In the third quarter before the November 3 midterm elections, Democratic Senate candidates raised more money than most Republican candidates in key races. However, Republicans made up some of the difference through large spending on ads and outside donations from groups linked to President Donald Trump and businessman Elon Musk.
Key Facts
Democrats raised more money than Republicans in most competitive Senate races in the third quarter of 2024.
Texas Democrat James Talarico raised $64 million, the highest ever for a Senate candidate in one quarter.
Republicans outspent Democrats by $188 million on TV ads in battleground Senate races.
Outside groups like the GOP Senate Leadership PAC, MAGA Inc., and Elon Musk contributed large sums to support Republicans.
In key states such as Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, and North Carolina, Democrats outraised Republicans.
Only in Minnesota did a Republican candidate raise more than a Democrat.
Experts say having more money helps candidates control their message but does not guarantee election wins.
Elon Musk has spent over $276 million supporting Republican groups since July 2024.
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Katie Zacharia has left her job as White House press secretary just five days after starting. This information comes from news sources reporting on the short tenure.
Key Facts
Katie Zacharia was appointed White House press secretary.
She left the position after only five days.
The news was reported by CBS News and confirmed by sources.
The role of press secretary involves speaking for the White House and communicating with the media.
No reasons for her departure were given in the report.
This change comes during President Donald Trump’s current term.
The news was shared shortly after her brief time in the role.
CBS News covered this update as part of its ongoing political reporting.
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The Australian government is proposing new laws to make social media safer by requiring platforms to let users turn off recommended content. This change aims to reduce exposure to harmful material, such as content that worsens eating disorders or promotes harmful ideologies, by showing only posts from accounts users follow.
Key Facts
Varsha Yajman, who struggled with anorexia, still sees harmful weight loss content on social media despite using safety settings.
Australia’s new rules would require an "algorithm switch" to let users turn off automatic content recommendations.
The laws would also create a legal duty of care for online services to protect users’ wellbeing.
Social media algorithms can create "echo chambers" or "rabbit holes," where users repeatedly see specific types of content.
Flynn Martin describes how algorithm-driven content pushed him toward harmful ideas linked to the "manosphere," affecting his mental health.
Australia hopes these laws will help improve users' mental health and overall wellbeing.
Some critics worry the laws could limit free speech or be difficult to enforce.
The Trump administration has expressed concerns about potential free speech impacts from such reforms.
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The UK government is considering joining an EU-led plan called the Made in Europe package, which aims to protect European car makers by setting tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. If the UK joins, it may have to apply similar tariffs on Chinese EVs, but China has warned this would be unfair and against trade rules.
Key Facts
The Made in Europe package is a new EU plan to limit cheap Chinese electric vehicle imports by giving EU-made cars better treatment.
The UK wants to join the plan to avoid losing trade in the car industry with the EU.
Joining the plan may require the UK to align with EU tariffs on Chinese EVs starting in 2024.
The UK government has not yet confirmed if it will impose tariffs but is reviewing trade policies and talking with the British car sector.
China’s embassy in London opposed any tariffs or restrictions on Chinese products and called such moves discriminatory.
Chinese EV brands like BYD, Chery, and Changan are growing rapidly in market share.
About 80% of UK-made cars are exported, with more than half going to the EU and 6% to China.
EU lawmakers are expected to finalize the Industrial Accelerator Act by late 2026 or early 2027, which could include the UK if it agrees on trade measures.
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Alberta not to start a legal process toward separation in an upcoming vote. He warned that foreign forces, including the United States under President Donald Trump, are trying to divide Canada, and stressed the importance of staying united.
Key Facts
Alberta is holding a vote to decide whether to start a process toward future separation from Canada.
Alberta has the world’s fourth-largest proven oil reserves.
Prime Minister Carney said some outside forces want to break Canada apart to control it.
Carney did not name the U.S. directly but has previously linked the U.S. and President Trump to pressures on Canada.
President Trump has taken aggressive trade actions against Canada and hinted at making Canada the 51st U.S. state.
Carney emphasized Canada needs to become economically stronger and less dependent on the U.S.
The vote is non-binding but could lead to years of division if it favors separation.
Carney highlighted Alberta’s connections with other parts of Canada, like firefighters helping during wildfires and people born elsewhere in Canada living in Alberta.
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Katie Zacharia was removed from her job as White House press secretary just one week after starting. Questions arose about her background and qualifications, leading to her sudden exit announced by President Trump.
Key Facts
Katie Zacharia served as White House press secretary for only one week.
President Trump told her he would reconsider taking the job if he were in her position.
Zacharia's background and resume faced scrutiny after her appointment.
She graduated from Pepperdine Law School but failed the California bar exam in 2011.
Zacharia said she never called herself an "attorney at law" but admitted to calling herself a "lawyer."
Some White House staff were surprised by the sudden change and only learned from news reports.
This short tenure is similar to that of Anthony Scaramucci, who worked 11 days in a similar role during Trump’s first term.
Zacharia was chosen to replace Karoline Leavitt, who left the position in August.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia's goals go beyond eastern Ukraine and their drone attacks pose a threat to NATO countries. After an EU meeting in Belgium, he also responded to President Donald Trump's comment about being harder to deal with than Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Key Facts
President Zelenskyy spoke after an EU summit in Belgium.
He said Russia wants more than just eastern Ukraine.
Russia's drone attacks are a threat to NATO countries.
President Zelenskyy responded to President Trump’s statement.
President Trump said he is harder to deal with than Putin.
The discussion involved concerns about security and international relations related to Russia's actions.
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President Donald Trump told reporters that he asked White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia to think again about whether she wants to keep her job. Zacharia started the position on Monday, and Trump suggested the job is very difficult.
Key Facts
Katie Zacharia became White House press secretary on Monday.
President Trump spoke to reporters on Friday about her role.
Trump said he advised Zacharia to reconsider if she wants to continue as press secretary.
He told her the job is tough and said, "Welcome to the world of Trump."
Zacharia responded that the role is much harder than she expected.
President Trump seemed to signal the role involves significant challenges.
This story is still developing, with more updates expected.
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Russia attacked nine regions in Ukraine, causing power outages for hundreds of thousands of people and injuring at least 15. These strikes targeted civilian areas and have raised worries that worsening relations between Ukraine and the United States could leave Ukraine more vulnerable to future Russian attacks.
Key Facts
Russian strikes hit nine different regions in Ukraine.
The attacks caused emergency power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of homes.
At least 15 people were wounded in the attacks.
The strikes targeted civilian infrastructure, including the power grid.
Russia's attacks on Ukraine’s energy system happen regularly before winter to make life harder for people.
Ukrainian officials say Russia is building up a supply of ballistic missiles for more attacks soon.
There are concerns that worsening relations between Ukraine and the U.S. may weaken Ukraine’s defense against these attacks.
The article mentions Ukraine's counterattacks against Russian energy targets continue despite the strikes.
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Nondegree credentials (NDCs), such as professional certificates and licenses, can help workers earn more money, especially those without college degrees. The U.S. Census Bureau data shows that workers with these credentials earn about 16% more than those without them in similar jobs.
Key Facts
Nondegree credentials include certificates and licenses showing specific job skills or training.
Workers with NDCs earn a median of 16% more than those without in the same job level.
Around 40% of workers in healthcare support, food service, farming, construction, and repair have NDCs.
These credentials are common in fields requiring safety training or technical skills, like nursing and plumbing.
Some NDCs come from technical colleges, trade schools, professional boards, or companies like Google.
Many workers in professional jobs like STEM, education, and law also hold NDCs.
Career advisers recommend job seekers get certificates showing AI skills because many companies are adopting AI technology.
Unlike college degrees, NDCs can offer a faster, more focused way to prove job readiness and boost pay.
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A man named Kaylub Giamanco stopped a gunman who opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon. The gunman killed three children and a teacher before Giamanco fatally shot him, ending the attack.
Key Facts
The attacker was a 16-year-old named John Griffin Jr. III.
The gunman used a shotgun bought by his mother.
Three children (ages 5, 8, and 11) and one teacher died in the shooting.
Two other victims, a student and a teacher, were seriously injured and hospitalized.
The attacker entered the school by shooting at locked doors.
Kaylub Giamanco, who has two daughters at the school, confronted and shot the attacker.
Giamanco and his family asked for privacy and are not seeking attention, thanking first responders and the community.
The police found the gunman and the victims inside the school a few minutes after arriving.
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Katie Zacharia was fired as White House press secretary just five days after starting the job. Her brief tenure included criticism of her first press briefing and questions about her legal qualifications.
Key Facts
Katie Zacharia became White House press secretary on October 9.
She was fired on Friday, only five days into the position.
Her first press briefing received widespread criticism.
Questions arose about her legal credentials because she admitted she did not pass the bar exam.
Media reports vary on whether she was fired or was “transitioning out” of the role.
Zacharia previously worked as a conservative political commentator and in communications.
The White House has not yet publicly commented on her departure.
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Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old father and carpenter, stopped a 16-year-old gunman who attacked Silver Rail Elementary School in Oregon by fatally shooting him. The attack killed three children, a teacher, and the gunman, while injuring others.
Key Facts
The shooter was a 16-year-old who used a pump-action shotgun bought by his mother.
Kaylub Giamanco owns a concealed weapon and decided to confront the gunman after hearing gunshots near the school.
Three children aged 5, 8, and 11, and one teacher died in the shooting.
Two others, including a 7-year-old student and a 54-year-old teacher, were critically injured.
Kaylub’s brother described him as a hero, though Kaylub feels guilty for not saving more people.
President Donald Trump called Kaylub Giamanco “a great hero” for his actions in stopping the shooter.
Authorities and the community held vigils and expressed deep sadness over the tragedy.
The police responded quickly and confirmed that the shooter was killed at the scene, likely by Kaylub.
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President Donald Trump suggested that his new press secretary, Katie Zacharia, may leave her position soon. He said he talked with her and felt she did not deserve the negative news coverage she received, and he wants her to be happy.
Key Facts
Katie Zacharia was appointed as White House press secretary just a week before this statement.
President Trump spoke to Zacharia and expressed that she was treated unfairly by the media.
Trump said he wants Zacharia to have a good life and questioned whether she needs the job.
He indicated he will decide on her future in the role after returning from campaign events.
Zacharia faced negative media attention shortly after starting her job.
The president mentioned he cares about her well-being and plans to discuss her position later.
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President Donald Trump told White House press secretary Katie Zacharia that she should think again about staying in her job. This comes after her first week, which had many questions about her lawyer qualifications and criticism of her first press briefing.
Key Facts
President Trump said Katie Zacharia should "reconsider" continuing as press secretary.
Zacharia has faced doubts about her legal qualifications during her first week.
Her first press briefing received criticism from the media and others.
President Trump mentioned the news coverage about her has been very negative.
He advised her to seriously think about whether to keep the job.
This news is still developing and updates may follow.
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Amber Guyger, a former Dallas police officer convicted of killing her neighbor Botham Jean in 2018, was released on parole after serving seven years of a 10-year sentence. The Texas parole board approved her release despite opposition from Jean’s family, who continue to mourn.
Key Facts
Amber Guyger shot Botham Jean inside his apartment in Dallas in September 2018.
She claimed she thought she was entering her own apartment and mistook Jean for a burglar.
Guyger was convicted of murder in October 2019 and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
She served seven years before the Texas board of pardons and paroles approved her parole.
Jean’s family opposed Guyger’s release and requested privacy while grieving.
Prosecutors had asked for at least 28 years in prison, matching Jean’s age if alive today.
After release, Guyger will remain under supervision for the rest of her sentence.
The case received national attention and raised issues about police conduct and racial justice.
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President Donald Trump has said that the issue of affordability is a "fake" political idea used by his opponents. However, a recent poll shows that most Americans, including Republicans, see affordability as a real and serious problem in the U.S. economy.
Key Facts
President Trump calls affordability a "hoax" and blames Democrats for rising prices.
A Harris Poll shows 96% of Republicans believe the U.S. is facing an affordability crisis.
67% of all adults see high prices for groceries and gas as a key issue for the upcoming midterm elections.
Only 28% of Republicans think the economy is getting better, down from 49% earlier in the year.
Many rural Americans say they live in "survival mode," meaning they could be hurt by an unexpected expense.
More Democrats than Republicans believe their party can solve the affordability problem.
About 61% of Americans think the U.S. is in a recession, even though official economic data does not show one yet.
Inflation rose slightly in September to 3.7%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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The BBC reported on Ukraine’s Operation Vivaldi, a military effort that has helped Ukraine regain more than 100 square miles of land from Russian forces in the Donbas region. Ukrainian commanders use drones supported by a satellite network to find and attack Russian targets, but new limits on the satellite system may harm these drone missions.
Key Facts
Operation Vivaldi is a Ukrainian counter-offensive in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas area.
Ukraine says it has recaptured 277 square kilometers (106 square miles) of territory with this operation.
Ukrainian forces use drones to detect and capture Russian surveillance drones.
The drones operate with help from Starshield, a military version of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network.
Starshield technology helps Ukrainian forces find and hit Russian targets during the fight.
New restrictions have been placed on the Starshield satellite system, which Ukraine says could damage its drone operations.
The report included footage from inside an underground Ukrainian bunker where commanders monitor the fighting in real time.
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The United States has reported 4,410 measles cases in 2026, with the largest outbreak occurring in Pennsylvania. The CDC is assisting state health officials to control the spread, and Pennsylvania has vaccinated thousands of people to fight the outbreak.
Key Facts
There have been 4,410 measles cases in the U.S. in 2026 so far.
Pennsylvania has the largest outbreak, with 1,222 cases across 42 counties.
The outbreak in Pennsylvania caused 225 hospitalizations and five confirmed deaths.
The CDC sent an investigator to Pennsylvania to help control the outbreak.
Vaccination efforts in Pennsylvania include more than 5,900 MMR vaccines given at 202 pop-up clinics.
Measles vaccination rates among U.S. kindergarteners dropped from 95.2% in 2019–2020 to 92.4% in 2025–2026.
New York declared a measles disaster emergency to allow faster vaccine delivery and testing.
About 280,000 U.S. kindergarteners are at risk for measles due to lower vaccination coverage.
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Texas has many data centers that use a lot of water to run and cool their machines. State law requires these centers to report their water use, but many do not, and the penalty for not reporting is only a $500 fine, which some say is too small to encourage compliance. This issue is becoming more important as Texas voters worry about water shortages and the impact of data centers on their communities.
Key Facts
Texas has nearly 700 data centers operating or planned, making it one of the largest data center hubs in the U.S.
Since 2020, Texas law requires data centers to report how much water they use.
Not reporting water use can result in a Class C misdemeanor and a $500 fine, plus possible loss of state funding and permits.
Less than one-third of data centers have submitted their water usage surveys in recent years.
Governor Greg Abbott has ordered punishment for centers that fail to report water use.
A poll showed 57% of Texas voters oppose data centers being built in their communities.
Data centers need a lot of water and electricity, raising concerns about strain on state resources.
The Texas Water Development Board is responsible for monitoring water use and enforcing rules for data centers.
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