US News

Friday, October 30, 2026 · picked 11:03 AM ET

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Early voting surges ahead of midterm elections

Lead · PBS NewsHour · 2026-10-30

Early voting is continuing to significantly outpace the last midterm election, with millions more Americans casting ballots in advance of Election Day, which takes place in just four days. The surge is particularly pronounced in states hosting competitive Senate races, according to an Associated Press analysis of voting data. Hispanic voters have helped drive the early voting numbers, which appear to outpace overall turnout for previous elections in some battleground counties. The high early participation suggests strong voter engagement heading into what will be a consequential election cycle.

Early voting patterns help predict turnout and can signal which demographics are mobilizing, shaping the likely outcome of close races.

Trump reverses course, holding rallies in Kansas and Iowa

CBS News · 2026-10-30

President Trump reversed course on his decision to cancel campaign rallies, now scheduled to hold events in Kansas and Iowa this weekend. The rallies had been canceled on Thursday but the reversal came as candidates and Trump himself make closing arguments to voters with the November 2026 midterm elections just four days away. Trump's rally schedule is a significant fixture in the campaign's final stretch. The shift underscores the intensive campaign activity in the race's final days.

Trump's rallies energize his base and signal where Republicans are focusing resources in the final stretch before voters decide control of Congress.

Tech stocks tumble on weak earnings, AI trade concerns

CBS News · 2026-10-30

Tech stocks suffered significant losses as the Nasdaq tumbled more than 600 points following disappointing earnings reports from major technology companies including Alphabet, Amazon and Intel. The poor performance has sparked investor concerns that enthusiasm for artificial intelligence investments may be cooling. The selloff represents one of the tech sector's weakest days in recent months. Investors are now questioning whether AI-focused valuations have gotten too far ahead of actual business results.

Tech stocks represent a major portion of many Americans' retirement accounts and index funds, so broad market weakness affects household wealth.

North Korea linked to $6.3 billion Binance hack

NPR · 2026-10-30

The world's biggest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, reported Thursday that approximately $6.3 billion was impacted in an apparent hack. Blockchain intelligence firms have linked North Korea to the security breach. The incident represents one of the largest cryptocurrency hacks on record. Investigators are examining how the theft occurred and whether funds can be recovered.

Cryptocurrency exchange hacks threaten billions in customer assets and highlight security risks in the digital finance sector.

Alaska Democrat denies knowledge of spoiler candidate

PBS NewsHour · 2026-10-30

Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola denied Thursday that she knew anything about an effort to put another candidate on the Alaska ballot with the same name as the Republican incumbent. The Justice Department has escalated a criminal investigation with new grand jury subpoenas. Alaska's governor ordered an investigation into the campaign over reports that Democrats recruited a spoiler candidate to dilute Republican votes. The controversy comes in a closely watched Senate race just days before the midterm elections.

Ballot confusion tactics raise questions about campaign ethics and could influence a competitive Senate race that may determine which party controls the chamber.

Execution survivor Christa Pike speaks after botched attempt

CBS News · 2026-10-30

Christa Pike, convicted of a 1995 murder, released her first statement since a failed attempt to execute her last month. Pike said she woke up 'confused and in pain' after the botched execution attempt. She is recovering in isolation at the infirmary at the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center, where she has been held for decades. Pike stated 'Don't know what's next' regarding her legal situation. The case has raised questions about execution procedures and medical oversight.

Botched executions raise constitutional questions about cruel and unusual punishment and highlight ongoing debates over capital punishment.

Musk predicts end of democracy if elections favor Democrats

New York Times · 2026-10-30

Elon Musk has predicted the end of democracy if the midterm elections favor Democrats. His rhetoric reflects his deep engagement in the 2026 campaign, during which he has spent nearly $475 million to support Republican candidates. Musk's statements represent some of the most extreme claims made during this election cycle about the stakes of the midterms. His financial backing of Republican causes makes him one of the largest individual contributors to the party.

Musk's wealth and influence give his political statements outsized reach, shaping how some voters perceive threats to democracy.

Pope Leo votes in U.S. election for first time

CBS News · 2026-10-30

Pope Leo exercised his right as a U.S. citizen, submitting a mail-in ballot in his native Chicago ahead of the midterm elections next week. The Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo has become the first pontiff in history to vote in a U.S. general election. The action comes just days before Americans will cast votes in the midterm contests. Pope Leo's participation highlights the broad range of Americans participating in the electoral process.

The Pope's voting participation symbolizes the civic engagement happening across all sectors of American society in these elections.

Trump predicts Iran war will end soon as Qatar mediates

CBS News · 2026-10-30

President Trump predicted the war with Iran is 'going to end soon,' but provided no specific details or timeline for a resolution. His statement came as Qatari mediators returned to Tehran to push for a deal that might end the conflict. Trump has not outlined specific terms or conditions that would lead to such an end. The prediction reflects ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the military conflict.

Any end to the Iran war would have major implications for U.S. military commitments, Middle East stability and global energy prices.

Netanyahu claims Israel's election was stolen

CBS News · 2026-10-30

Benjamin Netanyahu's party claims Israel's recent election was stolen, with Netanyahu alleging that a foreign country meddled to increase voting by Israel's Arab minority. Election results released Thursday showed Netanyahu's bloc winning 53 seats in the 120-member assembly, well below the 68 seats it had controlled previously. Netanyahu faces the possibility of being voted out of office. The claim of foreign interference mirrors rhetoric used in other democracies during contested elections.

Netanyahu's disputed election outcome could reshape Israel's government and has implications for regional security and U.S.-Israel relations.

Justice Department targets Trump opponents before midterms

New York Times · 2026-10-30

Federal prosecutors have conducted unusual election-year activity by targeting President Trump's political opponents and suing states over election administration just before the midterm elections. The Justice Department's pattern of legal action raises questions about politicization of federal law enforcement. This conduct differs from the department's typical election-year behavior, when it usually avoids high-profile prosecutions close to voting. Observers have compared this activity unfavorably with historical Justice Department practices during election seasons.

How the Justice Department operates before elections raises questions about the independence of law enforcement and fair application of the law.

Graham challenges South Carolina Democrat in tight Senate race

New York Times · 2026-10-30

Darline Graham is facing a competitive Senate race in South Carolina against Democratic opponent Dr. Annie Andrews. Polls show the two candidates in a virtual tie, a dramatic shift in what was considered a safe Republican seat just months ago. Graham is the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham. An upset in this traditionally Republican state was considered unthinkable earlier in the campaign cycle, but changing dynamics have made it competitive.

South Carolina's Senate race is now competitive, suggesting possible shifts in Republican-held seats that could affect control of the chamber.

Judge blocks Trump request to segregate California ballots

PBS NewsHour · 2026-10-29

A federal judge rejected on Wednesday a Trump administration request to stop California from processing the ballots of up to 20,000 people over allegations they are likely noncitizens. The judge warned that complying would 'wreak havoc' on the midterm elections. The Trump administration had sought to remove these ballots from consideration. The judge's decision allows California to proceed with processing all ballots in the normal manner.

The ruling preserves California's ability to process votes normally and prevents last-minute disruption to voting that could disenfranchise legitimate voters.

“Four days until voters decide control of Congress”