The Keystone XL pipeline project faces renewed scrutiny in 2026 as echoes of prior administration policies surface in energy and trade discussions. Officials reference past directives on cross border infrastructure while current stakeholders weigh environmental and economic impacts. The piece argues that the project continues to reflect lingering influence from earlier presidential priorities on fossil fuel development and international relations.
Ongoing drought has pushed Lake Powell to critically low levels along the Colorado River, threatening water supplies for millions across the western United States. The reservoir's continued decline raises urgent questions about allocation agreements among seven states and Mexico. The editorial highlights the severity of the water loss and calls for immediate policy action to address overuse and climate-driven shortages.
Donald Trump faces ongoing friction with Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route. Recent shipping incidents and sanctions disputes have kept the waterway in focus. The piece portrays these pressures as a plumbing crisis that resists easy fixes.
The cartoon depicts a Trump figure in an orange vest tied to a pipe under an Iran flag. Sacks labeled Ukraine and Taiwan lie nearby. Two guitar players appear on hills and a nuclear barrel sits in a boat with a pointing figure in robes.
In this John Darkow cartoon, Uncle Sam stands on a roadside, thumb extended in a hitchhiking gesture, clutching a red gas can labeled 'Gas,' while a massive truck labeled 'AFFORDABILITY' barrels away, leaving exhaust and debris in its wake. The image captures the essence of the affordability crisis, with Uncle Sam personifying American struggles amid rising gas prices. Tags like affordability, gas prices, Iran war, Uncle Sam, and tariffs underscore the economic satire. The grassy roadside and spilled liquid add to the scene of abandonment. This visual commentary highlights how tariffs and potential conflicts like an Iran war could exacerbate fuel costs, leaving everyday affordability out of reach. The cartoon's composition emphasizes isolation, with Uncle Sam's frustrated expression plainly visible against the departing vehicle.
The cartoon depicts Pope Leo XIV leaning toward a seated organist in a darkened church interior. The Pope asks if the organist knows Born in the USA. The large pipe organ dominates the center. The scene references the Vatican and a popular American rock song. Publication occurred on May 13 2025.
