Midterms; GDP report; Israel elections; DOE lawsuit : NPR

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Today’s prime tales

As Election Day approaches, information recommend that the focus is now less on whether a Democratic wave will occur and more on its potential magnitude. Democrats proceed to make investments in aggressive Republican-dominated races, and Republicans are matching these efforts. An NPR evaluation discovered 70 districts where both Democrats and Republicans are investing more than six figures in their last messaging. These are the races to watch.

A employee holds I Voted Today stickers during early voting on October 14, 2026 in Des Moines, Iowa.

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Charlie Neibergall/Getty Images

🎧 Former President Barack Obama campaigned last evening in Georgia for Democrats, highlighting the excessive value of dwelling and how Trump’s insurance policies contribute to rising costs, NPR’s Stephen Fowler tells Up First. Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff is seemingly to win the Senate race, while Georgia’s governor race stays unsure. Millions have already forged their votes early, and Fowler says information present elevated turnout among Latino and younger voters in Democratic areas, as properly as among non-supervoters, who sometimes do not take part in primaries. The development creates some uncertainty around what the last citizens will look like, and signifies that Republicans will have to rely on a giant Election Day turnout to keep aggressive, Fowler says.

➡️ A federal choose has denied the Department of Justice’s emergency request to halt the processing of ballots for 20,000 people it recognized as “likely” noncitizens. The division filed a discover that it is interesting the resolution.

➡️ Across the U.S., voters will see 145 statewide poll measures on the November poll, according to Ballotpedia. Key themes embody abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, taxes, and voting.

➡️ The NPR App has all of NPR’s election protection in one place — from the greatest tales across the nation, to the points that matter shut to house. Browse headlines, playlists, podcast episodes, movies and more, all on the 2026 Election tab.

Americans will obtain a last studying on the nation’s gross home product and the state of inflation immediately before next week’s midterm election. The report will present whether the economic system grew quicker in the summer season in contrast to spring. Economists expect GDP to be increased, but some say the progress feels delicate.

🎧 The tech business’s continued funding in synthetic intelligence and shopper spending are driving the GDP, NPR’s Stephan Bisaha says. But economist Mark Zandi tells him it’s a “very, very fragile growth.” Zandi blames inflation for this sense of fragility. Consumer costs rose 3.7% in September from a yr earlier, and costs are outpacing wage progress. After maintaining rates of interest regular yesterday, the Fed will be paying shut consideration to immediately’s inflation studying from the Commerce Department.

Israel’s election is in a impasse. More than 90% of the votes have been counted, and no candidate has a clear path to forming a coalition. Parties want 61 seats in parliament for a majority. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies have secured 53 seats, while his prime rival Gadi Eisenkot and his allies have garnered 48.

🎧 NPR’s Daniel Estrin says there are several choices for breaking the deadlock. Eisenkot’s camp could win by partnering with Arab-led events, which not too long ago secured a report 19 seats in parliament, NPR’s Daniel Estrin says. But this partnership seems unlikely due to the political dangers. Estrin says Arab political leaders in Israel have been demonized. Israel could maintain repeat elections, but Eisenkot does not need that because the opposition would have a exhausting time getting votes a second time. Estrin says Eisenkot will be under stress to enter a unity authorities with Netanyahu, particularly if Israel launches a new struggle with Iran.

A lawsuit filed yesterday against the Department of Education alleges that the Trump administration is illegally refusing to observe the guidelines of a program recognized as “closed school discharge.” For more than three a long time, federal regulation has required the U.S. Secretary of Education to cancel money owed for certified debtors when their colleges shut unexpectedly. Student Defense, a nonprofit borrower advocacy group, filed the go well with on behalf of doubtlessly hundreds of debtors. The Education Department informed NPR it stands by its implementation of the program.

Today’s pay attention

Bernie Taupin speaks onstage during the Keynote Conversation: Bernie Taupin and Brandi Carlile during AMERICANAFEST 2026 at The Embassy Suites Nashville on Sept. 16, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music

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Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music

Bernie Taupin is Elton John’s lyricist on almost every album. Now, for the first time in 40 years, he’s stepping into the highlight. His new album, The Sea Has No Mercy, options a assortment of songs completely written and sung by him. Taupin admits that until not too long ago, he hadn’t thought-about writing for himself, but now he’s prepared to share his own musical voice. He tells Morning Edition’s A Martínez that more so than a songwriter and a lyricist, Taupin thinks of himself as a storyteller. Listen to snippets of the album and hear about how Taupin has been in a position to hold his and John’s relationship so sturdy.

Life recommendation

Medicare chief Dr. Mehmet Oz speaks at an occasion saying the synthetic intelligence web site, America.gov in Washington, D.C., last month.

Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

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Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Medicare’s open enrollment window runs through Dec. 7. More than half of Americans in Medicare select a Medicare Advantage plan, which is run by non-public insurers instead of the federal authorities. Medicare Advantage is standard because it covers dental and imaginative and prescient, typically with decrease premiums than conventional Medicare. But non-public carriers can decide and select where it’s supplied, and withdraw from unprofitable communities. Over the last three years, insurers have left areas on an more and more giant scale, according to latest JAMA analysis. Here are some ideas to assist navigate Medicare open enrollment this yr:

➡️ Check if your Medicare Advantage plan is still supplied. Plans closing should have despatched letters in early October. You can also log in to Medicare.gov to confirm your plan’s standing.

➡️ Try calling your state’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program. It’s free, federally mandated and presents unbiased info on all choices. Visit shiphelp.org to discover your state’s program.

➡️ Look for native Medicare counseling providers. Brokers can be useful, but make positive to select one who discusses all your choices, including conventional Medicare and supplemental plans.

➡️ Double-check anything you see on Medicare’s Plan Finder with your physician’s workplace or other Medicare assister.

➡️ Be cautious about sharing your private info, such as your cellphone quantity. Some on-line businesses may promote it, main to spam calls and potential scams.

3 issues to know before you go

COLMA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 06: Ford pickup vans are displayed on the gross sales lot at Serramonte Ford on January 06, 2026 in Colma, California.

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/Getty Images North America

American automakers reported elevated revenues for the third quarter but face severe challenges. They are paying more for key parts like laptop chips, metal and copper, as properly as increased transport gasoline prices.

A hacking group breached the U.S. Department of Homeland Security‘s personnel recordsdata yesterday, exposing the names, cellphone numbers and addresses of over 40,000 DHS brokers and associates, including these in undercover operations.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced a new coverage that will let small compounding pharmacies make six peptides that have not been authorised by the Food and Drug Administration.

This e-newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.

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Midterms; GDP report; Israel elections; DOE lawsuit : NPR

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