Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthis announce a blockade of a key Red Sea strait as the U.S.-Iran war escalates with 17 American troops dead and 100 wounded in two weeks. Defense Secretary Hegseth faces Senate questioning today on a $90 billion funding request, while Arizona's primary reveals how voters feel about election denialism in critical 2024 races for governor, House, and secretary of state. The Houthis' threatened blockade of Bab al-Mandeb Strait would cut off Saudi Arabia's primary oil export route, potentially raising global energy prices further as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed by U.S.-Iran conflict.