Today’s Paper — Top US News Stories Today

Supreme Court Midterms 2026: Why the High Court Is on the Ballot on Nov. 3

The Supreme Court is not on the Nov. 3 ballot, yet midterms could decide its future: vacancies, a 13-justice plan, term limits and ethics hinge on the Senate.

DOJ Election Monitors: 1,000 Federal Observers to Watch Polls in All 50 States

The Justice Department will send 1,000 election monitors to polling places in all 50 states on Nov. 3, including four Pennsylvania counties — record deployment.

ACLU ICE Tire Slashing Complaint: Video Shows Agent Stabbing Observers' Tire

The ACLU filed a DHS complaint on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, after video showed a masked ICE agent stabbing a Portland couple's tire twice in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Phoenix Halloween Rain Forecast: First Wet October 31 in Nearly 40 Years

Phoenix faces its first wet Halloween in nearly 40 years as two storms bring rain, a Friday Flood Watch and cooler highs across Arizona this Halloween weekend.

Marvell Lumentum Deal Talks: Chipmaker Nears $83 Billion AI Optics Megadeal

Marvell is in talks to buy Lumentum in an $83 billion AI optics megadeal. Lumentum rose, Marvell fell — here is what the deal means and what happens next.

No AI Bailout: House Democrats Tell Congress Not to Rescue Failed AI Firms

House Democrats introduced a resolution on October 28, 2026, opposing any federal bailout for failed AI companies and demanding accountability for executives.

BGI Import Ban: US Blocks Chinese Genomics Firms Over Forced Labour

The US has banned imports from BGI Genomics, MGI Tech and Shenzhen BGI Technology over alleged Xinjiang forced labour, adding them to the UFLPA Entity List.

OpenAI Seizure Medication Lawsuit: Parents Say ChatGPT Coached Daughter Off Drug

Parents of Bowen Wan sued OpenAI on October 27, 2026, alleging ChatGPT coached the 31-year-old to taper off her seizure drug lamotrigine and hide it from doctors.

Texas Claims Nine Rio Grande Islands to Block Cartel Safe Havens on the Border

Texas has claimed nine Rio Grande islands totalling about 66 acres, giving state police authority to patrol land officials say cartels could use as safe havens.