issue Summary page.

State

New York (NY) – Senate Passed A 136 - Authorizes Medical Aid in Dying

Texas  (TX) – Governor Greg Abbot Signed HB 7 - Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills

Missouri (MO) - Governor Mike Kehoe Signed HB 737 - Amends State Foster Care System 

Democrat Eric Gisler won a special election Tuesday night to represent Georgia’s 121st state house district. This district, which represents Watkinsville (just outside of Athens) in the legislature, was vacated when former Republican Representative Marcus Wiedower resigned in October. Gisler, who ran for this district in 2024, narrowly flipped the seat and will increase the Democrats minority in the chamber to a total of 81 seats to the

GOP’s 98.

Republican Wendy Larson won a special election Tuesday night to represent Iowa’s 7th state house district. This district, which represents an area west of Fort Dodge and includes Sac City and Pocahontas, was formerly represented by Mike Sexton, who resigned to take a job with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. When Larson, a stay-at-home mother who ran for this seat in 2024, takes office the GOP in the chamber will retain their supermajority of 67 seats to the Democrat’s 33.

2025 Ballot Measures: California, Colorado, Maine, New York, Texas, and Washington

• Georgia Special General Run-off, State Senate District 35
• Kentucky Special General Election, State Senate District 37
• Minnesota Special Primary Elections, State House Districts 47A and 64A

Acts of Courage



"My experience has been that most people will hold the door for one another and many will say thank you. Common courtesy. I shop bi-weekly so have a full cart when I go. If the person behind me in line only has a few items, I generally offer to let them go ahead of me. I try not to spread negativity in social media; there’s way too much of that going on."

• Anonymous