MS NOW is taking its political coverage on the road ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The network will bring five programs to battleground states throughout October.
What We Know: As part of Road to the Midterms, MS NOW will air live broadcasts from five key states. Jen Psaki, Ali Velshi, Chris Hayes, Katy Tur, and Peter Alexander will each anchor from a different battleground. Psaki kicks off the series tonight, October 6th, from Portland, Maine, with The Briefing with Jen Psaki at 9 p.m. ET. She’ll focus on the Senate race between Republican incumbent Susan Collins and Democratic candidate Troy Jackson. Velshi follows October 13th from Columbus, Ohio, while Hayes broadcasts from Atlanta, Georgia, on October 14th. Tur heads to Austin, Texas, on October 20th, before Alexander concludes the series in Detroit, Michigan, on October 27th.
What’s At Stake: The broadcasts will spotlight several of the country’s most closely watched Senate and gubernatorial races. Meanwhile, MS NOW plans to connect its anchors with voters, candidates, and local voices in each state. The network will also examine how those contests could shape the balance of power in Washington.
What Remains Unclear: MS NOW hasn’t detailed whether the live broadcasts will expand beyond the five scheduled programs. The network also hasn’t outlined additional special programming tied to the series as Election Day approaches.
What It Means: The initiative gives MS NOW an opportunity to put its political personalities directly in the communities driving the midterm conversation. Additionally, reporters including Chris Jansing, Shawna Thomas, Nnamdi Egwuonwu, Will McDuffie, and Josh Einiger will provide on-the-ground coverage throughout the series.
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