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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Ongoing Federal Investigation Into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell

Source 1: Breitbart, Source 2: PBS News

Greenland Becomes a Focus of U.S.–NATO Diplomatic Engagement

Source 1: NBC News, Source 2: CNBC News

Democrat Gretchen Bulova, of Virginia, beat her Republican opponent Adam Wise 69.1% to 30.9% in the special election for State House District 11 and will succeed her husband, David Bulova, in the Virginia House of Delegates. He had resigned after being appointed Virginia’s Secretary of Natural Resources by Gov.  Abigail Spanberger. Rep. Elect Bulova is the director of the Office of Historic Alexandria, a member of the VA250 Commission, which oversees the state’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, and chairs the Fairfax250 Commission.  The 11th District comprises the City of Fairfax and parts of Fairfax County, including Fair Oaks and Oakton.

Republican Representative Doug LaMalfa, of California, died unexpectedly during emergency surgery on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the age of 65.  Rep. LaMalfa represented California’s 1st Congressional District and chaired the Congressional Western Caucus.  A rice farmer by trade, Rep. LaMalfa was a key player on California water issues and served on the House Natural Resources and Agriculture Committees. He also served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  California Gov. Gavin Newsom must call a special election to replace Rep. LaMalfa within 14 days.  Rep. LaMalfa’s death tightens the razor-thin House majority. The House stood at 219 Republicans and 213 Democrats after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., resigned on Monday, January 5, 2026.  Rep. LaMalfa’s death brings the House majority to 218 Republicans.

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

• Alabama Special General Election, State House Districts 13 and 63
• Connecticut Special General Election, State House District 139 
• Florida Special Primary Election, State House Districts 51, 52, 87, and State Senate District 14
• Oklahoma Special Run-Off Election, State House District 35
• Virginia Special General Election, State House Districts 11 and 23