Four states host primary elections, including a closely watched Senate race in Maine. Trump says two pilots “are fine” after a U.S. military helicopter goes down over the Strait of Hormuz. Plus, the San Antonio Spurs narrow their NBA Finals deficit against the New York Knicks.
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Here’s what to know today.
Senate primaries in Maine, South Carolina test party loyalties
As the November matchup in the Los Angeles mayoral race is solidified, four states are set to host their own primary elections today, including a Senate race in Maine that has captured national attention.
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Nearly a week after California’s primary, Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman advanced to a runoff election against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, teeing up a one-on-one match between two Democrats. Raman, who is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, had trailed former reality TV star and registered Republican Spencer Pratt on election night, but successive vote tallies have been more Democratic leaning, allowing Raman to surpass Pratt in the race. Take a look back at the campaign trail.
Now, it’s time for voters in Maine, South Carolina, Nevada and North Dakota to head to the polls. Two Senate primaries in Maine and South Carolina will likely be the most closely watched races, though it won’t be about who will win as much as whether the primary margins show any signs of weakness for the nominees.
In Maine, Democrat Graham Platner isn’t facing much of a challenge, but his campaign has been beset by controversies. New revelations last week — that Platner exchanged sexually explicit texts with multiple women early in his marriage and a report in The New York Times that three former girlfriends described his behavior as “volatile” and “unsettling” — could affect his performance. Though Maine’s Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has dropped out of the race, her name is still on the ballot, and it’ll be worth watching whether a significant chunk of Democrats lodge a protest vote.
In South Carolina, Trump-endorsed Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham is in a bid for his fifth term. But multiple Republicans filed to run against him and have questioned his conservative bona fides. Graham has historically fended off well-funded primary and general election challenges for years, but it’s worth keeping tabs on how much salience self-funding businessman and GOP opponent Mark Lynch has with Republican voters.
Here are the other races to watch.
More politics news:
- The top super PAC backed by Trump will hold a $1 million-per-person fundraiser the day before hosting UFC matches on the White House grounds.
- Some Republicans say Trump should close the door on paying out Jan. 6 rioters.
- A federal judge struck down a $100,000 fee that Trump imposed on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers.
- The CIA officer found with $40 million in gold bars stashed at his home is accused of creating a fake intelligence program in the alleged scheme.
Send your questions for Steve Kornacki
Steve Kornacki.Scott Gries / NBC
Four states are hosting primary elections today, including the dramatic race for Maine’s Democratic Senate nomination. Before the polls close, NBC News’ chief data correspondent Steve Kornacki will answer your questions about the elections, midterms and more. Submit your question here, and Steve may answer it live today at noon ET.
Crew rescued after helicopter goes down near Strait of Hormuz, U.S. says
A U.S. military helicopter went down near the coast of Oman and its two crew members were rescued by unmanned boats — a first for the U.S. military — Central Command said.A Task Force 59 unmanned surface vessel, essentially a drone boat, found and rescued the soldiers, spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins told NBC News. He said both soldiers were receiving medical care.
In a separate statement on X, CENTCOM had said the soldiers had been rescued within around two hours of the incident and were in stable condition. It said their U.S. Army AH-64 Apache was patrolling regional waters and that the cause of the incident was under investigation.
The confirmation came hours after President Donald Trump said that two crew members were “fine,” without sharing further details. Speaking about a potential deal with Iran, he told reporters: “We’re in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal that will not allow in any way, shape or form nuclear weapons. The strait will open up right away. It’ll open up immediately upon signing, which could be in two or three days.”
What else we know about the incident.
Spurs overcome Knicks in a raucous Game 3
NBA Finals – San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks. June 8, 2026.AP; Getty Images
The New York Knicks’ win streak is over — and the drama in the NBA Finals has begun. In front of an audience at Madison Square Garden that included Trump, who was booed during the national anthem, and a slew of famous faces on celebrity row, the San Antonio Spurs pulled off a 115-111 victory, cutting their series deficit to 2-1. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama scored 32 points, with eight rebounds and six assists. It was his most forceful performance of the series and ensured the Spurs would at least avoid a sweep.
No game was expected to be bigger than Game 3, the first finals game at MSG in 27 years. It followed the same script as the first two at the start, with the Spurs jumping to an 11-point lead in the first quarter, only to let the Knicks soon re-take the lead. By the end of the second quarter, New York star guard Jalen Brunson hit a 3-pointer and the cheers were so loud that the Garden started literally shaking. But down the stretch, the Spurs made several plays that showed their maturity and sent Knicks fans home quiet.
Read the recap of Game 3. Read more about the unique atmosphere at last night’s game here.
Read All About It
- OpenAI has filed for an IPO a week after its rival Anthropic did the same.
- Adults should limit their alcohol consumption to no more than one drink per day, a new study recommends.
- An Auburn University student who died in Japan after going off on a solo hike enjoyed long walks for “decompression” and wouldn’t have wanted to harm himself, a family friend said.
- A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck just west of Cuba caused shaking across parts of Florida.
- A new generation is making thrift shopping cool again.
Staff Pick: This 1,000-year-old pine tree’s protector fears changing weather patterns
Hu Xiaosong and the 1,000-year-old treeMac William Bishop / NBC News
A recent trip to Huangshan, China, centered on the Global Mayors Dialogue, which focused on how cities can build greener, more resilient futures in the era of climate change. I had been thinking about what could serve as a compelling news hook that would make audiences care about climate issues. Then, I discovered that NBC News had interviewed the bodyguard of the 1,000‑year‑old tree eight years ago. Hu Xiaosong is still in his post, protecting this iconic landmark of Yellow Mountain.
The pressures this tree now faces, such as flooding and freezing rain, offer a vivid example of how climate change threatens not only ecosystems but also the cities, communities and all living things. It should be a topic that stands on its own, independent of any geopolitical maneuvering.
For Hu, this thousand‑year‑old tree is deeply personal. Over time, the tree has also become quietly connected to NBC News. We hope this ancient tree continues to stand strong in the face of a changing climate, and we look forward to returning again to see how it endures in the future. — Erin Tan, news researcher
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