Democrats James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa have attracted more individual donors than Republicans Ken Paxton and Greg Abbott in Texas suburban counties. These suburbs, near big Texas cities, are important battlegrounds that could influence upcoming elections for Texas attorney general and governor.
Key Facts
Talarico raised over twice as much money as Paxton from individual donors in 19 suburban counties around Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.
Hinojosa had more donors than Abbott in all 19 suburban counties and outnumbered him by more than 10 to 1 in seven counties.
Early voting for these races started on Monday, and polls show Talarico narrowly leading Paxton while Abbott and Hinojosa are close.
Republicans have traditionally relied on suburban areas to offset losses in larger urban centers.
Talarico’s campaign raised $11.5 million from about 38,000 donors; Paxton’s raised $4.3 million from about 8,300 donors in the third quarter.
Abbott raised $13.4 million from about 7,700 donors; Hinojosa raised $8.7 million from about 86,000 donors.
In the suburbs, Abbott raised $1.96 million (half of which came from one donor), while Hinojosa raised $1.54 million and had more donors in every suburban county.
Political experts note that Paxton is losing ground in urban areas and is tied with Talarico in suburban areas, making suburban votes critical for his reelection chances.
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A 16-year-old student opened fire at an elementary school in Oregon, killing three children and a teacher. Police and school officials said the shooter was previously classified as a special-needs student at that school.
Key Facts
The shooter was 16 years old.
The shooting took place at an elementary school in Oregon.
Three children and one teacher were killed.
Police confirmed the shooter was a former special-needs student at the school.
School officials also verified the student's special-needs status.
The incident is under investigation by authorities.
The community and law enforcement are responding to the tragedy.
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President Donald Trump signed an executive order to stop new sanctions and tariffs on Russia that were set to begin on October 18, 2026. The order removes legal limits on the president’s power to change or lift sanctions on Russia in the future, but does not remove existing sanctions.
Key Facts
The executive order was signed on October 16, 2026.
It cancels new sanctions and tariffs required by a law named after Senator Lindsey Graham.
The law originally stopped the president from removing certain sanctions on Russia.
The order gives the president more freedom to decide which sanctions to keep or remove.
Existing sanctions on Russia remain in place and are not lifted by this order.
The new sanctions and tariffs were scheduled to start in two days, on October 18, 2026.
The law’s enforcement deadline was the reason for the timing of the president’s action.
This change affects U.S. policy regarding economic pressure on Russia.
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The UK Home Office refused a visitor visa for a British baby’s mother living in Thailand, blocking her from traveling to the UK to meet the baby’s great-grandfather, who cannot travel due to health problems. The family planned a Christmas reunion in Lancashire, but the visa denial was based on doubts about her reasons to return to Thailand and lack of proof of income.
Key Facts
William Cross, a British baby, was born in Thailand to a British father and a refugee mother from Myanmar.
The family lives on Koh Tao island, where the father runs a steakhouse restaurant and the mother manages staff and social media.
William’s great-grandfather, George Kerr, 74, has health problems and cannot travel to Thailand.
The family planned a UK Christmas gathering so Kerr could meet his great-grandchild.
The Home Office refused a visitor visa to the baby’s mother, Khin Thant Zin, saying there was no proof she would return to Thailand or evidence of income.
The visa application required expensive and complicated steps, including biometric screening and financial guarantees from the family.
There is no appeal process for this visa refusal; the family plans to apply again at a high cost without a guarantee.
The Home Office said visa decisions are made based on individual cases and provided evidence.
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President Donald Trump has removed some sanctions on Russia to help lower energy prices. This decision has caused criticism from Ukraine and European Union countries, especially as relations between President Trump and Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy become more strained.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump waived additional sanctions on Russia.
The reason given was to reduce energy prices.
Ukraine strongly criticized this move.
European Union allies also condemned the decision.
The action comes amid worsening relations between President Trump and Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy.
Sanctions are penalties set by one country on another, often to influence behavior.
Energy prices are an important factor in many countries’ economies.
The decision may affect international relations involving the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine.
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President Donald Trump has delayed the start of new sanctions on Russia that he recently signed into law, saying the hold is in the country’s best interest. The sanctions, created to punish Russia for its war actions and limit its money from oil and gas, were set to begin soon but are now postponed.
Key Facts
President Trump signed a law last month to impose sanctions on Russia.
The sanctions target Russian officials, banks, and a secret fleet of tankers carrying energy.
The law included tariffs up to 100% on the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, with some exceptions.
Trump paused the sanctions just two days before they were to start.
The pause came shortly after the US agreed to buy diesel fuel from Russia.
Critics say the diesel deal helps Russia’s war efforts and does not reduce fuel prices.
Lawmakers from both parties passed the sanctions law with wide support.
Trump has criticized Ukrainian President Zelenskyy recently and faces disapproval from the public on various issues ahead of midterm elections.
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The Trump administration is threatening to criminally prosecute California election workers who knowingly count votes cast by noncitizens. The Department of Justice (DOJ) sued California claiming the state did not remove noncitizens from voter rolls, demanding officials review and segregate affected ballots.
Key Facts
DOJ acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter warned election workers they could face prosecution for counting ballots from noncitizens.
Noncitizen voting in federal elections is a federal crime.
The DOJ sent letters to Los Angeles election officials demanding access to a list of possible noncitizens on voter rolls.
California was given two days to respond and confirm they are reviewing and separating those ballots.
The DOJ sued California for not purging noncitizens from voter registration lists.
President Donald Trump reposted the DOJ letter, saying officials “will all go to jail for a long period of time.”
The Trump administration has made noncitizen voting a key issue despite limited evidence of widespread illegal voting.
Earlier, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned election officials could face fines or prison for noncitizen voting.
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A judge in New Mexico dismissed child sexual abuse charges against actor Timothy Busfield due to improper actions by the prosecutors during the grand jury process. The judge said prosecutors can bring new charges, and the case is still ongoing.
Key Facts
Timothy Busfield, known for roles on The West Wing and Thirtysomething, was charged with groping one of two young twin boys.
The allegations covered a two-year period when the boys were 7 and 8 years old.
The judge ruled the prosecutors did not follow fair procedures during the grand jury, including incorrect instructions about witness testimony.
The judge said the prosecutor blocked witnesses that the grand jurors wanted to hear.
Busfield denies all the allegations and called them lies.
Prosecutors are reviewing their options and may file new charges.
The case concerns alleged incidents on the set of the TV show The Cleaning Lady.
The decision to dismiss was made by Judge Joseph Montano in New Mexico state court.
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President Trump has delayed new sanctions against Russia that Congress passed to target its economy. He issued an order to waive many sanctions, while also announcing a deal to buy diesel fuel from Russia, a move that has drawn criticism from lawmakers and Ukrainian officials.
Key Facts
President Trump paused sanctions approved by Congress against Russia’s economy.
The sanctions were aimed at stopping financial support for Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The sanctions law was passed with rare bipartisan support and signed by Trump last month.
The sanctions include penalties on Russian officials, banks, and energy tanker fleets.
Trump’s executive order allows him to waive sanctions until October 18.
Trump announced a US deal to buy large amounts of Russian diesel fuel to lower energy prices.
Some US senators, including Republicans, have called on Trump to cancel the diesel deal and enforce the sanctions.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy criticized the diesel deal, saying it would send money to Russia.
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President Donald Trump used his authority to block several new sanctions against Russia that Congress recently passed to punish Russia for its war in Ukraine. Although Trump signed the sanctions bill into law in September, he issued an order to withhold some sanctions, saying it is in the U.S. national interest.
Key Facts
President Trump blocked some sanctions on Russia that Congress approved to respond to the war in Ukraine.
The sanctions law, named after Senator Lindsey Graham, targets Russia’s economy, government officials, banks, and oil shipments.
The law allows tariffs up to 100% on the top buyers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India.
Trump signed the sanctions bill in September, but delayed full implementation by issuing an executive order.
Trump plans to import Russian diesel to lower U.S. energy prices before the November midterm elections.
The move to import diesel from Russia surprised and upset many U.S. lawmakers and allies.
Some U.S. lawmakers urged Trump to fully enforce the sanctions law to pressure Russia to negotiate peace.
Ukrainian President Zelensky criticized the diesel deal, saying it helps Russia continue the war.
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President Donald Trump signed an executive order to delay sanctions against Russia that were scheduled to start soon. These sanctions were part of a new law named after the late Senator Lindsay Graham, designed to pressure Russia.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an executive order on a Friday evening.
The order delays sanctions against Russia.
The sanctions were set to begin shortly under a new law.
The law was passed and signed by President Trump last month.
The legislation was dedicated to Senator Lindsay Graham, who recently passed away.
The sanctions aim to increase pressure on Russia’s government.
This action pauses the sanctions before they officially take effect.
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President Donald Trump signed a new executive order to impose large tariffs and sanctions on Russia but immediately waived them. This decision follows a recent deal with Russia to increase diesel fuel supplies to the U.S. and global markets. The waivers will stay in place until Trump or his administration decide otherwise.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an executive order implementing new sanctions and tariffs on Russia, including up to a 500% tariff on Russian goods.
He immediately waived these sanctions and tariffs, citing national interest and notifying Congress.
The sanctions were part of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which expands U.S. powers to target Russian energy trade.
The order sets potential 100% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil or gas and on countries that help Russia evade these sanctions.
The waiver can be lifted by President Trump or his administration officials, depending on circumstances.
The executive order does not cancel any previous Russian sanctions already in place.
The move comes one week after an agreement between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to increase Russian diesel supplies to the market.
The diesel deal aims to help lower fuel costs in the U.S. and globally.
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President Trump used his power to stop new sanctions and high tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil from starting. He said this will help lower energy prices and kept the waivers in place while his administration watches countries buying Russian energy.
Key Facts
President Trump waived tariffs of 100% on the five largest importers of Russian crude oil and gas, set by the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act.
The law lets the president pause sanctions if it serves U.S. national interests, which Trump decided to do.
Trump also lifted 500% tariffs on other Russian goods and stopped some other sanctions.
The law targets countries like China, India, and Turkey that buy a lot of Russian energy.
This waiver came a week after Trump eased sanctions on Russian diesel and agreed with Putin to import diesel to the U.S.
The U.S. has pressured countries to avoid Russian energy to block funding Russia's war in Ukraine, but Trump has focused on lowering U.S. energy costs instead.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy agreed to an "energy ceasefire" but later resumed attacks on Russian energy sites after Russia continued strikes.
Many U.S. senators opposed Trump’s decision, calling it a betrayal of Ukraine and urging stronger sanctions on Russia.
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The United States ended the 2026 fiscal year with a budget deficit of nearly $2 trillion, which is about 12 percent higher than the year before and one of the largest in history. President Donald Trump's plan to raise money through tariffs has not offset the rising government spending and deficits.
Key Facts
The 2026 budget deficit was $1.992 trillion, up 12% from the $1.775 trillion deficit in 2025.
This deficit is the third highest in U.S. history, only behind 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic.
Federal income (taxes and fees) rose 3% to $5.40 trillion, but spending increased 6% to $7.40 trillion.
Tariff revenue dropped 11% to about $173 billion, partly due to a Supreme Court ruling requiring refunds of $145 billion.
The Congressional Budget Office expects deficits to grow by $900 billion over 10 years because of changes to tariff policies.
U.S. debt surpassed $40 trillion, with interest payments reaching $1.36 trillion—12% more than last year.
Spending on Social Security, Medicare, and defense increased, with defense at $917 billion.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent believes stronger economic growth can help reduce debt problems.
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Katie Zacharia spoke publicly for the first time after leaving her job as White House press secretary just five days after starting. She said it was an honor to work for President Trump and thanked him for his leadership.
Key Facts
Katie Zacharia was White House press secretary for only five days.
She announced her departure through a White House official.
Zacharia posted on the social media platform X to share her thoughts.
She praised President Donald Trump’s leadership in her statement.
Zacharia said it was an honor to work for President Trump.
The announcement came on a Friday night.
Her short tenure is notable because press secretaries usually serve longer.
No specific reason for her departure was given in the statement.
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Actress Selma Blair was accused of assaulting two flight attendants, a nurse, and an officer on a Delta Airlines flight from Los Angeles to New York. Blair says she had a medical emergency during the flight related to her neurological condition multiple sclerosis (MS) and denies intending to harm anyone.
Key Facts
Selma Blair, 54, has multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease that affects the nervous system.
She experienced a medical episode on the flight, which her team says influenced her behavior.
Blair was charged with assaulting two flight attendants, a nurse, and a police officer after being removed from the plane.
She pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released on bail.
A pilot reported a "bloody nose" and "bite marks" during the incident.
Blair’s team denies reports that she tried to open the plane door and says media coverage is incomplete.
Blair also has pseudobulbar affect, a condition causing sudden uncontrollable emotional outbursts.
The New York Port Authority confirmed two flight attendants were injured, and one was hospitalized.
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Matt Quinn, the deputy director of the U.S. Secret Service, announced he is stepping down after about 18 months in the role. He has been working with the Secret Service Director Sean Curran on a plan for a smooth transition.
Key Facts
Matt Quinn served as deputy director of the U.S. Secret Service for about a year and a half.
He announced his decision to step down on Friday.
Quinn shared his news on the social platform X.
He has been coordinating with Director Sean Curran about the transition for several months.
The Secret Service is responsible for protecting the president and other important officials.
Sean Curran is the current director of the U.S. Secret Service.
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Federal agents have used a covert method called "dumpster diving" to collect DNA from people when they could not get search warrants. This involves searching through a person’s trash to find genetic material.
Key Facts
Investigators searched people’s trash to collect DNA.
This method is called "dumpster diving."
They used this approach when they did not have permission from a court (a search warrant).
The DNA was intended to help with investigations.
This practice is secret and not widely known.
It was part of efforts around important searches or raids.
The use of DNA helps law enforcement identify or confirm suspects.
The article focuses on the activities of federal agents.
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A fast-moving wildfire called the Norte Fire has burned six homes and forced evacuations in southern Los Angeles and Orange County, California. Strong Santa Ana winds and dry conditions are making the fires worse, with several other fires burning across the state and hundreds of firefighters working to control them.
Key Facts
The Norte Fire started on Friday in Orange County and grew to 465 acres by the evening.
Six homes have been damaged or destroyed, and one firefighter suffered heat exhaustion.
Santa Ana winds reaching over 40 mph are expected to continue until Saturday, increasing fire risks.
A red flag warning is in place for several California counties because of wind, low humidity, and dry plants.
13 wildfires are active across California, including the Bryson Fire in Malibu and the Henderson Fire in San Diego County.
The Bryson Fire has grown to 147 acres and has over 400 firefighters working on it.
The Henderson Fire has grown to more than 2,000 acres and forced temporary closures of the I-5 highway.
Temperatures are unusually high for the season, reaching up to 95°F (35°C), raising heat-related illness concerns.
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A man named Kaylub Giamanco fatally shot a teenage gunman during a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Oregon that killed three children and a teacher. Giamanco, who has children at the school, acted quickly to stop the shooter and is now dealing with the emotional impact of the event.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon.
Three children and one teacher were killed in the attack.
The shooter was a 16-year-old boy named Griffin J. John II.
Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old contractor and father, stopped the shooter by shooting him dead.
Giamanco was on a lunch break and saw the shooter on campus, then followed him into the school.
The shooter fired up to 15 rounds using a shotgun bought by his mother.
Two others, one child and one teacher, were wounded and hospitalized.
Giamanco legally owns and carries a firearm and grew up familiar with guns.
Giamanco feels traumatized because he could not save everyone during the shooting.
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