Can democratic socialism win a swing state? Wisconsin's Francesca Hong is about to find out
Issue #238 follows Francesca Hong's surprising rise in Wisconsin, the death of "Godzilla" star Kaylee Hottle and a legal battle over the Epstein files.
Wisconsin has long been one of America’s closest political battlegrounds. Now it’s becoming the latest test of whether democratic socialism can move beyond progressive cities after Korean American state Rep. Francesca Hong surged to the front of the Democratic primary for governor.
We’re also remembering “Godzilla” actress Kaylee Hottle, whose death at 18 stunned the Deaf community and Hollywood, following Katie Phang’s legal fight over the Epstein files, examining Zohran Mamdani’s stance on Benjamin Netanyahu’s possible U.S. visit and looking at why the American passport no longer carries the travel advantages it once did.
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Wisconsin’s 1st Asian American lawmaker tests democratic socialism’s swing-state appeal
Francesca Hong entered Wisconsin’s governor’s race as an outsider. Today, the state’s first Asian American legislator leads the Democratic primary in one of the country’s most competitive swing states, making her campaign a closely watched test of whether progressive politics can expand beyond its urban base.
Republicans have already begun framing the race around Hong’s democratic socialist identity, while she argues voters are looking for candidates willing to challenge economic inequality rather than move toward the political center. The outcome could influence Democratic strategy well beyond Wisconsin.
What else we’re tracking
Katie Phang’s Epstein lawsuit puts Blanche at risk of daily fine
A federal judge is considering sanctions against Acting Atty. Gen. Todd Blanche after Katie Phang accused him of withholding records, allowing deadlines to lapse and improperly redacting documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein. Phang’s lawsuit has also renewed attention on the former MSNBC host, who lost one of cable news’ few prominent Asian American platforms before continuing her work independently.
Amid Mamdani video, Netanyahu’s Washington visit may not happen
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s call for the federal government to enforce the International Criminal Court’s warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is drawing renewed attention as reports cast doubt on Netanyahu’s possible visit to Washington. Mamdani has acknowledged that the city lacks the authority to make an arrest but says the U.S. should act on warrants involving alleged crimes against humanity.
US passport falls behind 36 countries as travel advantage erodes
The U.S. passport now trails 36 countries in global travel access, according to the July 2026 Henley Passport Index, despite remaining officially tied for 10th place. The decline reflects how countries including Singapore, Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates have expanded visa-free agreements more quickly while Washington has tightened screening and offered limited reciprocal access to foreign travelers.
‘Godzilla’ star Kaylee Hottle, pioneering Deaf Asian American actress, dies at 18
Kaylee Hottle, the Deaf Korean American actor who played Jia in “Godzilla vs. Kong” and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” died Tuesday after a car crash in Maryland. She was 18. Hottle was a native ASL user who played Jia, a Deaf girl whose bond with Kong became one of the emotional anchors of the franchise. Her performance introduced millions of moviegoers to a Deaf Asian American character in one of Hollywood’s biggest blockbuster series.
Why read Issue #238?
Wisconsin isn’t usually where people expect to find the next big test of progressive politics. Yet that’s exactly what’s happening, even as debates over government transparency, international diplomacy and America’s place in the world continue unfolding elsewhere.
The stories in this issue don’t point in the same direction. They do, however, capture a moment when familiar institutions are being challenged in unfamiliar ways, sometimes by outsiders, sometimes from within.
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The Rebel Yellow is supported in part by funding from The Asian American Foundation (TAAF). Funders do not influence story selection, reporting, or editorial decisions. All editorial content is independently produced by The Rebel Yellow team.