Decoded by POLITICO

Is Susan Collins making her "last stand"? POLITICO's Burgess Everett breaks down why Senator Collins is on track to lose her seat representing Maine — and how the race marks the end of an era for moderates under the increasingly polarized politics of the Trump administration. Plus, Rick Bright, the ousted vaccine expert turned whistleblower, is stepping down from the federal government. And House Democrats propose an antitrust overhaul to rein in big tech.

Burgess Everett is a congressional reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

Read more: Susan Collins goes for the jugular with her career on the line

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At the start of the pandemic, states across the country shut down. When there was resurgence over the summer, several governors reinstituted those shutdowns. But now, as the Midwest sees another spike in cases, state leaders aren’t doing much. POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein explains why that’s a big problem. Plus, the CDC confirms the virus is airborne. And California sees its first million-acre megafire.

Alice Miranda Ollstein is a health care reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

Read more: Midwest keeps reopening as states reel from new virus cases

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President Trump is in the hospital with coronavirus. We know that much. But there are lots of unknowns about his condition, and his medical team isn't filling in the gaps. POLITICO's Ryan Lizza explains how the hospitalization caps off a tumultuous 10 days for team Trump — and breaks down what it all means for the campaign with less than a month before Election Day. Plus, Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey will retire in 2022. And New York is reinstating some shutdowns.

Ryan Lizza is POLITICO's Chief Washington Correspondent.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

Read more: Trump's medical team briefing reveals things are worse than we knew

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First: President Trump has tested positive for Covid-19. Then: Secretary of state used to be a pretty low profile gig in states across the country. But with the looming threat of foreign interference and an upcoming election unlike any other, now it's one of the most important jobs in America. POLITICO's Eric Geller looks at how these state officials could decide the future of the country's election security. Plus, Senate Democrats call for an investigation into interference at HHS. And Trump says he's opposed to changing debate formats.

Eric Geller is a cybersecurity reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

This story was reported as part of The Fifty, a new POLITICO series that takes readers inside the role state leaders are playing and looks at how they are they driving politics, shaping policy and influencing Washington.

Read more: The 6 key races you haven’t heard of that may help decide how we secure our elections

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Lady Gaga. Garth Brooks. Billy Joel. Those are some of the celebs the health department wanted for a taxpayer-funded advertising campaign to “defeat despair” about the coronavirus. Instead, they got Dennis Quaid and some lesser-known musicians. POLITICO’s Dan Diamond breaks down the sputtering ad blitz and why it’s getting scrutiny from lawmakers. Plus, the presidential debate commission says it’ll change formats after Tuesday night’s debacle. And a judge delays the release of grand jury recordings in the Breonna Taylor case.

Dan Diamond is health policy reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

POLITICO's Daniel Lippman first put the spotlight on HHS' campaign. Read more:
HHS bids $250 million contract meant to 'defeat despair and inspire hope' on coronavirus
HHS ad blitz sputters as celebrities back away

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Interruptions. Insults. Chaos. POLITICO's Gabby Orr breaks down the key moments from Tuesday night's showdown between President Trump and Joe Biden — and what it all means for the final stretch of the campaign. Plus, the Senate is on track to avert a government shutdown. And Amy Coney Barrett doesn't pledge to recuse herself from 2020 election cases in a Senate questionnaire.

Gabby Orr is a White House reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

Read more: The most bitter clashes from Trump and Biden's first debate showdown

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All eyes were on President Trump's pick for the Supreme Court. Then, The New York Times released a bombshell on Sunday showing that Trump has paid next to nothing in federal income taxes in recent years. POLITICO's Natasha Korecki breaks down why the report puts the President in a tricky position ahead of his first debate with Joe Biden tonight. Plus, the White House is shipping 100,000 rapid Covid tests to U.S. states. And massive airline layoffs could hit in a matter of days.

Natasha Korecki is a national correspondent for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

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For the right, her nomination seals the deal on a conservative majority for years to come. To the left, it's a rushed political attempt to undo abortion rights and Obamacare. POLITICO's Nancy Cook breaks down the partisan fight brewing over President Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett. Plus, new polling shows Biden ahead in two key swing states. And both campaigns have agreed on details for Tuesday night's debate.

Nancy Cook is a White House reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

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The killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor sparked a summer of outrage and calls for legislative action. But months later, not much has happened. POLITICO’s Nolan McCaskill looks at why police reform efforts have hit a wall — and whether this week’s renewed outrage over Taylor's killing could inspire tangible legislative change. Plus, House Democrats are reworking the Covid relief proposal. And U.S. cyber officials are urging the public not to panic about election hacking.

Nolan McCaskill is a national political reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

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With kids at home and classes online, students are extra reliant on technology. But that's not an easy lift in lower-income districts that lack funding and resources. POLITICO's Nicole Gaudiano and Maya King explain how the pandemic — and decades of education policy — have exacerbated the digital divide. Plus, a Republican-led report investigating Joe Biden and his son doesn't really have anything new in it. And California's governor wants to ban gas-fueled cars by 2035.

Nicole Gaudiano is an education reporter for POLITICO.
Maya King covers race, demographics and the 2020 election for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

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