Was there a serial killer in rural Iowa?

Was this woman's dad a serial killer? Adidas dumped Ye over his offensive remarks. And Brittney Griner lost her appeal in Russia.

👋 Hello! Laura Davis here. It's Tuesday! Let's get to the news.

But first, it's a weird list, but somebody's gotta make it. 🐀 Which city has the most rats? While NYC has a reputation for hosting a bustling population of unwanted pests (hello, Pizza Rat and friends), the "rattiest" city in America is...

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Woman claims dad was a prolific serial killer

Could dozens of women be buried on a rural property in Iowa? According to his daughter, Donald Dean Studey murdered roughly 70 women over several decades and buried them in and around an abandoned well on his property near Thurman, Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope said. On Oct. 21, cadaver dogs indicated the possible existence of decomposing remains in the area, officials said. "She's got a hell of a story but we don't have any proof of anything," Aistrope said. Studey died in 2013, so Airstope said finding the bodies and identifying the remains will be complicated, but he vowed he will do "everything I can to get the next of kin notified, at least." Keep reading for more.

Adidas dumps Ye over antisemitic statements

As it turns out, Ye was wrong. The rapper formerly known as Kanye West boasted in a recent podcast episode that he "can say antisemitic things, and Adidas can't drop me." On Tuesday, Adidas said it has dropped Ye over his offensive remarks, the latest company to cut ties and a decision Adidas said would hit its bottom line. Adidas said it conducted a “thorough review” and would immediately stop production of its line of Yeezy products and stop payments to Ye and his companies. The loss of the partnership has knocked Ye off Forbes' billionaire list.

What everyone's talking about

• Are you thriving? Survey on vitality finds most Americans aren't.

• Are you getting enough sleep? How sleep can spike chronic disease risk.

• Last solar eclipse of the year: See October's stunning partial solar eclipse.

• There's a new bird in town: Meet the 'tanabeak' songbird hybrid.

• Olivia Wilde, Jason Sudeikis have joint custody. Only one is seen as an absentee parent.

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With debt relief plan in limbo, White House looks at other options

With President Joe Biden’s broader student loan debt forgiveness plan in legal peril and temporarily blocked, the administration is leveraging other tools to cancel some of Americans’ $1.6 trillion in federal money borrowed to attend college. The Education Department said Tuesday that it would make permanent some temporary changes to a program that makes it easier for teachers, public defenders and other public sector workers to have their loan debt forgiven. The one-time changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness plan are set to expire on Monday. Keep reading.

Candidates in 3 states square off in debates

As the midterm election cycle enters its final weeks, candidates in key races on Tuesday will hit the debate stage. Here's what to know.

• In Pennsylvania: Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman meets up with Republican Mehmet Oz in a high-profile U.S. Senate debate. The race could determine which party gets control of the evenly divided chamber. 

• In Colorado: Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet is fending off a challenge from political novice Republican Joe O'Dea, as he seeks reelection for a third term.

• In Michigan: Fight to keep her seat, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer squares off against Republican challenger Tudor Dixon. Whitmer has led Dixon in polling, but that margin is narrowing. 

👉 Monday's debate in Florida: Democrat Charlie Crist clearly knew that Monday night’s TV debate was likely his last chance to change the course of his flagging and out-financed campaign against Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. He came out swinging – rhetorically. Five takeaways from the debate.

• As Fetterman preps to face Dr. Oz, stroke survivors see themselves in him.

• Why is Palm Beach County seeing a surge in independent voters?

• Insulin, drug prices: How health care could decide control of Congress.

• Midterm elections polling is useless. There is no crystal ball. | Opinion 

• Gen Z voices: We're told we will 'fix everything.' Voting in the midterms is the first step.

Real quick

• St. Louis school shooting: Hundreds mourn at vigil; more details released.

• New British PM Rishi Sunak warns of a 'profound economic crisis.'

• Teacher arrested, accused of hiding missing teen for two years.

• Tom Brady is texting with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. About what?

• Amazon delivery driver found dead after suspected dog attack.

• Preseason men's basketball poll: North Carolina at No. 1 over Gonzaga

• Ashton Carter, defense secretary under Obama, dies at age 68.

• Magnitude 5.1 earthquake rattles San Francisco Bay Area.

🌤 What's the weather up to in your neck of the woods? Check your local forecast here.

Brittney Griner loses 'sham' appeal

Basketball star Brittney Griner appeared Tuesday in a Russian courtroom – via videolink from prison – to appeal her nine-year sentence for drug possession. The appeal was rejected. U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan slammed the decision, calling it "another sham judicial proceeding." Griner, an eight-time all-star with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was convicted Aug. 4 after police said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage. Sullivan said the administration is continuing to talk with Russian officials about a possible prisoner swap.

👉 The latest: Chechen leader wants Ukraine cities 'wiped off the face of the Earth'; Russian helicopters taking a beating. Thursday's updates.

A break from the news

• 📬 Ask HR: 'Should workers be allowed to wear costumes on Halloween?'

• 🛍️ Start holiday shopping: Here's what's already flying off the shelves.

• 🐾 Meet Joska: This special cruising canine has spent 700 days at sea.

• 🎥 There's no place like home for these returning military siblings.

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Send her an email at laura@usatoday.com or follow along with her adventures – and misadventures – on Twitter. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Studey Iowa serial killer claim, Adidas drops Ye, Brittney Griner, midterm debates. Tuesday's news.