President Donald Trump said his rally at a high school gym in Ohio was full and thousands of supporters could not get inside. He responded to reports showing empty seats in the upper sections by saying people usually move from the upper seats down to the main floor during his rallies.
Key Facts
The rally took place on October 3 at the Butler-Vandalia Student Activity Center, a gym in Vandalia, Ohio, with a capacity of about 4,500 people.
Some media reports showed many empty seats in the upper bleachers during the rally.
President Trump claimed the venue was “totally maxed out” and insisted all seats were filled.
He said supporters often move from upper sections to the main floor, causing upper seats to appear empty.
Photos and videos from the event show a large crowd on the floor but empty spots in the upper sections.
The New York Times article Trump referred to actually described a rally in Mobile, Alabama, not the Ohio event.
NBC News reported that empty seats increased during the Ohio rally as it went on.
Local reports showed people lined up early outside the venue, indicating strong interest.
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President Donald Trump said he will stop using government money for a promotional ad campaign before the midterm elections. Instead, a super PAC that supports him will pay for the ads.
Key Facts
President Trump announced the switch from government funds to a super PAC for paying campaign ads.
The ads are designed to promote Trump and appeared similar to official campaign ads.
Previously, some of these ads were funded using taxpayer money.
Trump said running the ads with his own supporting group’s money is a common practice.
The change was announced on October 5, 2026, ahead of the midterm elections.
The super PAC is an independent political group that can raise and spend money to support candidates but is not directly controlled by them.
This story is still developing, with updates expected later.
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Christa Pike is in critical condition and on a ventilator after a failed execution in Tennessee last week. Her lawyers are asking for her sentence to be changed to a less severe punishment.
Key Facts
Christa Pike's execution in Tennessee did not go as planned.
She is currently in critical condition.
Pike is being supported by a ventilator to help her breathe.
Her attorneys are seeking a commutation, which means reducing her punishment.
The event happened last week.
The case is receiving legal attention due to the problems during the execution.
The article does not provide further details about her crime or original sentence.
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Students at Cornell University protested on Monday about how the school handled an alleged rape incident that took place in a fraternity house in 2024. The protest aimed to draw attention to concerns about the university's response to the situation.
Key Facts
The protest occurred at Cornell University.
It focused on the handling of an alleged rape.
The incident reportedly happened in a fraternity house.
The events took place in 2024.
Students organized the protest to express concerns about the university's actions.
The news report was presented by CBS News correspondent Lilia Luciano.
The coverage included a video segment about the protest.
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The article shares advice from several people about how to overcome fear of public speaking. It includes real experiences and practical tips such as speaking about topics you care about, using virtual reality to practice, focusing on a key word, and preparing yourself to feel comfortable.
Key Facts
Dani Payne, who used to have panic attacks about speaking, now speaks every day in her political job.
Payne suggests starting with a topic you feel passionate about to make speaking easier.
Daisy Schofield uses a VR headset and an app to practice presentations by imagining a real audience.
Neuroscientist Nazanin Derakhshan recommends slow, steady breathing before speaking to feel calmer.
Comedian Viv Groskop advises choosing one word that sums up your goal for the talk, like “clarity.”
Groskop also suggests focusing your eyes on the camera during virtual meetings instead of looking at people on screen.
Getting comfortable by wearing familiar clothes, staying hydrated, and relaxing beforehand can help reduce anxiety.
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A new poll shows Republican John E. Sununu is closing the gap with Democrat Chris Pappas in the New Hampshire U.S. Senate race. The race is tight, with Pappas leading by 5 points compared to an 11-point lead last month, as the midterm election approaches in about four weeks.
Key Facts
Democrat Chris Pappas currently leads with 49% support, while Republican John E. Sununu has 44% in a recent poll.
Last month, Pappas led Sununu by 11 points (45% to 34%).
The seat is open because Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen is retiring.
New Hampshire has not elected a Republican senator in over 15 years.
The race is rated as a "toss-up" by the Cook Political Report.
Pappas has strong support among women and voters aged 65 and older.
Sununu is more popular with men and voters under 40 years old.
The poll surveyed 979 likely voters between October 2 and 4 and has a 3% margin of error.
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Lauren Taliento, a New York businesswoman who claimed to help people avoid losing their homes, was charged with 46 crimes including grand larceny. Prosecutors say she took payments from a homeowner but did not send them to the mortgage lender, and several others claim to have lost their homes after paying her company.
Key Facts
Lauren Taliento is president of JT Homesavers and faces 46 criminal counts including grand larceny.
One homeowner, Miguel Mora, paid Taliento to help reduce his mortgage but she reportedly spent the money herself.
Mora said his credit was damaged because his mortgage was unpaid for 20 months.
Taliento pleaded not guilty and denied scamming people, saying she cared about her clients.
Several other Staten Island residents say they also lost homes after paying JT Homesavers.
The district attorney’s office said the investigation is ongoing and more charges may come.
Taliento was released without bail but restrictions on her business were not imposed, so it can still operate while she awaits trial.
The case was reported amid growing concerns about self-proclaimed "home savers" misleading homeowners facing foreclosure.
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President Donald Trump is campaigning for Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections, which are less than a month away. He is encouraging his supporters to vote by mail.
Key Facts
President Trump is actively campaigning for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections.
The midterm elections will take place in less than one month.
Trump is urging his supporters to use mail-in voting.
The campaign activities are part of a broader push to support GOP candidates nationwide.
The article mentions other unrelated news topics but focuses on Trump's campaign efforts.
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President Donald Trump used a derogatory term against Dr. Annie Andrews, who is running as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate in South Carolina. He made these comments as the race against Republican Senator Tim Scott tightens.
Key Facts
President Trump posted an anti-transgender slur about Dr. Annie Andrews on Truth Social.
Dr. Annie Andrews is the Democratic candidate for the South Carolina Senate seat.
The Senate race in South Carolina is becoming more competitive.
Senator Tim Scott, a Republican, currently holds the seat.
President Trump expressed support for Senator Tim Scott in the race.
The slur was repeated multiple times in Trump’s posts.
The article references that Trump mentioned Senator Scott’s late brother.
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Caleb Flynn, a former Ohio music pastor, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing his wife, Ashley Flynn. During the sentencing, his family and the judge spoke about the impact of the crime, while Flynn claimed he was innocent and apologized to his daughters.
Key Facts
Caleb Flynn was convicted of aggravated murder and other charges connected to the death of his wife, Ashley Flynn.
He was sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole.
Flynn apologized to his two daughters in court and said he did not kill his wife.
Prosecutors said Flynn staged a fake home invasion to cover up the murder.
Family members read victim-impact statements expressing their grief and anger.
The judge criticized Flynn for using religion to hide his wrongdoing and said he posed a danger to the public.
Jurors reached the guilty verdict after less than three hours of deliberation.
Flynn broke down in court as statements from his daughters were read aloud.
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A school bus carrying 37 students flipped over after a multi-vehicle crash in Florida. One student and one other driver died, and all remaining passengers were taken to the hospital.
Key Facts
The bus had 37 students on board when the crash happened.
A driver crossed the center line and hit the side of the bus.
The impact caused the bus to flip onto its roof and enter oncoming traffic.
One student died at the scene.
Another driver involved in the crash also died.
The rest of the students were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The accident is under investigation by local authorities.
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President Donald Trump said that attacks by Ukraine on Russian oil facilities and refinery closures in Democratic-led states are causing higher gasoline and diesel prices in the U.S., not problems in the Middle East. He announced plans to take executive actions to reduce diesel fuel costs, which are important for farmers and truckers.
Key Facts
President Trump blames Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil plants and refinery shutdowns in states like California for rising fuel costs.
He said the Strait of Hormuz is no longer the main cause of high gas prices because more oil is reaching global markets.
Diesel prices are rising sharply, affecting farmers, truckers, and supply chains, especially in agricultural states like Nebraska.
Trump plans executive measures to lower diesel prices, including reviewing taxes and expanding tax-free red-dyed diesel use.
The White House faces pressure from farmers and Republican lawmakers to address fuel costs.
California has the highest diesel prices in the U.S. at over $8.35 per gallon, followed by Washington and Hawaii.
Experts say tax relief may help short-term, but limited fuel supply is a bigger issue.
Higher diesel prices increase costs for transporting goods and impact farming, construction, and manufacturing.
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Vice President JD Vance said he believes Senator Ted Cruz is running for president. Senator Cruz replied by saying he is focusing on the upcoming midterm elections and called Vance insecure.
Key Facts
JD Vance is currently Vice President of the United States.
Senator Ted Cruz is a Texas Republican and potential presidential candidate.
Vance suggested that Cruz is planning to run for president.
Cruz denied this and said his focus is on the midterm elections.
Cruz called Vance insecure in his response.
The discussion about this exchange appeared on the CBS News program "The Takeout."
Political strategists from both parties talked about the situation on the show.
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President Donald Trump announced he will start paying for his pro-Trump ads using money raised by his super PAC, instead of using government funds. He made the statement after receiving criticism for initially funding the ads with taxpayer money.
Key Facts
President Trump previously used public funds to pay for his campaign ads.
The ads are pro-Trump and have aired widely in recent weeks.
The decision to use taxpayer money caused strong criticism.
Trump said on Truth Social that paying for ads with government money was normal but decided to stop doing it.
He will now use money raised by his super PAC called MAGA, Inc.
The change is meant to address concerns from his critics.
Trump described the ads as “patriotic” and helpful in promoting the USA.
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Students at Cornell University are protesting how the school dealt with a reported gang rape at a fraternity house in 2024. President Donald Trump said the U.S. pulled its bombers from a UK airbase because of a threat related to Iran. Dennis Hastert, a former Speaker of the House who went to prison, has died.
Key Facts
Cornell students are protesting the university’s response to an alleged gang rape at a fraternity house.
The incident occurred in 2024.
President Donald Trump explained that the U.S. withdrew bombers from Fairford airbase in the UK due to a threat connected to Iran.
Dennis Hastert, who was once Speaker of the House, passed away.
Hastert had gone to prison after his political career.
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Democrats are having disagreements within their party about how to respond to Republican criticism on transgender issues ahead of the midterm elections. Some Democratic candidates have taken positions that challenge transgender rights to appeal to voters in conservative areas, which has caused tension with LGBTQ+ groups and other Democrats.
Key Facts
Democrats are debating how to counter Republican attacks related to transgender topics before the midterms.
Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio ran an ad opposing transgender participation in girls' sports, drawing criticism from LGBTQ+ groups and some Democrats.
Equality PAC, linked to the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, has withdrawn support for Kaptur because of her ad’s language.
Other Democratic candidates, like Blake Gendebien and Sarah Trone Garriott, have also used similar language in their ads.
Some Democrats, including Rep. Don Davis, suggest states should decide on rules about transgender participation in sports.
Centrist groups say candidates like Kaptur and Davis are trying to win districts that President Trump carried by large margins in 2024.
Internal Democratic discussions are expected about these positions when Congress returns in November.
Democratic leaders want to find a balance between defending transgender rights and appealing to voters in conservative districts.
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The U.S. Supreme Court started its new term, addressing important cases on topics like climate change, immigration, and voting laws. Before the term began, CBS News interviewed Justice Samuel Alito about the court's focus and upcoming challenges.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court began a new term on Monday.
Cases this term include climate change, immigration, and voting laws.
CBS News correspondent Jan Crawford interviewed Justice Samuel Alito ahead of the term.
The interview discussed the court's priorities and upcoming cases.
Justice Alito is one of the current justices on the Supreme Court.
The interview was shared on the CBS News program "The Takeout."
The news excerpt also mentioned other unrelated news stories happening concurrently.
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A new Gallup poll shows that 50% of Americans identify as Democrats or lean toward the Democratic Party, the highest level since President Obama's first term in 2009. This marks a change from the end of 2024 when more people identified as Republicans, but the poll does not guarantee election outcomes.
Key Facts
50% of Americans now identify as Democrats or lean Democratic, compared to 39% for Republicans.
This is the highest Democratic identification since 2009, during President Obama’s first term.
The Democratic share has been rising since the end of 2024, while Republican numbers have fallen.
In late 2024, after President Trump’s reelection, 47% identified as Republican and 43% as Democratic.
The poll surveyed 3,000 U.S. adults from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with a 2% margin of error.
Democrats see the poll as encouraging but are cautious about translating support into voter turnout.
Republicans argue polls often underestimate their support and remain confident about the November elections.
Independent voters make up 45%, but more lean Democratic (30%) than Republican (25%) in the survey.
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President Donald Trump has promised to give money to voters if Republicans win the midterm elections. The Republican Party is spending campaign funds to defend seats in districts they usually win. The White House has also stopped a media outlet from joining the press pool again.
Key Facts
President Trump has promised payouts to voters if Republicans succeed in the midterm elections.
The Republican Party is using campaign money to protect seats in districts that usually vote Republican.
The White House has barred a media outlet from the press pool for the second time.
NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter from the Cook Political Report discussed these developments.
The discussion was part of a political news segment with Geoff Bennett.
The focus is on the current U.S. political situation leading up to the 2024 elections.
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A senior adviser for the Democrats' Senate Majority PAC discussed how the Democratic Party is spending money in several states ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The discussion focused on campaign financing strategies in Texas, Kansas, Iowa, and other places.
Key Facts
Lauren French is a senior adviser for the Democrats' Senate Majority PAC.
She talked about Democratic spending for the 2026 midterm election campaigns.
The spending focuses on key states like Texas, Kansas, and Iowa.
The interview was part of CBS News coverage.
The article highlights the importance of campaign funding in election strategies.
Democrats are working to support their candidates in crucial states before the midterms.
The midterm elections will decide control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
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