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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President Donald Trump is visiting South Carolina to support Darline Graham in her Senate race. She was chosen to complete the late Senator Lindsey Graham’s term and won the Republican nomination with Trump’s endorsement. The Senate race is close, and her Democratic opponent, Annie Andrews, has criticized her experience and debate performance.
Key Facts
President Trump will hold a rally in South Carolina to support Darline Graham’s Senate campaign.
Darline Graham was appointed to finish her brother Lindsey Graham’s term after his death in July.
Trump endorsed Darline Graham in the Republican primary as a tribute to her brother.
Polls show Darline Graham leading by about 2.7 percentage points in a tight race.
Democratic challenger Annie Andrews criticized Graham’s lack of experience and debate performance.
Lindsey Graham was a strong supporter of Ukraine and U.S. foreign policy before his death.
Trump’s visit comes after his executive order lifting many Russia sanctions, which Darline Graham opposed.
The close race reflects challenges for Republicans nationwide amid low approval ratings for Trump and concerns over the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.
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The U.S. State Department told non-essential American workers and their families to leave Saudi Arabia. This move is because groups supported by Iran, called the Houthis, have been attacking Saudi Arabia. The situation could get worse quickly.
Key Facts
The State Department ordered non-emergency U.S. government staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia.
The order is due to ongoing attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi group.
The Houthis have increased their attacks in Saudi Arabia recently.
The U.S. warns that the conflict might spread beyond the affected area.
This is a safety measure to protect American personnel.
The State Department has repeated these warnings before as risks rise.
The evacuation is only for non-essential staff, essential workers stay.
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Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed supports Senator Elissa Slotkin after she warned young professionals against working for President Trump’s administration. Slotkin’s comment caused criticism from Republicans.
Key Facts
Abdul El-Sayed is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate from Michigan.
Senator Elissa Slotkin is a Democrat from Michigan.
Slotkin said she wants young professionals to reconsider taking a job in President Donald Trump’s administration.
Republicans responded negatively to Slotkin’s remarks.
El-Sayed defended Slotkin against the Republican criticism.
The discussion took place during a radio interview with “The Daily Blast with Greg Sargent.”
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President Donald Trump will visit South Carolina to support U.S. Senator Darline Graham in her campaign for re-election. The race is important to Republicans as Democrats hope to win the seat, but the state usually leans Republican.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump is holding a rally in South Carolina for Senator Darline Graham.
Darline Graham was appointed to the Senate seat after her late brother, Lindsey Graham, passed away in July.
Trump supported her appointment and backed her during a special primary against more experienced Republicans.
There was some disagreement recently between Trump and Graham over his decision to waive sanctions on Russia related to the Ukraine war.
Democrats see an opportunity because Graham has made some campaign mistakes.
Republicans are focused on defeating Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a pediatrician.
Over $34 million has been spent on this Senate race.
Republicans accuse Andrews of supporting surgeries for transgender minors, but she denies this claim.
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A judge in Massachusetts denied a request from Lindsay Clancy’s defense team to question a juror who did not agree on the verdict in her murder trial. The trial, where Clancy was charged with killing her three children, ended in a mistrial because the jury could not reach a unanimous decision.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy faced charges for the deaths of her three children.
The jury could not agree on a verdict, leading to a mistrial last month.
Defense lawyers wanted to question the holdout juror who prevented a unanimous verdict.
Judge William Sullivan refused to allow questioning of the juror at the next hearing.
Clancy is scheduled to return to court on November 2 for the next hearing.
The decision to deny questioning keeps the reasons for the holdout juror’s stance private.
The case remains unresolved due to the mistrial and will continue with new legal steps.
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The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to allow construction of the border wall near the Big Bend area in Texas to continue. They argue that a lower court’s block on building the wall is without good reason and stops the government from securing part of the southern border.
Key Facts
The request was made by the Trump administration on Wednesday.
The border wall construction is planned near Big Bend, Texas.
A lower court judge blocked the construction of the wall.
Solicitor General D. John Sauer called this block “baseless.”
The administration says the block interferes with securing about 25% of the southern border.
The Supreme Court’s decision will determine if construction can resume.
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President Donald Trump held a rally with Senator Lindsey Graham in South Carolina. Trump supports Graham’s campaign as he tries to win re-election against Democrat Annie Andrews.
Key Facts
President Trump and Senator Lindsey Graham appeared together at a rally in South Carolina.
Senator Lindsey Graham is a Republican running for re-election.
President Trump personally supports Graham’s campaign.
Graham is favored to win the upcoming election.
Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, is running against Graham.
The race is more competitive than expected, according to the Cook Political Report, which changed the rating to a closer contest.
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Lawyers for former Olympian David Hearn have asked the Justice Department’s inspector general to review how a criminal case against Hearn was handled. The case involved accusations that Hearn damaged the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, but the charges have since been dropped.
Key Facts
David Hearn is a former Olympic canoeist.
He was once charged with vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
The criminal case against him was later dismissed.
Hearn’s lawyers sent a letter to the Justice Department’s inspector general, Don Berthiaume.
The letter requests a second look at the indictment and prosecution process.
The Justice Department’s inspector general is responsible for investigating misconduct within the department.
The article focuses on how this legal case was managed and the call for oversight.
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A Massachusetts woman, Jennifer Gonzalez, is accused of running a fake marriage scam for more than 10 years. She allegedly charged up to $40,000 to arrange sham marriages between immigrants and U.S. citizens to help the immigrants get green cards. Several people linked to her were charged with marriage fraud and related crimes.
Key Facts
Jennifer Gonzalez is charged with running a marriage fraud scheme in Massachusetts.
The scheme operated for about 12 years, arranging 18 to 20 fake marriages per year.
Gonzalez charged clients between $38,000 and $40,000 for each sham marriage.
Other people involved were paid to participate or help run the operation.
Prosecutors say the group helped immigrants get hundreds of green cards illegally.
Gonzalez encouraged actions to make the marriages seem real, like setting up joint bank accounts and life insurance.
The operation continued even as immigration enforcement became stricter under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Massachusetts was described by Gonzalez as a "sanctuary" state, which she said made it easier to operate there.
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Russia is sending its first tanker with diesel fuel to the United States as part of a deal to help lower high fuel prices before the November midterm elections. However, experts say this shipment is small compared to US fuel needs and likely won’t reduce prices much in time for the elections.
Key Facts
Russia will send its first diesel tanker to an undisclosed US port starting Thursday.
The shipment is part of a larger plan to increase Russian fuel exports to the US.
Russia faces its own fuel shortages caused by attacks on its refineries.
President Donald Trump canceled new sanctions that could have targeted Russian oil imports.
US diesel prices are currently over $6 per gallon, much higher than last year’s $3.62 per gallon.
Experts say the Russian shipment equals about two hours of US diesel use and will not meaningfully lower prices.
The tanker might not arrive before the US midterm elections in early November.
The broader plan includes shipments of 300,000 tonnes initially, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November, and 1 million tonnes later.
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The Kansas Senate race is becoming more competitive as Senator Roger Marshall, a Republican, and Adam Hamilton, a Democrat, prepare for a debate. Voters have shared their thoughts on the upcoming race ahead of the Wednesday debate.
Key Facts
The race is for one of Kansas’s Senate seats.
Roger Marshall is the current Republican Senator running for re-election.
Adam Hamilton is the Democratic candidate challenging Marshall.
A debate between the two candidates is scheduled for Wednesday.
CBS News reporter Katrina Kaufman talked with voters about their opinions on the race.
The competition between the candidates is described as growing tighter.
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The U.S. Department of Justice asked the Supreme Court to allow construction of a border wall and related infrastructure in the Big Bend region of West Texas. This request aims to lift a court order that currently stops the Department of Homeland Security from building the barrier in that area.
Key Facts
The request asks to resume construction in a remote area that includes parts near Big Bend National Park.
A lower court temporarily blocked the construction due to legal challenges.
The government wants to build walls, patrol roads, detection technology, and vehicle barriers along the southern border.
The Big Bend Sector covers over 500 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border and 77 Texas counties.
The Justice Department says the area has high levels of illegal border crossings and drug smuggling.
Construction began recently on a 47-mile stretch in the Big Bend region.
Environmental and local groups filed a lawsuit to stop the project, citing concerns about wildlife, culture, and environmental damage.
Federal law allows the Department of Homeland Security to bypass some environmental rules for border barrier construction to prevent illegal entry.
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Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan’s Senate campaign first said she was not a member of Phi Beta Kappa because of membership fees. Later, they confirmed she was actually a member of the honor society.
Key Facts
Peggy Flanagan is the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota.
She is running for the U.S. Senate.
Phi Beta Kappa is a prestigious college honor society recognizing academic excellence.
Initially, Flanagan’s campaign said she wasn’t a member.
The campaign claimed she declined membership because of the cost.
The campaign later corrected this and confirmed she is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
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Ohio Senator Jon Husted criticized a campaign ad by gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy that features the mother of Ramaswamy’s opponent, Amy. Husted said he would not have used the ad in his campaign.
Key Facts
Ohio Senator Jon Husted is a Republican.
Vivek Ramaswamy is running for governor of Ohio as a Republican.
Ramaswamy released a campaign ad that includes the mother of his opponent, Amy.
The ad sparked some controversy.
Senator Husted told the Associated Press he would not have used this type of ad.
The ad was first shown online.
The opponent’s full name is not mentioned in the article excerpt.
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Vermont Governor Phil Scott and Democratic challenger Amanda Janoo will debate on Wednesday at 7 p.m. EDT. The debate is part of the campaign for the November election where Scott seeks reelection.
Key Facts
The debate will be moderated by Mikaela Lefrak, host of Vermont Edition.
Amanda Janoo, an economist, won the Democratic primary in August.
Governor Phil Scott has been in office since 2017.
If reelected and serving the full term, Scott will be Vermont's longest-serving governor since 1791.
The Cook Political Report recently changed the race rating from "Solid Republican" to "Likely Republican."
The debate is broadcast live by Vermont Public.
This election is a key effort by Vermont Democrats to replace Governor Scott.
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