New poll: Voters want Democrats to win in NJ, VA and in 2026, as they push back on Trump  —  Plus: Voters trust Democrats more than Republicans to handle the economy; a majority says Trump is acting above the law; and 62% say the country is off on the wrong track … Summary of main poll findings:

Obamacare sticker shock is more shocking in some states than others … “It's devastating.  We've gotten to the point that real people are in the middle of this now,” said Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California, the state's Obamacare exchange.

Heritage president backs Tucker Carlson after interview with Holocaust-denier Nick Fuentes … And of course, antisemitism should be condemned."  —  The Heritage Foundation leader's public support of Carlson comes as the former Fox News host faces backlash from conservatives …

Senators criticize Trump administration after Democrats were left out of a drug boat strike briefing  —  Several Republican senators also told NBC News that Democrats should have been in the meeting.  —  WASHINGTON — Lawmakers from both parties criticized the Trump administration after Democrats …

Judge says prosecutors who were placed on leave ‘did a truly excellent job’ … Near the outset of the hourlong sentencing hearing for Taranto, U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols offered an unusual tribute to the recently suspended prosecutors, who were joined by several colleagues offering support.

Kennedy Center ticket sales have plummeted since Trump takeover  —  Nearly nine months into the president's oversight, sales for orchestra, theater and dance performances are the worst they've been since the pandemic, according to a Washington Post analysis.

U.S. poised to strike military targets in Venezuela in escalation against Maduro regime  —  The Trump Administration has made the decision to attack military installations inside Venezuela and the strikes could come at any moment, sources with knowledge of the situation told the Miami Herald …

Donald Trump-Vladimir Putin Budapest summit axed following Moscow memo  —  Russian foreign ministry's maximalist demands for ending Ukraine war led US to scrap planned meeting  —  Max Seddon and Amy Mackinnon in Washington and Christopher Miller in Kyiv  —  The US cancelled President …

Noem rejects Illinois Gov. Pritzker's request to pause immigration actions over Halloween weekend  —  Noem made the comments amid a firestorm of controversy in the Chicago area, as immigration enforcement operations have devolved into chaotic confrontations with residents and activists.

Prince Andrew to Be Stripped of His Royal Title  —  The extraordinary move caps his fall from grace over his ties to the convicted sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein.  —  Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, will be stripped of his title as prince, an extraordinary punishment …

Justice Department investigating fraud allegations in Black Lives Matter movement, AP sources say  —  Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.  Share  —  The Justice Department is investigating whether leaders in the Black Lives Matter …

After Fannie Mae fired more than 100 for fraud, dozens say they are innocent  —  Months later, staffers say they have no information about why they lost their jobs over an alleged charity matching scheme.  —  Just now  —  President Donald Trump's firebrand housing finance official …

What you say and do matters  —  Plus the future of asylum and the scope  —  I think Slow Boring readers will appreciate the “Deciding to Win” report that Simon Bazelon (who has written for us in the past) wrote with our friends at Welcome PAC.  It's not 100 percent what I would write …

CBS News fired 8 on-air personalities in latest layoffs under new leader Bari Weiss.  All of them are women  —  EXCLUSIVE: Multiple sources told The Independent that senior foreign correspondent Debora Patta was added to the layoff list following a last-minute change by editor-in-chief Bari Weiss.

Stephen Miller's wife threatens to get US citizen deported as TV debate gets heated  —  MAGA influencer Katie Miller, the wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, suggested that President Donald Trump's government could deport progressive pundit Cenk Uygur after she became frustrated with him during a television debate.

Gayle King Expected to Depart as ‘CBS Mornings’ Anchor Amid CBS News Overhaul (EXCLUSIVE)  —  Mainstay of network's morning show may shift to different role as contract expiration approaches in May … King may shift to a different role at the news division that is being thoroughly overhauled under the new Paramount Skydance regime.

Jasmine Crockett on Trump, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Her Own Party's Struggles … For liberals who lament the Democratic Party's ongoing struggle to break through with their messaging, the emergence of Rep. Jasmine Crockett represents a rare jolt of good news.

Senate poll: Ossoff riding high in Georgia; MAGA firebrand leads GOP field  —  Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins holds an early advantage in the GOP race for Senate with a 10-point lead over his nearest rival.  But with nearly 40% of the likely Republican voters undecided, the contest is far from settled.

UN human rights chief says US strikes on alleged drug boats are ‘unacceptable’  —  Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.  Share  —  The U.N. human rights chief said Friday that U.S. military strikes against boats in the Caribbean Sea …

FBI official connected to Trump 2020 election investigation being pushed out, sources say  —  The 22-year veteran was recently named in documents related to investigation that has angered the president.  —  FBI Director Kash Patel is forcing out the special agent in charge whose name appeared …

Senate report details dozens of cases of medical neglect in federal immigration detention centers  —  Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.  Share  —  A U.S. Senate investigation has uncovered dozens of credible reports of medical neglect …

Elon Musk's SpaceX Set to Win $2 Billion Pentagon Satellite Deal  —  Funding would support the development of satellites for President Trump's Golden Dome project  —  SpaceX is set to receive $2 billion to develop satellites that can track missiles and aircraft under President Trump's Golden Dome project …

Air Controller Shortage Causes Delays in Orlando and at Other Major Airports  —  The F.A.A. warned that a lack of certified air traffic controllers in Orlando could cause delays throughout the East Coast.  —  Air traffic controller absences delayed or temporarily halted operations at airports on Thursday …