Biden-Harris propose expanded contraception coverage

The Biden administration wants to expand contraception coverage under Obamacare. Under the administration’s proposed rule, women would be able to obtain over-the-counter contraception without a prescription at no additional cost. It would also strengthen coverage of prescribed contraception without cost sharing under the Affordable Care Act. In separate statements, President Biden and Vice President Harris said the action is necessary because reproductive health is under attack, especially since the overturning of Roe v Wade more than two years ago.

Trump, Harris furiously court voters in battlegrounds

U.S. investigating leak of top secret docs on Israeli military plans

Harris steps up Trump attacks as Election Day nears

Vice President Harris is stepping her attacks on Donald Trump in the closing weeks of the presidential race. Early in the Harris campaign, there was lots of talk of “joy” amid the surge of enthusiasm she enjoyed as she replaced Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket. But with a neck-and-neck race so close to Election Day, the vice president is increasingly going on the attack. She’s closing out her campaign painting a dark vision of the country if Donald Trump is sent back to the White House, including airing video clips at her own rallies of Trump’s controversial rhetoric.

Biden hopes Hamas leader killing leads to ceasefire

The White House hopes the killing of the top Hamas leader can lead to a ceasefire. After word of Yahya Sinwar’s death in Gaza, President Biden called Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and congratulated him on the elimination of the terrorist leader. In a statement, the president called it a “good day for Israel, the United States, and the world” because the terrorist “was responsible for the deaths of thousands” of people. The White House hopes this moment in the conflict can help bring the hostages home and the war to a close.

Biden talks Mideast, Ukraine with allies in Germany

President Biden met with European partners in a whirlwind trip to Germany. The president spent the day Friday in Berlin for talks with the German chancellor, as well as the president of France and the British prime minister. They discussed the conflict in the Middle East and Russia’s war in Ukraine. Mr. Biden urged Western allies to keep supporting the Ukrainians.

Secret Service needs “fundamental reform” says panel

An independent panel says the U-S Secret Service needs “fundamental reform.” The panel reviewing the attempted assassination of Donald Trump issued a 52-page report that takes the Secret Service to task. It recommends bringing in new, outside leadership and refocusing on its protective mission. A gunman fired at Trump during a July campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Without new leadership, the independent panel warns that “another Butler can and will happen again.”

DC’s Reagan National to add 5 new long-haul flights

Five new long-haul flights are being added to Ronald Reagan National Airport. The Transportation Department has tentatively awarded one daily round-trip flight apiece to Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, Southwest and United at Reagan National. Federal rules limit the number of flights longer than 12-hundred 50 miles from the airport. But this year, Congress approved five new daily flights at the airport, which is closer to downtown DC than Dulles airport.

U.S. warns of North Korean military support for Russia

Vice President Harris to be interviewed on Fox News

Fox News will air its first-ever sit-down interview with Vice President Harris. After facing criticism for avoiding interviews earlier in her campaign, Harris has stepped up her media appearances. Most have been with outlets and interviewers in her ideological comfort zone. But the vice president has agreed to an interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier that will air this evening at 6pm Eastern time. Donald Trump reacted by lashing out at Harris and Fox News on social media, saying the network “has grown so weak and soft on the Democrats.”

Gallup: trust in mass media hits new low

Trust in the mass media has hit a new low. A new Gallup poll reversal that Americans have serious doubts about the news media. One-third of those surveyed have no trust at all in the media to report the news ‘fully, accurately, and fairly.” And another third of Americans express “not very much” confidence. According to Gallup, the news media is the least trusted group among civic and political institutions — ranking just below Congress.

New polls show Trump cutting into slight Harris lead

With Election Day fast approaching, the presidential contest remains too close to call. Two new polls released over the weekend show Vice President Kamala Harris losing ground in her slight edge over former President Donald Trump nationwide. The ABC and NBC News poll results are both within the margin of error. Other recent surveys show Harris’s support lagging among Hispanic and Black voters. She still has the backing of strong majorities among those voter groups, but they are weaker than Joe Biden’s Hispanic and Black support four years ago

US to send missile defense system, troops to Israel

The United States will send more equipment and some troops to Israel. At the direction of President Biden, the Pentagon authorized the deployment of an advanced missile defense system to Israel, along with U-S military personnel to operate it. A Pentagon spokesman said the system will help bolster Israel’s air defenses following Iran’s ballistic missile attacks this year. Israel is widely believed to be preparing a military response to Iran’s launching of 180 missiles into Israel earlier this month.

Trump shuts door on final debate offer from CNN

Former President Trump is saying no to another debate with Vice President Harris. Trump wrote on social media that “there will be no rematch” with Harris. He said at this point of the campaign “there is nothing to debate.” However, the Harris campaign disagrees, calling Trump’s refusal to participate in a CNN debate as “a disservice to the American people.” Instead of hosting a debate on October 23rd, CNN will feature the vice president at a town hall in Pennsylvania. Trump also declined an appearance on 60 Minutes, opting instead to do more than two dozen interviews with conservative media.

Trump, Harris neck-and-neck in the Blue Wall states

The so-called “Blue Wall” states remain up for grabs in the tight presidential race. Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin comprise the Blue Wall that is viewed as critical for both presidential campaigns. And this week’s Quinnipiac Poll shows an extremely close contest. The poll has Vice President Harris slightly ahead in Pennsylvania, and former President Trump holding an edge in Michigan and Wisconsin. Axios reports that Harris, especially, is depending on the Blue Wall to win, but top Democratic politicians and operatives believe those three states are getting tougher for the vice president.

Biden wants Congress to approve more disaster funding

President Biden is calling on Congress to move quickly on additional emergency funding for natural disasters. The Biden administration says FEMA has enough funding for immediate needs following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. But the president says lawmakers should come back before the election to approve more money. He says billions of dollars will be needed to fund FEMA and the Small Business Administration, which provides disaster relief loans.

After Milton, Biden says life-saving measures made a difference

President Biden says Hurricane Milton caused significant damage, but evacuations and other measures helped save lives. Hours after Milton came ashore and roared across central Florida, the president was briefed on the storm’s impact. He said, “we know that life-saving measures did make a difference.” But he warned of still-dangerous conditions in the hurricane’s aftermath. The president especially thanked military personnel who have been dispatched to help with cleanup from both Helene and Milton.

Republicans fault Harris for supporting all Biden decisions

Republicans are seizing on Vice President Harris’s comment about not changing any decision by President Biden. When asked this week how she would lead differently than Joe Biden, the vice president replied, “there is not a thing that comes to mind.” Donald Trump and other Republicans have been sharing that televised clip and telling voters that Harris will continue Biden’s policies. It highlights a dilemma facing the vice president — how to present herself both as a candidate of change while remaining loyal to the Biden administration.

Biden urges Florida evacuations, warns of “fierce” hurricane

President Biden is urging Florida residents in the path of Hurricane Milton to evacuate. During a hurricane briefing with administration officials, the president said Florida is facing a ferocious storm. He said FEMA has personnel and equipment in place and that he’s told Florida’s governor to call him with any needs. The president also denounced claims that the government is seizing property and offering very little in cash to storm victims.

As Mideast tensions escalate, Biden and Netanyahu hold first call in weeks

President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu have held their first call in weeks. Their conversation between the two leaders came as Israel expands its ground incursion into Lebanon and considers how to respond to Iran’s recent ballistic missile attack. The White House says Vice President Harris also joined the call. President Biden supports Israel’s right to defense, but also has been working to secure a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the prime minister had recently spoken with former President Trump.

Biden sets 10-year deadline to replace lead pipes in cities

President Biden is setting a 10-year deadline for U.S. cities to replace lead pipes. In a bid to improve the safety of drinking water in many U-S cities, the president announced a new rule that requires lead pipes to be replaced over the next decade. The president spoke in Milwaukee, one of many cities across the country taking steps to remove lead pipes. He said the goal is simple: “It’s about clean water.”

New Woodward book reveals new Biden, Trump details

A new book from Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward reveals new details about Joe Biden and Donald Trump. In his new book, “War,” Woodward details President Biden’s complicated relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. He writes that the president’s “distrust” of Netanyahu “erupted this past spring, leading to a profanity-laden tirade. Woodward reports that Donald Trump has had as many as seven private phone calls with Vladimir Putin since leaving office, and secretly sent the Russian president COVID-19 test machines during the height of the pandemic. A Trump spokesman said that’s “untrue” and described Woodward as “demented.”

Biden says Milton could be Florida’s worst storm in 100 years

President Biden is urging Florida residents in the path of Hurricane Milton to evacuate. The president says Milton is shaping up to be a ferocious storm. He says it has the potential to both enter and leave Florida as a hurricane, and he warns people in the path of Milton to “evacuate now, now, now.” The president is postponing a planned foreign to stay at the White House and monitor the approaching storm.

Biden postpones foreign trip as Hurricane Milton approaches

President Biden is postponing his upcoming trip overseas as Hurricane Milton approaches. The president was scheduled to leave Washington on Thursday for a trip to Germany and Angola, but has decided to stay at the White House. A spokesperson says “given the projected trajectory and strength of Hurricane Milton,” Mr. Biden will postpone his foreign travel “in order to oversee preparations for and the response to Milton,” as well as the ongoing response to Hurricane Helene.