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The Upshot
February 19, 2026

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WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FROM UPSHOT FRIENDS

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The New York Times

Tracking the Fallout From the Epstein Files

This list will be updated and includes people who have faced concrete consequences, such as the loss of their position, as a result of their connection to Jeffrey Epstein.

By Karen Yourish and Lazaro Gamio

A woman in white pants and an orange-ish jacket drops what appears to be a piece of paper or an envelope into a plastic bin with a purple top. A man with a yellow vest stands nearby, extending a hand.

David Gray/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Why Other Democracies Don’t Gerrymander Like the U.S.

In the battle for Congress, redistricting has become all the rage in America. Here’s how other nations handle this issue differently.

By Christina Morales

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The New York Times

Tracking the Battle to Reshape Congress for the Midterms

Here is a breakdown of which states are redrawing their maps for the 2026 midterms

By David W. Chen

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

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Eric Lee for The New York Times

Trump Sought Vast Budget Cuts. Congress Granted Few.

In a series of deals over the past three months, lawmakers rejected some of the president’s most aggressive attempts to whittle down the government.

By Tony Romm

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Adriana Zehbrauskas for The New York Times

As ICE Buys Up Warehouses, Even Some Trump Voters Say No

The agency is ramping up arrests, but local pushback is complicating efforts to expand detention capacity and prevent overcrowding.

By Madeleine Ngo, Hamed Aleaziz and Allison McCann

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The New York Times

When the Difference Between Olympic Gold and Silver Is Razor-Thin

The difference between first and second place in several events at the 2026 Winter Games has come down to margins unthinkably small. The dramatic finishes have thrilled spectators and left some competitors stunned.

By Patricia Mazzei and Weiyi Cai

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