Senator Susan Collins of Maine is campaigning to appeal to voters from all parties by working with Democrats like Joe Manchin. She distances herself from President Trump's policies, especially on Russia and the war in Ukraine, as she runs for a sixth term in a close race.
Key Facts
Susan Collins is a Republican senator from Maine running for a sixth term.
Maine voted against President Trump in the 2020 election.
Collins shared a breakfast meeting with Joe Manchin, a former Democrat turned independent.
Collins called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "warmonger" and opposes President Trump's Russia-related decisions.
She has criticized President Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict.
Some Democrats doubt Collins’ criticism of Trump and accuse her of supporting his agenda.
Protesters in Maine have called for Collins to retire, citing her vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Collins’ supporters are actively campaigning for her reelection despite opposition.
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New Mexico prosecutors have filed a civil lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime lawyer Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn. The state accuses them of helping Epstein hide his crimes and profiting from his estate, which they control as co-executors.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act and the New Mexico Racketeering Act.
Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn deny knowing about or helping with Epstein’s crimes.
Epstein named Indyke and Kahn as co-executors of his estate just two days before his death in 2019.
The estate is worth about $635 million at the time of Epstein’s death.
The attorneys control the estate and oversee compensation payments to Epstein’s victims.
Some compensation deals prevent victims from suing Indyke and Kahn personally.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez says the men blocked victims from getting full compensation and are still profiting from the estate.
The civil lawsuit is separate from New Mexico’s ongoing criminal investigation into Epstein’s crimes.
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David Beasley, who served as South Carolina’s governor and led the UN World Food Programme, has left the Republican Party. He said that harsh and negative language from President Donald Trump caused him to leave.
Key Facts
David Beasley was a Republican for over 30 years.
He served as the governor of South Carolina.
Beasley also led the United Nations World Food Programme, which won the Nobel Peace Prize.
He recently announced he is leaving the Republican Party.
Beasley cited what he called "demeaning" and toxic language from President Trump as his reason for leaving.
He discussed his decision in an interview with journalist Amna Nawaz.
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FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned broadcasters against airing false or misleading political polls, urging them to provide proper context. This warning follows President Trump’s frequent complaints about fake polls and comes amid concerns about press freedom and ongoing investigations into news companies favored by the President.
Key Facts
FCC Chair Brendan Carr cautioned broadcasters not to air political polls that lack scientific accuracy or are fabricated.
Carr called on broadcasters to give viewers more information to understand the polls they report on.
A fake polling group named Wedgewood Polls admitted publishing false data to see if media outlets would report it without checking sources.
President Trump has repeatedly criticized news media for using fake polls and asked the FCC to act against some journalists and broadcasters.
Former FCC officials from both parties criticized Carr’s approach as an attempt to censor and control news coverage.
These officials said the FCC does not have the authority to dictate how news stations report on polls.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez said pollsters who mislead the public should be held responsible, but good-faith reporting by broadcasters should not be punished.
Carr has previously threatened broadcast licenses and opened investigations into news companies that are critical of President Trump.
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Kalshi, a prediction market platform, has seen millions of dollars traded on midterm election races. CBS News is using data from Kalshi to inform its election coverage and highlight which races are attracting the most attention.
Key Facts
Kalshi is a prediction market where people trade money based on election outcomes.
Millions of dollars have been traded on midterm races through Kalshi.
CBS News is using Kalshi’s market data to cover the election.
The data shows which races are the most watched across different parts of the U.S.
Anthony Salvanto from CBS News and Nicole Kagan from Kalshi discussed this market data.
The focus is on the midterm elections happening soon.
Prediction markets work by letting people bet on who they think will win.
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New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez is suing Jeffrey Epstein's attorney and accountant. He claims they hid information about Epstein’s sex trafficking activities.
Key Facts
Raúl Torrez is the Attorney General of New Mexico.
He filed a lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein's lawyer and accountant.
The lawsuit accuses them of hiding details about Epstein’s sex trafficking.
Jeffrey Epstein was a convicted sex offender involved in trafficking crimes.
The case is part of ongoing investigations into Epstein’s illegal activities.
Torrez spoke about the lawsuit on the CBS News program "The Takeout."
The news report was published recently, about 16 minutes ago.
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Since President Donald Trump started his second term, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increased arrests and raids, including actions at politicians’ homes. Immigration remains an important issue for voters in the upcoming US midterm elections on November 3.
Key Facts
ICE arrests have reached record levels since President Trump began his second term.
Immigration raids have become more frequent and have targeted politicians' homes.
There have been reports of harsh conditions and deadly incidents in detention centers.
Immigration is a major topic for voters in the final weeks before the midterm elections.
Reporters are hosting live Q&A sessions to answer public questions about immigration policies and their effects.
The midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, 2026.
The discussions focus on how immigration enforcement may influence voter decisions and political campaigns.
Several journalism pieces have documented resistance to ICE actions on the ground.
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Republican Representative Nancy Mace criticized an ad made by Vivek Ramaswamy, who is running for governor in Ohio. She said the ad is very offensive and could hurt other Republican candidates in the state.
Key Facts
Nancy Mace is a Republican congresswoman from South Carolina.
Vivek Ramaswamy is a Republican candidate for governor of Ohio.
Mace described Ramaswamy’s political ad as “shameful” and “offensive.”
She believes the ad could damage Republican chances in Ohio elections beyond just Ramaswamy’s race.
Mace shared her opinion during an interview on CNN with Jake Tapper.
The ad has stirred controversy and strong reactions within the Republican Party.
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Vice President JD Vance praised Ohio Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy for running a controversial ad that features the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton, calling her a liar. Acton and others criticized the ad for exploiting her difficult childhood, and President Trump said he did not know about the ad and did not think it related to Ramaswamy.
Key Facts
Vice President JD Vance praised Ramaswamy for airing a TV ad calling Amy Acton a liar.
The ad shows Acton's estranged mother saying Acton lied about her past and struggles.
Amy Acton called the ad “horrible and hideous” and said it was exploitative.
Acton has publicly shared her story of childhood abuse and a difficult relationship with her mother.
Acton’s brother released a counter-ad criticizing Ramaswamy for using her abuse as a political point.
Ramaswamy said the ad was meant to focus on "substantive issues" and accused Acton of avoiding accountability.
President Donald Trump said he did not know about the ad and saw no connection between the mother’s message and Ramaswamy.
The ad came just weeks before important Ohio elections for governor, Senate, and House seats.
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Starting January 1, many adults on Medicaid will need to prove they do at least 80 hours of work, school, or community service each month to keep their health coverage. A recent survey found that nearly half of these Medicaid recipients are not ready to provide the paperwork needed to meet these new rules.
Key Facts
The new Medicaid work requirement applies to non-pregnant adults aged 19 to 64 who do not qualify for Medicare.
People must complete at least 80 hours per month of work, education, or community service to keep their Medicaid coverage.
63% of Medicaid recipients surveyed know about the new rule, but 44% are unprepared to submit proof.
Many recipients have not received reminders about the upcoming changes.
The rules apply mainly to those in the Medicaid expansion group or certain demonstration programs.
Failure to meet the requirements or submit paperwork could cause people to lose Medicaid benefits.
Over half of respondents have already delayed medical care due to concerns about Medicaid coverage.
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that offers health coverage to low-income Americans.
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The White House counsel warned Politico to retract or correct recent stories about White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles within 48 hours or face consequences. The dispute comes amid already tense relations between President Trump’s administration and some news outlets, including bans from certain White House areas and Air Force One.
Key Facts
The White House counsel sent Politico a letter demanding corrections or retractions of three stories about Susie Wiles.
The stories claimed President Trump was considering replacing Wiles and that she was involved in setting up a problematic Fox News interview.
White House officials say they provided evidence that contradicted Politico’s reports, but Politico refused to retract.
Politico, CNN, and MSNBC are banned from covering the president in the Oval Office and on Air Force One, though a judge recently restored their access to White House grounds.
CNN has threatened legal action to regain access to these areas and accompanying broadcast pools.
The White House counsel demands a public apology to President Trump and Susie Wiles.
The letter warns Politico of potential legal action or other consequences if they do not comply.
President Trump has a history of conflicts with the media, including banning certain news outlets and considering removing press from specific White House spaces.
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Steve Kornacki, a data expert from NBC News, said on Wednesday that the Senate race in Minnesota is very close and might lean toward the Republican Party. He mentioned that current signs show a possible shift against the Democrats in the state ahead of the November election.
Key Facts
Steve Kornacki is NBC News’s chief data analyst.
He spoke on the “Today” show on Wednesday morning.
Minnesota has a very close Senate race happening now.
The race might be shifting in favor of the Republican Party (GOP).
Signs suggest that the political mood in Minnesota is moving against the Democrats.
The Democratic candidate is the state's Lieutenant Governor.
The election will take place in November.
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Senator Roger Marshall and Adam Hamilton are competing in their final debate before the Kansas Senate election. The debate is organized by WDAF, a Nexstar Media Group station, as the race has become much closer than expected.
Key Facts
The debate is the second and last one between Senator Roger Marshall (Republican) and Adam Hamilton (Democrat).
It is scheduled for Wednesday night.
WDAF, a local TV station owned by Nexstar Media Group, is hosting the debate.
Nexstar Media Group also owns the news website The Hill.
The Kansas Senate race has become highly competitive, though it was once seen as an easy win for Marshall.
Senator Marshall is working hard to keep his Senate seat.
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Federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) have been visiting homes across the United States to investigate possible noncitizen voting. This effort, part of the Trump administration's push to prevent illegal voting, has raised concerns about voter intimidation and the use of inaccurate data.
Key Facts
Armed federal agents are knocking on doors to ask residents about their citizenship and voter registration.
The Trump administration began this crackdown on noncitizen voting in early 2025.
HSI agents, who usually focus on immigration and crime, are redirected to handle these voter investigations.
Advocates warn this action could intimidate lawful voters and misuse federal authority traditionally handled by states.
DHS targets about 300,000 people using data that has been admitted to be inaccurate.
Legal experts advise anyone contacted by agents to remain silent and request a lawyer.
Former HSI agents say it is unusual for federal agents to check voter eligibility in person at homes.
DHS states the goal is to stop immigrants who break voting laws, including green card holders who vote illegally.
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Democratic groups have sued President Trump’s administration, accusing it of pressuring states to act on unproven claims of voter fraud. The lawsuit says the administration threatened election officials and tried to stop some voters from casting ballots based on flawed federal lists.
Key Facts
Democrats filed a lawsuit against President Trump’s administration for interfering in state election processes.
The administration pushed local officials to review federal lists of alleged noncitizen voters.
The lawsuit claims the administration demanded states reject ballots from people on these lists.
Threats of jail time and prosecution were reportedly used to intimidate election officials.
In Nevada, a list claimed nearly 16,000 noncitizens were registered voters; after review, only 185 were confirmed and then found to be citizens.
In California, over 20,000 voters were flagged as ineligible, but local investigations showed many were U.S.-born or had canceled registrations.
The lawsuit says President Trump has no constitutional power to decide voting rules or how ballots are counted in states.
The Justice Department says it is enforcing election law and working to protect election integrity.
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A new survey finds that fewer Americans than last year believe the federal government is doing a good job of improving people’s lives. About 43 percent of adults in the United States say the government has been effective.
Key Facts
The survey was released on a Wednesday.
It was conducted by Bentley University and Gallup.
About 43 percent of U.S. adults surveyed say the federal government is effective in making a positive impact.
This number is lower than the figure reported last year.
The survey measures people’s views on the government’s impact on their lives.
The data reflects public opinion on government performance and effectiveness.
The survey highlights a trend of declining confidence in the federal government.
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Becky Drury, a 54-year-old teacher injured in the Oregon school shooting, described how she was shot before she could act and pretended to be dead to avoid further harm. The shooter, a 16-year-old former student, killed four people, including three children and a teacher, before being stopped by an armed bystander.
Key Facts
Becky Drury was shot at close range during the school shooting and suffered serious injuries to her hands and arms.
The shooting happened at Silver Rail Elementary School in Oregon on October 15.
The gunman was Griffin J. John II, a 16-year-old former student of the school.
He shot through locked doors and opened fire inside a special needs classroom.
Four people were killed: three children aged 5, 8, and 11, and a 25-year-old teacher.
Another student, age 7, was seriously injured.
The shooter was tackled by a teacher and then fatally shot by a 36-year-old armed bystander named Kaylub Giamanco.
Drury shared her story to correct false reports about her actions during the shooting and thanked supporters.
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The latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that seven U.S. states have higher unemployment rates now compared to one year ago, despite the overall national rate staying low at 4.2%. Major companies like Kroger, Pfizer, Amazon, and Netflix have recently announced job cuts, which may impact future unemployment numbers.
Key Facts
The national unemployment rate in September 2026 was 4.2%.
South Dakota had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Washington, D.C. had the highest at 5.6%.
Seven states saw their unemployment rates rise from September 2025 to September 2026: Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
Connecticut's unemployment rate increased the most, by 0.9%, reaching 5.1%, which is above the national average.
No states showed a significant unemployment rate change between August and September 2026.
Some large companies recently announced layoffs: Kroger plans to cut about 3,000 corporate jobs, Pfizer about 150 jobs, Amazon announced more cuts, and Netflix may reduce around 5% of its workforce.
Twenty states have unemployment rates below the national average, while Washington, D.C., California, and Michigan have rates above it.
The detailed report does not include information on industries, job types, or demographics that might explain the changes in unemployment rates.
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President Donald Trump's political groups have spent nearly $277 million since September to support Republican candidates in the 2024 midterm elections. This is the largest amount ever spent by a sitting president on midterms, showing high stakes for the November 3 vote.
Key Facts
MAGA Inc., Trump's main super PAC, spent nearly $277 million since early September.
MAGA Inc. gave $200 million to No Going Back PAC Inc. and $25 million to Safety & Affordability PAC Inc.
Republicans face tough midterm races and pressure as they try to keep control of the House and Senate.
Trump’s groups have spent over $256 million on ads, including big spending in Texas for Senate candidate Ken Paxton.
Billionaires like Elon Musk are also donating large amounts to help Republicans.
MAGA Inc. still had $164 million available to spend as of mid-October.
Spending started late in the campaign, making ad costs much higher due to limited available air time.
Trump announced plans to spend over $400 million overall by Election Day, covering advertising and voter outreach.
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Democrat Alani Bankhead said she was offered a job by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to quit the Montana Senate race. The DNC denies making any such offer. Bankhead is competing against independent Seth Bodnar and Republican Kurt Alme for the Senate seat.
Key Facts
Alani Bankhead is running for the U.S. Senate seat in Montana.
She claims the DNC offered her a job to leave the race.
The Democratic National Committee denies offering her any job.
Other candidates in the race include independent Seth Bodnar and Republican Kurt Alme.
The Senate seat is currently open, meaning no incumbent is running.
Bankhead has faced pressure to drop out to help unify voters behind other candidates.
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