Midterm election updates lead today’s briefing as campaigns intensify spending in battleground House districts, the final GDP and inflation reports land before voters head to the polls, and Israel’s national vote remains unresolved.
Midterm election updates and battleground House races
Today’s top stories
As Election Day nears, the question has shifted from whether Democrats can make gains to how big those gains might be, according to new spending and race-tracking data. Democrats are pushing into Republican-leaning territory and the GOP is matching them. An analysis identified 70 House districts where both parties have committed six-figure sums to late-campaign messaging, flagging them as races to watch.
- 🎧 Former President Barack Obama rallied Democrats in Georgia last night, emphasizing high living costs and linking former President Donald Trump’s policies to price pressures, according to reporters on the ground. Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff is favored to hold his seat, while the governor’s race is still unsettled. Early voting totals are high, with notable turnout among Latino and young voters in Democratic areas, as well as among infrequent voters. Analysts say Republicans will likely need a strong Election Day showing to remain competitive.
- ➡️ A federal judge rejected the Justice Department’s emergency bid to stop ballot processing for 20,000 people the department labeled as likely noncitizens. The DOJ has filed notice that it will appeal.
- ➡️ Voters nationwide will consider 145 statewide ballot measures in November, according to Ballotpedia. Prominent themes include abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, taxes, and voting policies.
- ➡️ For complete election coverage in one place, the NPR app is spotlighting national stories and local issues on its 2026 Election tab.
Americans get a final read on gross domestic product and inflation today, the last major economic snapshots before next week’s vote. The report will indicate whether growth accelerated in summer compared with spring.
Economists generally expect a higher GDP pace, though some caution the expansion remains fragile.
- 🎧 Tech investment in artificial intelligence and steady consumer spending are helping fuel GDP, analysts say. Economist Mark Zandi described the momentum as “very, very fragile,” citing inflation pressures. Consumer prices rose 3.7% in September from a year earlier, outpacing wage gains. After leaving interest rates unchanged, the Federal Reserve will scrutinize today’s inflation data from the Commerce Department.
Israel’s election remains deadlocked. With more than 90% of votes tallied, no faction has a clear path to a 61-seat Knesset majority. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and allies have 53 seats, while rival Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc holds 48.
- 🎧 There are several scenarios to break the stalemate, correspondents report. Eisenkot could theoretically align with Arab-led parties, which won a record 19 seats, but such a move appears politically risky. Repeat elections are possible, though Eisenkot opposes them due to potential losses for the opposition. Pressure may mount for a unity government with Netanyahu, especially if tensions with Iran escalate into war.
A new lawsuit filed against the U.S. Department of Education claims the Trump administration is unlawfully refusing to follow the rules of the “closed school discharge” program, which has required loan cancellation for eligible borrowers when their schools abruptly shut down for more than three decades.
Student Defense, a borrower advocacy nonprofit, brought the case on behalf of potentially thousands of borrowers. The Education Department said it stands by how it is implementing the program.
Today’s listen
Bernie Taupin, Elton John’s longtime lyricist, steps forward with The Sea Has No Mercy, his first album in 40 years written and sung entirely by him. Taupin told Morning Edition that he sees himself foremost as a storyteller and discussed how his collaboration with John has endured.
Hear album snippets and more in the interview.
Life advice
Medicare open enrollment is underway through Dec. 7. More than half of Medicare beneficiaries choose Medicare Advantage plans run by private insurers, which can include dental and vision and often come with lower premiums than traditional Medicare.
But insurers decide where to offer plans and can exit unprofitable markets, a trend that has accelerated over the past three years, according to recent JAMA research. Tips to navigate enrollment this year:
- ➡️ Confirm your Medicare Advantage plan is still available. Plans that are ending should have mailed notices in early October. You can also check your status at Medicare.gov.
- ➡️ Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program for free, unbiased guidance. Find your state’s SHIP at shiphelp.org.
- ➡️ Seek local Medicare counseling. Brokers can help, but choose one who reviews all options, including traditional Medicare and supplemental plans.
- ➡️ Verify Plan Finder details with your doctor’s office or another Medicare assister.
- ➡️ Guard your personal information. Some online agencies may sell your contact details, leading to spam calls and potential scams.
3 things to know before you go
- U.S. automakers posted higher third-quarter revenue but face mounting headwinds from pricier components like chips, steel and copper, plus elevated fuel costs for transport.
- A hacking group breached the Department of Homeland Security’s personnel files, exposing names, phone numbers and addresses of more than 40,000 DHS employees and associates, including some in undercover roles.
- Health and Human Services will allow certain small compounding pharmacies to make six peptides that are not FDA approved, under a new enforcement policy.
Pressure may mount for a unity government with Netanyahu, especially if tensions with Iran escalate into war, amid broader Iran war concerns in the region.
