Virginia state Senator L. Louise Lucas was charged by federal authorities for leading a criminal group that bought and sold large amounts of marijuana and hid its profits. The charges say she used her political influence to protect the operation and put her own financial gain above her duties as a public official.
Key Facts
L. Louise Lucas is a Virginia state senator and a long-time Democratic politician.
She was charged Thursday with running a criminal enterprise involved in marijuana distribution.
The group also laundered, or cleaned, the money made from selling marijuana.
Prosecutors say Lucas used her political power to avoid investigation.
Six other people, including family members, were charged along with Lucas.
The U.S. Attorney General and FBI Director announced the charges in Norfolk, Virginia.
Lucas surrendered to authorities and was set to appear in federal court the same day.
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Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy released an attack ad featuring Donna Arthur, mother of Democratic candidate Amy Acton, accusing Acton of lying about her past. Acton’s campaign responded by highlighting her mother’s history of legal troubles and abuse allegations, noting that Acton was sexually abused by her late stepfather.
Key Facts
Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign created an ad showing Donna Arthur accusing her daughter Amy Acton of lying.
Amy Acton is the Democratic nominee for governor in Ohio and a former Ohio Department of Health director.
Acton and her mother have been estranged since 1978 after Acton accused her stepfather of sexually abusing her.
Donna Arthur stayed married to Acton’s stepfather, who was charged with raping Acton.
Acton’s campaign shared records of Donna Arthur’s history of legal issues and fraud allegations.
Court records show Donna Arthur was charged with animal neglect and theft by deception in the past.
Acton’s campaign said Ramaswamy’s ad was a smear and called use of her estranged mother “disgusting.”
Ramaswamy’s campaign defended the ad by accusing Acton of lying to the public.
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A 61-year-old man named Clifford Foster has been charged with murder after Eleanor Barnfield, a 47-year-old housing association worker, died from stab wounds and injuries sustained in a crash in Bridgend, Wales. Police say the stabbing happened before the crash, and investigations are ongoing.
Key Facts
Eleanor Barnfield, 47, died in hospital after a crash in Bridgend, where she was found with stab wounds.
The stab wounds were not related to the crash collision itself.
Clifford Foster, 61, was arrested and charged with murder.
Foster is set to appear in court in Newport on Friday.
Police confirmed this is not being treated as a domestic incident.
The Welsh Ambulance Service said the claims that Eleanor was driving herself to hospital were false.
Emergency medical teams, including a helicopter service, responded quickly after the crash.
Eleanor was a housing association worker for Valleys to Coast, which supports older people’s housing.
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President Donald Trump has linked federal funding for disaster recovery and veterans’ compensation in North Carolina to the success of Republican candidates in upcoming midterm elections. He warned that funding might be withheld if Republicans lose, although he later said some comments were jokes.
Key Facts
President Trump is supporting Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections.
He suggested withholding disaster recovery money for North Carolina if Republican candidates lose.
Trump later said that his comments about withholding funds were meant as a joke.
The funding discussed included over $2 billion in FEMA aid for recovery from Hurricane Helene.
Trump also connected federal compensation for veterans affected by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune to election outcomes.
Up to one million people were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987.
North Carolina’s Governor and others criticized Trump’s linking of funding to election results.
President Trump’s approval rating recently dropped to 36 percent, his lowest on record.
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Nearly 980,000 deportations occurred during the first 18 months of President Donald Trump’s second term, based on a Migration Policy Institute (MPI) analysis. This number is below the Trump administration’s goal of 1 million deportations annually but is higher than deportation rates during the Biden administration.
Key Facts
The analysis covers deportations between January 20, 2025, and July 31, 2026.
About two-thirds of deportations involved people caught at the U.S. border.
The Trump administration reported over 3 million undocumented immigrants left the U.S. since January 2025, including 2.2 million voluntary departures.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests and deportations increased after receiving billions in extra funding.
Around 340,000 deportations involved migrants turned away by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the border.
Deportations of people arrested inside the U.S. rose from 28% to 39% of all deportations during the period studied.
About 20% of deported individuals had criminal convictions.
Most deported immigrants who had lived in the U.S. for two or more years had no criminal record.
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New rules supported by Republicans in North Carolina require mail ballots to use a double-envelope system and limit who can assist voters. These changes are linked to a rise in rejected mail ballots this election compared to 2022. State officials say the increase in spoiled ballots is small but could affect close races in November’s midterm elections.
Key Facts
North Carolina has new mail voting rules requiring ballots to be placed in a sealed inner envelope, then an outer envelope.
Only close relatives are allowed to help voters with their absentee ballots under the new rules.
Governor Josh Stein, a Democrat, says rejected mail ballots have roughly doubled this year.
The State Board of Elections reports a slight increase in spoiled ballots from 2.6% in 2022 to 3.1% in 2024 so far.
Ballots can be rejected for reasons like missing signatures or damaged ballots.
These changes come amid national debates on mail voting rules and election security promoted by President Donald Trump’s administration.
North Carolina is a key battleground state with important Senate and House races in the 2024 midterms.
President Donald Trump has campaigned in North Carolina to support Republican candidates in closely watched elections.
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Citizens Against Government Waste released its 2026 Prime Cuts report with many suggestions to lower the national debt and stop unnecessary federal spending. The report aims to help reduce government costs and improve financial health.
Key Facts
Citizens Against Government Waste published the 2026 edition of Prime Cuts.
The report contains hundreds of ideas to cut the national debt.
It focuses on reducing wasteful spending by the federal government.
The goal is to improve the country’s financial situation.
The organization promotes government efficiency and accountability.
The report targets various areas where spending can be trimmed.
These efforts hope to support economic stability in the U.S.
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A federal judge has ordered President Donald Trump to give a deposition in his lawsuit against the BBC. Trump claims a BBC documentary defamed him by using misleading editing. The judge set a deadline of December 11 for the deposition.
Key Facts
President Trump is involved in a lawsuit against the BBC.
He alleges that a BBC documentary defamed him.
The defamation claim is based on how the documentary was edited.
A U.S. federal magistrate judge named Enjoliqué Lett issued the order.
Trump must be deposed, meaning he must give sworn testimony under questioning.
The deposition must happen before December 11.
If Trump does not comply, he could face legal penalties called sanctions.
The information comes from the Associated Press news agency.
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A US judge has ordered President Donald Trump to attend a deposition by December 11 as part of his $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC over a documentary. The judge warned that if Trump does not cooperate with the legal process, including sharing documents, the case could be dismissed or face other penalties.
Key Facts
President Trump is involved in a $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC over a documentary aired on Panorama.
The documentary used clips of Trump’s speech at a rally before the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
Trump’s team claims the BBC’s broadcast harmed him under Florida’s business law protecting against unfair trade practices.
A federal judge ordered Trump to sit for a deposition (a formal interview under oath) by December 11.
Trump’s lawyers previously canceled a scheduled deposition in October, citing important matters; the judge rejected this excuse.
The judge also required Trump’s team to provide important internal documents within 30 days for the case.
The judge said Trump’s team’s document production so far is insufficient, mainly relying on publicly available materials.
The judge warned that failure to comply could lead to sanctions, including the possibility of the lawsuit being dismissed.
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Many dog owners love their pets but do not fully understand their needs, which can cause dogs to feel anxious or restless. Experts say dogs need real exercise, calm guidance, and training methods based on rewards to improve their behavior and well-being.
Key Facts
In 2025, 71 million U.S. households owned dogs, representing 53% of all households.
Many dog owners and dog walkers do not use effective walking and handling techniques to keep dogs calm.
Dog trainers in the U.S. usually do not require a state license or specific professional certification.
A 2022 survey found that 59% of dogs evaluated were overweight or obese, partly due to lack of exercise.
Behavior problems are the main reason dogs are given up to shelters, accounting for about 28-30% of cases.
Dogs need physical activity, calm leadership, and clear boundaries for good behavior.
Reward-based training methods work better than harsh or forceful approaches.
Owners can improve their dog’s behavior by paying attention to body language, offering longer walks, and speaking calmly.
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A toddler named Vincent Fiordilino was declared dead after being found unresponsive in a swimming pool. Hospital staff later saw that he was actually alive while in the morgue, and his family plans to file a lawsuit seeking justice.
Key Facts
Vincent Fiordilino was found unresponsive in a swimming pool.
Medical staff pronounced him dead and sent him to the hospital morgue.
A worker at the morgue noticed Vincent was moving and breathing.
Vincent was still alive while in the morgue.
Vincent’s family is planning to file a lawsuit.
The family wants accountability and justice for the mistake made.
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Republican Mike Rogers and President Donald Trump have accused Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed of ties to Islamist extremist groups. These claims focus on a letter El-Sayed signed supporting Egypt's former president Mohamed Morsi, linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed has denied these ties and only recently clearly disavowed the Brotherhood amid political pressure.
Key Facts
Mike Rogers asked El-Sayed in a debate if he supports America or overseas terrorist groups.
President Trump called El-Sayed a "jihadist" and misnamed him to imply extremist ties.
El-Sayed signed a 2012 letter supporting Egypt’s then-president Mohamed Morsi, associated with the Muslim Brotherhood.
The letter urged removing supporters of Egypt’s previous regime but did not pledge allegiance to the Muslim Brotherhood.
El-Sayed repeatedly denied ties to the Brotherhood and only gave a clear public disavowal shortly before Election Day.
Republicans previously raised questions about El-Sayed’s alleged connections during his 2018 run for governor.
The debate raised broader questions about how the American left views Islamist groups opposing U.S. or Israeli policies.
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Two important Senate debate events are happening in Michigan and Kansas as part of the midterm election campaign. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is campaigning in South Carolina to support Republican candidates.
Key Facts
Senate debates are taking place in Michigan and Kansas before the midterm elections.
These debates are considered critical or high-stakes for control of the Senate.
President Donald Trump is actively campaigning for Republican candidates.
Trump’s campaign stop mentioned is in South Carolina.
The midterm elections will influence control of the U.S. Senate.
The news story was reported by ABC News correspondent Jay O'Brien.
The event date is October 22, 2026.
The focus is on the political process within the United States ahead of important elections.
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A federal judge in California has ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to stop its investigations into whether noncitizens are registered to vote in nine states. The judge said the investigation uses faulty data and has caused fear among groups helping voters, and she paused the order briefly to allow an appeal before the election.
Key Facts
The order applies to investigations in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wisconsin.
The judge found the government’s data on noncitizen voter registration is full of errors.
The investigations have intimidated groups that assist voters.
The halt is to remain until after the November 3 Election Day.
The Trump administration has been searching for noncitizen voters nationwide before the midterms.
Evidence shows noncitizen voting is very rare, even according to government findings.
The lawsuit was filed by the California Nurses Association, National Nurses United, the Voto Latino Foundation, and local counties.
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine asked Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to remove an advertisement that includes the mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton. DeWine described the ad as very troubling and suggested there is more to the story behind it.
Key Facts
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is a Republican.
Vivek Ramaswamy is a Republican candidate running against Democrat Amy Acton.
Ramaswamy’s ad features Amy Acton’s estranged mother.
DeWine called the ad “deeply troubling.”
The governor made his comments outside the Ohio Statehouse.
The full context or details of the story behind the ad were not explained in the article.
The news was reported by The Statehouse News Bureau.
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President Donald Trump and Georgia's Republican leaders are pushing actions like redrawing voting districts and changing election laws that many believe weaken Black voters' influence. In response, Black community leaders and organizations in Georgia, including the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and Senator Raphael Warnock, are encouraging high voter turnout to protect their voting rights ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump supports redrawing Georgia's congressional districts, which critics say reduces Black voting power.
Georgia passed election laws that disproportionately affect African American voters.
The Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, a historic civil rights site, continues to play a role in political engagement.
Senator Raphael Warnock, senior pastor at Ebenezer and Georgia’s first Black senator, urges voters to participate in elections.
Democrats view Georgia as a key state to maintain, as its suburban and educated Black populations have increased.
Republicans currently hold Congress after winning Georgia in the 2024 presidential election.
Civil rights groups like the National Urban League are active in promoting voter participation in Georgia.
There are broad concerns that changes to voting laws could significantly reduce Black political power in the US.
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The US Department of Defense, led by Secretary Pete Hegseth, allowed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to test a non-lethal device called the Active Denial System, or "heat ray," at the US-Mexico border. This device emits a beam that causes a strong, temporary burning sensation on the skin to encourage people to move away and is being tested for potential border or crowd control use.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary, signed a memo allowing DHS to test the heat ray for seven months starting in September.
The Active Denial System creates a sensation of intense heat on the skin, causing people to feel uncomfortable and move away.
The device uses 95 gigahertz millimeter waves, which penetrate a tiny layer of skin without causing injury.
DHS is responsible for the use and operation of the system, and no military personnel will operate it.
The device was first developed for military use and was briefly deployed in Afghanistan but never used in combat.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said they are exploring new technology that saves lives and improves national security.
The system was previously considered for border control and protest management during President Trump’s first term but was not used.
The heat feeling lasts about 10 to 15 minutes and is compared to the sensation of opening a hot oven.
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Health experts have asked the Trump administration to release a federal definition of ultra-processed foods (UPF). They believe a clear definition would help consumers make better food choices and support consistent policies across states.
Key Facts
Over 70 public health experts signed a letter urging the administration to release a definition of ultra-processed foods.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed the definition in August.
Ultra-processed foods make up nearly 60% of calories eaten by U.S. adults and 70% by children.
Research links eating ultra-processed foods to health risks.
Releasing the definition would not ban any foods or raise prices, but would provide clear information to consumers.
Some experts say industry pressure is delaying the release of the definition, but this is not confirmed.
Ultra-processed foods include items like sugary drinks, packaged snacks, and instant meals, made with added ingredients to change taste or shelf life.
The matter is part of the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda before the 2024 midterm elections.
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Representative Ilhan Omar said she cannot stay in her Washington, D.C. home after federal agents searched it and made her address public. She is facing death threats and is looking for a new place to live to protect her family while an investigation into her immigration paperwork is ongoing.
Key Facts
Federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations searched Rep. Omar’s home on October 12.
The search was part of a federal criminal investigation focused on her immigration paperwork from childhood.
Omar’s address became public, leading to death threats against her.
Agents arrived early in the morning, searched the house for 4 to 5 hours, and took fewer than 20 items including notebooks, old phones, and a Somali phrase book.
Omar said she was allowed to call her attorney about an hour after the search began.
She says she is confident she did nothing wrong and insists she has a legal right to serve in Congress.
Omar believes the investigation and search are politically motivated to intimidate voters ahead of the midterm elections.
President Donald Trump said he was not involved in the search, but Omar claims he was responsible.
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Many men in the United States are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and treatment choices often focus on survival only. Experts argue that treatments should also consider side effects like urinary problems and sexual issues, so patients can make informed decisions about their care.
Key Facts
About 333,830 men in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2026.
An estimated 36,320 men will die from prostate cancer in 2026.
Treatments like surgery can cause urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction, which impact quality of life for years.
Radiation treatment is linked to more urinary problems and possibly a higher risk of death from all causes.
Prostate cancer varies; some grow slowly and may not require immediate treatment.
New imaging and targeted therapies aim to reduce damage to healthy tissue but are not suitable for all cases.
Active surveillance, which means careful monitoring without immediate treatment, is a valid choice for some patients.
Patients need clear, evidence-based information about risks and benefits to choose treatments that fit their health and lifestyle.
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