politics14 min read
Stevens stays visible but absent from El-Sayed’s Michigan Senate push
11 minutes ago•Source: Politico
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Texas Woman Sentenced to 7 Years and Annual Jail Time for Fatal Drunk Crash
Lynlee Pollis, 30, was sentenced to seven years in prison and 10 years of probation for killing SMU student Honor Wallace in a 2023 drunk driving crash. The sentence includes 15 days of annual jail time during probation, timed to coincide with the victims' birthdays and the crash anniversary. Pollis had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.294%, nearly four times the legal limit, and was traveling at 67 mph in a 35 mph zone when she ran a red light.
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Michigan Governor Debate: James and Benson Trade Blame on Costs, Data Centers, and Trump
Bridge Michigan•33 minutes ago
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Democrats pivot to attacking Trump in 2026 midterm ads as GOP struggles to find a target
Democratic campaigns are increasingly focusing their paid media attacks on President Donald Trump, a strategy that contrasts with the Republican Party's difficulty in identifying a unifying Democratic opponent. While Republicans have struggled to rally voters against figures like Zohran Mamdani or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrats have found a clear target in the current administration. This shift comes amid legal battles over the White House's use of taxpayer funds for promotional television spots, which Democrats are leveraging to frame the administration as engaging in illegal propaganda. The dynamic highlights a strategic asymmetry in the 2026 midterm cycle, where one party has a clear antagonist while the other lacks a cohesive 'boogeyman' to unify its messaging.
New Socialist Blocs Weigh Tactics for 2027 House Leadership Fight
Incoming Democratic socialist representatives are preparing to leverage their new seats to challenge House leadership, prioritizing procedural changes over immediate policy wins. While some advocate for holding the speakership hostage to force rule changes, others focus on accountability through investigations and funding controls.
Alaska Senate Debate: Sullivan and Peltola Clash Over Iran War, Wealth, and Staffing Scandals
Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan and Democratic challenger Mary Peltola engaged in a heated debate over the Iran war, rising costs, and personal conduct. Sullivan criticized Peltola’s post-congressional lobbying and staff turnover, while Peltola highlighted Sullivan’s increasing wealth. Both candidates agreed the Iran conflict should end soon, though they differed on the rationale. The race is a key battleground for Senate control, with Peltola leading in the primary despite Trump’s strong 2024 performance in Alaska.
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GOP Threatens Nonstop Lame-Duck Session to Pass 'Last Supper' Budget Bill
Sen. Bernie Moreno stated that Republicans will pass a massive reconciliation bill regardless of midterm election outcomes, potentially requiring a continuous session from November 9 to December 31 if they lose control of both chambers. The package aims to secure defense funding, raise the debt ceiling, and pass other priorities before Democrats potentially block the process next year.
PG&E Executes Statewide Power Shutoffs as Fire Risk Peaks
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has activated Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) across 29 California counties to mitigate wildfire risks during a period of high winds and dry conditions. The utility cut power to approximately 70,000 to 90,000 customers between Wednesday and Saturday, with specific impacts in Berkeley, the North Bay, and Northern California. While the shutoffs were intended to prevent ignitions, they coincided with a 5-acre brush fire in Lake County and caused the failure of critical wildfire monitoring cameras. PG&E expects to restore power in the East Bay by Friday, though some areas may remain offline until Saturday.
Texas judge orders drunk driver to serve annual jail time on victims' birthdays
Lynlee Pollis was sentenced to seven years in prison and 10 years of probation for killing SMU student Honor Wallace in a 2023 drunk driving crash. The unusual sentence requires Pollis to serve 15 days in jail annually, including on the victims' birthdays and the crash anniversary.
Minnesota Senate race tightens as GOP spending advantage and ad disputes cloud Democratic hopes
The Minnesota Senate race between Democrat Peggy Flanagan and Republican Michele Tafoya has become a critical battleground for the 2026 midterms, with polls showing a tight contest in a state that has not elected a Republican statewide official in 20 years. While Democrats hold a strong position in the House, they face significant financial disadvantages in Senate races, particularly in Minnesota, where Tafoya out-raised Flanagan in the third quarter. The race is complicated by a major welfare fraud scandal that damaged the state’s Democratic establishment and a series of misleading attack ads. Tafoya is attempting to distance herself from President Trump to appeal to moderates, while Flanagan is leveraging the scandal and high gas prices to attack her opponent. National outside groups have largely avoided Minnesota, focusing instead on other red states, leaving the race to be decided by local dynamics and final-week spending.
El-Sayed Counters Vance’s 'Weasel' Insult With Wolverine Rally in Michigan
Vice President JD Vance attacked Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed as a 'weasel' during a rally in Monroe, Michigan. El-Sayed responded at a separate event in Marquette, flipping the insult into a reference to the University of Michigan's Wolverine mascot and mocking Vance's Ohio State roots. The exchange highlights the intensifying personal attacks in the high-stakes Michigan Senate race, which is less than three weeks away and could determine control of the U.S. Senate.
Bend, Oregon school shooting kills 4; Fed chief signals possible rate hike
A 16-year-old suspect killed three children and one teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on October 15 before being shot dead by a bystander. Two others remain in critical condition. Separately, Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh hinted at potential future interest rate hikes, while election officials debunked a persistent conspiracy theory regarding poll worker ballot markings.
MAGA Allies Urge Trump to Invoke Martial Law if 2026 Midterms Are 'Rigged'
Prominent MAGA election activists, including Tina Peters and Peter Ticktin, have openly urged President Trump to invoke martial law or pause elections if they believe the 2026 midterms are rigged. These proposals, discussed in a recent White House meeting and a streamed video call, suggest commandeering ballots and forcing manual recounts. Legal experts argue these measures exceed presidential authority, as Congress sets election dates and states control voting systems, while the White House maintains its commitment to secure and transparent elections.