In the first episode of a special Apple News Today series, a Princeton historian explains how the 2022 midterm elections could serve as a referendum on democracy.

Two American military veterans who were taken hostage by Russian forces while fighting for Ukraine spoke with the Washington Post about their time in captivity. 

A new U.S. Soccer report says the women’s professional league has normalized abuse and misconduct. ESPN has the story. 

Pumpkin-spice season is here. The Guardian explores how the flavoring became an American fall favorite.

The Supreme Court starts a new term today. Vox argues that it could be even more consequential than the last. 

As data shows that threats to Congress members are increasing, Rep. Pramila Jayapal recounts what happened when an armed man showed up at her house this summer. The Washington Post also has the story.

Rescue and recovery continue to be key priorities for the Gulf Coast of Florida in the wake of Hurricane Ian. USA Today, the Miami Herald and CBS have been tracking the storm’s impact. 

The National Park Service’s beloved Fat Bear Week competition is back. The Wall Street Journal previews this year’s contest and explains why so many people are enamored with the reigning champ — a four-time winner.

The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports on the people dealing with the major devastation Hurricane Ian has left in its wake.

As Russia moves to illegally annex territory in Ukraine, many residents are fleeing, Reuters reports. And the Washington Post details how men in Russia are escaping the country to avoid being drafted to fight Putin’s war.

Kaiser Health News explains how a recent Supreme Court ruling is affecting prosecutions of doctors accused of overprescribing opioids.

Her death certificate says Queen Elizabeth II died of old age — something rarely listed as a cause of death in America. The Wall Street Journal looks at how the question of how to track deaths actually affects the living.

Sports Illustrated has the story of how LeBron James is getting in on the pickleball craze, with a deal to own a pro team.

Flooding is swamping parts of Florida after then-Hurricane Ian made landfall as one of the most powerful storms in American history. CNN reports.

Incarcerated teens in Louisiana are set to be transferred to Angola, one of America’s most notorious adult prisons. The Louisiana Illuminator has the story.

Vox unpacks the mystery of the suspected sabotage of underwater gas pipelines from Russia to Europe.

Americans want electric cars with 300 miles of range, even though around 95% of US car trips are 30 miles or less. Bloomberg explains why that disconnect is important.

Politico looks at how Hurricane Ian presents a high-profile test for Florida governor Ron DeSantis, a potential Republican presidential contender.

A bill to change how Electoral College votes are counted in presidential elections aims to prevent another attempt to overturn results. The Hill reports on how the legislation now looks to have enough Republican support to become law.

The White House wants to potentially put nutritional labels on the front of food packaging. It’s among various policy ideas the administration is exploring in a major conference on hunger and nutrition in America. NPR explains the event’s significance.

More men are getting an intensive surgical procedure to get taller. GQ looks into it.

After bringing heavy wind and rain to Cuba, Hurricane Ian takes aim at Florida. CNN is tracking the storm’s path.

Money looks at what the current stock-market turmoil and recent Fed moves mean for the housing market.

The Washington Post investigates into why the NFL still has very few Black head coaches, despite years of diversity programs.

Icelanders throw thousands of baby puffins off cliffs at this time of year. Sound cruel? It’s actually saving the birds’ lives. NPR explains.

The Wall Street Journal has on-the ground coverage of demonstrators in Russia who are pushing back against Putin’s moves to draft people to fight in Ukraine.

Marchers are protesting in cities across Iran against what some see as a return to the hard-line policies of the earliest days of the Islamic Revolution. The New Yorker explains what’s going on.

Several women who worked at Tesla have filed sexual-harassment lawsuits against the corporation. Rolling Stone is telling their stories.

Many American cities have tried gun buybacks as a solution to violence. Fast Company lays out research that shows they don’t seem to work.

NASA is about to deliberately crash a spacecraft into an asteroid. NBC News explains how it’s a test for how to save Earth from a theoretical deadly rock from space.

World leaders gathered in New York this week for the U.N. General Assembly, even as Putin escalated the war in Ukraine. CNN breaks down what you need to know. Meanwhile, the Guardian reports on the humanitarian toll of the floods in Pakistan. 

Insider identifies 72 Congress members who violated stock-trading law. A bipartisan group of lawmakers wants to toughen the rules. 

After a career that included 20 Grand Slam titles and 310 weeks as world No. 1, tennis great Roger Federer plays his last match tonight. Sports Illustrated offers a look at his legacy. 

Professional baseball is preparing for players to hit some major milestones. NPR has the story, and Apple TV+ will have the highlights.

Three of the migrants flown by Florida governor Ron DeSantis to Martha’s Vineyard last week filed a lawsuit alleging that he and other officials tricked them into leaving Texas. The Miami Herald reports.

New York attorney general Letitia James accused Donald Trump and three of his children of fraud in a civil lawsuit seeking $250 million and to bar them from leading companies based in the state. Axios has some key takeaways. And Reuters explains where things stand in the other investigations and legal cases Donald Trump faces.

For years, community activists have pushed for police departments to put an end to dangerous practices such as high-speed chases and chokeholds. The Washington Post reports on how an unlikely source is now forcing the hand of some departments: insurers.

The world of elite chess is embroiled in a cheating scandal that took an enigmatic new turn this week. NPR breaks it all down.

Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization of Russian military forces. Reuters and the Wall Street Journal report.

The DOJ charged dozens of people over a massive alleged fraud scheme involving pandemic food aid intended for needy children. CNN has the story. 

Protests erupted in Iran after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died while in the custody of the country’s “morality police,” according to the Washington Post. Hadi Ghaemi, executive director at the Center for Human Rights in Iran, explains what’s going on. 

“Quiet quitting” is the hottest labor narrative right now. The Atlantic argues that the concept is nothing new.