By Izin Akhabau

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Good morning, it’s Tuesday, Sept. 15, and I can’t stop looking at these stunning Bob Mackie looks that changed the fashion world forever — see them here. Now, let’s get to the news.

A quick note: Thanks to readers who pointed out that the date was wrong in yesterday’s newsletter. Yesterday was Sept. 14, not Sept. 21.

	The Supreme Court blocked sweeping mail restrictions for the midterm elections.

• What it means: The administration cannot move forward with unprecedented new restrictions that it claimed were necessary to prevent fraud. The ruling is a major defeat for President Donald Trump.

• Why it matters: About one-third of voters used mail ballots in 2024, and the proposed changes could have affected millions. Read what the justices wrote here.

Mitch McConnell returned to the Senate after a fall at home in June.

• Yesterday: The Kentucky Republican cast the deciding vote on a procedural vote to advance Trump’s pick for a district court judgeship in Ohio.

• More GOP news: Max Miller’s Democratic challenger is launching an attack based on domestic violence allegations against him. Watch it here.

• One more thing: Texas Republicans denounced a statewide candidate after he made racist social media posts.

Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding celebrations were partly sponsored by a Russian businessman.

• Who is he? Umar Kremlev is under Ukrainian sanctions that describe him as “a close friend of the head of Putin’s security service.” Bride Bettina Trump denied any sinister or political motive.

• In other news: California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he won’t run for president if former vice president Kamala Harris does.

• Another politics story: In tight House races, suspicions are swirling around third-party candidates.

Alligator Alcatraz detainees were put in small cages, a DHS watchdog report says.

• What to know: The Florida facility’s staff called the enclosures “calming areas,” but investigators said their use did not align with “standards for humane treatment.” See for yourself here.

• More immigration news: In recent months, ICE has started quietly firing some recruits after a hiring spree last year. For one of them, it was devastating.

The U.S. deployed its first space-based weapon, according to the Air Force secretary.

• For the first time: The U.S. acknowledged its offensive capability in space, in a not-so-subtle warning to China and Russia. The Air Force Secretary gave these hints about the weapon.

• In the nuclear space: An expert report has noted  a “dramatic deterioration” in U.S. nuclear security. The country’s score fell by 10 points to 66 on a scale of 100.

• One more thing: Talks on how to end the Iran war are facing delays – here’s why.

Lead you absorbed as a child may cause dementia as you age.

• According to a study: People with the highest estimated levels of lead in their bones were roughly twice as likely to develop dementia as those with the lowest levels. These groups are at risk.

• Lead poisoning symptoms aren’t always obvious: Research suggests that lead burned in gasoline or mixed into paint long ago can harm us decades later.

Did your favorite TV show rack up wins at the 2026 Emmys?

• Who brought their A-game? Zendaya, Ayo Edebiri and Chase Infiniti were red carpet favorites. See which new faces made our list of the 10 best-dressed stars at the Emmys.

• Big wins and highlights: The night belonged to “Widow’s Bay” and “The Pitt.” Jean Smart and Allison Janney had historic wins. See more of