A double-digit health health insurance hike, again

DCCC palm goes to DCCC forehead. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee — the U.S. House Democrats’ campaign fundraising/campaign spending organization — announced this morning it’s adding Nevada CD2 candidate Theresa Benitez-Thompson to its “red to blue” program. CD2 being such a reliably red district, the DCCC’s announcement is yet another acknowledgement that Benitez-Thompson’s Republican opponent, David Flippo, really and truly is a stench-ridden garbage fire of a candidate. It might be a little late in the game for the DCCC’s announcement to have an impact on the race. But it is another signal that the Democratic map is expanding as Democrats try to grow the size of the majority they’re projected to win in the House.

If Flippo does lose, presumably CD2 will be one of the races Trump will be squealing “fraud!” about. At which point Nevada Republicans, by which I mean Gov. Joe Lombardo, will have a duty to stand up to the stench-ridden garbage fire of a president and categorically reject Trump’s lies. Even — especially — if Lombardo, too, loses. 

After all, as demonstrated by Lombardo’s voracious focus on what the governor clearly feels is the most important issue of the 2026 campaign — Aaron Ford’s sponsor of a clemency hearing — Lombardo has very strong opinions about good and bad, right and wrong, and law and order.

IN NEVADA CURRENT

Good thing affordability is a hoax. Nevadans who get insurance through Nevada Health Link, the state-based Affordable Care Act marketplace, can expect to see an average rate increase of 17% for 2027 coverage. It marks the second year of double-digit rate increases for Nevadans who secure their insurance through the state-based marketplace and not an employer, Medicaid, or Medicare. April Corbin Girnus reports: Nevada Health Link plans will see double-digit rate increases… again

(Twenty) Four more years! Clark County District Court Judge Michelle Leavitt has been on the bench since 2002. To which everybody seems to say, “cool.” Except maybe her opponent. Jeniffer Solis reports: Judge up for fifth term on Clark County bench

Signs o’ the times. In addition to a lame-o September jobs report, the July and August reports were also revised downward. “This is a textbook weak jobs report,” observed one economist. (Or as Trump puts it, “golden age.”) Via Stateline: Hiring slows in September with job growth of 29K

This, too, is a drag on the economy. Inflationary pressures, especially in agriculture and construction, aren’t the focus of this story. But they’re a consequence of this policy. Via the D.C. bureau: Federal funds for local police enforcement accelerated Trump immigration crackdown

Good Luck