This week on Liberty & Reason, Christine breaks down five of the biggest stories from August 2–8, 2026 — from escalating tensions in the Middle East to surprising economic numbers, elections in Tennessee, and the latest government funding battle in Washington.

In This Episode:

• Iran & the Strait of Hormuz
• July Jobs Report
• Stock Market Rallies
• Tennessee Primaries
• Senate Moves to Fund the Government

SOURCES:

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Employment Situation, July 2026

• Reuters — Iran/Strait of Hormuz coverage, Aug. 3 & 8

• Associated Press — July jobs report & stock market, Aug. 7

• WPLN — Tennessee 2026 Primary Election coverage

• CBS News — Tennessee governor Republican primary

• Associated Press — Senate government funding bill, Aug. 8

• Reuters — Senate government funding bill, Aug. 8

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Liberty & Reason — looking beyond the headlines to understand the facts, principles, and arguments shaping America.