A recent poll shows that 73% of likely voters disapprove of President Donald Trump's handling of gas prices, with his overall approval rating at a low point during his second term. The poll, conducted shortly before the November midterm elections, also found widespread voter disapproval on the economy, cost of living, tariffs, and the war in Iran.
Key Facts
73% of likely voters disapprove of President Trump's handling of gas prices.
59% of likely voters disapprove of his overall job performance, while 36% approve.
Disapproval of Trump on gas prices is high among independents (77%) and even some Republicans (42%).
Younger voters under 30 show 91% disapproval of his gas price policies.
64% disapprove of his handling of the economy, up from 53% the previous month.
75% of voters rate the national economic conditions as fair or poor.
65% disapprove of his handling of the war in Iran.
Voters trust Democrats more than Republicans on issues like healthcare, cost of living, gas prices, and foreign wars.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
In September, inflation in the United States rose to 3.7 percent compared to the previous year, causing prices for gas, groceries, and electricity to increase. This rise in prices comes just before the midterm elections, where Democrats are focusing on affordability issues to try to regain control of Congress from the Republicans.
Key Facts
Inflation was 3.7 percent in September compared to the same month last year.
Prices for energy, including gas and electricity, increased last month.
The cost of groceries also went up in September.
Inflation affects how much Americans pay for everyday items.
Democrats are using rising prices as a key issue in their midterm election campaigns.
The midterm elections will decide control of Congress between Democrats and Republicans.
The government measures inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Childcare costs in the U.S. are rising faster than rent and medical care, putting more financial strain on families. Many families now spend over $2,000 monthly on childcare, which is considered unaffordable under federal guidelines.
Key Facts
Nearly 8% of U.S. families pay more than $2,000 per month for childcare.
Childcare expenses increased faster than rent and healthcare from last year to September.
On average, families spend 8% of their monthly income on childcare, above the affordable level of 7%.
A family spending $24,000 yearly on childcare would need an income of about $343,000 to keep costs affordable.
Lower- and middle-income families spend nearly 9% of their income on childcare, while higher-income families spend about 7.3%.
Wage growth is slowing, making the rising childcare costs harder for families to afford.
Childcare costs are rising fastest in Nashville, Jacksonville, and Phoenix, partly due to more people moving there and fewer childcare workers.
Shortages of childcare workers led to a 0.7% drop in childcare employment in one year, raising prices and reducing availability.
Women are more affected since they are more likely to provide childcare and face limits on work opportunities if childcare is unaffordable.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Joe Manchin criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for focusing on Senator Susan Collins in the Maine Senate race. Manchin said Schumer was making a mistake by opposing Collins strongly, both in 2020 and now.
Key Facts
Joe Manchin is a Senator from West Virginia.
Chuck Schumer is the Senate Minority Leader and a Senator from New York.
Susan Collins is a Senator from Maine.
Manchin said Schumer was "crazy" to target Collins in both 2020 and the current election.
The conflict centers on how Democrats are approaching the Maine Senate race.
Manchin disagrees with Schumer’s strategy against Collins.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan criticized the legal theory of originalism, used by conservative justices, calling it “misconceived” and not fitting well with how the Constitution was meant to work over time. She said recent court decisions harm democracy and expressed these views while speaking to law students.
Key Facts
Justice Elena Kagan criticized originalism, a theory that interprets the Constitution based on its original meaning at the time it was written.
Originalism is popular with conservative Supreme Court justices, with varying approaches among them.
Kagan said the Constitution’s writers expected the document would change with time, implying originalism is too rigid.
She expressed concern that recent Supreme Court rulings harm the political system and weaken democracy.
Public trust in the Supreme Court is low, with only 34% of Americans approving of it in a recent poll.
Originalism holds that constitutional meaning should only change through formal amendments, not court decisions.
Conservative justices like Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito strongly support originalism, though with some differences in interpretation.
The current Supreme Court term started in 2026 and includes important cases that may involve constitutional interpretation.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A group of nearly 24 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including seven Republicans and 16 Democrats, wrote a letter to President Donald Trump. They asked him to request Elon Musk to allow Ukraine to use Starlink satellite internet systems inside Russia to locate and target missile launchers.
Key Facts
Almost 24 House members signed the letter, with both Republicans and Democrats included.
The letter requests President Trump to intervene with Elon Musk, who owns Starlink.
Starlink is a satellite internet system that can provide communication in remote areas.
The purpose is to help Ukraine target Russian missile launchers more effectively.
This action would involve giving Ukraine access to Starlink systems inside Russia.
The letter was sent to President Trump and was reported by The Hill.
The letter shows growing support from some Republicans for stronger U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump visited South Carolina to support Senator Darline Graham, who was appointed to the Senate seat once held by her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham. Recently, President Trump paused a new law imposing sanctions on Russia that Senator Lindsey Graham helped create before his death.
Key Facts
Senator Lindsey Graham passed away in July after working on a law to increase sanctions on Russia.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act was passed by Congress and signed by President Trump in September.
The law allows tariffs on the biggest buyers of Russian oil and targets Russian officials and banks with sanctions.
President Trump issued an executive order delaying parts of this sanctions law due to national security concerns.
Senator Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham's sister, was appointed to his Senate seat and helped with passing the sanctions law.
Darline Graham said she prefers to keep pressure on Russia but supports President Trump’s decision to decide how to use the law.
Some Republican senators criticized President Trump’s decision to delay the sanctions.
Congress is on recess until after the upcoming Election Day, limiting immediate responses to the waiver.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump has used recent protests in France to claim, without evidence, that immigration causes violence and unrest. French President Emmanuel Macron and others have rejected these claims, saying the protests started over social and economic issues and were not linked to immigration.
Key Facts
President Trump showed footage of protests in France at a rally and claimed the US could become “like France” if Democrats win elections.
Trump and some Republicans blame migrants for violence in the protests, calling them "migrants, jihadists, and communists."
There is no proof connecting immigration to the protests or violence in France.
France does not track the racial or ethnic background of arrested protesters, making demographic claims unsupported.
The protests began as student demonstrations for more teachers and better schools and expanded to express concern over cost of living and fuel prices.
President Macron criticized foreign leaders for spreading false claims about migrants and violence in France.
President Trump’s approval rating reportedly hit a record low of 31% ahead of the US midterm elections.
The unrest in France is being used by President Trump to energize his political base before the elections.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
New Mexico's attorney general has sued Jeffrey Epstein's attorney Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn. The lawsuit claims they helped hide Epstein’s sex trafficking activities at his large ranch in Santa Fe and asks the court to stop them from receiving money from Epstein’s estate.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez.
It targets Jeffrey Epstein’s lawyer Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn.
They are accused of covering up Epstein’s sex trafficking at his Zorro Ranch near Santa Fe.
Epstein’s estate is worth more than $100 million.
The lawsuit asks that Indyke and Kahn be stopped from getting paid from this estate.
Indyke worked as Epstein’s attorney for about 20 years.
Both Indyke and Kahn told Congress they didn’t know about Epstein’s abuse.
The New Mexico Attorney General disagrees with their statements and is pursuing legal action.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump will visit Ohio on October 28 to hold a rally supporting Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections. This will be his third visit to the state this month.
Key Facts
President Trump will campaign in Ohio next week.
The event will take place in Chillicothe, about 45 miles south of Columbus.
The rally is scheduled for October 28.
This visit is part of efforts to support Republican candidates in the midterm elections.
It is President Trump’s third trip to Ohio in October.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Elon Musk’s Super PAC, America PAC, has spent over $500,000 supporting Republican Mike Lawler in New York’s 17th congressional district race. Lawler is trying to keep his seat against Democrat Cait Conley in a close race that could affect which party controls Congress.
Key Facts
Elon Musk’s Super PAC is called America PAC.
America PAC has spent more than $500,000 backing Republican Mike Lawler in New York.
Mike Lawler is a moderate Republican running against Democrat Cait Conley.
The 17th district race is very competitive and important for control of Congress.
Most of the Super PAC’s spending supports voter outreach like texting, printing, and digital ads.
Elon Musk is one of the biggest donors to Republicans this election cycle, giving over $276 million to Republican groups and America PAC since July.
Cait Conley criticizes Lawler for protecting Musk instead of regulating artificial intelligence (AI).
Lawler’s campaign says they do not control how the Super PAC spends money, as campaign coordination with Super PACs is not allowed by law.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign confirmed it made a political ad featuring the estranged mother of Amy Acton, his Democratic opponent in the Ohio governor race. The campaign plans to spend $4 million to promote the ad, despite criticism from both parties.
Key Facts
Ramaswamy is a Republican candidate running for governor of Ohio.
The ad includes Amy Acton’s estranged mother and focuses on Acton’s childhood.
The ad has caused controversy and criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.
Ramaswamy’s campaign will spend $4 million to promote the ad.
Over 676,000 Ohio voters have already cast ballots early in the election.
Ramaswamy is a biotech billionaire and previously ran for president but has never held public office.
The election is one of the most watched and expensive state races in the country.
The ad’s personal nature may impact how voters view Ramaswamy in the final weeks of the campaign.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Michigan voters will decide in the November midterms on Proposal 2, a measure that would limit campaign donations from certain utility companies and government contractors to political candidates and officials who influence them. The proposal also aims to increase transparency about who pays for political messages, including online communications.
Key Facts
Proposal 2 seeks to ban direct and indirect campaign donations from electric and gas utilities and government contractors with more than $250,000 in annual contracts.
The ban would apply to candidates and officeholders who affect these utilities or contractors.
The proposal requires disclosure of donor information for political communications that mention candidates or ballot questions, even if they don’t ask for a vote.
It would extend disclosure laws to internet political ads.
Over 500,000 Michigan residents signed a petition to get Proposal 2 on the ballot.
Supporters say the proposal fights corporate influence in politics and addresses the affordability crisis.
Opponents argue that it infringes on free speech and that outside donors fund the campaign for the proposal.
Political action committees linked to Michigan’s largest utilities spent less money in the current election cycle compared to past midterms.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Rep. Ralph Norman from South Carolina said he will vote for Senator Darline Graham in the upcoming November 3 election. However, he added that his family members will not vote for her. Norman also said he plans to support Republican candidates in the state.
Key Facts
Ralph Norman is a Republican representative from South Carolina.
He promised to vote for Senator Darline Graham in the November 3 election.
Norman said his family will not vote for Graham.
Graham is Norman’s opponent in the GOP primary.
Norman confirmed he will back other Republican candidates in South Carolina.
This statement was made during a radio interview on “The Nashional Briefing with Kelly Nash.”
The election date mentioned is November 3.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Iowa governor race is the most expensive in the state’s history, with Democrat Rob Sand and Republican Zach Lahn raising a total of $81 million. National political groups have also given millions to both candidates, as the election on November 3 will decide control of the governor’s office and impact other political races in Iowa.
Key Facts
Rob Sand (Democrat) raised about $54 million, while Zach Lahn (Republican) raised about $27 million.
In the recent period from July 15 to October 14, Lahn raised $16.9 million, Sand raised $16.3 million.
The previous most expensive Iowa governor race raised $36 million in 2018.
National groups gave $11.8 million to Lahn from the Republican Governors Association’s PAC and $5.5 million to Sand from the Democratic Governors Association (DGA).
Sand’s family contributed over $5.9 million to his campaign in 2024.
Lahn loaned $2.5 million to his own campaign and had smaller contributions from family members.
The election on November 3 is seen as a key race for Iowa politics and could influence control of the state Senate and House.
The DGA supports Sand to challenge 10 years of Republican rule, while Republicans aim to keep control.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A man named Michael Glover was given a suspended jail sentence after threatening and harassing Henry Tufnell, a Labour MP in Wales, because he is English. Glover left a threatening note at the MP’s office, carried an axe to a local pub, and claimed to have been near the MP’s home, causing safety concerns for Tufnell and his family.
Key Facts
Michael Glover, 59, left a note at MP Henry Tufnell’s office, claiming he knew where the MP lived and left "presents" near his home.
Glover carried an axe to a pub the day after leaving the note, frightening locals.
Glover has complex mental health issues and was frustrated by delays in getting a blue badge for disability parking.
The MP said the incident made him worry about his family’s safety and caused him stress when working away from home.
Glover pleaded guilty to the offenses and has been given a suspended six-month prison sentence and a five-year restraining order.
The judge said Glover did not intend to hurt anyone but that threatening public figures is unacceptable.
Glover had been in custody for breaching probation before this case and appeared in court via video link.
The court ordered Glover to pay a victim surcharge of £154.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
New Mexico’s attorney general is suing Jeffrey Epstein’s lawyer Darren Indyke and an accountant. The lawsuit says they helped Epstein's illegal sex trafficking and hid evidence of abuse at a New Mexico ranch.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was announced by the New Mexico attorney general’s office.
Darren Indyke was Jeffrey Epstein’s personal attorney.
An accountant working for Epstein is also named in the lawsuit.
The complaint accuses them of helping Epstein with sex trafficking activities.
The abuse involved young women and girls at a remote ranch in New Mexico.
The lawsuit says they helped cover up Epstein’s crimes.
Jeffrey Epstein was convicted of serious sex crimes in the past.
The case focuses on their role in facilitating and hiding the illegal activity.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Vice President JD Vance expressed strong disapproval of some Republicans who complained about an attack ad by Vivek Ramaswamy in the Ohio governor's race. The ad features Amy Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, accusing Acton of lying, and mentions past family abuse.
Key Facts
Vice President JD Vance called Republican complaints about the ad "whining."
The ad is run by Vivek Ramaswamy, a candidate in the Ohio governor’s race.
Donna Arthur, Amy Acton's estranged mother, appears in the ad.
Donna Arthur accuses Amy Acton of being untruthful in the ad.
The ad references abuse Amy Acton suffered in childhood involving her stepfather.
The controversy has caused division within the Republican party in Ohio.
The Ohio governor’s race is a competitive political contest with negative campaigning.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Ohio candidate Vivek Ramaswamy released an attack ad featuring the estranged mother of his opponent, Amy Acton, accusing Acton of lying about her past. The ad has drawn criticism from Republicans and Democrats, including those who previously supported Ramaswamy, and sparked a debate about the use of personal and sensitive family issues in political campaigns.
Key Facts
The ad shows Amy Acton’s mother calling her a liar and denying claims about her difficult childhood.
Amy Acton has publicly shared that she faced sexual abuse and homelessness as a child.
Acton’s brother confirmed some elements of their difficult past, including time living in a tent and their mother losing custody after abuse allegations.
Ramaswamy’s campaign said they would spend $4 million airing this ad in the final days before the election.
Many Republicans criticized the ad, including Meghan McCain and Nikki Haley.
The Acton campaign called the ad a low political attack and said it exploited Amy’s history of abuse.
The Columbus Dispatch editorial board endorsed Acton and condemned the ad as inappropriate.
The controversy has become a significant issue ahead of the November 3 Ohio governor’s race.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A federal judge ruled against President Trump’s claim that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can dismiss lawsuits about pollution from data centers. The case involves a lawsuit by the NAACP against Elon Musk’s SpaceXAI for operating gas turbines without permits, which could harm nearby mostly Black communities.
Key Facts
The NAACP sued SpaceXAI over unpermitted gas turbines at a data center in Memphis, Tennessee.
The lawsuit seeks to force SpaceXAI to use the best pollution control technology and impose fines of up to $124,426 per day for violations.
President Trump argued that the EPA has the power to dismiss any Clean Air Act lawsuit whenever it wants.
A federal judge rejected this claim, saying the Clean Air Act does not allow the EPA to unilaterally dismiss citizen lawsuits.
The NAACP said the Clean Air Act protects citizens’ rights to sue to stop pollution when the government doesn’t act.
Environmental groups, including Earthjustice, support the lawsuit and oppose President Trump’s attempt to block it.
The ruling is seen as important because use of unpermitted gas turbines is common in the AI data center industry.
The judge said President Trump’s legal argument has no basis in federal law and would give excessive power to block pollution lawsuits.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
