Some supporters of President Trump are moving away from Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate for New York City's mayoral race, and instead backing Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent. A recent poll shows that Cuomo is gaining support from some Trump voters, although the Democratic candidate, Zohran Mamdani, currently leads the race overall.
Key Facts
Curtis Sliwa is the Republican candidate for New York City's mayoral race.
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo is running as an independent in the same race.
A new poll indicates 32% of Trump voters now support Cuomo, while 66% still back Sliwa.
Mamdani leads with 50% support among all New York City voters in the poll.
The poll included 640 likely voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8%.
Most Democrats, including 70% who supported Kamala Harris last election, plan to vote for Mamdani.
Sliwa and Cuomo are competing for Republican and centrist votes.
A spokesperson for Cuomo described Sliwa as a "spoiler" for the Republican vote.
Jackie Goldschneider and Ramona Singer, known from the "Real Housewives" TV shows, criticized Zohran Mamdani ahead of the New York City mayoral election. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, could become the city's youngest and first Muslim mayor. Critics have raised concerns about his policies and lack of experience.
Key Facts
Zohran Mamdani is the Democratic candidate for New York City's mayoral election.
If elected, Mamdani would be the youngest and first Muslim mayor of New York City.
Mamdani describes himself as a democratic socialist and proposes freezing apartment rent and offering free bus service.
Some critics, including entertainment figures and former politicians, oppose his ideas and say they could harm the city.
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo is also running against Mamdani in the election.
Mamdani leads his opponents by 10 to 25 percentage points in recent polls.
An Ohio Dollar General boarded up its windows due to worries about potential looting linked to delays in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. SNAP payments might be disrupted due to a government shutdown, affecting millions of Americans who rely on these funds for food. The store removed the boards later, while efforts are underway in Congress to secure continuous SNAP funding.
Key Facts
Dollar General in Columbus, Ohio boarded up windows to prevent potential looting.
SNAP payments may be delayed because of a government shutdown.
Over 42 million Americans depend on SNAP benefits for food assistance.
Approximately 180,000 Ohio residents may temporarily lose SNAP benefits.
The store had boarded up but later removed the boards and remains open.
Legislation called the Keep SNAP Funded 5 Act of 2025 aims to ensure SNAP benefits during the shutdown.
EBT cards will continue to work in November, but no new funds will be added.
Local food pantries are a resource for SNAP recipients facing gaps in benefits.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are hosting a Halloween event at the White House. Many Americans, especially parents with young children, plan to celebrate Halloween by trick-or-treating, wearing costumes, and decorating. A new poll shows that a majority of U.S. adults will celebrate Halloween in some form this year.
Key Facts
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are hosting a Halloween event at the White House.
A poll indicates two-thirds of U.S. adults will celebrate Halloween in some manner.
About 80% of parents with children under 18 plan to participate in Halloween activities.
Only 5% of U.S. adults plan to give healthy snacks instead of candy to children during Halloween.
Around 9% of U.S. adults intend to dress up their pets in costumes.
Approximately 31% of U.S. adults say they will watch a scary movie during Halloween.
About 30% of adults plan to display Halloween decorations, and 25% will carve pumpkins.
An Ohio group, Citizens for Property Tax Reform, is working to end property taxes in the state. They have collected over 100,000 signatures, aiming for 415,000 signatures to place the issue on the ballot next year. This effort comes as lawmakers pass bills offering property tax relief, but the group believes these measures are insufficient.
Key Facts
Citizens for Property Tax Reform wants to abolish property taxes in Ohio.
The group has collected over 100,000 signatures and aims for at least 415,000 to get the issue on the ballot.
Ohio has the eighth highest property tax burden in the U.S.
Existing property tax relief bills are seen by the group as inadequate.
Two new bills were passed in Ohio to help reduce property taxes, offering credits and capping tax increases.
The movement is volunteer-driven, with no major financial backers.
If successful, Ohio would be the first state to eliminate property taxes entirely.
Most Ohioans reportedly support removing property taxes, according to polls.
The article discusses Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, and his major influence in President Trump's administration. Vought is described as playing a key role in changing how the federal government operates.
Key Facts
Russell Vought is the director of the Office of Management and Budget.
The New Yorker and ProPublica published an article describing Vought's influence.
Vought is portrayed as having significant power in President Trump's government.
He is referred to as a "shadow president" because of his large role.
The article suggests Vought is central to dismantling parts of the federal government.
Vought's actions and influence are the focus of the article.
A federal judge ruled that Bilal A. Essayli, appointed by President Donald Trump, was serving illegally as acting U.S. attorney in California. The decision highlighted that he, along with two other Trump appointees, exceeded their legal terms. The court allowed Essayli to remain in a different role but not as acting U.S. attorney.
Key Facts
Bilal A. Essayli was appointed by President Donald Trump as acting U.S. attorney for the Central District of California.
A judge ruled that Essayli was serving illegally as acting U.S. attorney because he exceeded the 120-day term limit.
The law limits acting appointments in such roles to 120 days without Senate confirmation.
Essayli took on a new position as first assistant U.S. attorney but is not allowed to act as the acting U.S. attorney.
Similar rulings affected Sigal Chattah in Nevada and Alina Habba in New Jersey, who also served beyond legal term limits.
Federal judges replaced these appointees, but Attorney General Pam Bondi attempted reappointments.
Appellate courts are reviewing these decisions for further consideration.
The Justice Department updated a court document in the case of Taylor Taranto, a man convicted of weapons and threat-related offenses. This revised memo removed mentions of President Donald Trump and the January 6 Capitol riot. The revision happened after two prosecutors involved in the case were placed on administrative leave.
Key Facts
The DOJ revised a sentencing memo for Taylor Taranto, omitting references to President Trump and the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Taranto was arrested near Barack Obama's home and convicted of weapons and threat-related charges.
The updated filing still suggests a prison sentence of 27 months.
The revisions were made shortly after two prosecutors connected to the initial memo were placed on administrative leave.
The initial memo mentioned that Taranto reposted Obama's address from Trump's social media.
The Justice Department has not explained why the prosecutors were placed on administrative leave.
In both versions, the DOJ noted Taranto threatened federal facilities and carried firearms and ammunition.
The revised filing was done by senior DOJ officials, including the criminal division chief.
The U.S. Senate voted to cancel tariffs placed on Canada. The decision was part of ongoing trade issues involving President Trump while he is negotiating trade deals in Asia.
Key Facts
The Senate voted 50-46 to end tariffs on Canadian goods.
President Trump is in trade talks with Asian countries.
The tariffs were part of national emergencies declared by President Trump.
Democratic senators used these votes to highlight differences with Republican senators on trade policy.
President Trump has been involved in a trade dispute with Canada, a major U.S. trade partner.
The Trump administration introduced a new rule to exclude some nonprofits from a student loan forgiveness program if they are involved in illegal activities. This change affects public workers like teachers and doctors, who may lose access to federal loan forgiveness.
Key Facts
The rule targets nonprofits involved in what is considered illegal activity.
The Education Department can now prevent these groups from accessing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
The rule affects teachers, doctors, and other public workers.
The administration says this prevents misuse of taxpayer money.
Critics argue the rule might be used for political reasons.
Over 1 million people in the United States were warned about dense fog affecting travel across nine states. The National Weather Service issued advisories for low visibility, which could cause driving difficulties and increase the chance of accidents. Drivers are advised to be cautious until conditions improve.
Key Facts
Dense fog advisories affected over 1 million travelers across nine U.S. states.
The states include Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Idaho, and Washington.
Visibility could drop to as low as a quarter of a mile.
The National Weather Service warned that low visibility poses risks for drivers.
Key roads affected include I-35 and I-80 in Iowa and other major highways.
The fog might cause slick surfaces in freezing temperatures, leading to hazardous conditions.
Fog advisories are expected to last until mid-to-late morning when visibility is likely to improve.
Many American workers are not using their paid vacation days due to workplace pressures and anxieties about job security. A survey by FlexJobs found that 23% of workers did not take any vacation in the past year, and many fear falling behind or jeopardizing their job status. Experts connect this trend to high workloads, economic concerns, and cultural attitudes towards work.
Key Facts
23% of U.S. workers did not take any vacation days in the past year, according to a survey by FlexJobs.
40% of workers took only between one to 10 days off during the year.
Main reasons for not taking time off include heavy workloads, fear of falling behind, and pressure to show commitment.
Economic factors like job insecurity and mass layoffs contribute to this trend.
The survey included responses from 3,063 U.S. employees in August 2023.
Cultural beliefs about commitment to work influence some employees to avoid taking vacations.
Experts warn that not taking vacation could lead to negative health impacts.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency due to a lack of federal funds threatening the food assistance program SNAP for millions in the state. A federal judge is set to review a request to continue SNAP funding during a government shutdown, which affects many Americans relying on the program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to stop SNAP payments shortly because of the funding issue.
Key Facts
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency over SNAP funding issues.
The emergency was declared because federal funds for SNAP are running out.
SNAP is a program that provides food assistance to people in need.
About one in eight Americans benefit from SNAP, costing about $8 billion monthly.
A federal judge in Boston will consider forcing the continuation of SNAP funding during a government shutdown.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to stop SNAP payments soon due to lack of funds.
A Kansas senator proposed a new law requiring commercial drivers to pass an English language test before obtaining a license. This comes after incidents involving drivers who could not understand road signs resulted in fatal accidents. The senator argues that ensuring drivers can read signs and communicate effectively will improve road safety.
Key Facts
A video went viral showing a U.S. truck driver confronting a foreign driver on the wrong side of the road.
Two crashes involving drivers unable to read English road signs resulted in four deaths and six injuries.
The proposed Commercial Motor Vehicle English Proficiency Act would mandate English language tests for commercial driver’s licenses.
Some drivers have been able to obtain licenses without English proficiency due to state loopholes.
A fatal crash in Florida involved a driver who failed the current licensing test multiple times.
Under President Trump, enforcement around CDL standards and English requirements was strengthened.
The senator believes Congress should make these standards permanent to ensure road safety.
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna has urged Speaker Mike Johnson to allow a vote on a bill to fund the SNAP program during the ongoing government shutdown. The Keep SNAP Funded Act, introduced by Senator Josh Hawley, aims to ensure SNAP payments continue even without a new budget and has gained bipartisan support.
Key Facts
Congressman Ro Khanna is asking Speaker Mike Johnson to reopen the House to vote on the SNAP funding bill.
The bill, called the Keep SNAP Funded Act, was introduced by Senator Josh Hawley.
The bill aims to allow SNAP payments despite Congress not passing a new budget.
If the bill passes, it will cover missed payments from September 30, 2025, and continue until the 2026 budget is approved.
SNAP helps 42 million Americans, and funding issues may stop payments.
The government shutdown has lasted almost a month because Congress hasn't agreed on a funding bill.
The bill has bipartisan support, with 29 cosponsors from both parties.
A study by AttractionTickets.com ranked U.S. states by their enthusiasm for Halloween, finding West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio at the top. The analysis used online search data related to Halloween decor and events to create a "Halloween Spirit Score." The study also showed that Halloween spending in the U.S. is expected to reach $13.1 billion in 2025.
Key Facts
West Virginia ranked as the state with the most Halloween spirit.
Kentucky and Ohio closely followed West Virginia in Halloween enthusiasm.
AttractionTickets.com used online search data for various Halloween-related terms to rank states.
Hawaii, Alaska, and Vermont ranked lowest for Halloween spirit.
Americans are expected to spend $13.1 billion on Halloween-related items by 2025.
The average American is projected to spend $114.45 on costumes, candy, and decorations in 2025.
Costumes are the biggest Halloween expense, with spending expected to be around $4.3 billion.
73 percent of U.S. adults plan to celebrate Halloween in the current year.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported a man named Chanthila Souvannarath, despite a judge stating he had a "substantial" claim to U.S. citizenship. This action happened before ICE received a court order delaying his deportation. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) criticized the move, suggesting it violated the court's order, while the government claims it acted before the order was served.
Key Facts
Chanthila Souvannarath was born in Thailand and moved to the U.S. as a legal permanent resident when he was less than a year old.
His attorneys argue he qualifies for derivative citizenship through his father's naturalization.
ICE detained Souvannarath in Alabama in June due to his past criminal convictions and later deported him to Laos.
A U.S. District Court judge had issued a temporary order on October 23 to delay his deportation.
On October 26, Souvannarath contacted his wife from Laos, indicating he had been deported.
The ACLU claims ICE violated the court order, but federal officials state he was deported before they received the order.
The legal dispute raises questions about ICE's responsibility regarding court orders and jurisdiction.
A group of Republican lawmakers is opposing President Donald Trump's decision to increase low-tariff beef imports from Argentina, arguing it may harm U.S. ranchers. They are pressing the administration to ensure equal market access for U.S. beef before expanding imports. The move is intended to help reduce high U.S. beef prices.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to expand beef imports from Argentina, raising the quota to 80,000 metric tons.
Republicans warn this decision could harm U.S. ranchers dealing with high costs and limited supplies.
Fourteen House Republicans have written to urge for equivalent market access for U.S. beef.
The White House believes this will help ease high U.S. beef prices.
Critics fear it will flood the market with foreign meat, not significantly lowering consumer prices.
U.S. beef prices have risen due to reduced cattle herds and drought-related feed shortages.
The administration assures it supports both consumers and producers with new USDA initiatives.
Dr. Casey Means, President Donald Trump's pick for surgeon general, had her confirmation hearing delayed because she went into labor. The hearing was originally planned to take place over video but will be rescheduled for a later date.
Key Facts
Dr. Casey Means is President Trump's nominee for surgeon general.
Her Senate confirmation hearing was postponed because she went into labor.
The hearing was supposed to be held virtually.
Dr. Means is 38 years old and this is her first child.
She has a background as a physician from Stanford and is known as a wellness influencer.
Her focus is on ending chronic disease by addressing root causes.
Dr. Means' approach aligns with the health initiatives of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
