Overview of AM Update (June 2, 2026)
This episode of AM Update covers several major political and science stories: new scrutiny over Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico and his progressive church ties, Google’s request to release millions of lab-raised mosquitoes in the U.S., stalled U.S.-Iran nuclear talks amid rising Middle East tensions, and the discovery of human remains belonging to a missing Los Alamos National Laboratory employee in New Mexico.
Texas Senate Race: James Talarico Under New Scrutiny
The segment focused heavily on Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico and reporting about the politics and social causes associated with his Austin church, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian.
Key points
- New reporting says the church financially supports groups tied to:
- Planned Parenthood
- Lilith Fund
- Jane’s Due Process, organizations that help minors and others travel for abortions
- Talarico has previously framed his abortion views using biblical language, arguing Mary’s conception was by consent and suggesting this supports a pro-choice position.
- A 2025 Easter sermon drew attention for comparing Christ to:
- an immigrant deported without due process
- a senior losing Social Security
- a protester detained by plainclothes officers
- a student in a defunded school
- The church also supports Out Youth Austin, which serves LGBTQ youth ages 11–17.
- The report highlighted Talarico’s past comments on gender and religion, including his statement that God is non-binary.
- The church’s embrace of same-sex marriage, sanctuary for asylum seekers, and “banned books” in its children’s library were also emphasized.
Political angle
- Talarico’s campaign is said to be gaining traction in Texas.
- A recent poll showed him ahead of Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton by 3 points, 47% to 44% among likely voters.
- The RealClearPolitics average also gives Talarico a narrow lead.
- The general election is set for November 3.
Google’s Mosquito Release Plan
The show then turned to a surprising public-health proposal from Google’s parent company, Alphabet.
What Google wants to do
- Seek federal approval to release up to 32 million mosquitoes in Florida and California over two years.
- The effort is part of its DEBUG program.
- The goal is to reduce the spread of diseases such as:
- dengue fever
- Zika
- chikungunya
How it works
- Google plans to use male mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia, a naturally occurring bacteria.
- These males would mate with wild females, but the offspring would not be viable, which should reduce mosquito populations over time.
- Google says this could be an alternative to pesticides, which can become less effective and may have environmental downsides.
Reaction and status
- Some Florida residents expressed cautious support, while others worried about unintended consequences.
- EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said on X that the agency had authorized no such release, calling claims to the contrary “fake news.”
- The EPA is still reviewing the proposal and taking public comment.
U.S.-Iran Talks and Regional Tensions
The update also covered the increasingly uncertain status of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations.
Trump’s messaging
- President Donald Trump said in a CNBC interview that he “couldn’t care less” if talks with Iran end.
- He later posted that negotiations were still moving “at a rapid pace,” creating mixed signals.
Regional developments
- Reports suggested Iran had suspended indirect communications with Washington amid renewed Israel-Hezbollah tensions in Lebanon.
- Trump also spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Trump claimed the call was productive and suggested no troops would go to Beirut, while Netanyahu publicly said Israel would attack Hezbollah targets in Beirut if attacks on Israeli cities continued.
- An Axios report said the call was heated, with Trump allegedly using profane language toward Netanyahu.
Market impact
- Iranian media suggested Tehran might consider closing or further restricting the Strait of Hormuz, which briefly pushed oil prices higher due to fears of broader conflict and supply disruption.
Missing Scientist Found in New Mexico
The final major story involved the discovery of remains believed to be Melissa Casillas, a missing employee tied to Los Alamos National Laboratory.
What happened
- Casillas disappeared in June 2025.
- Her remains were found by a hiker in a remote area of Carson National Forest, about six miles from where she was last seen.
- A handgun was reportedly found nearby.
- The cause of death has not yet been determined.
Family reaction
- Her family confirmed the remains were hers and said they were heartbroken and still seeking answers.
- The family noted she was found in an area that had previously been searched.
Broader concern
- The segment noted a pattern of at least 11 government employees or scientists who have died or gone missing since 2022, several with New Mexico connections.
- Other cases mentioned included:
- Anthony Chavez
- Stephen Garcia
- William Neal McCasland
- These cases have drawn public attention and prompted a joint investigation by the FBI, Department of Energy, and Department of War.
Main Takeaways
- Talarico’s campaign is benefiting from strong polling, but his church ties and progressive activism are attracting intense scrutiny.
- Google’s mosquito proposal is a high-profile example of biotech and public-health innovation that is also generating public skepticism.
- U.S.-Iran diplomacy appears unstable, with Trump sending conflicting signals and regional conflict risks still elevated.
- The discovery of Melissa Casillas’s remains adds another troubling chapter to a series of unexplained disappearances involving scientists and defense-adjacent workers in New Mexico.
Notable Lines
- “Christ is the immigrant deported without due process.”
- Trump on Iran: “I couldn’t care less if negotiations with Iran end.”
- Google’s mosquito plan: an effort to reduce disease by releasing males that cannot produce viable offspring.