Overview of AM Update — August 5, 2026
This episode of SiriusXM’s AM Update covered a busy political and public-safety news cycle: a razor-close Michigan Democratic Senate primary shaped by massive outside spending, the advancement of Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination after a dispute over a DOJ settlement fund, the escalating scandal around Ohio Rep. Max Miller, and a major arson arrest tied to one of the Spokane-area wildfires.
Michigan’s High-Stakes Democratic Senate Primary
Michigan Democrats voted in a closely watched Senate primary seen as a test of the party’s ideological direction.
Main race
- Abdul El-Sayed, the progressive candidate, faced off against Rep. Haley Stevens, who had stronger establishment backing.
- The race was too close to call late Tuesday, with ballots still being counted.
Big-money spending and influence
- The primary saw record-breaking ad spending of $80.9 million.
- About 79% of that spending was supporting Stevens.
- The Washington Post reported Stevens raised more than $11 million by mid-July.
- AIPAC and affiliated groups reportedly spent nearly $30 million, described by AP as the group’s largest-ever investment in a single election.
- Additional “dark money” groups also spent millions without disclosing donors.
Central issue: Israel and party power
- El-Sayed made outside spending and Israel policy central to his pitch, arguing:
- the money was “corrupting”
- AIPAC has too much influence inside the Democratic Party
- Stevens rejected claims that donor support shaped her positions, saying she is backed because of her record for Michiganders.
Todd Blanche Clears a Senate Judiciary Hurdle
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination on a 12–10 party-line vote.
What changed
- GOP Sens. John Cornyn and Tom Tillis had previously forced a delay over objections to a DOJ agreement involving:
- an anti-“weaponization” fund
- an IRS settlement issue
- After negotiations, Blanche reportedly provided written assurances and the DOJ rescinded the contested fund.
Republican concerns and support
- Chuck Grassley said the issues were addressed in good faith.
- Cornyn said he needed written clarification that the agreement was limited in scope and that the fund would be permanently ended.
- Tillis said his concerns were addressed, while also broadening his criticism to weaponization by both parties.
Democratic objections remain
- Democrats argued the fixes were not enough and that the agreement could still be revived or enforced later.
- The nomination now heads to the full Senate.
- Reported Republican holdouts included Lisa Murkowski, John Curtis, Bill Cassidy, and likely Susan Collins against the nomination.
- With Mitch McConnell absent and Democrats opposed, Blanche can afford very little GOP defections.
Max Miller Faces Escalating Abuse Allegations
Republican Rep. Max Miller of Ohio is under pressure as President Trump reportedly questions whether he can survive the controversy.
Allegations
- Miller’s ex-wife, Emily Moreno, alleges repeated abuse, including:
- holding a gun to her head
- breaking their daughter’s collarbone
- other violent conduct
- Miller denied all allegations in a CNN appearance and said prior investigations cleared him.
Public fallout
- Miller posted a Dropbox file of messages, photos, and videos to support his defense.
- One image included in the release showed the couple’s young daughter unclothed, triggering outrage.
- Miller’s attorney said the image was included by mistake and later removed.
Political consequences
- Sen. Bernie Moreno, the congressman’s former father-in-law, called the situation devastating for the family and said Miller should resign.
- The House Ethics Committee announced it is opening an investigation.
- Miller faces a 4 p.m. deadline to leave the race, which would allow Ohio Republicans to replace him on the November ballot.
Spokane Wildfire Arson Arrest
Authorities arrested Aaron Farinacci, a convicted felon, for allegedly starting the largest of the Spokane-area wildfires.
Charges and fire impact
- Farinacci was charged with first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails fire.
- The fire burned more than 3,600 acres.
- Combined with the Autumn Lane and Fairview fires, the region has seen:
- 8,000+ acres burned
- at least 700 buildings destroyed
- about 67,000 people evacuated
- hundreds more structures still awaiting assessment
Evidence and arrest details
- A citizen witness reportedly saw a man kneeling near the road shortly before smoke appeared.
- Investigators later found the fire started exactly where the witness observed him.
- Officers detained Farinacci with waterproof matches and a butane lighter.
- He denied starting the fire, saying he carried the items because he smokes.
- He is being held on $1 million bond.
Criminal background
- Authorities said Farinacci previously served time for killing his father in Arizona.
- Records indicate he was convicted of manslaughter and aggravated assault after the 2010 shooting and served roughly 10 years in prison before release in 2020.
Notable Takeaways
- Democratic primary spending is reaching unprecedented levels, with outside money becoming a major campaign issue.
- Todd Blanche’s confirmation is still not fully secured, but the biggest procedural obstacle appears to have been cleared.
- Max Miller’s political future is in serious doubt as ethics scrutiny and family allegations intensify.
- The Spokane wildfire case is now being treated as suspected arson, with a suspect who has a violent criminal history.
Bottom Line
The episode centered on a mix of national politics, Senate power struggles, and high-profile scandals, with the most immediate developments being the unresolved Michigan primary, Blanche’s next Senate vote, the mounting pressure on Max Miller, and the Spokane arson case moving forward quickly.