The vice presidential debate was marked by a generally friendly tone, focusing on key issues such as foreign policy, immigration, abortion, and the economy. Tensions escalated in the final moments as JD Vance and Tim Walz debated former President Donald Trump's actions post-2020 election, with Walz criticizing Vance for his evasiveness on the topic. Additionally, Walz’s claim of being in China during the Tiananmen Square protests was disproved by multiple news reports, revealing he arrived months later. Throughout the debate, Vance targeted Vice President Kamala Harris’s policies, while Walz challenged Trump’s abortion views and referenced the January 6th Capitol events​. On October 1, thousands of dockworkers at East and Gulf Coast ports in the U.S. began a strike, involving about 25,000 workers and affecting 14 major ports, demanding higher wages, job security, and protection against automation, which could significantly impact the economy and consumer goods availability if prolonged. In California, the state Assembly approved a bill allowing regulators to set minimum fuel inventory requirements to prevent gas price spikes, supported by Governor Gavin Newsom. Speaker Mike Johnson announced that Congress has authorized disaster relief funds for Hurricane Helene through a recent funding bill, although additional funding remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Iran launched around 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, triggering a response from Israel's defense system, with no reported fatalities. Lastly, Louisiana enacted a law classifying mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV controlled substances, making their unauthorized possession illegal and punishable by fines and imprisonment.

Speaker Johnson says Congress has provided funds for Helene response (Hill)

Louisiana law criminalizing possession of abortion pills takes effect (Hill)

What to know about tonight's VP debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz (CBS)

A Georgia judge has ruled the state's six-week abortion ban unconstitutional, potentially affecting abortion access in the region. The FBI will pay over $22 million to settle a lawsuit from 34 female recruits alleging discrimination and harassment during training. President Biden is set to visit North Carolina to assess damage from Hurricane Helene, which has caused over 100 deaths. The Pentagon plans to send additional troops to the Middle East, increasing the total to 43,000 amid rising tensions with Hezbollah. Ryan Weseley Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted assassination related to a plot against Donald Trump.

Georgia judge declares state’s abortion ban unconstitutional, allowing procedure to resume beyond 6 weeks into pregnancy (CNN)

FBI to pay $22M to settle claims of sexual discrimination at training academy (CNN)

Biden to visit North Carolina to survey Hurricane Helene damage (NBC)

The US is sending a few thousand more troops to the Middle East to boost security (AP)

Man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump pleads not guilty to federal charges (AP)

President Joe Biden announced plans to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent further escalation in the Middle East, following intensified Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have imposed safety regulations on large AI models, citing concerns about stifling the AI industry. The U.S. Justice Department has sued Alabama for attempting to remove over 3,000 individuals from voter rolls, raising concerns about potential disenfranchisement. Additionally, the Farm Bill is set to expire soon, threatening disruptions to farm subsidies and nutrition aid programs. Senator JD Vance campaigned at an event hosted by Lance Wallnau, a far-right evangelical leader, signaling the increasing mainstream influence of fringe religious movements within Republican politics.

Biden says he’ll speak with Israeli leader, vowing all-out war in the Middle East must be avoided (AP)

California governor vetoes bill to create first-in-nation AI safety measures (AP)

Justice Department sues Alabama over its effort to remove more than 3,000 names from voter rolls too close to election (CNN)

Lawmakers race to avoid farm bill disaster (Hill)

Vance appears at event of  evangelical leader who spoke of Harris’s ‘witchcraft’ (NYT)

President Biden and Vice President Harris introduced new executive actions targeting gun violence, including addressing trauma from school shooter drills and restricting machine gun conversion devices. These actions build on Biden’s gun control legacy and allow Harris to demonstrate leadership. Meanwhile, the House passed a resolution condemning Biden and Harris over the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, citing a "chaotic" process. In New York, an appeals court is considering reducing or overturning a $500 million civil fraud judgment against Donald Trump. Senator Ron Wyden proposed Supreme Court reforms, including expanding the court to 15 justices. Lastly, New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on federal corruption charges, leading to calls for his resignation.

Biden, Harris to roll out new executive action on guns (Politico)

House votes to condemn Biden, Harris, and others over 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal (NBC)

Appeals court signals it might be open to altering Donald Trump’s civil fraud penalty (AP)

Sweeping bill to overhaul Supreme Court would add six justices (WP)

Eric Adams faces pressure to resign as New York Democrats plot next moves (CNN)

The Biden administration announced a $375 million military aid package for Ukraine at the U.N. General Assembly, with more aid expected soon. Vice President Kamala Harris plans to visit the U.S.-Mexico border before campaign stops in California, facing criticism from the Trump campaign over her immigration policies. Meanwhile, three senior U.S. Secret Service officials are stepping down amid scrutiny over their handling of assassination attempts on former President Trump. A new study reveals that most Chinese Americans perceive a negative U.S.-China relationship, affecting how they are treated. Trump will return to Butler, Pennsylvania, on October 5th, one month before the presidential election.

US is sending $375 million in military aid to Ukraine and will announce billions more (AP)

Harris to travel to US-Mexico border Friday (The Hill)

More high ranking officials in Secret Service stepping down amid agency turmoil (CNN)

64% of Chinese Americans think tense US-China elections affects how others treat them (NBC)

Trump officially announces Oct. 5 return to Butler, Pennsylvania (CNN)

The USNS Big Horn, a U.S. Navy refueling ship, sustained damage and was reportedly beached off the coast of Oman, highlighting concerns about the Navy's tanker shortage given its role in supporting the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group. Meanwhile, gunfire damage was found at a Democratic campaign office for Vice President Kamala Harris just before her scheduled visit, raising safety concerns after a similar incident occurred recently. In Georgia, Donald Trump proposed tariffs on imported cars to boost U.S. manufacturing, while the Senate passed a bill ensuring equal Secret Service protection for major candidates following assassination attempts on Trump. Lastly, Vice President Harris voiced support for eliminating the Senate filibuster to protect abortion rights as a key issue for the 2024 election.

Navy ship in Middle East damaged in incident (Hill)

Harris campaign office damaged by gunfire in Arizona (NBC)

Trump calls for 100% tariffs on cars made in Mexico as part of US manufacturing plan (AP)

Senate passes bill over equal Secret Service protection for major party candidates (abc)

Harris says she would support ending the filibuster to bring back Roe v. Wade (NPR)

Ryan Wesley Routh, accused of plotting to assassinate former President Donald Trump while he was golfing in Florida, allegedly wrote a detailed letter about his plans, which was discovered alongside ammunition and other items outside his home. Meanwhile, the U.S. plans to send additional troops to the Middle East to mitigate escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah. In Nebraska, state lawmaker Mike McDonell has opposed a proposal to change the allocation of the state’s electoral votes, thwarting Trump’s allies’ efforts. First Lady Jill Biden announced a $500 million Pentagon initiative for women’s health research. Additionally, Trump is set to return to Butler, Pennsylvania, for a rally on October 5th, a month before the election, following an incident where he was shot in the ear at a previous event there.

Man suspected of assassination attempt against Trump left letter detailing his plans (CNN)

US is sending more troops to the Middle East as violence rises between Israel and Hezbollah (AP)

Key Nebraska Republican opposes changing how the state awards electoral votes (NBC)

Pentagon to spend $500 million on women’s health research (The Hill)

Trump to host rally in city where first assassination attempt occurred (NBC)

Early in-person voting for the 2024 U.S. presidential election began in Minnesota, Virginia, and South Dakota, with more states to follow by mid-October. Vice President Kamala Harris accepted an invitation for a second presidential debate, calling on former President Donald Trump to participate, though Trump has expressed reluctance. Meanwhile, Republican candidate for North Carolina governor, Mark Robinson, faced accusations of making offensive comments, which he denies. Congress passed a temporary deal to prevent a government shutdown, and President Biden emphasized efforts to prevent a broader Middle East conflict amid rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

In-person voting begins for the US presidential contest (AP)

Harris accepts CNN debate invitation for October 23rd (CNN)

Vance says allegations against Mark Robinson “aren’t necessarily reality” (NBC)

Spending deal averts a possible federal shutdown and funds the government into December (AP)

Biden says US is doing ‘everything we can’ to prevent wider war in the Middle East (Hill)

On Wednesday, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced it would not endorse either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris for the presidential election, citing insufficient support from its 1.3 million members. Meanwhile, Israeli officials planned an operation in Lebanon, leading to reports of explosions that killed at least 12 and injured over 450. In Congress, House Republicans blocked their own short-term funding bill amid divisions, with Trump insisting on attaching the SAVE Act. The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates by 0.25% in response to economic shifts before the 2024 election. Additionally, federal officials revealed that Iranian hackers targeted Trump's campaign and sent information to the Biden campaign, but there’s no evidence of a response from Biden’s team.

Teamsters union declines to endorse Trump or Harris for president (AP)

Israel notified US ahead of tuesday’s Lebanon operation but gave no details of what was planned, sources say (CNN)

House Republicans reject their own funding bill with a shutdown around the corner (NBC)

Fed rate cut on collision course with 2024 election politics (Hill)

Iranian hackers sent stolen Trump campaign information to Biden campaign (CNN)

The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating suspicious packages sent to election officials in over a dozen states, though no injuries or hazardous materials have been reported. Senate Republicans blocked a bill aimed at protecting and funding in vitro fertilization treatments, calling it a political stunt. Following an assassination attempt on former President Trump, new details reveal the suspect evaded detection for nearly 12 hours. Vice President Harris addressed a panel of journalists from the National Association of Black Journalists about her plans, maintaining her focus on script. Venezuela has arrested a fourth American in connection with a plot to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro, adding to the list of detainees including U.S. citizens, Spaniards, and a Czech national.

FBI investigating suspicious packages sent to election officials in more than a dozen states (AP)

Republicans block Democratic bill on IVF protections (Politico)

Suspect never took a shot at Trump but hid undetected for 12 hours (NYT)

NABJ journalists press Harris for policy details on Gaza and reparations (NBC)

Venezuela says 4th American arrested over alleged plot against Maduro (CBS)