Here's the Scoop

Could the backlash to artificial intelligence and data centers decide control of Congress? NBC News chief White House correspondent Garrett Haake sits down with Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., to talk about his proposals for mitigating AI-related job losses, banning political deepfakes, and establishing government oversight and regulation despite pushback from the Trump administration. Then, NBC News national politics reporter Allan Smith details how the opposition to data centers has been reshaping campaigns and races across the country, scrambling traditional party lines. Plus, we look at which candidates are trying to stake a claim in AI ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.

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Reports that AI agents are taking over our bank accounts, hacking into our personal data and shutting humans out of their systems have been in the news this week. On the other hand, an AI tool helped detect a critical vulnerability online. So should we feel worried or optimistic? NBC News AI reporter Jared Perlo dives deep.

Then, the resignation of leading Make America Healthy Again figure Calley Means as a senior adviser to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is revealing MAHA-sized cracks in President Donald Trump's coalition. NBC News correspondent Julie Tsirkin explains why some MAHA activists feel the administration has fallen short on key promises, and why both parties are now vying for MAHA support in the midterms.

Finally, it’s Game 1 of the World Series … with the Milwaukee Brewers facing off against the Tampa Bay Rays. NBC News sports reporter Andrew Greif breaks down how these smaller-market teams were able to beat out richer rivals and why upcoming labor negotiations about salary caps could lead to a lockout ahead of the 2027 MLB season.

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Top Democrats have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to block it from usurping states’ authority in conducting elections. NBC News senior political reporter Jane C. Timm explains how this is connected to a Justice Department lawsuit against California over mail-in ballot counting and how unusual it is for the department to bring litigation right before an election.

Then, Netflix has laid off around 1,000 employees and reshuffled its top creative team amid a slowdown in revenue growth. NBC News senior Hollywood reporter Rebecca Keegan explains how the streaming giant is positioning itself against competitors, including YouTube and the newly merged Skydance.

Finally: No packages. No credit card bill. Just the thrill of online shopping. NBC News chief consumer investigative correspondent Vicky Nguyen helps us unbox a new trend from South Korea: fake online stores designed to deliver the dopamine rush of buying — without the cost.

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U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “humanitarian” on Wednesday, after Russia released a retired American teacher who’s been in custody since 2022. John Herbst, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, breaks down whether this really was a gesture of good faith by Putin and how this softening of U.S.-Russia relations could affect the war in Ukraine.

Next, the race for governor in Ohio is getting personal. Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has claimed responsibility for an attack ad against his opponent, Democrat Amy Acton, that features her estranged mother. NBC News senior national politics reporter and Ohio native Henry J. Gomez explains the response in the state and how the ad could actually backfire against Ramaswamy.

Plus, an NBC News analysis found that some students had viewed thousands of YouTube videos during school hours last year. NBC News national reporter Tyler Kingkade describes why parents are raising the alarm about screen time in school.

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A burgeoning separatist movement in Canada’s Alberta province was squelched this week after 75% of voters chose to remain part of Canada. Mickey Djuric, a politics and policy reporter for Politico Canada, explains how the movement grew in the conservative oil-rich province and what the outcome of the vote means for Prime Minister Mark Carney as he navigates tensions with President Donald Trump.

The new documentary “You Can See Everything” about Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes is smashing box office records, after pulling in $15 million in its opening weekend and earning rave reviews from critics. WIRED Global Editorial Director Katie Drummond shares what she learned from her cover-story interview with the elusive co-director Nathan Fielder and explains how the Theranos scandal influenced the way journalists cover today’s AI boom.

Plus, the NBA season tips off today and basketball fans already have questions: Will the NY Knicks be able to fend off Lebron James’ 76ers and a stronger-than ever all-star Eastern Conference? Will the Thunder and the Spurs continue to dominate the West? Mike Tirico, NBC Sports NBA play-by-play voice, gives his full-season preview and predictions.

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President Trump’s approval ratings have hit a new second-term low, based on the latest polling from the NBC News Decision Desk, and 71% of Americans say they think the country is on the wrong track. But how much will this negative public sentiment hurt Republicans in the midterms? NBC News chief data analyst Steve Kornacki explains what pollsters might be missing as we approach the midterms.

In France, violent protests erupted in cities across the country this weekend. NBC News foreign correspondent Raf Sanchez explains how student-led protests over school conditions grew into nationwide demonstrations, and how the turmoil is already playing a role in the country’s upcoming presidential elections.

Then, the 21st book in the beloved “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series is hitting bookshelves on Oct. 20. Author Jeff Kinney explains why he’s taking on bullying and why his main character Greg’s frown on the front cover has helped the series become a global success in the past two decades.

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Iowa overwhelmingly voted for Donald Trump in 2024 — and Republicans hold all of the state’s congressional seats. But rising fuel costs, tariffs and growing voter frustration over the war with Iran have made the Hawkeye State one of the most closely watched battlegrounds of the midterms. This week, “Here’s the Scoop Election Edition” host Garrett Haake sits down with Iowa state representative and Democratic Senate nominee Josh Turek, a Paralympic gold medalist and former Republican who's betting that his brand of "common-sense prairie populism" can win over independents, farmers and working-class voters. Then, longtime Republican strategist and Iowa insider David Kochel explains how GOP candidates are trying to establish independence from the White House and what he'll be watching for on election night.

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Families in Bend, Oregon, are reeling after a 16-year old gunman killed three children and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School on Thursday, and critically injured two others. NBC News correspondent Liz Kreutz explains why the shooting has sparked a debate about Oregon’s gun laws. Plus, a new documentary about Elon Musk, including interviews with Musk’s family members, colleagues and some of the women he’s been involved with, opens on Friday. Former right-wing influencer Ashley St. Clair discusses why she didn’t sign an NDA worth millions after she had Musk’s son, and what her time with him revealed about how Musk wields power. Then, the WNBA Finals start this weekend, with the Atlanta Dream taking on the Golden State Valkyries in San Francisco. LaChina Robinson, host of “WNBA Showtime” on NBC and Peacock, previews the matchup and how the growing league is capitalizing on this season’s growth.

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Just weeks before the midterm elections, federal agents searched the home of Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., seizing her phone and issuing around a dozen subpoenas, two people familiar with the DOJ investigation told NBC News. NBC News senior justice reporter Ryan J. Reilly explains how the move fits into a broader trend of the DOJ going after President Trump’s perceived political enemies and why it’s so unusual to launch this kind of probe right before an election.

Then, Cleo Abram is a video journalist and the host of the widely popular YouTube series “HUGE* if true” and “HUGE* conversations,” where she looks at the potential and the solutions offered by science and technology. Cleo talks about why she’s still a tech optimist in light of growing AI doomerism and how her interviews with industry leaders have shaped her perspective on security and regulation.

Lastly, we wade into the internet’s favorite controversy this week: singer and TV personality Kelly Clarkson’s social media fight with a Brooklyn shop over a mechanical bird. NBC News entertainment correspondent Chloe Melas spills the tea on the back-and-forth – and why the bird is now going for $15 million.

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Consumer prices are up 3.7% from a year ago, according to the latest inflation numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s largely driven by gas prices, which rose 9.1% in September. NBC News chief Capitol Hill correspondent Ryan Nobles breaks down how the GOP is dealing with rising inflation as early voters head to the polls. Plus, Ukraine says that Elon Musk’s SpaceX limited critical Starlink internet access and that some allies didn’t share key intel ahead of attacks, making the country more vulnerable to Russian assaults. NBC News national security and global affairs reporter Dan De Luce discusses whether Ukraine is being cut off from key allies as President Donald Trump’s attitude toward Russia softens. Finally, the Vatican said that Pope Leo XIV has lung cancer and that he is recovering after surgery Tuesday. NBC News Vatican analyst Deborah Lubov joins us from Rome to discuss Leo’s transparency about his condition and how Catholics are responding.

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