President Donald Trump is visiting Mobile, Alabama, to thank Republican voters and encourage turnout ahead of the midterm elections. His visit comes as his job approval rating remains low nationally, while Alabama remains a strong Republican state.
Key Facts
President Trump is holding a rally in Mobile, Alabama, on Friday night to support Republican voters.
Trump has won Alabama by large margins in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections.
His national approval rating is at a record low of 31%, with 69% disapproving, according to an AP-NORC poll.
Mobile is part of Alabama's 1st Congressional District, which was redrawn to favor Republicans and would have voted for Trump by about 40 points in 2024.
Trump's first rally in Mobile in 2015 was notable for an early endorsement from then-Senator Jeff Sessions.
The rally venue, University of South Alabama's Mitchell Center, has a capacity of about 10,000 people.
Republican candidates like Rep. Barry Moore and Sen. Tommy Tuberville are expected to attend.
The 2nd Congressional District race between Republican Rhett Marques and Democrat Shomari Figures is a key contest in Alabama.
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A recent poll shows Democrat Annie Andrews narrowly behind Republican Senator Darline Graham by one point in the South Carolina Senate race for 2026. This close race is notable because South Carolina is traditionally a strongly Republican state that supported President Donald Trump by a large margin in 2024.
Key Facts
Annie Andrews, a Democrat and doctor, trails Republican Darline Graham by 1 point in a new poll (46% to 45%), within a margin of error of 2.83 points.
Graham was appointed after the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, and has Trump’s endorsement.
The poll surveyed 1,200 likely voters from September 28 to 29, 2026.
Other candidates have 5% support, and 4% of voters were undecided.
South Carolina has usually voted strongly Republican, with Trump winning by about 18 points in 2024.
Past polls have shown close races here, but the GOP candidate Lindsey Graham won by 10 points in 2020 despite close polling.
Another recent poll from a Republican source also shows Graham with a one-point lead.
Democrats hope a drop in President Trump’s approval rating due to economic concerns may help them gain Senate seats in traditionally Republican states like South Carolina.
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U.S. authorities arrested Greg Lui from California for allegedly smuggling over $300 million worth of computer servers to China using false documents and shipments through other countries. The servers contained advanced US-made graphics processing units (GPUs) used for artificial intelligence, and the case involves protecting national security by preventing sensitive technology from reaching China.
Key Facts
Greg Lui, 38, was arrested for smuggling computer servers to China.
The servers contained U.S.-made GPUs used in artificial intelligence, called "Super Intelligence" by the Trump administration.
Lui used false paperwork and shipped servers through countries like Malaysia and Singapore to bypass export controls.
He operated a company named Earthmade Computer to carry out these shipments.
The shipments took place from 2023 to 2024 without the required U.S. export licenses.
The U.S. government aims to stop sensitive technology from enhancing China's military capabilities.
If found guilty, Lui could face up to 50 years in prison.
The U.S. has export controls on advanced chips to slow China’s AI development.
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Senator Chuck Grassley from Iowa urged President Trump’s administration to quickly ban kratom, a plant with effects similar to opioids. Kratom is currently sold over the counter in places like gas stations and vape shops.
Key Facts
Kratom is a plant that acts like opioids in the body.
It is sold without a prescription in many stores, including gas stations and vape shops.
Senator Chuck Grassley wants the Trump administration to finalize a rule to limit or ban kratom sales.
He described kratom as dangerous and called it “deadly.”
The proposed rule is known as the 7OH rule.
Grassley publicly called for the rule’s quick approval on a Friday.
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President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign and presidency have significantly influenced how American women vote. Women voters are now more divided by education, race, and age, shaping political outcomes in recent and upcoming elections.
Key Facts
In 2016, Trump won most white women, but Hillary Clinton won among college-educated white women.
Female suburban voters helped Democrats win many seats in 2018.
The confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh after sexual assault allegations deepened divisions among women voters.
Gen Z women became more politically active and progressive, partly motivated by abortion rights issues.
Women's dissatisfaction with Trump’s second term is high, with many supporting Democratic candidates in midterm elections.
A recent poll showed 65% of women disapprove of Trump’s job as president, compared to 52% of men.
Senator Susan Collins faces a tough reelection after voting to confirm Kavanaugh, with her opponent leading in women voters.
Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, is the first woman to hold that position, but many women voters remain unhappy with Trump.
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Tennessee’s attempt to execute Christa Pike by lethal injection failed twice, leaving her alive but in critical condition. Different states have varied backup plans for executions to handle problems, but failures still happen.
Key Facts
Christa Pike’s execution in Tennessee failed with both the primary and backup lethal injection methods.
Tennessee uses two IV lines and allows a central line to deliver drugs if needed during executions.
If the first dose of the lethal drug pentobarbital doesn’t work, Tennessee permits a second dose.
Alabama uses a three-drug protocol with some backup for the first drug but less backup for the others.
Idaho has detailed backup plans, including multiple doses and the option of firing squad as a primary method.
Even with backup plans, some executions have been stopped or badly botched due to IV problems or ineffective drug doses.
Execution procedures and details are often kept secret, including identities of execution team members and drug sources.
Witnesses play a key role in informing the public when executions succeed or fail.
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President Donald Trump is campaigning in states that usually support him ahead of the upcoming Election Day. He said some European leaders have agreed to use part of their fuel reserves to help lower high fuel prices in the United States.
Key Facts
President Trump is actively campaigning before the midterm elections.
He is focusing on states that typically vote Republican.
High fuel prices are a current concern in the U.S.
Some European countries hold fuel reserves, which are stored supplies of fuel for emergencies or shortages.
According to President Trump, European leaders have agreed to release some of these diesel fuel reserves.
The goal of releasing these reserves is to help reduce fuel prices.
This information was reported by CBS News.
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The Senate has spent many more days working this year compared to the House of Representatives. The House has taken more days off, sometimes due to political disagreements, while the Senate has stayed in session longer, including more voting and confirming officials.
Key Facts
The Senate has worked 104 weekdays so far this year; the House has worked only 72 weekdays.
The Senate has spent nearly 664 hours in session, and the House about 378 hours.
The Senate is expected to finish the year with around 126 workdays, the House with 92.
Some House workdays were canceled due to political issues, such as losing votes or internal disagreements.
House Speaker Mike Johnson says the House has been productive, passing over 900 pieces of legislation, though many are resolutions that don’t become law.
The House passed more measures than the Senate (380 vs. 269), but the Senate had more recorded votes (231 vs. 216).
Senators pass more legislation per member than House members on average.
The Senate also spends time confirming government nominees, a task not done by the House.
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House Democrats aiming to win more seats face challenges as some candidates in Republican-leaning areas want to show independence from party leaders. These candidates promise to work across party lines and sometimes oppose their own party, which could create difficulties for unified Democratic leadership in the House.
Key Facts
Some Democratic candidates in Republican-leaning districts want to break from party leadership to appeal to local voters.
Candidates like Jake Johnson and Sam Forstag say they will criticize both parties and work with Republicans when needed.
This trend worries House Democratic leaders who fear an unruly majority with many independent-minded lawmakers.
Some Democrats already broke with party leadership on important votes, showing signs of rebellion.
Ads from Democrats in these swing districts often reject strict party loyalty or the two-party system.
Progressive Democrats want votes on issues like Medicare for All and abolishing ICE, but candidates in red districts may avoid those votes.
Some candidates also criticize Democratic leadership and may resist support from party leaders during campaigns.
This independent approach reflects voter frustration with Washington politics and the desire for change.
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Researchers found that artificial intelligence (AI) tools could be used to link votes to specific voters in Georgia, potentially breaking ballot secrecy. This discovery has led state election officials to take steps to protect voter privacy ahead of upcoming elections.
Key Facts
A Princeton researcher used a $20 AI subscription and public data to connect ballot records to voters in Georgia.
Ballot secrecy means that votes should not be linked to individual voters to prevent influence or intimidation.
AI was able to identify 98.9% of in-person ballots in most Georgia counties by matching voting order with ballot records.
Georgia officials held an emergency meeting to address the privacy risks posed by AI.
The outgoing Georgia Secretary of State ordered that public election data remove identifying numbers after elections to protect voter privacy.
Ballots get unique ID numbers to prevent fraud, but these IDs can be combined with other data to identify voters’ choices.
Election experts say the method to assign ballot IDs is not random enough, which allows this vulnerability.
The issue relates to election security and the protection of voters’ private choices in the U.S.
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The U.S. Justice Department sued the state of Maryland because of a new law that stops federal law officers from wearing masks and makes them show their identity while working there. The lawsuit says Maryland and two of its biggest counties are breaking the law by enforcing this rule.
Key Facts
Maryland passed a law that bans federal law enforcement officers from wearing masks.
The law also requires these officers to identify themselves while on duty.
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit on the day the law started.
The lawsuit claims Maryland and two large counties are acting illegally.
The dispute involves federal agents working within Maryland.
The Justice Department argues the law interferes with federal operations.
This conflict highlights tensions over state versus federal authority in law enforcement.
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Boston’s public transit system, the MBTA, is looking at ways to manage its large pigeon problem, including using trained birds like falcons to scare pigeons away. They asked experts for information about such bird-based programs but have not yet decided to start one.
Key Facts
The MBTA has a big problem with pigeons and their droppings at stations.
Pigeon droppings can cause health issues, damage infrastructure, and create dirty conditions.
The MBTA currently uses netting, spikes, and pigeon traps to control pigeons.
They issued a request for information (RFI) from falconry experts to explore using birds of prey to scare pigeons.
This RFI asked questions about the best birds to use, frequency and timing of visits, and other details.
The RFI deadline was September 11, and the MBTA is reviewing responses.
The MBTA has not yet committed to starting a bird-of-prey pilot program.
Other transit systems, like San Francisco’s BART, successfully use trained hawks to control pigeons.
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are now banned from high-speed car chases and must complete special training before stopping vehicles. This new rule aims to reduce violent incidents after several drivers were shot during ICE vehicle stops.
Key Facts
ICE officers cannot chase vehicles that do not stop under any circumstances.
Officers should record the vehicle’s details for later investigation instead of chasing.
New rules apply to ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division.
The guidance was signed by ICE’s executive associate director Marcos D. Charles.
This change follows multiple incidents where ICE officers fired guns during vehicle stops.
Since last year, ICE gunfire in such cases killed at least four people and injured several others.
Officers must complete specific training before they are allowed to make vehicle stops.
The policy aims to prevent dangerous chases and related shootings during ICE enforcement actions.
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This year's Kennedy Center Honors event will be held at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., because the Kennedy Center is closed for safety checks and renovations. President Trump supports a major renovation project and wants to add his name to the building, but legal issues may affect the renovation plans.
Key Facts
The 2024 Kennedy Center Honors will be held at Capital One Arena, not at the Kennedy Center itself.
The Kennedy Center is closed for safety assessments and ongoing renovations.
Over $250 million was approved by Congress last year for the Kennedy Center’s renovation.
President Trump announced a two-year renovation plan and wants his name added to the center’s facade and plaza.
The renovation might not proceed if courts prevent adding President Trump’s name.
The Kennedy Center board members were appointed by President Trump.
The Kennedy Center Honors ceremony recognizes lifetime achievements in American performing arts and will take place on December 7, 2024.
CBS has broadcast the event since 1978 but will end its contract after the 2025 show; a new broadcast partner will be announced later.
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Federal prosecutors charged a store clerk and his son for selling kratom linked to the death of a University of Mississippi student. Authorities found the kratom derivative at the death scene and a local store, but it is still unclear if kratom caused the deaths.
Key Facts
Prosecutors charged a store clerk and his son in Mississippi over selling kratom tied to a student's death.
The kratom derivative was found both at the death scene and in a local vape, tobacco, and beer store.
Two University of Mississippi students were found dead on September 21 in separate locations.
Authorities have no evidence connecting the two deaths, but both may be drug overdoses.
Kratom acts as a stimulant at low doses and a sedative at high doses.
The deaths prompted a Mississippi drug task force to warn people to avoid kratom.
Kratom is legal federally but banned in 11 states; Mississippi regulates it with age restrictions.
Oxford city and Lafayette County, where the university is located, have local kratom bans.
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Tennessee inmate Christa Pike survived a recent failed execution attempt, raising a legal question about whether a state can try to execute someone twice. Legal experts say a second execution attempt is likely allowed under current law but complications could arise depending on Pike's medical condition after the failed attempt.
Key Facts
Christa Pike was sentenced to death for a 1995 murder involving torture.
She survived an execution attempt where two doses of pentobarbital were administered.
After the failed execution, Pike was taken to a hospital and is receiving medical care.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee ordered a review of the execution and paused other executions scheduled for 2026.
The main legal issue is whether a second execution would violate the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
Supreme Court precedent suggests the state can attempt execution again after a failed try.
Pike’s medical condition, particularly possible brain injury, might affect whether she can be executed again.
Pike would have been Tennessee’s first female executed in over 200 years if the execution had succeeded.
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New body camera footage shows the arrest of Luigi Mangione inside a McDonald's in Pennsylvania. The video was released by CBS News and captures the moment law enforcement took Mangione into custody.
Key Facts
The footage comes from a police body camera.
Luigi Mangione was arrested inside a McDonald’s restaurant in Pennsylvania.
CBS News reporter Anna Schecter shared the new video.
The footage shows the actual moment of the arrest.
No further details about the reasons for the arrest were given in the article.
The video is recent, released about 29 minutes ago at the time of reporting.
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Christa Pike, on Tennessee’s death row for the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer, survived a failed execution after receiving multiple lethal injections. Pike is now in critical condition and receiving medical care, while the victim’s mother says she deserves an apology from the state.
Key Facts
Christa Pike was sentenced to death 30 years ago for murdering 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer.
Pike is the only woman on Tennessee’s death row.
The execution attempt happened on Wednesday night but did not succeed despite multiple doses of lethal injection drug pentobarbital.
Witnesses said Pike was breathing and snoring after the execution drugs were given.
Pike is currently in critical condition and receiving life-saving medical treatment in a hospital.
The victim’s mother, May Martinez, traveled from Florida for the execution and says no one has apologized to her.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has ordered a third-party review of the execution and paused all executions for the year.
Pike’s attorneys have asked Governor Lee to reduce her death sentence.
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Former Kansas Governor Mike Hayden, a Republican, endorsed Democrat Adam Hamilton in the upcoming Kansas Senate race against Republican Senator Roger Marshall. Hayden is the second former Republican governor to support Hamilton in this election.
Key Facts
Mike Hayden served as the Republican governor of Kansas from 1987 to 1991.
Hayden publicly endorsed Democrat Adam Hamilton for the U.S. Senate seat in Kansas.
This endorsement was shared in an opinion piece published in The Wichita Eagle.
Adam Hamilton is running against incumbent Republican Senator Roger Marshall in the November election.
The Senate seat has not been held by a Democrat recently.
Hayden is the second former Republican governor in Kansas to back Hamilton over Marshall.
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to investigate an alleged gang rape at Cornell University after concerns about the local prosecutor’s handling of the case. The investigation will now be led by the state attorney general’s office, and if there is enough evidence, it will be presented to a grand jury for possible prosecution.
Key Facts
The alleged rape happened at Cornell University in October 2024.
The Tompkins County district attorney originally decided not to prosecute the case.
Governor Hochul said the woman who reported the assault was not properly supported by Cornell police or the local district attorney.
The district attorney did not interview the victim or others before deciding not to prosecute.
Hochul signed an executive order making Attorney General Letitia James the special prosecutor.
The district attorney reopened the investigation after the victim filed a civil lawsuit against seven fraternity members.
Cornell University police shared evidence with prosecutors, and the university disciplined some fraternity members.
There is ongoing debate in New York about changing laws on sexual consent and intoxication following this case.
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