Two-peninsula state in the Great Lakes region
The Iran war continues to drive global energy volatility. US forces maintain a naval blockade; oil prices have risen sharply, pressuring consumers as fuel costs stay elevated amid ongoing clashes and attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.
Lisa Cook’s lawyers have told the White House that a November 5 hearing cannot proceed because she will be performing Federal Reserve duties in Europe and preparing for the December FOMC meeting. Attorney Abbe Lowell has also warned that the White House committee is biased, citing members’ prior comments and unspecified additional allegations that must be disclosed before any fair hearing.
El-Sayed has sparked controversy by saying Israel is not an ally if it drags the US into unnecessary wars, during a debate in Grand Rapids. Rogers pressed him on Israel vs. Iran, and the exchange has intensified scrutiny from Jewish Democrats and donors. The candidate maintains he has condemned Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, while critics push back on his foreign policy stance.
Trump has publicly urged Sen. John Fetterman to switch parties, a move that could reshape Senate dynamics. Fetterman has rejected becoming a Republican, while observers note the potential impact on party control and midterm prospects.
Democrats have surged in unusual Senate and governor races in red states, leveraging outsider candidates to challenge incumbents. Texas, Kansas and South Carolina show tossups in closely watched races, while independents and unconventional figures reshape the field. The broader map hints at a potential expansion of the political playing field, though outcomes remain uncertain.
The CPI has risen to 3.7% over the past year, with a 0.6% monthly gain, driven by higher energy and fuel costs amid the Iran conflict. Core CPI has accelerated to 2.6%, complicating the Fed’s rate decisions as markets price in further hikes.
Argentine dollar-denominated bonds have underperformed; yields near 12% as selling intensifies. Climate-driven commodity price shifts are forcing economists to revisit inflation and deficits. Latin American bond managers call the debt “too cheap” to ignore as rallies in the region face headwinds.
Democrats have gained ground on voter confidence in elections as concerns about ballot integrity rise among Republicans. AP-NORC data shows Democrats retain higher trust while Republicans grow more confident than four years ago; fear of federal overreach and threats to voting processes shape the landscape ahead of Election Day.
Democrats have intensified ads tying Republican candidates to the president as affordability and Iran policy dominate voters’ concerns. Republicans are defending deep red districts, while Democrats see opportunities in rural areas previously considered safe for the GOP.
The Department of Energy has begun lending up to $4.4 billion to restart three decommissioned U.S. nuclear plants—Palisades, Three Mile Island, and Duane Arnold—to restore about 2.25 gigawatts of power. Big Tech contracts underpin some plants, aiming to deliver carbon-free electricity quickly; critics warn safety and aging infrastructure risk. The Trump administration is backing nuclear as a fast-track energy solution.
Indiana’s 22-game win streak ends in a 19-15 defeat at home to Ohio State after a late fourth-down pass is ruled out of bounds. QB Josh Hoover passes for 296 yards; Julian Sayin exits with an arm injury, and backup Luke Fahey finishes the game.
Vance says he is not endorsing Israeli elections, focusing on U.S. midterms; Trump endorses Netanyahu as Israel heads to the October 27 vote. The remarks come amid broader GOP debates over Israel policy and U.S. support in the region.
The Alaska Senate contest remains tight as Dan Sullivan faces Mary Peltola amid a high-stakes debate and ongoing questions about a LNG pipeline and campaign funding. A second Sullivan with the same name complicates the race in a state using ranked-choice voting, with polls showing Peltola potentially edging the incumbent in recent simulations.
The midterm elections have driven the political landscape as control of the House and Senate is in play. Democrats face a path to power or minority status depending on key races, with implications for policy and nominations. Early voting and advertising spending highlight intensity as November 3 approaches.
Barbara Bush has donated to James Talarico’s Texas Senate campaign while Neil Bush backs his nephew’s opponent, Ken Paxton. The endorsements reflect a rare fissure within a prominent Republican family ahead of the November midterms as polling shows a tight race in a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1988.
AIPAC has halted endorsements and earmarked direct PAC contributions, moving to boost individual donor contributions while continuing to run the United Democracy Project super PAC. The change follows rising unease with the lobby’s influence and declining Democratic support amid Israel-Gaza conflict coverage. UDP remains active, with significant spending in recent cycles.