Daily Briefing: Is the US on a 'path to chaos'?
President Joe Biden warned that the United States is “on a path to chaos” amid growing fears of political violence. Also in the news: Benjamin Netanyahu is on track to return as Israel's prime minister and the Astros achieved a no-hitter against the Phillies in World Series Game 4.
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Here's Thursday's top news.
Biden hones in on election deniers in pre-midterms speech
Days before the midterm elections, President Joe Biden reminded Americans that candidates are running for every level of office – for Congress, governor, attorney general, secretary of state – who refuse to commit to accepting the election results if they lose. Read more
The takeaway: Biden reiterated that the United States is “on a path to chaos” amid growing fears of political violence.
What's dividing people so much? The economy may be the issue weighing most heavily on voters’ minds, but topics such as abortion, critical race theory and LGBTQ rights are shaping political contests.
2020 is still a flashpoint. Attorneys waging election challenges for then-President Donald Trump have singled out Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as potentially vital to blocking certification of the 2020 election for Biden.
''Extreme'' candidates: Last night's fiery debate in New Hampshire displayed yet another tight race that could determine whether Republicans or Democrats prevail in the Senate.
👉 Here's a round-up of midterm elections coverage from USA TODAY:
Democrats hoped Latinos would turn GOP states ''purple.'' That may not be the case anymore.
Do you get paid time off to vote in midterms? There's no federal law, but these states allow it.
Here's how NFL Votes reached 160 million people with a voting campaign ahead of Election Day.
Who will Black voters support in the 2022 midterm elections? Inflation, abortion remain top issues.
As on-campus polling places are threatened in Texas, young voters face barriers.
Netanyahu poised to form Israel's most right-wing government
Benjamin Netanyahu is on track to return as Israel's prime minister with early returns showing his right-religious bloc in the lead after Tuesday's election. It would be a triumph for Nentanyahu and his Likud-led government that consists of the ultra-Orthodox parties, United Torah Judaism and Shas, as well as the far-right Religious Zionism party. The Religious Zionism party is expected to play a crucial role in Netanyahu's government and receive senior ministry portfolios. The party is known for its anti-LGBTQ policies and hateful rhetoric against Arab-Israelis and Palestinians, and could also affect Israel’s relations with the U.S., its most important ally. Read more
More news to know now
🔵 The Parkland school shooter was sentenced to life in prison, concluding a lengthy and painful trial.
❄ The White House announced billions in federal money to help lower energy bills this winter.
⌚ Minutes passed before Capitol Police reviewed footage in the Pelosi home break-in, reports say.
📰 Porter Burks was shot 19 times by Detroit police while experiencing a mental health crisis. His family has filed a $50 million lawsuit.
😷 Thousands of babies and children are hospitalized by RSV every year. Here's why that could soon change.
📈 The Fed raised interest rates yesterday. How will the stock market react?
🔔Twenty-one people have been charged with crimes in connection to a nationwide catalytic converter theft ring.
🎧 On today's 5 Things podcast, hear what Russian officials are reportedly saying about the use of tactical nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine. You can listen to the podcast every day on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your smart speaker.
🌤 Is fall starting to feel like winter? Check your local forecast here.
The next legal battle over race and education has already begun
A majority of Supreme Court justices indicated this week that they are skeptical of race-based efforts to foster diversity on American campuses. But experts say the fight over race and education won't stop if the nation's highest court ends affirmative action as it is understood today. In fact, legal battles over what may come next are already playing out in federal courts across the country. The outcome of the Supreme Court's litigation could provide a roadmap for how schools and universities respond if the high court rules against Harvard College and the University of North Carolina, both of which consider race as one of many factors in their admissions. Read more
Supreme Court weighs affirmative action case, but most college admissions won't be affected.
Virginia’s governor set up a tip line to crack down on CRT. Parents used it for other reasons.
Political theater vs. daily survival: Inside the dire situation facing migrants bused across the U.S.
Hate speech spikes on Twitter after Musk takeover
A new study by Montclair State University revealed a spike in hate speech on Twitter since Elon Musk's acquisition of the platform last week. Researchers for the study found that the number of hate tweets nearly quadrupled from the 84 tweets an hour in the week leading up to Musk's takeover on Oct 27. Musk says Twitter will not allow anyone who has been kicked off the site to return until it sets up procedures on how to do that — a process that will take at least a few weeks. That would mean people banned from the site for violating Twitter's rules for harassment, violence, or election and COVID-related misinformation will not be able to return before next Tuesday’s midterm elections. Read more
Banned users won't back for ''weeks,'' Elon Musk says, dashing hopes of quick Trump return.
As Musk shakes up Twitter, these graphics show number of users and who's behind accounts.
Musk's Twitter takeover raises more questions than answers about data privacy.
Just for subscribers:
🛠 The high price of desperation: How a $3,000 repair ballooned into a $14,000 debt.
🔴 Turning Point USA and the remaking of Arizona's Republican Party.
🏒 Alexis Lafrenière one-on-one: Talking NHL pressure, his fantasy football obsession and more.
👄 Are you looking for sex or intimacy? There's a difference.
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A World Series no-hitter?!
The Houston Astros became the second team in baseball history Wednesday night to pitch a no-hitter in the World Series, in their 5-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. The Astros may have all of the momentum now, and even the favorable pitching matchups the remainder of the World Series, but with the Series tied at 2-games apiece, they want to hold off on the revelry until they win two more games for the title. Read more
After combined no-hitter vs. Phillies in Game 4, Astros back in control of World Series.
Perspective: Black athletes and my community's blind spot when it comes to antisemitism.
College Football Playoff rankings discussion: TCU got screwed, SEC could get 3 playoff teams.
📷 Photo of the day: Ukrainians endure rolling blackouts 📷
The European Union and other Western allies, including the U.S, Japan and Britain, will provide more than $25 million to cover Ukraine's urgent energy needs, the Ukraine Energy Ministry said in a statement. The country's energy infrastructure has been battered in recent weeks by Russian missile and drone strikes. Rolling blackouts have become a way of life, and engineers are constantly repairing damaged equipment. Read more
Click here for more photos of scenes from Ukraine.
One more thing
⚫ Remembering Takeoff: ''A true student of Hip Hop.''
😲 The Powerball ballooned to $1.5 billion without a Wednesday jackpot winner.
🎬 10 movies you must see this holiday season, from ''Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'' to ''Avatar 2.''
🎁 Holiday gift ideas for kids and adults who have a disability.
🎄 Mariah Carey is back: The queen of Christmas spills on all her new projects.
Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note, shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com or follow along with her musings on Twitter. Support journalism like this – subscribe to USA TODAY here.
Associated Press contributed reporting.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Midterms, Israel, Elon Musk, Parkland, Pelosi, Affirmative Action, World Series: Daily Briefing
