Many states deciding control of the Senate are seeing a big boost in early voting, AP analysis shows
WASHINGTON (AP) — States with Senate races crucial to controlling the chamber this year are seeing an increase in the number of early ballots cast compared with four years ago. That's according to an Associated Press analysis conducted nearly two weeks from Election Day. Texas has seen at least 400,000 more votes cast this year compared with the same point in the 2022 midterm cycle. Kansas has seen a similarly significant increase, while Ohio, Maine and North Carolina are all up from 2022 by more than 30%. In most of these states, Republicans are accounting for a smaller share of advance voters overall than they did four years ago.
Russia agrees to resume three-way talks on Ukraine war with Kyiv and Washington, Kremlin says
Russia has agreed to resume three-way negotiations next month with Washington and Kyiv aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. A Kremlin official made the statement Wednesday following a meeting in St. Petersburg between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. The move potentially sets up the first such talks since February. Putin agreed “in principle” to restart the talks after Nov. 10. They will focus on security for Russia and Ukraine after the conflict ends. Witkoff's meeting with Putin took place as U.S. President Donald Trump pushed Kyiv to make a deal that stops the fighting.
Russia frees American Stephen Hubbard after over 4 years behind bars
Russia has released an American who was jailed for over four years on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff announced the release Wednesday during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Stephen Hubbard, from Michigan, was sentenced in 2024 to nearly seven years in prison. Prosecutors said he fought with the Ukrainian military after Russia sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. The U.S. government under President Joe Biden's administration designated Hubbard as wrongfully detained. The release comes as President Donald Trump advances policies that aid Putin, including waiving sanctions on Russia.
Meta ordered to pay New Mexico $25 billion for deceiving users about privacy on Facebook
A state judge has ordered Meta to pay New Mexico $25 billion for deceiving users about privacy on Facebook, marking the biggest fine ever against the tech giant. Judge Francis J. Mathew said in Wednesday's ruling that Facebook’s conduct was intentional and executives consistently misled users. New Mexico's attorney general said it should be seen as a warning to tech companies that they will be held accountable. A state jury in September found Meta responsible for millions of violations of state consumer protection laws. The violations stem from the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where user data was harvested for political ads during the 2016 election. Meta is appealing the verdict.
New Mexico attorney general accuses Epstein attorney, accountant of abuse cover-up at ranch
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico’s attorney general is suing Jeffrey Epstein’s attorney and accountant. A lawsuit filed Wednesday accuses Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn of concealing Epstein's sex trafficking operation at his ranch near Santa Fe. The lawsuit also seeks to stop them from accepting any payments from the disgraced financier’s estate. Attorney General Raúl Torrez accused Indyke and Kahn of being aware of sexual abuse of girls and young women at Epstein’s Zorro Ranch. Indyke worked as Epstein’s attorney for roughly two decades. A lawyer for Indyke and Kahn says they knew nothing about abuse and that they “emphatically reject” the state's allegations.
Trump administration asks Supreme Court to lift halt on Big Bend border wall
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to let it resume building a border wall through Texas's Big Bend region. A lower court had halted construction, a setback to one of President Donald Trump’s key projects. The administration has been pushing forward with the wall from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Ranchers, residents and environmentalists in Big Bend oppose the project, citing low illegal immigration in the area. Judge Kathleen Cardone ordered a stop to construction on Oct. 2, siding with opponents who argue the waivers used to bypass regulations exceed the secretary of Homeland Security's authority.
Supreme Court rebuffs Trump administration restrictions on medical care for transgender inmates
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has rejected a Trump administration appeal seeking to immediately enforce medical care restrictions for transgender people in federal prison. The decision leaves in place lower court orders requiring prison officials to continue providing treatments like hormone therapy. The administration had asked to enforce for now a policy halting surgeries, hormones, and social accommodations. It was adopted after an executive order from President Donald Trump. Attorneys for transgender inmates said the policy violated their rights and amounted to cruel and unusual punishment. The Trump administration argued that treatments raised security concerns and “could no longer be justified.”
Vatican says tests show Pope Leo XIV won't need further treatment for lung cancer
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV won't need further treatment after doctors confirmed his lung cancer had not spread. The Vatican released a statement Wednesday. Leo returned to the Vatican on Saturday after having the lower lobe of his right lung removed. The surgery confirmed he had lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. His personal physician and surgeon said tests on the tissue removed during surgery confirmed the initial diagnosis and that the cancer had not spread. A subsequent assessment confirmed no further treatment is necessary.
Chemical tank leak in Ohio forces evacuations as city allows plume to vent
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A chemical tank rupture in Toledo, Ohio, forced hundreds of residents to evacuate and others to shelter in place due to the potentially toxic leak. City leaders now are allowing the chemical to vent instead of trying to stop the leak. They say sending in first responders would be even more dangerous. The tank contains a chemical used in plastics and paints. Officials are warning it may be explosive, but they say the situation has continued to improve Wednesday afternoon. Some residents felt irritation in their eyes and throats and one sheriff’s deputy who responded went to a hospital after not feeling well.
NFL welcomes a review of how Eagles handled Jalen Hurts' blood clots, Roger Goodell says
NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league welcomes an investigation into the Philadelphia Eagles' handling of Jalen Hurts' blood clots after the players' union asked for one. Goodell said Wednesday that the league's chief medical officer has gone through the steps that were followed and added that the union had a right to call for a review. Dr. Allen Sills on Tuesday offered a passionate defense of the Eagles medical staff. The NFL said officials were in touch with team doctors and trainers, as well as the Cleveland Clinic in London, where the Eagles were playing the Jaguars on Oct. 11. Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the season after a blood clot in his calf traveled to his lungs.
