All Activity

November 1, 2026 Good morning. The New York City Marathon is this morning. Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times Going the distance By Molly Mirhashem I’m the fitness editor and a compulsive runner. A marathon is a beautiful, painful thing. Runners young and old, fast and slow, find out how far they can push themselves after months of preparation and nerves. Some will cross the finish line elated; others won’t make it. Runners often say that “the marathon owes you nothing,” because it can punish even the well-trained. When I ran my first one, I hit the wall at Mile 16 (but slogged to the finish). I’ve run 12 marathons in the last decade, and a lot has changed in that time. Take the New York City Marathon, the joyful Sunday when people across the five boroughs cheer, make funny signs and gawk at the sufferfest. About 60,000 people will start today’s race; a few hundred thousand more applied for a lottery spot and didn’t get in. Why are so many people seeking bibs? Marathons are suddenly very popular: Many more people are vying for spots in the biggest races. Meanwhile, both elite and recreational runners keep getting faster. Here’s what to know about how the marathon is evolving. A running boom Interest in running has surged in the past few years, and major marathons have seen big jumps in demand: 1.3 million people applied to run next year’s London Marathon, up from 578,000 just three years ago. New York saw a nearly 20 percent increase in lottery entries this year over last year. Only a small fraction were selected to run. (Some racers get in through other avenues, like fast qualifying times.) Graham Dickie for The New York Times Many people picked up running, or returned to it, during the pandemic. Since then, run clubs have contributed to the boom. The groups are particularly popular among younger people, and plenty have found that sweating side-by-side can lead to fast friendships, or even dates. These folks are also signing up for more races. As the marquee races become harder to enter, runners have found alternate ways to challenge themselves: In New York, some also-rans circumnavigate Manhattan as a D.I.Y. 32-mile ultramarathon. Peak performance At the front of the pack, there have also been a few big shifts. Until very recently, many people thought a sub-two-hour marathon wasn’t possible. This spring at the London Marathon, runners broke that barrier for the first time in an official race — and it wasn’t only the winner. The second-place finisher did it, too. Why are top runners getting so much faster? Here are a few reasons. The shoes: Sneaker technology has evolved. About 10 years ago, Nike introduced the Vaporfly, a running shoe with thick cushioning and a carbon plate designed to improve a runner’s efficiency. The footwear had a significant effect on performance. Today, most major running brands offer their own “super shoes,” as they’re known. (The record breakers in London were wearing a version from Adidas.) While the earliest super shoes were worn mainly by elites, they’ve trickled down to recreational runners too. I use a pair that costs nearly $300. Extra carbs: When you’re running for hours, you need carbohydrates to fuel your muscles. Most runners get the quick energy they need in the form of gels and sports drinks along the course. But research suggests that trained athletes can digest more carbs — and thus perform better — than we thought. So top endurance athletes now gulp a lot more of that goop during the race. I’ve tried that, too. It’s not always gentle on the stomach, but it can make those final miles less of a slog. Today’s race Note: Names paired by matching names and ages. Those with name changes between races, like a maiden name, would not be counted. Includes all runners with debut races from 1970 to 2024. Source: New York Road Runners. The New York Times Most people run New York’s marathon and then never return. But those who do usually get better. Here’s how. Follow today’s race live here. How much does it cost to run a marathon? New York’s marathon first traversed all five boroughs 50 years ago. Look how much has changed since then. THE LATEST NEWS Midterms The New York Times Young men swung for Donald Trump in 2024. What party will they vote for in the midterms? We went to Michigan and asked some. Click the video above to watch. Democrats in Michigan are feuding: Abdul El-Sayed, the party’s Senate nominee, said he did not want Representative Haley Stevens, his former primary rival, to attend a Democratic unity event with him. Ukraine Ukrainians evacuated from the frontline city of Oleshky. David Guttenfelder/The New York Times Hundreds of Ukrainians escaped the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky after a rare local truce backed by the pope and Melania Trump. As many as 40 percent of injured soldiers in Ukraine face severe infections that can lead to amputations and death. Around the World After losing ground in Israel’s election, Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempt to form a governing coalition will test his political savvy. North Korean hackers are suspected in the Binance cryptocurrency heist, according to the F.B.I. French protests that began peaceful ended in violent clashes, a sign of deep, continuing unrest across the country. Other Big Stories A federal judge dismissed President Trump’s defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal over reporting that linked the president and Jeffrey Epstein. The police are looking for a person who fatally shot a pregnant woman and injured six others at a Halloween store in California, the local authorities said. Five people suffered chemical burns at a Chili’s in North Carolina after drinking margaritas rimmed with a degreaser mistaken for sugar. ASK THE MORNING Who pays for President Trump and Vice President Vance’s travel to stump for candidates? | Victoria Garvin | Washington, D.C. The short answer: It’s a mix. The government covers the cost of protecting them, including Secret Service operations. And the taxpayer foots the entire bill for air travel at first. But campaigns or political action committees must reimburse other aspects of these trips, such as food and venue rentals. In the case of political events, usually the Republican National Committee sends the check. I asked the White House and the R.N.C. how much they’ve spent so far. They didn’t answer. It’s common for the administration to take months to submit a bill to the party for its share of the costs. — Luke Broadwater, White House correspondent FROM OPINION The Democratic Party is searching for its own version of masculinity. That has led to a surprising place. The comedian Alex Edelman loved performing at the Kennedy Center. He may never do it again. The Midterms are here. Understand their impact with savings on The Times. Benefit from unlimited coverage of the elections — and what they mean for you going forward. Sale: $1/week for you first year. Subscribe now. MORNING READS The competition drew more than 5,000 auditions. Brian Snyder/Reuters Wicked fierce competition: Boston Logan International Airport is searching for the quintessential local voice — and accent — to welcome visitors. Listen to the top contenders. Creative liberty? A.I.-generated videos mashing up characters from different fictional worlds delighted the Chinese internet. But the government was not amused. Bangkok’s top snake catcher refuses to kill the reptiles he captures, leaving his fire station overrun with them. Most popular last week: She trusted ChatGPT with her medication decisions. It cost her everything. SPORTS Ezra Shaw/Getty Images W.N.B.A.: The Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the finals to win the team’s first league championship. College football: Before a game between Florida State and Clemson, a plane circled overhead with a banner calling for the firing of Mike Norvell, the F.S.U. coach. But it misspelled his name. BOOK OF THE WEEK By Elisabeth Egan “Miss Wolcott’s Ghost,” by Louise Penny You don’t need to be on a first-name basis with Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, Penny’s French Canadian equivalent of Hercule Poirot, to appreciate this thoughtful, moving whodunit. The case begins with a mysterious phone call announcing a dead body in Lost Nation. But where is Lost Nation, exactly? And why does the call trace back to Gamache’s neighbor, who denies placing it? “The ‘how,’ even the ‘who’ of a murder investigation, was important,” Penny writes, “but never as interesting or telling as the ‘why’s.” As in previous Gamache novels, Penny tackles all three with alacrity. For more crime novels, go here. To read about a proliferation of horror bookstores, go here. THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE Penélope Cruz Read this week’s magazine. THE MORNING RECOMMENDS … Get someone a gift that feels more expensive than it really is. (They’ll never know!) Here are 11 great options. Hike in a stable pair of boots that won’t leave your feet blistered and aching. Pummel your muscles in the name of rejuvenation and recovery. These are the best massage guns. MEAL PLAN David Malosh for The New York Times Who doesn’t love to assemble the perfect bite? Our very green feta frittata is designed for that. In this recipe, Yotam Ottolenghi places an entire brick of feta into the pan of whisked eggs before everything bakes together. The frittata emerges from the oven with the feta slumped and creamy; choose how much to add to every bite. See more great recipes for this week, including lasagna soup and sheet-pan chicken with sweet potatoes and fennel. NOW TIME TO PLAY Here is today’s Spelling Bee. Yesterday’s pangram was haunting. Can you put eight historical events — including early trick-or-treating, the origin of Dracula and the first pumpkin jack-o’-lanterns — in chronological order? Take this week’s Flashback quiz. And here are today’s Mini Crossword, Wordle, Crossplay, Connections and Strands. Thanks for spending part of your weekend with The Times. Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. Reach our team at themorning@nytimes.com. Host: Sam Sifton Editor: Adam B. Kushner News Editor: Tom Wright-Piersanti News Staff: Evan Gorelick, Brent Lewis, Lara McCoy, Karl Russell Saturday Writer: Melissa Kirsch Editorial Director, Newsletters: Jodi Rudoren Deputy Editorial Director: Lauren Jackson

Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord <2962>: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. This word translated "Lord" appears literally hundreds of times in the NT. It usually refers to divinity as in "My lord and my God." One of the passages where it does not refer to divinity is Mt 10:24, "The disciple is not above [his] master, nor the servant above his lord" <2962>. As you can see, the servant is not above his/her Lord. "Lord" is the same word Sara used in addressing Abraham. "Therefore, Sarah laughed within herself saying After I am waxed old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?" Probably few men deserve to be called "lord" by their wives; nevertheless, wives should respect the rank, if not the man

THIS DAY IN HISTORY November 1 1512 Sistine Chapel ceiling opens to public The ceiling of Rome’s Sistine Chapel, considered one of Italian artist Michelangelo’s finest works, is exhibited to the public for the first time. Read More Sponsored Content by REVCONTENT 1990s 1993 European Union officially established American Revolution 1777 John Paul Jones sets sail 1765 Stamp Act goes into effect in the American colonies Black History 1945 The first issue of “Ebony” magazine is published Civil War 1861 George McClellan replaces Winfield Scott as Union Army leader Cold War 1952 United States tests first hydrogen bomb Crime 1924 Legendary western lawman is murdered 1950 An assassination attempt threatens President Harry S. Truman Inventions & Science 1911 World’s first aerial bomb is dropped over Libya Middle Eastern History 1935 Palestinian American public intellectual Edward Said is born Natural Disasters & Environment 1755 Earthquake takes heavy toll on Lisbon Sports 1959 Montreal’s Jacques Plante becomes first NHL goaltender to wear facemask 1946 First NBA game played U.S. Presidents 1800 John Adams moves into White House

The Midterms Midterm elections are federal elections held halfway through a president's four-year term. Every seat in the House of Representatives is on the ballot, since representatives serve two-year terms, while only about a third of the Senate is, because senators serve staggered six-year terms. The president's party almost always loses House seats in a midterm, but the president's popularity matters: a study found that presidents with an approval rating below 50% saw their party lose an average of 37 seats during midterm elections from 1946 to 2018. > Explore how each district has voted in every House election since 1840. (More, w/interactive) > See why the president's party almost always loses seats during the midterm election. (More, w/video) Midterms historically draw far fewer voters than presidential elections, with turnout typically dropping about 15 percentage points from the previous presidential election. The last two midterms bucked that trend: In 2018, turnout reached levels not seen in more than a century, and in 2022, turnout reached the second-highest level in modern records. > Who votes in the midterm elections? (More) > See which candidates top the list of the more than $2.5B spent this election cycle (More) > After the 1930 midterms, enough House members-elect died before the next session began that control of the chamber flipped. (More) This year's midterms take place this Tuesday, Nov. 3, with all 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats, and 36 governorships on the ballot. Candidates are raising and spending money at record levels. House and Senate candidates have raised more than $2.5B so far this cycle, and ad spending is projected to reach $11.6B, surpassing the record set in the 2024 presidential election. > Research your ballot, find your polling place, and make a plan to vote. (More) > Watch how the same group of Americans has changed their minds from 2020 to the 2026 midterms. (More, w/video) Discover more: > Who controls America's elections? (More, w/audio) > Today's divisive politics have some of their roots in the 1994 midterm election campaign. (More, w/video) > See how officials test voting machines to ensure the integrity of the election. (More, w/video)

When I learned that, as a military officer, you opted to go through the same training as an enlisted man, I knew you were not only unique but highly respectable as well. I hope your vision improves. Modern medicine can accomplish marvels, even miracles. You have been an excellent moderator!

Paxton and Talarico tussle for Texas Senate seat as Trump campaigns via telephone Texas was not expected to be an epicenter of midterm elections that could reshape the final chapters of Donald Trump's second presidency. Read More.

Over 40% of names on DOJ list of alleged noncitizens are not on Calif. voter rolls, analysis finds WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 4 in 10 names flagged as possible noncitizen voters in California by the Trump administration cannot be found on the state’s voter rolls, according to a legal filing Saturday by an immigrant-rights group. https://apnews.com/article/california-justice-department-noncitizen-voters-midterms-45b31d5aefb03723f0e59f6084e918d4?

🏘️ Sign of the times: Data Center Alley A housing development near data centers in Sterling, Va. Photo: Stephen Voss D.C. photographer Stephen Voss is trying to show how data centers actually affect the people living near them, Axios D.C. co-author Mimi Montgomery writes. His project, "Dark Fiber," documents how data center development has transformed Northern Virginia communities. A home near a data center in Gainesville, Va. Photo: Stephen Voss The data center boom is reshaping the D.C.-Virginia-Maryland region so quickly that some of the places Voss photographed just a few years ago already look different. More photos ...

🏗️ One town's bargain: New Albany, Ohio Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Stock: Getty Images New Albany, Ohio, has welcomed roughly 40 data centers operated by Meta, Google, AWS, Microsoft, Vantage Data Centers and others over the last decade. The Columbus suburb courted these companies in exchange for millions in tax revenue and infrastructure investments — even as residents complain about noise, energy use and environmental impacts, Axios Macro co-author Courtenay Brown reports. 🛝 How it works: New Albany offers property tax breaks while requiring developers to make payments that help fund infrastructure, parks and other public improvements. Those payments generated roughly $10 million in 2024, equivalent to nearly one-fifth of the city's general fund revenue that year. A single hyperscale data center generated as much revenue for the city as it would collect in local income taxes from a company with $178 million in annual payroll. Data center revenue has also helped local schools avoid asking voters for new property tax levies. ⚖️ Reality check: The financial payoff of welcoming a data center depends on the deals communities negotiate — and whether residents feel the benefits outweigh the cost. Keep reading.

👷 Unions split on AI Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Stock: Getty Images AI is creating jobs for some union workers — while threatening to replace others. That tension is dividing organized labor over how to respond to the technology's rapid expansion, Axios Closer author Nathan Bomey reports. 🛠️ Why it matters: Building trade unions are embracing the data center construction boom. But other labor groups, including the Teamsters, are advocating policies to restrict AI use that could replace workers. The big picture: Labor's competing priorities are complicating its political alliances as both parties court union voters. 🏗️ Building trade unions representing electricians and plumbers have joined forces with OpenAI and real estate and financial firm Blackstone to fight moratoriums on data center construction. The AFL-CIO is pushing for restrictions against workplace surveillance and AI-driven health care decisions made without human oversight. ✊ UAW president Shawn Fain has criticized the "corporate narrative" that technology should be used to eliminate jobs and boost profits, arguing "it doesn't have to be that way." Go deeper.

📍 Mapped: AI's $10 trillion buildout Data: Data Center Map. Map: Erin Davis/Axios Despite more than 300 local moratoriums, U.S. data center development is moving at a blistering pace, Axios' Bradley Olson and Erin Davis report. 🚧 But political, regulatory, supply and environmental hurdles are delaying some major projects. Case in point: In New Mexico, Oracle recently took steps to protect itself from steep costs tied to delays of the $165 billion Project Jupiter stemming from local opposition, permitting roadblocks and power supply challenges. Data: Michael Bommarito, 2026, Survey of Data Center Moratoria. Chart: Erin Davis/Axios The bottom line: Growing opposition is slowing some projects but hasn't forced the buildout to stop. Keep reading ...

🏦 What Wall Street is watching Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images Investors are closely watching elections in states with major data center projects planned, down to the makeup of local utility commission boards. 🎰 Why it matters: New restrictions could delay major projects and rattle the AI trade that's driving the stock market and helping power the U.S. economy, Axios Markets co-author Emily Peck reports. 📊 Stunning stat: The outcomes of 10 governors' races could affect 67.4 gigawatts of planned data center capacity — $2.5 trillion worth (!) — more than is currently operating in the U.S., according to research firm Cleanview. A Democratic sweep would be the most negative outcome for AI investor sentiment, Morgan Stanley projects. Keep reading ...

🔌 Who pays for the grid's growing tab Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Lexi Critchett/Bloomberg via Getty Images Americans' electricity bills could be affected for years to come by the decisions being made now about who pays for the AI data center boom, Axios national energy correspondent Amy Harder reports. 💰 Why it matters: Policymakers increasingly want tech companies — not residential customers — to foot more of the bill. How it works: Data centers pay for the electricity they use and generally cover the cost of connecting to the grid. But the cost of building new power plants and broader electric grid upgrades can be passed on to households. 🧮 Who ultimately pays depends on where a data center is built, how its utility charges customers and whether new protections take effect. More than half of states have taken or considered steps to protect residential customers, including special electricity rates and requirements that data centers cover more infrastructure costs. 👀 What to watch: Congress is considering bipartisan legislation to require large data centers to pay more of those costs — even if projects are canceled. ps:Tax payers that's who!!

AI boom meets the ballot box Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images Technology has become a defining issue in the 2026 midterms — and AI data centers are the punching bag. 🥊 Why it matters: It's not just about noise pollution and curb appeal. Data centers have become a lightning rod for growing resentment over who gets rich from the AI boom and who bears the cost, Axios' Maria Curi and Erica Pandey report. 💬 Tatishe Nteta, a political scientist at UMass Amherst, says: "It's a reflection of what's increasingly becoming an easy target — tech giants and AI." He calls the backlash "a turn against the billionaire class from both the left and the right." 🗳️ Driving the news: Opposition to data centers reached a fever pitch in the months leading up to the midterms. Once an obscure infrastructure issue, data centers have become a political liability for candidates across the country. Voters in 10 states will decide on 41 data center ballot measures on Election Day, ranging from new requirements for developers to outright bans on construction. All six data center measures already decided this year — in New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Michigan and California — have gone against development, according to Ballotpedia. Data: Ballotpedia. Map: Erin Davis/Axios 🔎 Zoom in: Data center backlash is reshaping races and forcing politicians to change course. In Texas, incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott (R) reversed course after years of courting the industry — halting new approvals pending an audit of projects — after a backlash in rural communities. Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa supports a moratorium on new data centers until tougher rules are established. In Utah, an unlikely coalition of state leaders, local residents and environmental groups is opposing a data center project backed by Shark Tank's "Mr. Wonderful," Kevin O'Leary. In Ohio, incumbent Sen. Jon Husted (R) is on the defensive over past support for data centers as he fights to keep his seat in a race that could help decide Senate control. The state has 21 data center-related measures on Tuesday's ballot. The backlash is minting a new wave of candidates. Across the country, local activists galvanized by data center fights in their communities are running for office. ↔️ Between the lines: The opposition to data centers cuts across generations and party lines, though some groups are far more skeptical than others, per exclusive polling from the new Axios-CivicScience AI Sentiment Index. Overall, 43% of Americans oppose construction of data centers in their area, compared with 19% who support them. Another 38% are neutral. The generational divide is stark: Nearly two-thirds of baby boomers and older Americans (65%) oppose data centers, compared with 26% of Gen Z. A majority of independents (54%) and nearly half of Democrats (48%) oppose data centers. Republicans are almost evenly split, with 30% opposed and 29% supportive. 🇺🇸 The Trump factor: President Trump has complicated Republicans' efforts to navigate local backlash over data centers, declaring "we want them" at an Ohio rally and forcing the Husted campaign to distance itself from his remarks. Trump has called data centers a "Golden Goose" for the U.S. economy and praised companies like Meta for investing in local communities. Democrats are capitalizing on voter frustration and making data centers a major campaign issue.

Iran targeted US air defenses then hit aircraft and buildings on Mideast bases, AP analysis finds WASHINGTON (AP) — Iran’s strikes on more than two dozen U.S. bases in the Middle East focused on early-warning systems before hitting aircraft and buildings, causing billions of dollars in equipment damage, according to an Associated Press analysis. https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-us-base-damage-trump-26e0f05e01d6f56ff46f7c1a14384f7c? Iran targeted US air defenses then hit aircraft and buildings on Mideast bases, AP analysis finds Iran's strikes on more than two dozen U.S. bases in the Middle East focused on early-warning systems before hitting aircraft and buildings, causing billions of dollars in equipment damage, according to an Associated Press analysis. Read More.

Evacuees reunite with family at the Ukrainian-Belarusian border after fleeing Oleshky CHERNIHIV REGION, Ukraine (AP) — Residents of Russian-occupied Oleshky crossed into Ukrainian-held territory Saturday in a major evacuation operation carried out under the most significant truce since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine 4½ years ago. https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-oleshky-evacuation-5cbc7d2a5b8ac34b15c914338fd5a9f3?

🦐 1 fun thing: Where both parties party The Bidens leave Drago's Seafood Restaurant in New Orleans after dinner in August 2024. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images From hosting then-President Biden to catering election-night gatherings for House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Drago's Seafood Restaurant in New Orleans has found a bivalve secret to bipartisan appeal, Axios New Orleans' Chelsea Brasted writes. "Republicans and Democrats all love oysters," owner Tommy Cvitanovich told us. Read on ...

📺 Where record ad money went Data: AdImpact (as of Tuesday). Graphic: Jillian Vordick/The New York Times More than one-fourth of all the midterm ad spending has gone to just three races — the Senate races in Michigan, Ohio and Texas, the N.Y. Times' Jillian Vordick and Teddy Schleifer report. All three states went for President Trump in 2024, and all three races are rated as toss-ups by the Cook Political Report. (The other Senate toss-ups are Alaska, Iowa, Kansas and Maine.) Republicans are spending $2.1 billion across all races, outspending Democrats, who are spending $1.8 billion. Senate races account for 60% of all ad spending up to the final week of midterm campaigning. 👀 NEW RECORD: This midterm cycle has broken the record for ad spending on any election, including presidential years. AdImpact says total ad spending on the 2025-26 cycle crossed $11.6 billion, passing the record set in 2023-24. More data (NYT gift link).

🇰🇵 How North Korea perfected the crypto heist Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios The world's biggest crypto heist is the latest feat by North Korean hackers who have spent years perfecting an arsenal of financial theft, social engineering and sophisticated cyberattacks. Why it matters: The suspected North Korean hackers behind the $6.3 billion Binance theft appear to have combined familiar hacking tactics with extraordinary speed and automation, Axios' Sam Sabin reports. 🔭 The big picture: North Korean government hackers have spent more than a decade carrying out financial heists and disruptive cyberattacks, turning cryptocurrency theft into an industrial-scale operation. The country has intensified its focus on pillaging crypto exchanges, in part because digital assets can be transferred and laundered across borders more easily — although such attacks can leave more of a paper trail. Keep reading.

🤖 AI's trick-or-treat earnings season Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios The latest wave of hyperscaler earnings is spooking Wall Street. But bulls and bears alike have evidence to validate their wildest dreams — or their worst nightmares, Axios' Madison Mills reports. Why it matters: The market's AI obsession has entered its Jekyll-and-Hyde era, with the latest earnings from tech giants sending mixed signals about the AI boom. Google: 🧟 The scary: Google's AI Overviews are cannibalizing the company's core business — ad revenue from search. 🍬 The good: Google Cloud is closing in on Microsoft's Azure cloud revenue, a stunning development given that Google was an also-ran in the cloud game only a few years ago. Microsoft and Amazon: 🍭 The good: Both companies had explosive cloud growth. 👻 The iffy: Amazon's net income fell despite soaring operating profits, as it didn't repeat the pretax gain from its Anthropic investment that boosted earnings a year earlier. Microsoft's OpenAI investment boosted its net income slightly, which lifted its profit growth. Data: FactSet. Chart: Matt Phillips/Axios By the numbers: Either way, this week's flood of AI news failed to shore up investor confidence, Axios markets correspondent Matt Phillips writes. The large-cap, tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 stumbled to its third straight weekly loss. The bottom line: The AI boom championed by President Trump is losing momentum just days before the midterms, when voters will be deciding on AI-related issues at the ballot box for the first time.

Wasted opioid settlements are a new low in the West Virginia exploitation story West Virginia is a special place, known to outsiders as “Almost Heaven,” as John Denver sings in his song “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” However, West Virginians know there is an eerie emphasis on the word “almost” in our mountain mama’s hymn. The word “almost” speaks to the promise and potential found in West Virginia. Or, as a neighbor back home in Union once put it: “It’s called Almost Heaven, because we’re close to dying every day.” https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/wasted-opioid-settlements-are-new-low-west-virginia-exploitation-story?

Epstein’s money left a record. New Mexico is right to demand it Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes took more than one man. Someone had to manage the properties, handle the paperwork, move the money and keep quiet. New Mexico’s attorney general says those people were Epstein’s lawyer and his accountant, and he is asking a federal court to stop the estate from paying them tens of millions more. https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/epsteins-money-left-record-new-mexico-right-demand-it?

If you care about affordability, vote with climate in mind Like many Americans, the issue that is top of mind for me as we approach the midterms is affordability, or rather, a lack thereof. That’s why I’m disappointed to see how few voters, and even candidates, are focused on climate change this election. https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/if-you-care-about-affordability-vote-climate-mind? ↩️ Young voters' U-turn Data: Generation Lab/Axios. Chart: Avery Lotz/Axios In 2024, the Trump campaign made inroads with the youth vote by seizing on manosphere cultural stars to connect with young Americans: They voted Republican in higher-than-usual numbers. Two years later, President Trump's youth support has dropped, Axios' Avery Lotz and Margaret Talev write. 📊 In a new Generation Lab poll for Axios, 48% of 18-to-29-year-old, college-educated Democrats, 22% of independents and 6% of Republicans called Trump the biggest threat to America today. A New York Times/Siena poll of likely midterm voters published last week found that 7 in 10 young voters (ages 18-29) identified as or leaned toward Democrats — a 15-point swing from before the 2024 election. Keep reading.

Florida Republicans say they’re not sweating early voter turnout — not yet, anyway Although Gov. Ron DeSantis sounded the alarm about Republican voter turnout earlier this week, other Florida GOP officials insist they’ve little to worry about as Democrats turned out in bigger numbers than they did four years ago in early in-person and mail voting. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/10/30/florida-republicans-say-theyre-not-sweating-early-voter-turnout-not-yet-anyway/? Trump OKs individual FEMA assistance for eight Florida counties hit by Isaias President Donald Trump has approved the DeSantis administration’s request that the Federal Emergency Management Agency provide individual assistance to eight counties in the Florida Panhandle that suffered damage from Hurricane Iasias. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/10/29/trump-oks-individual-fema-assistance-for-eight-florida-counties-hit-by-isaias/?