Axios

The pro-Trump MAGA Inc. super PAC began its long-awaited midterm spending Saturday with a $10 million ad campaign supporting Texas Senate hopeful Ken Paxton.

Why it matters: The decision to start in Texas underscores the urgency among Republicans to shore up Paxton, who is locked in an unexpectedly tight race with Democrat James Talarico.

• Republicans haven't lost a statewide race in Texas in more than three decades. But Talarico has vastly outraised Paxton, who some Republicans have criticized for running a lackadaisical campaign.

A federal judge extended a prohibition on the Trump administration's new Postal Service rule on mail-in voting through Election Day, after the Supreme Court previously cleared the way for the order.

The big picture: The administration's new mail-voting rules — which critics say could scramble the midterms for states and voters — have gone through a dizzying cycle of red and green lights, and now, the the first state has begun mailing out its midterm ballots.

Former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer created a "toxic, intimidating and humiliating" work environment, directed employees to complete personal tasks for her and had an inappropriate relationship with a member of her security detail, a watchdog report dated Thursday alleged.

The big picture: The Department of Labor inspector general's report, released months after Chavez-DeRemer resigned, paints a picture of alleged misconduct and department tumult in line with what whistleblowers previously described.

Tesla's decision to let passengers start booking rides in its driverless Cybercab has triggered a high-stakes test of how far automakers can stretch outdated federal safety rules while regulators race to rewrite them.

Why it matters: Tesla and the Trump administration share the same goal — clearing regulatory barriers to autonomous vehicles — but they may disagree over how quickly Tesla can get there.

Persistent pump pain and pricey burgers mean this summer's last hurrah comes with a cost crunch.

The big picture: Gasoline prices are almost certain to remain north of $4 per gallon over Labor Day weekend — a heavy travel stretch and the time when midterm election season intensifies.

Another warning light is blinking for Senate Republicans: underperforming gubernatorial nominees in three crucial Midwest states.

Why it matters: Strong candidates for governor can act as sheepdogs in tight Senate races, keeping Republican voters — and GOP-curious independents — moving in the party's direction.

The Trump administration is working on a post-war strategy focused on a regional effort to contain Iran and expand normalization of relations between Israel and its neighbors, according to two U.S. officials and two other sources with knowledge of the issue.

Why it matters: While the plan is still in the early stages of drafting, it's intended to guide the U.S. approach in the Middle East after the Iran war ends and in the final two years of President Trump's term. Two big events loom over the planning: the Oct. 27 election in Israel and the U.S. midterm elections in November.

Fox News Media fired longtime host Maria Bartiromo for business reasons, a spokesperson confirmed to Axios on Thursday.

Why it matters: Bartiromo is considered one of the network's most high profile hosts.

After winning an upset primary victory over a field of better-funded, establishment-backed rivals, Rep. Analilia Mejia (D-N.J.) is launching a super PAC to help other progressive underdogs do the same, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Mejia is adding to a growing constellation of new progressive super PACs trying to compete with cash-rich groups like AIPAC that back more moderate Democrats in primaries.

U.S. employers added 162,000 jobs in August, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%, the Labor Department said on Friday.

Why it matters: The better-than-expected report is fresh evidence of the labor market's resilience, easing fears that a hiring slowdown had taken hold.