Political Guyentist
Political Guyentist

Saturday

Trump gestures while standing on a red-carpeted stage before a crowd, American flags and campaign signs.
PBS NewsHour
1usUpdateAlaska Senate race

Justice Department sues to block Alaska's Senate certification if Sen. Dan Sullivan loses, citing a second candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan

Trump said Friday, Oct. 23, that he personally ordered the filing: "I'm the one that said do it."

In the race's final debate, Sullivan broke with Trump over a deal involving Russian diesel. Forecasters rated the contest a toss-up.

ContextAlaska counts its general election by ranked choice (voters rank the candidates, the last-place finisher is dropped, and those ballots move to each voter's next pick until one candidate has a majority). That is why a minor candidate can matter. Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from Petersburg, took 2.5% of the primary vote. The Alaska Supreme Court had already rejected efforts to take his name off the ballot, so the federal suit asks a second court to act on the same ballot after the votes are in. He told the Petersburg Pilot he "wouldn't even know who to speak to" in Peltola's campaign. Election-law experts called the federal claim baseless. Four outlets date the filing to Thursday, Oct. 22; CBS News and the Washington Examiner report Friday, Oct. 23.

PBS NEWSHOUR12 sources

2usUpdateIran war

US moves diplomats out of five Middle East countries and sends more warships as Trump says another Iran operation may come

The Theodore Roosevelt carrier group and a second Marine amphibious group are bound for the region, with Roosevelt due by the end of November.

- Oct. 2 — Rubio ordered Iran's UN delegation out of New York; Trump said Iran would “sign a very fair deal, or they won't exist any longer.” - Oct. 8 — The Congressional Research Service counted 81 US aircraft and drones lost or damaged in the war, up from 42 in May. - Oct. 11 — Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, called the US reply to Tehran's peace plan insufficient and said Iran had stopped responding. - Oct. 13 — Axios reported Netanyahu had pressed Trump for a new joint strike; the White House called the report false. - Oct. 13–17 — Attacks on Hormuz shipping hit a record, and the container ship GFS Pride sank; CENTCOM said about 97% of ships trying to cross got through. - Oct. 18–19 — Trump endorsed Netanyahu in Israel's Oct. 27 election and said the US would hit Iran itself otherwise; Vance declined to endorse. - Oct. 21 — The NYT reported US-Israeli plans for strikes after the Nov. 3 midterms; the White House said there would be no attack before the election. - Oct. 22 — Iran claimed it damaged seven tankers, which AP could not confirm; two Israeli sources told ABC that strikes will almost certainly come soon after Nov. 3.

ContextTrump said on Friday, Oct. 23, that the US may carry out another military operation against Iran, and CNN reported that renewed US strikes are already being planned. Two carriers, the George Washington and the George H.W. Bush, are already in the region, along with the Boxer amphibious group (a fleet of ships carrying Marines who can land ashore). If the Roosevelt arrives before the George Washington leaves, the region would hold three carriers at once. The Navy last had three there in April, and before that not since 2003. The Strait of Hormuz is the narrow sea lane out of the Persian Gulf. Per the federal Energy Information Administration, 20.9 million barrels of oil a day moved through it in the first half of 2025. Pipelines in Saudi Arabia and the UAE that skip the strait can carry only about 4.7 million barrels a day.

CNN5 sources

3us

Justice Department charges two former FBI task force leaders with lying to Congress about the unit's role in the Hunter Biden investigations

The charges came by criminal complaint, signed Tuesday, Oct. 20, not by grand jury indictment. The midterms are Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The unit's role matters because of a Republican charge. House Judiciary Committee Republicans said in 2023 that the task force's 2020 warnings to social media companies about a Russian "hack and leak" operation "conditioned" them to treat the New York Post's laptop story as possible Russian disinformation. The charge is the federal false-statements law, 18 U.S.C. §1001 (it covers lies to Congress even without an oath), which requires prosecutors to prove each lie was deliberate and could have swayed Congress's inquiry. Both former officials surrendered on Friday, Oct. 23, 11 days before the Nov. 3 midterms, and a D.C. grand jury has not yet indicted either one. James Comey was charged over his own congressional testimony on Sept. 25, 2025, and a judge tossed that case in November 2025 because the prosecutor had been appointed unlawfully. A 2024 Justice Department memo bars timing cases to help a party.

ContextThe unit's role matters because of a Republican charge. House Judiciary Committee Republicans said in 2023 that the task force's 2020 warnings to social media companies about a Russian "hack and leak" operation "conditioned" them to treat the New York Post's laptop story as possible Russian disinformation. The charge is the federal false-statements law, 18 U.S.C. §1001 (it covers lies to Congress even without an oath), which requires prosecutors to prove each lie was deliberate and could have swayed Congress's inquiry. Both former officials surrendered on Friday, Oct. 23, 11 days before the Nov. 3 midterms, and a D.C. grand jury has not yet indicted either one. James Comey was charged over his own congressional testimony on Sept. 25, 2025, and a judge tossed that case in November 2025 because the prosecutor had been appointed unlawfully. A 2024 Justice Department memo bars timing cases to help a party.

WASHINGTON EXAMINER10 sources

4uscontested

Full Fifth Circuit rules 10-7 that migrants never lawfully admitted have no constitutional right to bond hearings while their deportation cases proceed

Detainees can still ask ICE itself for release, but no immigration judge will weigh whether they would flee or pose a danger.

The case is Sosnava Rodriguez v. Ortega. The Fifth Circuit is the federal appeals court for Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, and it heard the case en banc (all active judges sitting together, not the usual three-judge panel). The ruling does not settle the question nationwide. Other federal appeals courts have split over the same policy, so the rule a detainee lives under depends on which circuit holds them, a split that only the Supreme Court can resolve. DHS lawyer James Percival called it a win for mandatory detention, "a principle codified in 1996 legislation." In a concurrence, Judge James Ho wrote, "A nation ceases to be a nation if it can't protect its borders."

ContextThe case is Sosnava Rodriguez v. Ortega. The Fifth Circuit is the federal appeals court for Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, and it heard the case en banc (all active judges sitting together, not the usual three-judge panel). The ruling does not settle the question nationwide. Other federal appeals courts have split over the same policy, so the rule a detainee lives under depends on which circuit holds them, a split that only the Supreme Court can resolve. DHS lawyer James Percival called it a win for mandatory detention, "a principle codified in 1996 legislation." In a concurrence, Judge James Ho wrote, "A nation ceases to be a nation if it can't protect its borders."

WASHINGTON EXAMINER5 sources

5usUpdatecontestedCanada trade war

Trump lifts 50% tariffs on 9 categories of Canadian goods Maine farms use, which Susan Collins announced, and adds carpets, valves and vinyl flooring

The swap takes effect Friday, Oct. 30, four days before Collins faces voters on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

- Sept. 22 — The FBI had sought a bribery probe touching Collins before its anti-corruption units were dismantled; Navatek's chief gave $150,000 to her super PAC. - Oct. 4 — Navatek's CEO reportedly told FBI agents Collins promised $32 million in Navy contracts; Collins denies any bribery. - Oct. 6 — In the first of four debates, Collins and Jackson clashed on court picks, health care, ICE and tariffs. - Oct. 9 — A Washington Post-Schar poll put Jackson ahead 50% to 46%; 58% of Mainers said Collins backs Trump too much. - Oct. 13 — At the third debate, Jackson said Collins "paid for the bullets" in a fatal ICE shooting in Biddeford. - Oct. 16 — Democrats outraised Republicans $253 million to $56 million in 14 of 15 competitive Senate races, July through September.

ContextIn 2024, energy and other industrial supplies made up 51.6% of U.S. goods imports from Canada, per Census and USAFacts figures. Cars and parts were 13.9%. The Congressional Research Service found duties hit about 15% of Canadian import value in 2025, and Canada has answered with its own 15% to 50% tariffs. No broader deal is in place. Trump said on Oct. 23 that Canada is "working very hard" on one. Prime Minister Mark Carney said in Istanbul that day that Canada "could sign it this afternoon if the U.S. were there," or would wait for "another administration," CBC reported. Collins first asked Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for blueberry-equipment relief on Dec. 8, 2025.

THE GUARDIAN10 sources

6usUpdateRussia-Ukraine war

Zelenskyy says Ukraine's Starlink and Starshield service is still slowed, a day after Trump said Musk restored it

Richard Blumenthal (Sen-D Connecticut) opened an inquiry, and lawmakers from both parties plan to hold up Trump's nominees over the limits.

- Oct. 14 — Ukraine's Starshield terminals began cutting out above 160 km/h; Musk said the U.S. military and Trump set the limit, which a U.S. official denied. - Oct. 15 — Two U.S. officials and a Western official said the White House gave the order; Thom Tillis (Sen-R North Carolina) asked the Pentagon inspector general to investigate. - Oct. 16 — Trump denied that he or Musk ordered the cap; nine senators asked the Pentagon watchdog who did. - Oct. 17 — Zelenskyy said road tests showed the cutoff near 161 km/h only inside Ukraine. - Oct. 18 — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declined three times to say whether Ukraine is a U.S. ally. - Oct. 19 — Zelenskyy told senators Ukraine had “almost no” U.S. Patriot interceptors left, with a package awaiting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's signature. - Oct. 20 — The Wall Street Journal reported Musk personally ordered the slowdown after raising it with Trump. - Oct. 20–21 — Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio cast the limits as SpaceX's call. - Oct. 22 — Trump said Musk restored access.

ContextStarlink and Starshield carry much of Ukraine's front-line traffic, so a speed cap reaches drones while they are still in the air. Who ordered the limits is not public. Trump said he would not say even if he knew. The slowdown hits while Ukraine is also short of air defense. Ukraine says it needs about 350 Patriot interceptors (U.S.-made missiles that shoot down incoming missiles) a month. It received 24 from the U.S. over the last three months, ABC News reported. Richard Blumenthal (Sen-D Connecticut) has opened an inquiry. Lawmakers plan to hold up Trump's nominees until the limits are lifted.

NBC NEWS12 sources

Saturday · The daily brief

Oct 242026

6 leads38 briefs27 min

BoardScroll

Executive summary6 stories

News news6

  1. Justice Department sues to block Alaska's Senate certification if Sen. Dan Sullivan loses, citing a second candidate named Daniel J. SullivanTrump said Friday, Oct. 23, that he personally ordered the filing: "I'm the one that said do it."
  2. US moves diplomats out of five Middle East countries and sends more warships as Trump says another Iran operation may comeThe Theodore Roosevelt carrier group and a second Marine amphibious group are bound for the region, with Roosevelt due by the end of November.
  3. Justice Department charges two former FBI task force leaders with lying to Congress about the unit's role in the Hunter Biden investigationsThe charges came by criminal complaint, signed Tuesday, Oct. 20, not by grand jury indictment. The midterms are Tuesday, Nov. 3.
  4. Full Fifth Circuit rules 10-7 that migrants never lawfully admitted have no constitutional right to bond hearings while their deportation cases proceedDetainees can still ask ICE itself for release, but no immigration judge will weigh whether they would flee or pose a danger.
  5. Trump lifts 50% tariffs on 9 categories of Canadian goods Maine farms use, which Susan Collins announced, and adds carpets, valves and vinyl flooringThe swap takes effect Friday, Oct. 30, four days before Collins faces voters on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
  6. Zelenskyy says Ukraine's Starlink and Starshield service is still slowed, a day after Trump said Musk restored itRichard Blumenthal (Sen-D Connecticut) opened an inquiry, and lawmakers from both parties plan to hold up Trump's nominees over the limits.

News news6 stories

Ongoing1 earlier update7 days

This story has run 2 times over 7 days, starting Oct 17.

  1. Sullivan breaks with Trump on Russian diesel deal in final toss-up Alaska Senate debate with Peltola
  2. UpdateJustice Department sues to block Alaska's Senate certification if Sen. Dan Sullivan loses, citing a second candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan — this issue
PBS NEWSHOURUpdateAlaska Senate race

Justice Department sues to block Alaska's Senate certification if Sen. Dan Sullivan loses, citing a second candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan

Markets, not polling
Mary Peltola 74.5%▲0.3Dan Sullivan 26.0%
Trump said Friday, Oct. 23, that he personally ordered the filing: "I'm the one that said do it."

The Justice Department sued Alaska election officials in federal court on Thursday, Oct. 22. It asks a judge to block certification (the official sign-off on results) of the Senate race if Dan Sullivan (Sen-R Alaska) narrowly loses to Democrat Mary Peltola.

The trigger. Certification would be held only if Sullivan loses and would have won had every vote for Daniel J. Sullivan gone to him under ranked-choice counting. Results would then wait on an investigation into whether those voters meant the senator. Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward signed the filing. It cites the National Voter Registration Act, a federal voter-registration law, and says it was brought "to protect the integrity of the 2026 Senate election in Alaska."

The other Sullivan. He is a retired teacher from Petersburg who took 2.5% of the primary vote. The Alaska Supreme Court had already rejected efforts to remove him from the ballot. Trump said "One is Daniel S. One is Daniel J." He added that he doesn't think the man "ever voted before."

The pushback. Notre Dame law professor Derek Muller said "the legal claim is so absurdly thin, there's essentially no likelihood of success." David Becker of the Center for Election Innovation & Research called it "an unprecedented intervention by the federal government."

Still open. Voting ends Tuesday, Nov. 3, and polls show a tight race with Peltola narrowly ahead.

Catch upwhat happened before · 1 earlier issue

In the race's final debate, Sullivan broke with Trump over a deal involving Russian diesel. Forecasters rated the contest a toss-up.

Ballots DOJ's test would give the senator that Alaska's count doesn'tBallots ranking Daniel J. first and the senator next already move to the senator once Daniel J. is dropped, so there is no extra…3 details
  • Ballots ranking Daniel J. first and the senator next already move to the senator once Daniel J. is dropped, so there is no extra pool to add.
  • A ballot ranking Daniel J. first and Peltola second goes to Peltola under Alaska's rules. DOJ's test would hand it to the senator anyway.
  • A ballot marking only Daniel J. stops counting once he is dropped. DOJ's test would count it for the senator.
Ongoing36 earlier updates93 days

This story has run 37 times over 93 days, starting Jul 23.

  1. Trump Threatens to Bomb Iranian Bridges and Power Plants for Every Ship Hit in Strait of Hormuz
  2. Iran fires multiple ballistic missiles at U.S. base in Jordan; all are intercepted
  3. Iran denies Trump’s claim that new U.S. talks would start Monday
  4. Cargo ship is struck in the Strait of Hormuz
  5. Vance says the Iran talks are moving, then calls the war only half over
  6. Iran won't reopen Hormuz until the US unfreezes its assets and lifts the blockade
  7. Trump threatens to bomb Oman, the U.S. ally brokering the deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz
  8. Trump declares an "economic D-Day" on Iran as Hormuz traffic runs 85% below normal
  9. UpdateU.S. goes nearly a month without large Iran strikes as Trump shifts back to sanctions; Hormuz remains closed
  10. U.S. destroys two Iranian rocket launchers loaded to mine the Strait of Hormuz; Iran fires eight missiles at bases in Jordan, all intercepted
  11. UpdateU.S. bombs two Iranian rocket sites near the Strait of Hormuz; Iran fires eight missiles at Jordan
  12. UpdateU.S. forces struck IRGC air-defense, radar, maritime and mine-laying sites on Iran's southern coast starting at noon on Sept. 1
  13. UpdateU.S. hits about 100 Iranian targets; Iran fires back at American bases in four countries, and a cruise missile kills 4 at a wedding
  14. Reuters weapons experts say a US munition made a direct hit on the Iranian wedding house that killed 5
  15. US destroys or disables 3 Iranian oil tankers after Iran fired ballistic missiles at a US carrier and destroyer
  16. UpdateIran says it hit an unmanned US vessel a day after the tanker strikes; Central Command calls the claim "a total lie"
  17. UpdateIran says it will declare a restricted zone near the Strait of Hormuz and will strike threats "even before" they are carried out
  18. Iran says it seized a US sea drone in Hormuz; CENTCOM says it malfunctioned a day earlier
  19. UpdateIran fires 20 missiles at a US base in Jordan; Jordan says it intercepted 18
  20. UpdateNavy plans to keep 2 carrier groups near Iran at least through 2026
  21. UpdateUnidentified projectile hits Iranian container ship off Hengam Island, killing 1 and wounding 4
  22. UpdateOil's chokepoint shifts to refineries and tankers as JPMorgan drops its baseline oil forecast
  23. UpdateTrump says he is choosing among wiping Iran out, letting it rot economically, or a deal, and would "probably" meet Pezeshkian at the UN this week
  24. UpdateIran offers to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. lifts its naval blockade as traffic falls to two ships
  25. Iran proposes seven-day ceasefire plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz and revive nuclear talks
  26. UpdateTrump rejects Iran's offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days in exchange for ending the U.S. blockade
  27. Trump expects more Iran talks this week after rejecting Iran's Hormuz offer; Iran won't soften its terms
  28. UpdateIran says its UN delegation has no talks planned with the US and will fly home Tuesday, Sept. 29; mediators keep working
  29. UpdateQatari compromise to end the U.S.-Iran war stalls; Trump denies aides' account that he offered Iran sanctions relief
  30. Rubio orders Iran's UN delegation out of New York; Trump says Iran will "sign a very fair deal, or they won't exist any longer"
  31. UpdateCRS: 81 U.S. aircraft and drones lost or damaged in Iran war, up from 42 in May
  32. Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, calls the U.S. reply to Tehran's plan to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz insufficient and says Iran has stopped responding
  33. UpdateIran targeted 24 ships in the Strait of Hormuz in two weeks, its most since the war began, by the FT's count
  34. UpdateSingapore-flagged container ship GFS Pride sinks in the Strait of Hormuz; Singapore says projectiles hit it, Iran says mines
  35. Iranian attacks on Strait of Hormuz shipping hit a record high, NBC News reports; Iran's Guards say two tankers hit mines
  36. UpdateIran says its forces damaged seven oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz overnight; AP could not confirm any of them
  37. UpdateUS moves diplomats out of five Middle East countries and sends more warships as Trump says another Iran operation may come — this issue
CNNUpdateIran war

US moves diplomats out of five Middle East countries and sends more warships as Trump says another Iran operation may come

The Theodore Roosevelt carrier group and a second Marine amphibious group are bound for the region, with Roosevelt due by the end of November.

The US is pulling diplomats and their families out of several Middle Eastern countries and sending more warships toward the region. On Friday, Oct. 23, Trump said the US may carry out another military operation against Iran.

The diplomats. Only Saudi Arabia is under a mandatory order. Non-emergency staff and all family members must leave the Riyadh embassy and the Saudi consulates. Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the UAE are cutting staff further under limits already in place. The State Department told CNN nothing has changed in Bahrain or Kuwait.

The ships. Two US officials told Fox News on Tuesday, Oct. 20, that the carrier Theodore Roosevelt and the Makin Island amphibious group are headed to the Middle East. Makin Island carries the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (a force of about 2,200 Marines and sailors built to land fast from ships). Roosevelt brings F-35C and F/A-18 fighters. It is meant to replace the carrier George Washington, not just add to the force.

Still open. Private Americans have not been told to leave Saudi Arabia. The State Department's latest travel advisory for the country, dated Oct. 12, says “reconsider travel.”

Catch upwhat happened before · 36 earlier issues
  • Oct. 2 — Rubio ordered Iran's UN delegation out of New York; Trump said Iran would “sign a very fair deal, or they won't exist any longer.”
  • Oct. 8 — The Congressional Research Service counted 81 US aircraft and drones lost or damaged in the war, up from 42 in May.
  • Oct. 11 — Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, called the US reply to Tehran's peace plan insufficient and said Iran had stopped responding.
  • Oct. 13 — Axios reported Netanyahu had pressed Trump for a new joint strike; the White House called the report false.
  • Oct. 13–17 — Attacks on Hormuz shipping hit a record, and the container ship GFS Pride sank; CENTCOM said about 97% of ships trying to cross got through.
  • Oct. 18–19 — Trump endorsed Netanyahu in Israel's Oct. 27 election and said the US would hit Iran itself otherwise; Vance declined to endorse.
  • Oct. 21 — The NYT reported US-Israeli plans for strikes after the Nov. 3 midterms; the White House said there would be no attack before the election.
  • Oct. 22 — Iran claimed it damaged seven tankers, which AP could not confirm; two Israeli sources told ABC that strikes will almost certainly come soon after Nov. 3.
35 earlier issues
What Iran's leaders threaten if the US strikes againHossein Mohebi (spokesman, Revolutionary Guards, Iran) announced an “offensive and asymmetrical” doctrine that threatens to invade…3 details
  • Hossein Mohebi (spokesman, Revolutionary Guards, Iran) announced an “offensive and asymmetrical” doctrine that threatens to invade countries that attack Iran, with no timetable given
  • Abbas Araghchi (Foreign Minister, Iran) warned neighbors not to let their land, airspace or infrastructure become a launchpad for attacks
  • Mohebi claimed Iran's missile stockpile is 1.5 times its June 2025 level but gave no total
Ongoing1 earlier update6 days

This story has run 2 times over 6 days, starting Oct 18.

  1. Post: White House task force Trump set up to find election fraud has found none and is releasing records from the Mueller and Jack Smith investigations of him
  2. Justice Department charges two former FBI task force leaders with lying to Congress about the unit's role in the Hunter Biden investigations — this issue
WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Justice Department charges two former FBI task force leaders with lying to Congress about the unit's role in the Hunter Biden investigations

The charges came by criminal complaint, signed Tuesday, Oct. 20, not by grand jury indictment. The midterms are Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Nikki Floris, 46, and Bradley Benavides, 56, surrendered on arrest warrants Friday, Oct. 23, 11 days before the Nov. 3 midterms. Each faces one count. Floris ran the FBI's Foreign Influence Task Force (the unit that watches for foreign meddling in U.S. politics) as deputy assistant director from mid-2019 to mid-2022. Benavides was its section chief through the 2020 election.

The alleged lies. Both told Congress the task force was not involved in the Hunter Biden investigations. The Justice Department says emails and witnesses contradict them. That includes Benavides' claim that he learned of the laptop probe from Wikipedia.

The two sides. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said that when senior agents "lie to Congress believing they are above the law, it's time to bring the hammer of justice down on them." Floris' lawyers point to her nearly 20 years at the FBI. They called these "nonsense charges" filed "years later, on the eve of an election."

What next. A preliminary hearing is set for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, before Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui. At that hearing a judge decides whether there is enough evidence to go forward. A grand jury indictment before then would skip the hearing.

Ongoing17 earlier updates59 days

This story has run 18 times over 59 days, starting Aug 26.

  1. USPS violated a court order to finalize Trump’s mail-ballot rule; judge allows publication
  2. Judge clears Trump’s USPS mail-ballot rule; 24 states and D.C. sue hours later
  3. UpdateJudge blocks USPS from rejecting noncompliant mail ballots for 14 days; DOJ appeals
  4. UpdateMissouri asks the Supreme Court to reinstate its 7-1 congressional map three days before the ballot deadline
  5. Kavanaugh leaves Missouri's 6-2 map in place; hours later a federal judge orders the state to run the 7-1 map
  6. UpdateStates ask Supreme Court to keep new USPS ballot requirements blocked
  7. Update3-0 First Circuit keeps Trump mail-ballot rule blocked as 7 Republican officials oppose pre-November start
  8. UpdateSupreme Court leaves Trump's USPS mail-ballot rules blocked for Nov. 3 midterms in apparent 7-2 vote
  9. UpdateMail ballots will move under pre-2026 rules on Nov. 3 as the administration stands down
  10. UpdateSupreme Court lets states resume checking voter rolls against Trump's expanded federal citizenship database while the case is appealed
  11. Supreme Court votes 6-3 to let Trump deport migrants to third countries without notice or a chance to raise torture fears
  12. Supreme Court agrees to decide whether ICE can jail immigrants who entered illegally without a bond hearing
  13. Supreme Court opens its term Oct. 5 with 30 cases, after rulings against Trump on tariffs and more
  14. UpdateJustice Samuel Alito says a “concerted effort” is trying to intimidate the Supreme Court into deciding cases differently
  15. Justice Samuel Alito, 76, says he will serve through June 2027, ruling out a lame-duck retirement
  16. Supreme Court, 7-2, blocks order forcing FCC to rule within 48 hours on party ad rates
  17. Mahmoud Khalil asks Supreme Court to let federal judges review his detention before his deportation case ends
  18. Full Fifth Circuit rules 10-7 that migrants never lawfully admitted have no constitutional right to bond hearings while their deportation cases proceed — this issue
WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Full Fifth Circuit rules 10-7 that migrants never lawfully admitted have no constitutional right to bond hearings while their deportation cases proceed

Detainees can still ask ICE itself for release, but no immigration judge will weigh whether they would flee or pose a danger.

All 17 active judges of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday, Oct. 23, that people who entered the U.S. without being lawfully admitted have no constitutional right to a bond hearing (a hearing where a judge decides whether a detainee can be released while the case goes on). The ruling covers people held during their deportation cases. The court said due process requires nothing beyond what Congress wrote into law.

The vote. Ten judges sided with the administration. Nine joined Judge Cory Wilson's 159-page opinion, and one agreed only with the result. Judge Leslie Southwick wrote the main dissent, joined by every Democratic-appointed judge on the court.

The policy. The Trump administration adopted the policy last year.

Still open. The ruling deepens a split among appeals courts over the same policy.

Red take

Due process owes a migrant who was never lawfully admitted what Congress wrote into law and no more, and the full Fifth Circuit was right to hold that line 10-7. A July 2 panel had set its own 90-day hearing deadline, and the majority refused to borrow a six-month limit built for people already ordered deported. When judges pick their own clocks, detention rules get written by whichever judge draws the case, not by lawmakers voters can replace.

Blue take

A long-time resident whom ICE chooses to call 'seeking admission' can now be held while his deportation case runs without any immigration judge asking whether he would flee or pose a danger. Under ICE's July 8, 2025 directive the agency applies that label and also hears his plea for release. Because a transfer into Texas, Louisiana or Mississippi carries the rule along, ICE's choice of jail can erase a hearing he would get elsewhere.

Ongoing5 earlier updates31 days

This story has run 6 times over 31 days, starting Sep 23.

  1. FBI sought a bribery probe touching Susan Collins before anti-corruption units were dismantled
  2. Navatek CEO told FBI agents Susan Collins promised $32 million in Navy contracts
  3. Susan Collins and Troy Jackson clash on court picks, health care, ICE and tariffs in first Maine debate
  4. Democrat Troy Jackson leads Sen. Susan Collins 50% to 46% in Maine, Post-Schar poll finds
  5. Troy Jackson (D-ME) says Susan Collins (Sen-R Maine) 'paid for the bullets' in a fatal ICE shooting
  6. UpdateTrump lifts 50% tariffs on 9 categories of Canadian goods Maine farms use, which Susan Collins announced, and adds carpets, valves and vinyl flooring — this issue
THE GUARDIANUpdateCanada trade war

Trump lifts 50% tariffs on 9 categories of Canadian goods Maine farms use, which Susan Collins announced, and adds carpets, valves and vinyl flooring

The swap takes effect Friday, Oct. 30, four days before Collins faces voters on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Donald Trump removed 50% tariffs from nine categories of Canadian goods that Maine farms buy. Over the summer, 50% tariffs covered $20 billion of Canadian imports (PBS), vs. $762.10 billion in total U.S.-Canada goods trade in 2024 (Census). In place of the farm goods, Trump put other Canadian goods under the same tariff. Susan Collins (Sen-R Maine) announced the change before the White House did. She said it helps Maine's blueberry, potato and apple growers. The tariffs run under Section 338 of the 1930 Tariff Act, a law that lets the president add duties of up to 50% on countries he finds treat U.S. trade unfairly.

Off the list. Plywood sheets, packing crates and boxes, some paper products, refrigeration and packing machinery, and seaweed. Separate national-security tariffs on steel, aluminum and other goods still apply, the White House says.

On the list. Carpets, valves, shampoo, vinyl flooring, coffins and window air conditioners.

The politics. The Cook Political Report rates Collins's race against Democrat Troy Jackson a toss-up. Richard Neal (Rep-D Massachusetts), the top Democrat on the House tax-writing committee, said: "I can't think of a more desperate admission of failed trade policy than temporarily lowering tariffs on select products to favor a political ally 11 days before an election."

Catch upwhat happened before · 5 earlier issues
  • Sept. 22 — The FBI had sought a bribery probe touching Collins before its anti-corruption units were dismantled; Navatek's chief gave $150,000 to her super PAC.
  • Oct. 4 — Navatek's CEO reportedly told FBI agents Collins promised $32 million in Navy contracts; Collins denies any bribery.
  • Oct. 6 — In the first of four debates, Collins and Jackson clashed on court picks, health care, ICE and tariffs.
  • Oct. 9 — A Washington Post-Schar poll put Jackson ahead 50% to 46%; 58% of Mainers said Collins backs Trump too much.
  • Oct. 13 — At the third debate, Jackson said Collins "paid for the bullets" in a fatal ICE shooting in Biddeford.
  • Oct. 16 — Democrats outraised Republicans $253 million to $56 million in 14 of 15 competitive Senate races, July through September.
4 earlier issues

Red take

Susan Collins, Maine's Republican senator, did what a senator is sent to do: she got a 50% tariff lifted from the plywood, packing crates and refrigeration machinery that Maine's blueberry, potato and apple growers buy, while the same duty stays on Canada through carpets, valves and vinyl flooring. Relief that arrives before an election still reaches the farms. Undo the swap, and Maine growers pay Canada's tariff again.

Blue take

Trump has turned a trade-punishment law into a campaign favor. Section 338 of the 1930 Tariff Act lets a president tax countries he finds treat U.S. trade unfairly, yet he shifted a 50% duty off packing crates and onto coffins, shampoo and window air conditioners, effective four days before Susan Collins, the Maine Republican in a toss-up race, faces voters, and she announced it first. Let it stand, and tariff lists become rewards for allies on the ballot.

Ongoing8 earlier updates9 days

This story has run 9 times over 9 days, starting Oct 15.

  1. UpdateUkraine's military Starshield satellite terminals stop working above 160 km/h; Musk says the U.S. military and Trump set the limit
  2. UpdateTwo U.S. officials and a Western official say the order to cap Ukraine's Starshield terminals came from the White House
  3. UpdateTrump denies ordering speed caps on Ukraine's Starshield terminals; nine senators ask Pentagon watchdog who did
  4. UpdateZelensky says Ukrainian road tests show Starlink and Starshield cut out above 161 km/h only inside Ukraine
  5. UpdateBessent declines three times to say whether Ukraine is a U.S. ally; Zelensky says backing Putin would be a 'historic mistake'
  6. UpdateTrump administration has not approved Patriot interceptor transfers to Ukraine, including from European allies' stocks
  7. UpdateMusk personally ordered last week's slowdown of Ukraine's Starshield military satellite service, WSJ reports
  8. UpdateTrump says Musk restored Ukraine's Starlink but won't say whether he called him
  9. UpdateZelenskyy says Ukraine's Starlink and Starshield service is still slowed, a day after Trump said Musk restored it — this issue
NBC NEWSUpdateRussia-Ukraine war

Zelenskyy says Ukraine's Starlink and Starshield service is still slowed, a day after Trump said Musk restored it

Richard Blumenthal (Sen-D Connecticut) opened an inquiry, and lawmakers from both parties plan to hold up Trump's nominees over the limits.

Ukraine said Friday, Oct. 23, that limits on Starshield (the military version of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet, which Ukraine's military uses for drone navigation and air defense, ABC News reports) are still in place. That came a day after Trump said Musk had “put back” Ukraine's access. ([TS]Zelenskyy says the same terminals ran at 180 km/h in EU tests but cut out near 161 km/h in Ukraine.)

The front. Drone units told NBC they lost aircraft mid-mission. A commander called “Flint” said one drone lost contact “in an instant” because of the speed limit and called it “a knife in the back.”

Trump. He said he had not spoken to Musk but would if the problem wasn't fixed. Asked who ordered the limits, he said, “I wouldn't tell you if I did know,” and added, “Elon will never do anything wrong.”

“It works, but it's still limited.”Volodymyr Zelenskyy (President, Ukraine)

What next. Richard Blumenthal (Sen-D Connecticut) opened an inquiry, and lawmakers plan to block Trump nominees over the limits.

Catch upwhat happened before · 8 earlier issues
  • Oct. 14 — Ukraine's Starshield terminals began cutting out above 160 km/h; Musk said the U.S. military and Trump set the limit, which a U.S. official denied.
  • Oct. 15 — Two U.S. officials and a Western official said the White House gave the order; Thom Tillis (Sen-R North Carolina) asked the Pentagon inspector general to investigate.
  • Oct. 16 — Trump denied that he or Musk ordered the cap; nine senators asked the Pentagon watchdog who did.
  • Oct. 17 — Zelenskyy said road tests showed the cutoff near 161 km/h only inside Ukraine.
  • Oct. 18 — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declined three times to say whether Ukraine is a U.S. ally.
  • Oct. 19 — Zelenskyy told senators Ukraine had “almost no” U.S. Patriot interceptors left, with a package awaiting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's signature.
  • Oct. 20 — The Wall Street Journal reported Musk personally ordered the slowdown after raising it with Trump.
  • Oct. 20–21 — Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio cast the limits as SpaceX's call.
  • Oct. 22 — Trump said Musk restored access.
7 earlier issues

Quick bites16

Courts2 bites

  1. Ninth Circuit rules 2-1 that Trump's takeover of California's Guard for LA was unlawful

    THE HILL

    The divided panel ruled on Friday, Oct. 23. It rejected Trump's argument that violent protests against his immigration crackdown last year justified overriding Gov. Gavin Newsom and sending the Guard into the Los Angeles area. The panel upheld U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer's June 12, 2025, order. That order bars deploying the California Guard in Los Angeles and returns control of it to Newsom. The deployment itself has already ended, The Hill reports. The Los Angeles Times reports that the ruling blocks a path for Trump to federalize the state's Guard again without California's consent.

  2. Minnesota asks judge to force DOJ to hand over evidence in federal agents' killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti

    PBS NEWSHOURICE shootings

    Minnesota sued DOJ and Homeland Security in federal court in Washington, D.C., in March. In an Oct. 13 filing, it asked U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan to order the evidence handed over. DOJ replied on Tuesday, Oct. 20, that it has discretion to refuse.

    The US Attorney's Office told Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty on Sept. 10 that it was pausing evidence sharing indefinitely "in light of challenges with D.C." The state says it still lacks the officers' cell phones and recordings of key interviews. Minnesota officials had said in July they expected to receive all the evidence.

    An ICE officer shot Good, 37, a mother of three, on Jan. 7 as she drove away from a protest. Federal immigration agents shot Pretti, 37, an ICU nurse, on Jan. 24. Both were U.S. citizens. No one has been charged.

Oil and fuel prices2 bites

  1. Brent crude hits $116-117 a barrel Friday, Oct. 23, on fears the Iran war escalates again

    THE NEW YORK TIMESFuel prices

    Brent futures settled at $116.72 on Oct. 23, up $3.55 on the day and the highest since April 29, Reuters reported. Reuters tied the jump to Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia, which fanned fears of more supply disruption.

    The numbersBrent before the war: $72.48 on Feb. 27, the day before the US and Israel struck Iran (Reuters; BBC)3 details
    • Brent before the war: $72.48 on Feb. 27, the day before the US and Israel struck Iran (Reuters; BBC)
    • WTI, the US benchmark: closed at $103.27 on Oct. 23, up 3.8% on the day (Reuters)
    • Iran war: nearing eight months (NYT)
    Ongoing24

    This story has run 25 times over 45 days, starting Sep 9.

    1. Houthi missiles and drones hit 4 Saudi cities, wounding 73 and halting Aramco's 400,000-barrel-a-day Jazan refinery
    2. UpdateBrent oil exceeds $100 a barrel; US diesel reaches $5.94 a gallon
    3. Houthis capture Yemen's Mokha from Saudi-backed forces 46 miles from Bab el-Mandeb
    4. UpdateHouthi forces captured Mokha and Perim island in the 28-kilometer Bab el-Mandeb strait.
    5. UpdateA day after the Bab el-Mandeb capture, maritime monitors have recorded no new transit halts
    6. UpdateSaudi Arabia shuts Hormuz-bypass pipeline, oil rises more than $3 with 4% of supply at risk
    7. UpdateHouthis seize two more Red Sea islands as Saudi pipeline faces 3-to-5-week outage
    8. UpdateSaudi Arabia suspends loadings at its last open oil terminal; September cargoes cancelled
    9. Attacks on Saudi export pipeline push WTI crude to $107.02 a barrel, a 30-day high
    10. UpdateHouthi missiles hit Riyadh, burning a fuel depot near King Khalid airport
    11. UpdateSaudi Arabia says it intercepted a Houthi missile aimed at Riyadh
    12. UpdateTrump declined a prepared U.S. air campaign against the Houthis, giving Saudi Arabia intelligence and targeting data instead
    13. UpdateSaudi Arabia tested its shut east-west pipeline for a restart as oil fell below $98
    14. Chris Murphy (Sen-D Connecticut) says Pentagon is hiding Iran war damage and a deal isn't imminent
    15. UpdateStrike on Riyadh airport kills 12, including an American; Trump says the U.S. "may" join Saudi strikes on the Houthis
    16. UpdateRiyadh airport hit again Sunday, Oct. 11, killing one; Saturday's strike toll rises to at least 13, including an American
    17. UpdateSaudi Arabia investigates why its air defenses failed to stop the Houthi strike that killed at least 13 at Riyadh's airport
    18. UpdateSaudi-led coalition bombs Houthi oil facilities and a fuel depot in Yemen after a Riyadh airport strike killed at least 13
    19. Houthi strike damages 3 floors of Aramco's Dhahran headquarters, including executive offices; no casualties
    20. Brent crude touches $110 a barrel, its first time there since May 20, after Saudi-led forces intercept missiles aimed at energy hubs
    21. Iran is giving the Houthis targeting and intelligence help for their strikes on Saudi Arabia, WSJ reports
    22. Judge jails ex-OpenAI engineer accused of bugging executives; prosecutors say Saudi official flew his family out
    23. UpdateBrent crude tops $111 a barrel, its highest since May, after Iran and the Houthis claim attacks on Gulf ships and Saudi oil sites
    24. UpdateState Department orders non-emergency U.S. staff and families out of Saudi Arabia after Houthi attacks on airports and oil sites
    25. Brent crude hits $116-117 a barrel Friday, Oct. 23, on fears the Iran war escalates again — this issue

  2. Trump invokes Defense Production Act to put up to $150 million into gasoline and diesel output

    CBS NEWSFuel prices

    Trump's memo comes with gas at $4.29 and diesel at $6.32 a gallon, per AAA. One analyst says refineries have no spare room to add output soon.

    Prices, the memo and the doubtersGas is up 40% and diesel up 74% from a year earlier (CBS).6 details
    • Gas is up 40% and diesel up 74% from a year earlier (CBS).
    • EIA's weekly diesel price was $3.72 in late November 2021 and $5.40 on March 30, 2026. It then passed the June 2022 record of $5.81, hit a record $6.53 on Sept. 21 and was $6.28 on Oct. 19.
    • The chart samples one EIA reading a month, so its highest point is $6.38 on Sept. 28, not the $6.53 peak.
    • For scale: the Energy Department says the money should add "millions of gallons per day" of output. ExxonMobil's 2023 Beaumont expansion cost $2 billion and added 250,000 barrels, or 10.5 million gallons, a day.
    • The memo uses Section 303 of the 1950 Defense Production Act, the law's funding provision, and waives some requirements to notify Congress (TIME).
    • Gulf Oil's Tom Kloza: "There is no slack in U.S. refining, so production can't be added regardless of political will."
    Currently showing U.S. retail diesel, $ per gallon, November 2021 to October 2026
    U.S. retail diesel, $ per gallon, November 2021 to October 2026
    Diesel is above its 2022 recordLine chart of the U.S. average retail diesel price in dollars per gallon, from EIA weekly data, showing one weekly reading per month from November 29, 2021 to October 19, 2026. The y-axis starts at $3, not zero, and is marked with an axis break. A dashed red reference line marks the June 2022 record of $5.81, which was set in the week of June 20, 2022. The line starts at $3.72 in November 2021 and peaks near the record in 2022. It falls back and sits near $3.50 to $3.85 through 2024 and 2025. It jumps to $5.40 on March 30, 2026, then climbs past the record this fall. The highest month-end reading shown is $6.38 on September 28. The latest reading is $6.28 on October 19, still above the 2022 record. Because only one reading per month is plotted, short-lived weekly highs between the plotted dates are not shown.Diesel is above its 2022 recordU.S. retail diesel, $ per gallonone EIA weekly reading a month$4$5$620222023202420252026June 2022 record $5.81Nov 2021: $3.72Mar 30, 2026: $5.40Sept 28: $6.38, highest shownOct 19, latest: $6.28Source: U.S. Energy InformationAdministration, weekly diesel price
    U.S. retail diesel, $ per gallon, November 2021 to October 2026
Also tonight6 bites

  1. White House says Melania Trump brokered a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire in occupied Oleshky for aid and evacuations

    NBC NEWSRussia-Ukraine war

    Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed her coordinating role and Ukraine's General Staff said it will comply, but no end date has been set.

    The town and the termsOleshky has 1,700–2,000 mostly elderly residents left, down from about 24,000 before the war; Russia has held it since February…3 details
    • Oleshky has 1,700–2,000 mostly elderly residents left, down from about 24,000 before the war; Russia has held it since February 2022.
    • About 90% of the city flooded after the Kakhovka Dam was destroyed, and residents have reportedly eaten weeds to survive.
    • The White House says the ceasefire begins Oct. 29; Russia's General Staff chief, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, said his forces stop firing at 3 a.m. Kyiv time on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

  2. Humana and UnitedHealthcare end Medicare Advantage plans for about 1 million seniors in 2027

    CBS NEWS

    Humana is closing plans covering about 600,000 enrollees and UnitedHealthcare about 390,000. That is about 3% of the roughly 34 million people CMS projects will be in Medicare Advantage in 2027, per Newsweek. Affected members can pick a new plan during open enrollment, which runs through Dec. 7. Because their plan is ending, they also get a special enrollment period from Dec. 8 through Feb. 28, 2027, per Medicare.gov. Members who do not choose a new plan go to Original Medicare when the old plan ends.

    By the numbersHumana: about 600,000 enrollees losing their current plan2 details
    • Humana: about 600,000 enrollees losing their current plan
    • UnitedHealthcare: about 390,000 enrollees losing their current plan

  3. UN Ambassador Mike Waltz says the Navy can keep its Iran blockade "for the foreseeable future"

    FINANCIAL TIMESIran war

    The Navy can keep up the blockade "for the foreseeable future," Waltz told the Financial Times. He declined to "put out hypotheticals" when asked if a deadlock could last another year. He said Tehran must reach a "meaningful agreement" on its nuclear program. The FT reported that the US is preparing for a long standoff. Waltz later said the paper misrepresented his remarks, Ynet reported.

  4. Trump says a warship returning from Iran will stop off Cuba, then Rubio will 'finish up the deal'

    PBS NEWSHOURIran war

    Trump said the ship would stop "about 50 yards off the coast," speaking at a Fort Myers rally for two Republicans: Florida governor candidate Rep. Byron Donalds and Sen. Ashley Moody. He said "they'll raise up their hands" and Secretary of State Marco Rubio would then be sent in, but did not say what the deal was or who "they" were.

  5. October consumer sentiment finished at 48.0, flat from September and near record lows

    BLOOMBERG

    The University of Michigan's final reading of 48.0 (September: 48.1) was up from a preliminary 46.3. It beat every estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists but is down 10.4% from 53.6 in October 2025. Year-ahead inflation expectations rose to 4.7% from 4.6% in September, the highest since May.

    Against the pre-COVID recordSentiment ranks at the 0th percentile of pre-COVID readings, per economist Jason Furman.3 details
    • Sentiment ranks at the 0th percentile of pre-COVID readings, per economist Jason Furman.
    • Inflation expectations sit at the 80th to 88th percentile of pre-COVID readings, per Furman.
    • Five-to-ten-year inflation expectations rose to 3.5% from 3.4% in September, per the University of Michigan.

  6. Mississippi officer who killed 1-year-old Kohen Wiley resigns after state AG ruled the shooting justified

    NBC NEWS

    Foster will not face state charges in the June 14 shooting that killed Kohen. Attorney General Lynn Fitch's office ruled on Monday, Oct. 19, that Foster was justified in firing into a moving car. The shots came during a shoplifting call at a Walmart. Kohen was sitting on his mother's lap.

    What each side saysFamily lawyer Ben Crump wants a federal investigation and Foster's decertification.3 details
    • Family lawyer Ben Crump wants a federal investigation and Foster's decertification.
    • Foster's attorney Martin Zummach: "The driver of the vehicle was attempting to kill those 5 officers."
    • Outlets disagree on the shot count: Reason and The Guardian report 3 shots, while BBC counts 4 gunshots on the footage.
Elections6 bites

  1. Cook shifts 19 more House races toward Democrats and now rates 220 seats Democratic-leaning

    WASHINGTON EXAMINERUpdateBattle for the House

    Cook now rates 220 seats Solid, Likely or Lean Democrat, two more than the 218 needed for a majority. It rates 198 seats for Republicans, with 17 toss-ups.

    Catch upwhat happened before · 1 earlier issue

    On Friday, Oct. 16, Cook Political Report shifted 11 House race ratings toward Democrats, nine of them in Republican-held or open seats. That came a week after it shifted 18 on Oct. 9.

    Where the map moved6 races moved from Toss-up to Lean Democrat, including 4 held by Republicans Juan Ciscomani (Rep-R Arizona), Gabe Evans (Rep-R…3 details
    • 6 races moved from Toss-up to Lean Democrat, including 4 held by Republicans Juan Ciscomani (Rep-R Arizona), Gabe Evans (Rep-R Colorado), Jen Kiggans (Rep-R Virginia) and Derrick Van Orden (Rep-R Wisconsin).
    • Republican-held seats in Alaska, Arizona and Colorado became more competitive.
    • The tally covers all 435 seats: 220 Democratic-leaning, 198 Republican-leaning, 17 pure toss-ups.
    Ongoing1

    This story has run 2 times over 7 days, starting Oct 17.

    1. Cook Political Report shifts 11 more House race ratings toward Democrats, nine of them in Republican-held or open seats
    2. UpdateCook shifts 19 more House races toward Democrats and now rates 220 seats Democratic-leaning — this issue

  2. Trump and Ramaswamy keep defending the $4 million Acton ad; Trump says GOP critics 'don't know the facts'

    NBC NEWSUpdateOhio governor's race

    On Friday, Oct. 23, Trump and Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy kept defending the ad. In it, Democrat Amy Acton's estranged mother calls her a "liar." Outside the White House, Trump said Republican critics "don't know the facts" as he sparred with an NBC News reporter. "If it were my mother speaking badly about me, you'd be making it the No. 1 story on the news," he said. At a bus-tour stop in Strongsville, Ramaswamy accused the media of "lying about an ad that is about lying."

    Police and court records obtained by the AP show Acton's stepfather was charged in July 1978 with raping his stepdaughter, then 12. Acton's mother lost custody of her children after he was indicted that year. He has since died.

    Catch upwhat happened before · 2 earlier issues

    On Wednesday, Oct. 21, Vice President JD Vance told Republicans to "stop whining" about the ad, and Jon Husted (Sen-R Ohio) said he "would not have run" it. On Thursday, Oct. 22, Gov. Mike DeWine urged Ramaswamy to pull it, and Trump said DeWine "probably wants a Dumocrat to win."

    1 earlier issue
    Ongoing2

    This story has run 3 times over 2 days, starting Oct 22.

    1. Vance tells Republicans to 'stop whining' over Ramaswamy's ad using Acton's estranged mother
    2. UpdateDeWine urges Ramaswamy to pull Acton ad but keeps his endorsement; Trump says DeWine 'probably wants a Dumocrat to win'
    3. UpdateTrump and Ramaswamy keep defending the $4 million Acton ad; Trump says GOP critics 'don't know the facts' — this issue

  3. Over 20 million have voted early; registered Democrats cast 45% of returned ballots, Republicans 30%

    THE GUARDIAN

    More than 23 million Americans had voted by mail or in person by the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 23, the Guardian reports. NPR put the count at nearly 21 million that morning. Both cite the University of Florida's Election Lab. Per the Guardian, registered Democrats cast 45% of returned ballots and Republicans 30%. That counts party registration, not votes for a candidate. MIT political scientist Charles Stewart told NPR that many early voters would have voted on Election Day anyway.

    Where the early vote stands outGeorgia: early votes already exceed 40% of its total 2022 midterm turnout, per the Guardian.3 details
    • Georgia: early votes already exceed 40% of its total 2022 midterm turnout, per the Guardian. Texas is at 35% and North Carolina at 33%.
    • North Carolina: 279,688 Black voters have voted early, vs. about 170,000 at this point in 2022 and 2018 (Washington Examiner).
    • North Carolina: Black voters are 22% of early ballots vs. about 19% of registered voters (Washington Examiner).
    Ongoing2

    This story has run 3 times over 31 days, starting Sep 23.

    1. Senate Democrats can force an Iran war powers vote this week, needing five Republican crossovers
    2. Cook Political Report now projects Republicans will lose the House, five weeks before Election Day
    3. Over 20 million have voted early; registered Democrats cast 45% of returned ballots, Republicans 30% — this issue

  4. DOJ asks Ninth Circuit to stop California counting mail ballots from the 20,930 names on its "likely noncitizen" list

    NBC NEWSMail-ballot rules

    DOJ wants any mail ballots from those voters held until their citizenship is verified. The list holds 20,930 voter records, under 0.1% of California's 23.2 million registered voters. No source says how many on it have voted this year. Los Angeles County checked a sample of 200 names. About 43% had canceled registrations, and 86 had been mailed a ballot this year. Of those with a recorded birthplace, 38.9% were born in the U.S., the county told the court.

    DOJ had asked US District Judge David Carter to rule by noon on Thursday, Oct. 22. When he did not, DOJ called his silence a "constructive denial" and appealed that day. Carter has instead set a hearing for next week.

  5. DOJ plans 1,000 Election Day monitors in all 50 states, up from 388 in 2022

    PBS NEWSHOURUpdate

    Monitors will cover polling places on Nov. 3 but not early voting sites, a senior DOJ official said. The 2022 count of 388 monitors comes from a DOJ official, per PBS. Former DOJ voting attorney David Becker called this year's scale "not normal, but I'm not particularly concerned."

    DOJ began notifying counties on Tuesday, Oct. 20, NPR reported. Its past counts were of jurisdictions, not people: 64 in 2022 and 86 in 2024.

  6. DOJ charges 28 California green-card holders, mostly for lying on citizenship forms, not for voting

    PBS NEWSHOURVisa crackdown

    Only 6 face the misdemeanor of voting as a noncitizen (up to 1 year in prison); most face felony charges for lying on immigration forms (up to 10 years).

    • Charging documents were filed in 10 of the 28 cases as of Thursday morning, Oct. 22.
    • About 40 people have been charged with voter fraud nationwide in recent weeks, per The Guardian.
    • DOJ filmed the pre-dawn arrests for a promotional video; Loyola law professor Justin Levitt called it a partisan "sizzle reel."

Elections22 races

The midterms · 10 days out · November 3, 2026

D or R take the House / Senate?

Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT

U.S. House: chance Democrats take it, Polymarket 92%, Kalshi 91%. U.S. Senate: chance Democrats take it, Polymarket 68%, Kalshi 67%. Full day-by-day figures are in the table below.

U.S. House — Democrats take it, 91.35–91.50%
92%91%chance Democrats take it · 0.2pp apart · both venues up this week
U.S. House: chance Democrats take it. Today, Polymarket 92% and Kalshi 91%.
U.S. Senate — Democrats take it, 66.5–67.5%
68%67%chance Democrats take it · 1.0pp apart · both venues up this week
U.S. Senate: chance Democrats take it. Today, Polymarket 68% and Kalshi 67%.

3 closest races

  • uIowa SenateAshley Hinson 58.0%▲0.8Josh Turek 42.0%

    POLYMARKET: Iowa Senate — general election

    Ashley Hinson (R) faces Josh Turek (D).

    An open seat, with no incumbent running, and the Republican side holds a clear lead.

    Two markets, one question

    Iowa Senate

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 1.0pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Iowa Senate. Ashley Hinson (R): Polymarket 57.5%, Kalshi 58.5%; Josh Turek (D): Polymarket 42.5%, Kalshi 41.5%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 1.0pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

  • yGeorgia governorKeisha Lance Bottoms 60.8%▲11.0Rick Jackson 40.0%

    POLYMARKET: Georgia governor — general election

    Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) faces Rick Jackson (R).

    Georgia's governor's office is open, and the Democratic side holds a clear lead, but no race here has moved more this week: it is up about twelve points.

    Two markets, one question

    Georgia governor

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 3.0pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Georgia governor. Keisha Lance Bottoms (D): Polymarket 62.0%, Kalshi 59.5%; Rick Jackson (R): Polymarket 38.5%, Kalshi 41.5%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 3.0pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

  • sTexas SenateJames Talarico 64.3%▲2.9Ken Paxton 35.5%

    POLYMARKET: Texas Senate — general election

    James Talarico (D) faces Ken Paxton (R).

    The Democratic side holds a commanding lead after gaining about three points in five days.

    Two markets, one question

    Texas Senate

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 0.5pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Texas Senate. James Talarico (D): Polymarket 64.0%, Kalshi 64.5%; Ken Paxton (R): Polymarket 35.5%, Kalshi 35.5%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 0.5pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

The other 19 races22 races · 11 still in doubt · Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT · markets, not polling

Senate8 of 10

  • tAlaska SenateMary Peltola 74.5%▲0.3Dan Sullivan 26.0%

    POLYMARKET: Alaska Senate — general election

    Mary Peltola (D) faces Dan Sullivan (R).

    A sitting Republican senator is defending this seat, and Peltola holds a commanding lead.

    Two markets, one question

    Alaska Senate

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 1.0pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Alaska Senate. Mary Peltola (D): Polymarket 74.5%, Kalshi 74.5%; Dan Sullivan (R): Polymarket 25.5%, Kalshi 26.5%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 1.0pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

  • abGeorgia SenateJon Ossoff 96.00%▲0.5Collins 4.08%

    POLYMARKET: Georgia Senate — general election

    Jon Ossoff (D) faces Mike Collins (R).

    The Democratic side holds a commanding lead.

    Two markets, one question

    Georgia Senate

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 0.8pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Georgia Senate. Jon Ossoff (D): Polymarket 96.3%, Kalshi 95.7%; Mike Collins (R): Polymarket 3.70%, Kalshi 4.45%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 0.8pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

  • rMaine SenateTroy Jackson 64.8%▲5.9Susan Collins 35.5%

    POLYMARKET: Maine Senate — general election

    Troy Jackson (D) faces Susan Collins (R).

    Democrats only got a candidate here after their primary winner withdrew, and the Democratic side holds a commanding lead after gaining about six points in five days.

    Two markets, one question

    Maine Senate

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 2.5pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Maine Senate. Troy Jackson (D): Polymarket 66.0%, Kalshi 63.5%; Susan Collins (R): Polymarket 34.5%, Kalshi 36.5%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 2.5pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

  • vMichigan SenateAbdul El-Sayed 70.0%▲1.5Mike Rogers 30.3%

    POLYMARKET: Michigan Senate — general election

    Abdul El-Sayed (D) faces Mike Rogers (R).

    The Democratic side holds a commanding lead.

    Two markets, one question

    Michigan Senate

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 3.0pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Michigan Senate. Abdul El-Sayed (D): Polymarket 71.5%, Kalshi 68.5%; Mike Rogers (R): Polymarket 29.0%, Kalshi 31.5%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 3.0pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

  • acNebraska SenatePete Ricketts 75.0%▲2.7Dan Osborn 25.0%

    POLYMARKET: Nebraska Senate — general election

    Pete Ricketts (R) faces Dan Osborn (I).

    The Republican side holds a commanding lead after gaining about three points in five days.

    Two markets, one question

    Nebraska Senate

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 3.0pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Nebraska Senate. Pete Ricketts (R): Polymarket 73.5%, Kalshi 76.5%; Dan Osborn (I): Polymarket 26.5%, Kalshi 23.5%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 3.0pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

  • adNew Hampshire SenateChris Pappas 90.78%▲0.79.50%Sununu

    POLYMARKET: New Hampshire Senate — general election

    Chris Pappas (D) faces John E. Sununu (R).

    The Democratic side holds a commanding lead.

    Two markets, one question

    New Hampshire Senate

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 2.0pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    New Hampshire Senate. Chris Pappas (D): Polymarket 91.50%, Kalshi 90.05%; John E. Sununu (R): Polymarket 8.5%, Kalshi 10.5%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 2.0pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

  • aaNorth Carolina SenateRoy Cooper 96.53%▲0.6Whatley 3.58%

    POLYMARKET: North Carolina Senate — general election

    Roy Cooper (D) faces Michael Whatley (R).

    The Democratic side holds a commanding lead.

    Two markets, one question

    North Carolina Senate

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 0.4pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    North Carolina Senate. Roy Cooper (D): Polymarket 96.70%, Kalshi 96.35%; Michael Whatley (R): Polymarket 3.40%, Kalshi 3.75%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 0.4pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

  • wOhio SenateSherrod Brown 68.8%▲3.5Jon Husted 31.5%

    POLYMARKET: Ohio Senate — general election

    Sherrod Brown (D) faces Jon Husted (R).

    A special election, to serve out the rest of someone else's Senate term, and the Democratic side holds a commanding lead.

    Two markets, one question

    Ohio Senate

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 0.5pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Ohio Senate. Sherrod Brown (D): Polymarket 69.0%, Kalshi 68.5%; Jon Husted (R): Polymarket 31.5%, Kalshi 31.5%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 0.5pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

Governors11 of 12

  • afAlaska governor13.75%86.1%WilsonBegich 0.05%

    POLYMARKET: Alaska governor — general election

    Bernadette Wilson (R) faces Tom Begich (D).

    Wilson holds a clear lead after losing about seven points in six days.

    Two markets, one question

    Alaska governor

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 0.5pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Alaska governor. Bernadette Wilson (R): Polymarket 13.5%, Kalshi 14.0%; Tom Begich (D): Polymarket 0.05%, Kalshi 0.05%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 0.5pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

  • ahArizona governorKatie Hobbs 90.53%9.50%Biggs

    POLYMARKET: Arizona governor — general election

    Katie Hobbs (D) faces Andy Biggs (R).

    The Democratic side holds a commanding lead.

    Two markets, one question

    Arizona governor

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 2.0pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Arizona governor. Katie Hobbs (D): Polymarket 91.50%, Kalshi 89.55%; Andy Biggs (R): Polymarket 8.5%, Kalshi 10.5%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 2.0pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

  • alFlorida governorByron Donalds 82.5%▲2.1Jolly 18.8%

    POLYMARKET: Florida governor — general election

    Byron Donalds (R) faces David Jolly (D).

    Florida's governor's office is open, and the Republican side holds a commanding lead.

    Two markets, one question

    Florida governor

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 1.5pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Florida governor. Byron Donalds (R): Polymarket 82.5%, Kalshi 82.5%; David Jolly (D): Polymarket 18.0%, Kalshi 19.5%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 1.5pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

  • aeIowa governorRob Sand 87.0%13.5%Lahn

    POLYMARKET: Iowa governor — general election

    Rob Sand (D) faces Zach Lahn (R).

    The Democratic side holds a commanding lead.

    Two markets, one question

    Iowa governor

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 2.0pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Iowa governor. Rob Sand (D): Polymarket 87.5%, Kalshi 86.5%; Zach Lahn (R): Polymarket 12.5%, Kalshi 14.5%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 2.0pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

  • agMichigan governorJocelyn Benson 92.97%James 7.25%

    POLYMARKET: Michigan governor — general election

    Jocelyn Benson (D) faces John James (R).

    The Democratic side holds a commanding lead.

    Two markets, one question

    Michigan governor

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 1.1pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Michigan governor. Jocelyn Benson (D): Polymarket 93.40%, Kalshi 92.55%; John James (R): Polymarket 6.7%, Kalshi 7.8%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 1.1pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

  • zNevada governorAaron Ford 66.5%▲10.5Joe Lombardo 33.0%

    POLYMARKET: Nevada governor — general election

    Aaron Ford (D) faces Joe Lombardo (R).

    Nevada's Republican governor is defending his job, and the Democratic side holds a commanding lead after the Republican side lost about eleven points in six days.

    Two markets, one question

    Nevada governor

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 2.0pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Nevada governor. Aaron Ford (D): Polymarket 67.5%, Kalshi 65.5%; Joe Lombardo (R): Polymarket 32.5%, Kalshi 33.5%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 2.0pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

  • ajNew York governorKathy Hochul 95.22%▲0.8Blakeman 5.15%

    POLYMARKET: New York governor — general election

    Kathy Hochul (D) faces Bruce Blakeman (R).

    The Democratic side holds a commanding lead.

    Two markets, one question

    New York governor

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 0.9pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    New York governor. Kathy Hochul (D): Polymarket 95.45%, Kalshi 95.00%; Bruce Blakeman (R): Polymarket 4.7%, Kalshi 5.6%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 0.9pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

  • qOhio governorAmy Acton 82.0%▲10.418.3%Ramaswamy

    POLYMARKET: Ohio governor — general election

    Amy Acton (D) faces Vivek Ramaswamy (R).

    Ohio is choosing a new governor, and the Democratic side holds a commanding lead after the Republican side lost about eleven points in five days.

    Two markets, one question

    Ohio governor

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 1.0pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Ohio governor. Amy Acton (D): Polymarket 82.5%, Kalshi 81.5%; Vivek Ramaswamy (R): Polymarket 18.0%, Kalshi 18.5%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 1.0pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

  • akPennsylvania governorJosh Shapiro 97.47%▲0.2Garrity 2.47%

    POLYMARKET: Pennsylvania governor — general election

    Josh Shapiro (D) faces Stacy Garrity (R).

    The Democratic side holds a commanding lead.

    Two markets, one question

    Pennsylvania governor

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 0.4pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Pennsylvania governor. Josh Shapiro (D): Polymarket 97.60%, Kalshi 97.35%; Stacy Garrity (R): Polymarket 2.30%, Kalshi 2.65%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 0.4pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

  • aiTexas governorGreg Abbott 72.5%▲2.728.0%Hinojosa

    POLYMARKET: Texas governor — general election

    Greg Abbott (R) faces Gina Hinojosa (D).

    The Republican side holds a commanding lead after the Democratic side gained about three points in five days.

    Two markets, one question

    Texas governor

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 3.0pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Texas governor. Greg Abbott (R): Polymarket 73.4%, Kalshi 71.5%; Gina Hinojosa (D): Polymarket 26.5%, Kalshi 29.5%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 3.0pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

  • xWisconsin governorDavid Crowley 80.5%▲0.220.0%Tiffany

    POLYMARKET: Wisconsin governor — general election

    David Crowley (D) faces Tom Tiffany (R).

    An open governorship, and the Democratic side holds a commanding lead.

    Two markets, one question

    Wisconsin governor

    Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT
    widest venue gap 1.0pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Wisconsin governor. David Crowley (D): Polymarket 80.5%, Kalshi 80.5%; Tom Tiffany (R): Polymarket 19.5%, Kalshi 20.5%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 1.0pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

    These contracts price the party, not the named person — the venues list the seat before the nominee is settled.

“Still in doubt” means no leader above 80% on either book. Prices captured Oct 23, 9:47 PM CT. These are trader-implied estimates, not polls. Separate contracts trade independently, so opposing prices may not add to exactly 100%.

14 stories that didn't make the cutSeen by the desk, ranked, and not run. The number is where each stood in the day's order.

News

  • 46DOJ opens criminal probe into Corey Lewandowski over DHS roleCriminal probe of a top Trump ally's DHS role is a major accountability story; cut because reporting so far is thin on charges, scope and evidence.
  • 47Medicaid lost for hundreds of thousands of lawfully present immigrantsHundreds of thousands of lawfully present immigrants losing Medicaid under the GOP law is under-covered; cut for space behind the day's legal and election news.
  • 48Bird flu on a mink farm raises pandemic fearsBird flu on a Utah mink farm raises pandemic and oversight questions; cut because the human risk is still speculative and no policy response has come yet.
  • 49Drinking water may hold far more PFAS than EPA reportsEvidence that drinking water holds more PFAS than the EPA reports is a real regulatory story; cut because it rests on one analysis and needs EPA's response.
  • 51Appeals court weighs Trump's power to fire court-appointed prosecutorsAn appeals court weighing Trump's power to fire court-appointed U.S. attorneys tests executive power; cut because the arguments are in but no ruling has come down.
  • 52Treasury rule implementing ban on institutional investors buying single-family homesTreasury's rule carrying out the ban on institutional investors buying single-family homes has real housing stakes; cut for space as a technical rule step.
  • 53Treasury proposes rule curbing high-tech investment in China and other adversariesTreasury's proposed rule curbing high-tech investment in China and other adversaries is significant; cut because it is only at the proposal stage.
  • 54Treasury proposal targeting US-China biotech tiesTreasury's proposal targeting US-China biotech ties hits drug supply chains; cut because it overlaps the broader Treasury China investment rule.
  • 55Pentagon designates Confucius Institutes a security threat, says it dismantled 80 'cells'The Pentagon labeling Confucius Institutes a security threat touches campuses and China policy; cut because the claim of 80 dismantled 'cells' is unverified.
  • 56Iran plans to hit Gulf undersea cables if war resumesIran's reported plans to cut Gulf undersea cables if war resumes raise the war's economic stakes; cut because Iran war coverage already runs deep in the issue.
  • 57First Russian diesel tanker sails for US under Trump-Putin dealThe first Russian diesel tanker sailing to the US under a Trump-Putin deal is a notable sanctions shift; cut for space behind the fuel and Ukraine items.
  • 58Rubio urges Cubans to work with the CIA for political changeRubio openly urging Cubans to work with the CIA for political change is a striking statement; cut because Cuba is already covered via the warship-and-deal item.
  • 59Kremlin and Zelensky both say three-way talks with the US will be held in Abu Dhabi in the first half of NovemberTalks start at the technical level before moving to senior leaders.

Election related

  • 50NYT/Siena: half of Americans fear GOP could try to overturn midterm resultsA NYT/Siena poll finding half of Americans fear a GOP attempt to overturn the midterms is notable; cut because the issue already carries heavy election coverage.

More on the Elections page