Forecasters expect a chance of severe weather in some U.S. regions next week, including possible thunderstorms on Election Day. The weather could affect voter turnout in key races. Parts of the Northeast have had a stretch of dry, warm weather that may continue through the weekend, according to AccuWeather.
Key Facts
Severe weather is possible in some U.S. regions next week.
Thunderstorms may occur on Election Day.
The weather could affect voter turnout in key races.
Parts of the Northeast have recently had dry, warm weather.
The dry, warm conditions in parts of the Northeast could continue through the weekend.
AccuWeather reported on the Northeast forecast.
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The Pentagon fired General Brett Sylvia amid allegations that he leaked classified information to the press. The report provides no further details about the allegations or the circumstances of his dismissal.
Key Facts
Brett Sylvia is a top Pentagon general.
The Pentagon fired Sylvia.
The firing came amid allegations that Sylvia leaked classified information to the press.
CBS News correspondent Eleanor Watson reported on the case.
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Georgia recorded more than 2.29 million in-person early votes by Thursday, surpassing the 2,289,951 recorded by the same point in 2022, according to the secretary of state's office. The high turnout came as Donald Trump, Barack Obama and Kamala Harris campaigned in the state for candidates in the governor's and Senate races.
Key Facts
The secretary of state's office reported 2,294,275 in-person early votes by Thursday afternoon.
A later update to the state's election data hub showed 2,359,330 in-person early votes accepted by 4:35 p.m. ET.
The state had accepted 108,251 absentee ballots by 1:35 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Fulton County had the most accepted ballots, with 285,482; Cobb and DeKalb counties followed.
Barack Obama and Kamala Harris campaigned for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms and incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff.
Donald Trump rallied for Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson and U.S. Senate candidate Mike Collins.
Early voting continued Friday, and Election Day polling locations were scheduled to be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on November 3.
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Eric Hafner, a Democrat serving a 20-year federal prison sentence, advanced to Alaska’s 2026 U.S. House general-election ballot after receiving 6,175 votes in the primary. His candidacy has renewed scrutiny because he has never lived in Alaska and the state’s Republican Party previously went to court to keep him off the ballot.
Key Facts
Hafner pleaded guilty in 2022 to making threatening communications and conveying false information about explosive devices.
He received a 240-month prison sentence in December 2023, followed by three years of supervised release.
Hafner received 3.8 percent of the vote in Alaska’s 2026 U.S. House primary, up from 467 votes in 2024.
Democrat Matt Schultz received more primary votes, but he had withdrawn from the general election before the primary and did not advance.
Hafner is the only candidate listed as a registered Democrat in Alaska’s 2026 U.S. House general election.
The other listed candidates are Republican Nick Begich, nonpartisan Bill Hill and Libertarian James C. “Jim” McDermott.
Hafner’s candidate information listed a South Dakota mailing address and a New York telephone number, raising questions about the constitutional requirement that a House member live in the state they represent.
The article links renewed attention to Hafner with a separate dispute over Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., who shares a name with Alaska’s Republican senator.
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CBS News elections director Anthony Salvanto and VoteHub data science head Zachary Donnini discuss early voting numbers ahead of the midterm elections. The supplied article text does not include their findings or specific voting figures.
Key Facts
Anthony Salvanto is CBS News’ executive director of elections and surveys.
Zachary Donnini leads data science at VoteHub.
The discussion focuses on early voting numbers with the midterms days away.
The article text provides no specific early-voting totals or trends.
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A joke by French footballer Kylian Mbappé about an online meme depicting him as Mao Zedong triggered backlash on Chinese social media. Mbappé, Real Madrid and La Liga apologized, while Chinese state media suspended La Liga broadcasts; many Chinese users still struggled to find out what he had said because online references were censored or obscured.
Key Facts
The meme superimposed Mbappé’s face on an image resembling Mao Zedong.
Mbappé did not name Mao in the interview, and later called his comment ill-judged and said he was sincerely sorry.
Real Madrid and La Liga also issued apologies.
China Media Group, the parent of state broadcaster CCTV, suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said words and actions that hurt the feelings of Chinese people would face opposition.
Chinese social media users shared blurred clips and used indirect references to Mao, while some said AI chatbots could not explain the controversy.
China Media Group had not said whether La Liga broadcasts would resume at the time of the article.
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A 2026 survey of 2,221 Victorian lawyers found that 55% used AI in their work, up from 37% the year before. Only 26% said AI had lowered client fees, while many reported spending extra time correcting inaccurate information and documents brought in by clients.
Key Facts
The Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner’s research centre conducted the 2026 survey.
AI use was highest in trade practices, at 85%, and lowest in criminal law, at 29%.
Among respondents who used AI, 79% reported using consumer chatbots; 22% used legal-specific tools.
Lawyers were more likely to report lower fees for business clients than for individual clients: 34% versus 23%.
Eighteen percent said AI let them take on work that had previously been uneconomical.
Forty-six percent of lawyers said clients arrived with inaccurate or misleading information, and 41% said clients brought AI-generated documents that needed correction.
Nearly half of lawyers said clients’ AI use increased the time and effort required; 19% said it reduced that work.
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A federal judge rejected the Trump administration’s request to stop California from processing ballots cast by as many as 20,000 people it suspects are noncitizens. The judge said separating the ballots could disrupt the ongoing election and violate voting-rights protections; the Justice Department said it would appeal.
Key Facts
U.S. District Judge David O. Carter issued the ruling on Wednesday.
The administration asked California to hold ballots until voters’ immigration status could be verified.
More than 3.7 million people had already voted in California, and the state had processed over 500,000 ballots by that week.
California mails ballots to all 23 million registered voters.
Carter said separating ballots could require new county procedures and risk disenfranchising voters.
Carter said the request could violate the National Voting Rights Act, which bars changes to voter rolls within 90 days of an election.
The Justice Department said it would immediately appeal the ruling.
The administration filed a similar request in Washington state involving hundreds of ballots.
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The Department of Justice has issued subpoenas in Alaska’s Senate race amid a controversy involving people with the same name, days before the midterm elections. The report’s introduction does not specify who received the subpoenas or what the investigation concerns.
Key Facts
The Department of Justice issued subpoenas connected to the Alaska Senate race.
The subpoenas come amid a shared-name controversy.
The investigation is taking place days before the midterm elections.
The report’s introduction does not identify the subpoena recipients.
The report’s introduction does not describe the subject of the investigation.
The CBS News segment is reported by Taurean Small and Nana-Sentuo Bonsu.
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The Associated Press is preparing to call winners in thousands of races during the 2026 U.S. midterm elections. For the first time in a major general election, AP is also partnering with broadcast news networks on a Voter Poll, which will examine voter demographics and motivations in every state with a statewide election.
Key Facts
AP has tracked voting in U.S. elections for 178 years.
AP plans to call winners in thousands of 2026 midterm races.
AP gathers ballot returns to determine election winners.
AP is partnering with broadcast news networks on its Voter Poll.
The Voter Poll is a new version of AP's questionnaire about voters.
The poll will examine voter demographics and motivations.
The poll will report results in every state holding a statewide election.
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Linda Mason, a CBS News journalist and producer for 47 years, died at age 84, the network said. She became the first female producer of the “CBS Evening News” and held several senior roles at CBS News.
Key Facts
Mason died Wednesday night surrounded by family, according to CBS News.
She joined CBS News in 1966 as a radio desk assistant.
She worked with anchors Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather on the “CBS Evening News.”
Her CBS roles included executive producer of “CBS Sunday Morning,” vice president of public affairs and head of the network’s standards department.
She covered major international stories for “CBS Sunday Morning,” including Ronald Reagan’s first trip to the Soviet Union and the unrest in China before the Tiananmen Square uprising.
Mason oversaw and executive-produced the documentary series “CBS Reports” and worked on “Eye to Eye” and two “60 Minutes” anniversary specials.
She won 13 Emmy Awards, three Peabody Awards and several other journalism honors.
Mason earned degrees from Brown University and Syracuse University.
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Alaska’s governor ordered an investigation into Democrat Mary Peltola’s Senate campaign after reports alleged it recruited a spoiler candidate to dilute Republican votes. President Donald Trump called for Peltola’s prosecution during a visit to another strongly Republican state, where a candidate he endorsed is facing challenges.
Key Facts
Alaska’s governor ordered an investigation into Mary Peltola’s Senate campaign.
The investigation follows reports alleging the campaign recruited a spoiler candidate.
The alleged goal was to dilute Republican votes.
Peltola is a Democrat running for the Senate in Alaska.
President Donald Trump repeated calls for Peltola’s prosecution.
Trump made the calls during a trip to another strongly Republican state.
A candidate Trump endorsed in that state is facing headwinds.
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The article recalls Sir Patrick Stewart’s BBC appearances across a career that spanned decades, from CBeebies to The Graham Norton Show. The actor, known for Star Trek, X-Men and his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, died aged 86 at his Los Angeles home on 28 October, according to a statement shared on his social media.
Key Facts
Stewart’s BBC appearances included CBeebies and The Graham Norton Show.
He was known for roles in Star Trek and X-Men.
He was celebrated for his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Stewart died aged 86 on 28 October.
He died at his home in Los Angeles.
A statement shared on his social media said he had Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
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A local ceasefire in Russian-held Oleshky, Ukraine, held for a third day, with humanitarian aid expected to enter soon. The Pentagon reportedly accused a recently fired Army general of misconduct amid allegations that he leaked classified information to the media. Actor Patrick Stewart has died, the article reports.
Key Facts
The local ceasefire in Oleshky held for a third day.
Humanitarian aid was expected to enter Oleshky soon.
Russian forces hold the Ukrainian city of Oleshky.
The Pentagon reportedly accused a recently fired Army general of misconduct.
The general faced allegations of leaking classified information to the media.
The article reports that actor Patrick Stewart has died.
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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is seeking to revive the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory panel. The Department of Health and Human Services has begun recruiting new advisers for the panel, which has been dormant since last year.
Key Facts
HHS has begun recruiting new vaccine advisers.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the health secretary.
The panel is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The panel has been dormant since last year.
A federal judge blocked an earlier effort by Kennedy related to the panel.
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The Justice Department issued grand jury subpoenas to California officials as it investigates claims that as many as 20,000 noncitizens may be registered to vote. The subpoenas followed a federal judge’s rejection of the Trump administration’s request to separate ballots linked to those people, while the department said criminal prosecution is an appropriate response to unlawful voting.
Key Facts
The subpoenas were sent between Oct. 21 and Oct. 24, according to sources and documents reviewed by CBS News.
Three subpoenas went to officials in the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office.
The subpoenas seek records about county communications with federal officials and methods for screening for unlawful voting by noncitizens.
U.S. District Judge David Carter rejected the administration’s request to require California election officials to separate mail ballots associated with roughly 20,000 people the government says are not citizens.
Carter said the requested action would violate constitutional principles that give states authority to administer elections.
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan said election officials are following the law and objected to threats and intimidation.
A Justice Department spokesperson said the department does not comment on leaked subpoenas and said criminal prosecution is an appropriate response to unlawful voting.
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Democrats are favored to win the House in November, but the size of any majority may depend on a few close races. Four competitive contests in Pennsylvania could turn on whether voters blame President Trump and Republicans for high prices, as Democrats point to Trump’s low approval ratings and public frustration over costs.
Key Facts
Democrats are favored to take the House in November.
The number of seats Democrats win may depend on a handful of competitive races.
Four of those races are in Pennsylvania.
Trump and Republicans made significant gains in Pennsylvania in 2024.
Democrats are betting that Trump’s low approval ratings could shift the political landscape.
Democrats are also counting on voter frustration over high prices.
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DoorDash has offered $17 billion to buy Instacart, a deal that would combine DoorDash’s delivery network with Instacart’s grocery technology and retailer relationships. The companies say the deal could expand store access and simplify memberships, but it requires shareholder and regulatory approval and could reduce competition.
Key Facts
DoorDash offered $17 billion to acquire Instacart.
The companies expect the deal to close by the end of 2027 or in early 2028 if shareholders and government regulators approve it.
DoorDash says Instacart would keep its name and app, and its roughly 600,000 independent shoppers could continue fulfilling orders.
DoorDash says customers with separate DashPass and Instacart+ memberships could pay one fee, and Instacart customers could gain access to 50,000 additional stores on DoorDash’s platform.
DoorDash completed more than 3 billion orders last year across 40 countries; Instacart fulfilled 338 million orders.
The deal could give grocers fewer delivery partners and reduce competition, which may affect consumer prices.
DoorDash has expanded its grocery business through partnerships with Kroger and Costco.
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Republican candidate John Nagel urged Representative Ilhan Omar to release her immigration records and take a DNA test to address a federal investigation into possible fraud in her family’s immigration paperwork. Omar has not been charged, and her office did not respond to Newsweek’s requests for comment. Polling and race ratings cited by the article favor Omar in Minnesota’s 5th District.
Key Facts
Nagel is a former Minnesota State Patrol trooper and the Republican candidate challenging Omar in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District.
Nagel said Omar should release her immigration files and take a DNA test to show she can continue serving.
Federal authorities are investigating possible fraud involving Omar’s family immigration paperwork.
The article says Omar has not been charged or convicted of a crime.
Omar’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Newsweek.
Kalshi data cited in the article gave Omar a 96 percent chance of winning as of Thursday.
Omar won more than 74 percent of the vote in the district in 2024, and the Cook Political Report rated the race solid Democrat.
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Lisa Desjardins examines the contest for control of the U.S. House of Representatives. The report comes as candidates make a final push to win voters before Election Day.
Key Facts
The report focuses on the battle for control of the House of Representatives.
Lisa Desjardins presents the report.
Candidates are making a final push ahead of Election Day.
Candidates are trying to win over voters.
The article describes the contest as a battle for control of the House.
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