Putin Floats a Summit With Trump and Xi to Decide Ukraine's Fate  —  The Russian leader is trying to capitalize on warming ties with the president to unlock a favorable resolution to the war with Kyiv  —  Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed that he, President Trump …

This Cybersecurity Agency Is Supposed to Protect U.S. Elections.  Officials Fear It's Been Compromised by Trump.  —  Reporting Highlights  — An Unusual Request: Political appointees at the Department of Homeland Security wanted the agency that protects election systems to get and hack a voting machine, which shocked staffers.

Republicans already know who they want to blame if they suffer big midterm losses  —  Republicans are already starting to blame each other as the midterm election spirals further out of their control.  —  Everyone is bracing for President Donald Trump's ire if the party loses big in November.

France Toughens Response to Protests as Officials Admit Failure  —  French officials, acknowledging law-enforcement failures, rolled out tougher security measures and pledged aid for businesses after cost-of-living protests this weekend degenerated into violence, vandalism and looting.

How CBS News' Middle East war spread to the Upper Midwest  —  The News  —  Control of the US Senate for the next two years could come down to how much the news media chooses to focus in the final weeks of the midterms on a tweet sent years ago by the younger half-sister of Michigan's Democratic Senate candidate.

258. DOJ and the East Potomac Golf Links  —  The litigation over President Trump's efforts to renovate a public D.C. golf course has become a microcosm of the Justice Department's indifference (if not insolence) toward district courts.  —  Welcome back to “One First,” a newsletter that aims …

Meta shuts down “No Kings” account during major anti-Trump protest  —  On Saturday, thousands of “No Kings” events were held around the country.  It was a critical day for the anti-Trump protest group, which has attracted millions of participants since 2025.

The weird rise and spectacular fall of Katie Zacharia  —  Public Notice is proudly celebrating 5 years of independent journalism.  Our coverage is possible thanks for paid subscribers.  Become one ⬇️  —  ✅ Subscribe to PN ✅  —  On October 9, Newsmax commentator …

Supreme Court to decide legality of federal ban on distilling liquor at home  —  Washington — The Supreme Court on Monday said it will consider the constitutionality of a nearly 160-year-old federal ban on distilling liquor at home.  —  Arguments in the case, known as Department of Justice v. McNutt …

Texas Votes 2026  —  Across the nation, voters, political analysts, campaign professionals and journalists are watching the outcome of the 2026 U.S. Senate race in Texas.  Will Democrat James Talarico break the Republican stronghold on statewide positions in the Lone Star State?

Trump Aides Are Getting Ready to Penalize Defaulting Student Loan Borrowers  —  Trump administration officials are preparing to impose financial penalties on millions of Americans in default on their federal student loans next year, according to five sources familiar with the matter.

Donald Trump is Politically Bankrupt.  Be Very Afraid  —  What will he do when he has nothing left to lose?  —  According to CNN, all-out war with Iran may be about to resume: … Trump says that he won't order a strike before the midterms.  But Robert Pape, author of the Substack Escalation Trap …

Australian lawmaker Helen Haines in critical condition after vehicle attack  —  Australian lawmaker Helen Haines was in a critical condition on Monday after being deliberately struck by a car outside her office in Wangaratta, northeast of Melbourne, police and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

Vance Went Off-Script.  It Didn't Go Well  —  While stumping for the Republican ticket this year, Vice President JD Vance has gained a certain comfort with delivering speeches.  He also shows fluency in scripted moments where he can anticipate questions and interactions.

Polls Show Democrats Ahead.  Are They ‘Right’ This Time?  —  Polls are inherently imprecise, but they don't have a record of systematically overestimating Democrats in recent nonpresidential elections.  —  Are the midterm polls overestimating the Democrats?  —  It's hard not to wonder.

George Washington's Legacy of Religious Freedom Is Under Threat in the Military  —  ANYONE WHO HAS EVER BEEN A BOSS or had a boss knows that the influence of a superior extends far beyond explicit instructions.  Subtle signs of expectations, priorities, values, and preferences can be just as important, if not more so.

The Danger of Getting Too Close to a Source  —  Richard Darman was my source in the Reagan and Bush Administrations—and my best friend.  —  “Woodward, Darman,” he said.  It was how every phone call from him began over two decades.  Richard G. Darman was what I call a “hide in plain sight” …

Ken Paxton's Anti-Abortion Influence Already Extended Beyond Texas.  He Could Take It Further in the Senate.  —  As Texas attorney general, Paxton has advanced anti-abortion policy in his home state and prevailed where others have failed.  Allies who've witnessed his victories see an opening …