Daily Briefing: Why your vote today matters
Voters are headed to polls across the country Tuesday in elections that may signal power shifts and cultural sentiment ahead of next year's presidential election. Also in the news: Israel's leader has not agreed to calls for a pause in the war with Hamas one month into the conflict, and University of Michigan football faces potential disciplinary action.
🙋🏼♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. You know Elf on the Shelf. But have you heard of Noorah the Arctic Fox?
Now, here we go with the news to know Tuesday.
The races to watch on Election Day
Tuesday elections include two gubernatorial races in Kentucky and Mississippi as well as state legislature races for Virginia and Pennsylvania. Rhode Island will hold a special election to fill congressional seats Tuesday before Utah does the same later this month, and a key political battle includes an abortion protection ballot in Ohio that could shape the state’s constitution.
The presidential election looms over today's votes, with voters deciding national sentiment on key culture issues and determining the balance of power in battleground states.
Young people and Black voters are some of the groups making a difference in Election Day campaigns, from abortion on the ballot in Ohio to the end of a Jim Crow-era voting law in Mississippi.
Fearful of voter fraud? Federal and state election officials are in the midst of campaigns of their own to reassure wary voters about the integrity of casting their ballots.
The update on 2024: The presidential race is likely to be a rematch between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. Recent polling found Trump beating Biden by 10 points in Nevada, six points in Georgia, five points in Arizona and Michigan, and four points in Pennsylvania.
One month since October 7 attacks, what's Israel's plan in Gaza?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will have “overall security responsibility” in Gaza for an indefinite period after its war with Hamas which began one month ago. It's the clearest indication yet that Israel plans to maintain control over the coastal enclave. In an interview with ABC News that aired late Monday, Netanyahu did not express agreement with calls for a humanitarian pause in the war − including one from President Joe Biden − as it battered northern Gaza in preparation for an imminent ground incursion into Gaza City. Read more
Jewish and Muslim organizations denounce attacks against college students.
For an American stuck in Gaza, escape from war has a painful cost: Leaving family behind.
More news to know now
A new Biden proposal would make changes to Advantage plans for Medicare.
A second Denver-area officer was acquitted in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain.
New tent cities could pop up in NYC as the city removes unhoused migrants from shelters.
A man was sentenced to 48 years in prison for the 2019 fatal shooting of a transgender Dallas woman.
For subscribers: Dolly Parton opened up about her second Dollywood resort.
Our daily news podcast has a new look (and sound!): Check out The Excerpt on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your smart speaker.
What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.
Donald Trump hurls insults in New York fraud trial
Donald Trump hurled insults throughout a day of testimony Monday as he fought a New York civil fraud lawsuit that threatens what he calls the "corporate death penalty" and $250 million in penalties. Trump called the trial a “scam” and a “disgrace,” and said the judge who ruled he committed fraud knew nothing about him. But New York Attorney General Letitia James, who brought the case, told reporters outside the courthouse Trump was a bully who had used bombast and insults to distract from documentary evidence of years of fraudulent filings about the value of his real estate. Here are our takeaways from Trump's day in court.
Student loan debt forgiveness committee to meet as borrower frustrations grow
A committee of experts and stakeholders on Tuesday will continue conversations about how to address some borrowers’ debt as part of President Joe Biden’s plan for student loan forgiveness. It’s his Plan B, following the Supreme Court undoing his original plans for widespread loan cancellation. The Education Department has asked the committee to consider five groups of borrowers in this round of discussion. It’s become clear that while the Biden administration wants to forgive loans widely, there will be limits to what it can do. Read more
Keep scrolling
Evan Ellingson, child star of ''My Sister's Keeper'' and ''24'' has passed away at 35.
A spinal cord implant brings hope and mobility to a Parkinson's patient.
The USWNT is getting the Chelsea's manager as their new coach.
"Monday Night Football" recap: Chargers' 27-6 victory over the Jets.
2.1 million vehicles were recalled. Check if yours was among them.
Birds, bears, bugs and more wild things highlight the Nature Conservancy 2023 Photo Contest.
Michigan football served notice of potential disciplinary action from Big Ten
The Big Ten on Monday sent a formal notice to Michigan athletics notifying it of potential disciplinary action related to Michigan football's alleged illegal sign-stealing scheme. Michigan could be punished based on the Big Ten's sportsmanship policy. The investigation centers on whether Michigan was scouting future opponents in-person and using video recordings to decipher coaches' signals from the sideline. Both actions are against NCAA rules. Read more
Connor Stalions, the Michigan football staffer at center of a sign-stealing scandal, has resigned.
Perspective: Big Ten's commissioner has nothing but bad options with Michigan.
Photo of the day: Serena Williams honored with fashion icon award at 2023 CFDAs
A-list celebrities and the fashion elite ventured to uptown Manhattan on Monday night to the American Museum of Natural History for the Council of Fashion Designers of America's annual event. Serena Williams earned the night's fashion icon award presented to her by friend Kim Kardashian. Williams, who wore custom Thom Browne, recalled her legacy of "reimagining the traditional tennis outfits." Check out more photos from American fashion's big night.
Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com or follow along with her musings on Twitter. Support journalism like this – subscribe to USA TODAY here.
Associated Press contributed reporting.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Election Day 2023, Israel-Hamas war, Trump New York trial, student loan forgiveness, Michigan football, Serena Williams: Daily Briefing
