Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said all U.S. military members will get one day off in October to vote in the 2026 midterm elections. This voting day off will happen by October 15 and will continue during every even-numbered election year.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the voting day off for troops.
Every U.S. service member will get one day off in October to vote.
The day off will be given by October 15, before the midterm elections in 2026.
This policy will repeat during all even-numbered election years.
The Pentagon described the move as "apolitical," meaning it is not for or against any political party.
The goal is to help military voters participate in elections more easily.
The announcement was made on a Friday.
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Texas state Representative James Talarico, a Democrat, is ahead of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, by 2 points in a new Fox News poll. The race is very close because the lead is within the poll’s 3-point margin of error.
Key Facts
James Talarico is a state Representative from Texas and a Democrat.
Ken Paxton is the Texas Attorney General and a Republican.
A new Fox News poll shows Talarico leading Paxton by 2 points.
The margin of error for the poll is 3 points, meaning the race could be closer or tied.
The poll surveyed likely voters in Texas.
This race is for the Texas Senate seat.
The poll indicates the contest is very competitive.
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A U.S. Department of Energy employee, Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, was arrested for allegedly trying to help the Houthi group in Yemen, which is labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. He is accused of buying materials for explosives and drones and communicating with FBI agents posing as Houthi members to assist their military efforts.
Key Facts
Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, 51, worked in the DOE Nuclear Safety Division at the Hanford site in Washington.
He was arrested for attempting to support the Houthi group, backed by Iran, which attacks U.S. targets in the Iran war.
Ellaboudy allegedly bought parts for homemade explosives and drones.
He used his electrical engineering knowledge to help improve Houthi communications systems.
In December 2024, he took sick leave claiming exposure to a chemical used in making explosives.
In September 2025, Ellaboudy traveled to Yemen through Oman using a government-issued passport.
The FBI discovered his actions after tracking his purchase of explosive materials and drone parts.
He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
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A Cornell University survey found that over 35 percent of female undergraduate students said they experienced unwanted sexual contact while studying there in 2025. This survey came out after new attention on a 2024 sexual assault allegation on campus.
Key Facts
More than 35 percent of female undergraduates at Cornell reported nonconsensual sexual contact in 2025.
The survey was conducted by Cornell University itself.
The results have gained attention due to a 2024 sexual assault allegation on campus.
The data reflects experiences during the students' time at Cornell.
The term "nonconsensual sexual contact" means any sexual activity without agreement from all involved.
This issue is part of ongoing concerns about safety for students at universities.
Cornell is an Ivy League university located in New York State.
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This article from ABC News gives a list of news and entertainment highlights to watch over the weekend. It includes updates on current events, live news coverage, and shows and documentaries available to watch.
Key Facts
ABC News reporter Will Ganss shares recommendations for TV and online viewing this weekend.
Topics include live protests in Madrid about housing costs and Hawaii’s volcano eruption at Kilauea.
There are news updates about a stabbing case involving a FlyDubai pilot and new bodycam footage of an arrest.
Reports cover job growth in September, a cyberattack on an Australian government website, and investigations in New York.
The article lists special reports like a Cornell University rape case and weather warnings such as an extreme heat alert in Southern California.
Entertainment options include documentaries on nature, movies, sports events like Thursday Night Football and the WNBA, and celebrity interviews.
It also mentions human interest stories like a mother's effort to attend all her son's football games despite fear of flying.
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Alice Cooper, a famous shock rock musician, shared with CBS Mornings how he developed his wild on-stage style and the characters that inspired it. The report also mentions President Donald Trump's upcoming campaign events and meetings on various topics.
Key Facts
Alice Cooper explained the origins of his theatrical and shocking performances on stage.
He talked about the characters and ideas that shaped his unique persona.
President Donald Trump is planning to campaign in states that typically vote Republican.
Trump is scheduled to meet with technology leaders to discuss artificial intelligence.
The CBS Mornings report included various news stories covering politics, weather, and technology.
The article briefly mentioned a flooding crisis in Texas and extreme weather in other U.S. regions.
Other topics included a botched execution investigation and updates on college sports legislation.
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Many older Americans suffer serious injuries or die from falling on slippery floors, but the U.S. does not have a clear, standard way to measure how safe floors are. Experts say there are good tools to test slipperiness, but confusion over different testing methods makes it hard to know which floors are safe.
Key Facts
Over 43,000 Americans aged 65 and older died from falls in 2024.
About 4.5 million emergency visits in older adults were due to fall-related injuries.
More than 25% of older adults fall each year in the U.S.
Floors can be tested for slipperiness using a measurement called the Pendulum coefficient-of-friction test.
The UK uses the Pendulum test as its main standard for floor safety, and similar tests exist in the U.S.
Different organizations use various testing methods and numbers, causing confusion.
A number describing floor slipperiness is not useful unless it includes how the test was done.
The American population over 65 has grown to 61.2 million in 2024 and is expected to increase further.
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The US Coast Guard stopped a ship called Grace that was carrying fuel to Cuba on September 5. The ship was using special tactics to avoid detection and was escorted to Mexico, where officials confirmed it was carrying large amounts of fuel, likely breaking US sanctions against Cuba.
Key Facts
The ship Grace was intercepted in the Caribbean Sea between Cuba and Mexico.
Grace was 91 meters (300 feet) long and carrying fuel.
It was using "dark fleet" tactics, which means trying to avoid detection by authorities.
The US Coast Guard boarded the ship and took it to Mexico for inspection.
Mexican officials confirmed the ship had large amounts of fuel in its ballast tanks.
The fuel shipment was intended for Cuba, which faces a US oil embargo.
The embargo aims to pressure Cuba by limiting fuel and worsening shortages.
US Coast Guard officials said vessels using deceptive methods for illegal activities will be stopped.
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President Donald Trump is expected to appoint Jay Clayton, the current director of national intelligence, as the White House's new artificial intelligence (AI) czar. This role will involve overseeing AI issues as Trump plans to create an "AI Force" to address the technology's rapid growth.
Key Facts
Jay Clayton currently serves as the director of national intelligence (DNI).
President Trump is considering him for a new position as AI czar, or AI chief.
Trump wants to keep government rules on AI light and has called fears about AI dangers a hoax.
Clayton has identified AI threats as serious in his role as DNI.
The announcement about Clayton’s new role could come soon, possibly by Friday.
Trump announced the idea of an "AI Force" last month without giving many details.
Clayton was confirmed as DNI after Tulsi Gabbard resigned in May.
Clayton has a background as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and received some bipartisan support.
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The London Fire Brigade (LFB) is among 20 organisations and 54 individuals facing possible criminal charges related to the Grenfell Tower fire that killed 72 people in 2017. The Metropolitan Police have sent an evidence file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which will decide on charges before the disaster’s 10th anniversary in 2027.
Key Facts
The Grenfell Tower fire happened in June 2017 and caused 72 deaths.
The Metropolitan Police investigation, called Operation Northleigh, has included hundreds of officers.
Charges under consideration include corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, health and safety breaches, and fraud-related offences.
The London Fire Brigade has accepted the Grenfell Inquiry’s findings and is cooperating fully with the CPS.
Other organisations named include the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The fire started in a kitchen on the fourth floor and spread quickly due to flammable cladding on the building’s outside.
A public inquiry found the fire was avoidable, citing failures by government bodies and private firms.
Survivors and families continue to call for justice and accountability for those responsible.
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Drones have helped Weber County Search and Rescue teams in Utah save lives. However, a new proposal being discussed in Washington, D.C., could limit their ability to buy drones, which may affect similar rescue teams across the United States.
Key Facts
Weber County Search and Rescue in Utah uses drones to help with emergency situations.
Drones are important tools for finding people and saving lives.
A new proposal in Washington, D.C., could stop these teams from buying drones.
If the proposal passes, it may impact search and rescue teams in other parts of the country.
The proposal is currently under consideration and has not yet become law.
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President Donald Trump warned Republicans that Texas and Michigan are key states of concern ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. He urged supporters to vote by imagining that he is on the ballot and stressed the importance of winning about 35 to 40 important races.
Key Facts
Trump spoke to voters in Oklahoma, a state he said Republicans are not worried about.
Texas and Michigan are among the states Republicans are concerned about for the midterms.
Trump said there are 35 to 40 races where Republicans need to focus to win.
He urged supporters to vote as if he, President Trump, was running in the election.
Trump criticized Democrats on issues like inflation and immigration.
Some of Trump’s immigration claims about migrants from prisons and mental institutions have been disputed.
He said his administration is managing the country well.
Trump criticized Republicans for poor public relations during the campaign.
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Senator Steve Daines from Montana warned that the Republican Party might lose badly in this year's midterm elections, similar to how they lost many seats in 2006 during President George W. Bush’s second term. This warning reflects concerns about strong Democratic gains that year.
Key Facts
Senator Steve Daines is a Republican from Montana.
He warned Republicans could face heavy losses in the 2024 midterm elections.
He compared this potential loss to the 2006 midterms.
In 2006, Republicans lost control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The 2006 losses happened during President George W. Bush’s second term.
Daines was once in charge of the Senate Republican campaign team.
Midterm elections happen halfway through a president’s term and can change the balance of power in Congress.
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul criticized how Cornell University handled a 2024 gang rape case but did not call for the resignation of the university president or the local prosecutor. She described the school's response as a failure while a new investigator, James, takes over the case.
Key Facts
The incident involved an alleged gang rape at Cornell University in 2024.
Governor Kathy Hochul called the university's handling of the case a failure.
Hochul did not demand that the Cornell University president resign.
She also did not call for the resignation of the local prosecutor involved.
A new investigator named James has taken over the rape probe.
The issue has drawn public and political attention in New York.
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Christa Pike, a prisoner on death row in Tennessee, survived two doses of lethal injection during her execution. Authorities are investigating what caused the failure in the execution process.
Key Facts
Christa Pike is a death row inmate in Tennessee.
During her execution attempt, she survived two doses of lethal injection drugs.
The execution is described as "botched," meaning it did not go as planned.
Officials have launched an investigation to understand the problem.
The drugs used are intended to cause death quickly and painlessly.
This event raises questions about the execution procedures in Tennessee.
Pike’s attorneys reported the failure of the lethal injection.
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Recent data show that many U.S. high school seniors are not meeting basic levels in reading and math, raising questions about whether students are truly learning or just advancing through grades. Experts suggest focusing education more on actual skills and understanding rather than just time spent in classrooms.
Key Facts
U.S. high school seniors’ average reading and math scores are the lowest in decades, since 1992 and 2005 respectively.
About 45% of 12th-graders scored below the basic math level, and 32% scored below the basic reading level, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
The current education system emphasizes time spent in classrooms and grade advancement rather than mastery of skills.
Some propose using brain science to design education focused on cognitive skill development, such as the idea of a “20 Minute School Day” for focused brain training.
There are mixed opinions on brain training programs; some research questions if improvements in exercises improve overall learning or real-world skills.
Student disengagement is an issue, with over 30% of students in 20 states missing more than three weeks of school in 2022-23.
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 was an important federal effort to improve education and reduce inequality.
Critics worry about adding new programs given current demands on schools and whether cognitive training has broad benefits beyond specific tasks.
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The U.S. economy added 29,000 jobs in September, a lower number than economists expected. The White House responded to this slower job growth as reported by CBS News.
Key Facts
The U.S. created 29,000 new jobs in September 2024.
Economists and experts had forecasted more job growth than what actually happened.
The job increase is considered modest or weak compared to expectations.
CBS News reporters Emily Pandise and Ed O’Keefe covered the White House reaction.
The White House publicly addressed concerns about the slowing job growth.
The report reflects data on labor market performance for that month.
The information was shared as part of CBS News coverage on related current events.
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A judge will decide whether to temporarily stop Truth Social’s paid service that gives subscribers early access to posts from important accounts, including government officials. President Trump, White House staff, and others face a lawsuit claiming this service unlawfully sells early government information for profit.
Key Facts
Truth Social offers a paid API service charging up to $100,000 a month for early access to posts from influential accounts.
A lawsuit was filed by The Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation against President Trump, Natalie Harp, Daniel Scavino, and others.
The plaintiffs say the service gives paying subscribers faster access to official information, which they claim is unfair and unconstitutional.
They argue that equal and timely access to government information is required by the First and Fifth Amendments.
Other lawsuits have been filed by groups like American Oversight and local governments.
The paid service also reportedly provides access to deleted or edited posts, which non-paying users can’t see.
Trump’s legal team claims the Truth API is a private business and not official government action, asking the court to reject the injunction.
Critics raise concerns that early access to government information can give investors an unfair financial advantage.
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The Pentagon released a memo that orders the military to consider delays in using anti-drone technology as a risk to their operations. This means they want to make sure this technology is put in place quickly to avoid problems during missions.
Key Facts
The Pentagon issued a memo about anti-drone technology.
The memo calls delays in using this technology an "operational risk."
Anti-drone technology helps detect and stop dangerous drones.
The goal is to use this technology faster to improve military safety and effectiveness.
This memo directs the Defense Department to treat delays seriously.
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul spoke about the gang rape allegations at Cornell University. She said the state’s Attorney General, Letitia James, will investigate the case and that the situation shows a problem in state laws about consent when someone is intoxicated.
Key Facts
The case involves gang rape allegations at Cornell University.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul commented publicly on the case.
State Attorney General Letitia James will conduct an investigation into the allegations.
The case reveals a gap or weakness in New York’s consent laws related to intoxication.
Hochul called attention to how current laws may not fully address situations where alcohol affects consent.
The story was reported by CBS News journalist Tom Hanson.
The discussion focuses on legal and state-level government responses to sexual assault issues.
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