Saturday, October 17

A Russia sanctions waiver, a voter roll fight with California and the final stretch of the midterm campaign led Saturday. Rubio said the sanctions pause would last 60 days, the Justice Department sent California a new warning letter, and Trump rallied Republicans with the November 3 election ahead.

1. 
   Voter rolls
   Justice Department warns California over suspected noncitizen ballots

   The Justice Department sent California officials a new letter warning that processing ballots from suspected noncitizens could bring prosecution, and Trump vowed jail time. Headtopics reported the department also warned Los Angeles County officials. The department sued California Thursday over what it says are more than 20,000 noncitizens registered to vote. Gov. Gavin Newsom called the suit "unfounded."

   The question

   Is the Justice Department's voter roll demand on California justified?

   Voter suppressionJustified
   Read the story ›
2. Russia and Ukraine
   Rubio says Russia sanctions waiver will last 60 days

   Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that Trump's waiver of Russia sanctions and tariffs would last 60 days while officials evaluate the situation. Trump said he has yet to announce a final decision. Top Republicans joined Democrats in criticizing the waiver, and CBS News reported Zelenskyy said the decision "seems wrong."

   The question

   Should Trump be able to waive Russia sanctions Congress passed?

   Congress decidesPresident's call
   Read the story ›
3. Midterm messaging
   Trump urges Republican turnout as polls show Democrats ahead

   Newsmax reported Trump told a northern Kentucky rally Saturday to treat the midterms as a referendum on his presidency, and said the Iran war will end "very quickly." ABC News reported Democrats lead in House vote choice and Trump's approval hit a record low. Reuters reported Trump is blaming senior aides as Republican prospects dim.

   The question

   Should Trump campaign for Husted against Brown in Ohio?

   Oppose the rallySupport the rally
   Read the story ›
4. West Bank
   Settlers allegedly attack European diplomats in West Bank

   UPI reported Israeli settlers allegedly attacked European diplomats in the West Bank on Saturday, a day after Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine was beaten. Reuters reported Rubio said the United States wants Israel to "crack down" on settler violence. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to investigate Friday's attack.

   The question

   Do you trust Netanyahu's probe of the settler attack?

   I doubt itI trust it
   Read the story ›
5. Iran
   Rebuilding missile stockpile after Iran war could take four years

   CBS News, citing sources, reported that replenishing the U.S. missile stockpile depleted in the Iran war will take at least four years. The United States has also imposed new Iran-related sanctions, blacklisting an Iraq-based bank, amid a stalemate in the war between Washington and Tehran.

   The question

   Are sanctions the right move while US missile stocks run low?

   Not enough aloneSanctions first
   Read the story ›

• Justice Department

  CBS News reported attorneys for Rep. Ilhan Omar asked the government to immediately return her property and to preserve all video and audio recordings of the search.

• Gun violence

  KTLA reported that a special-needs teacher and a student wounded in the Bend, Oregon, school shooting remained hospitalized Saturday as the community mourned four dead.

• Senate races

  CNN reported Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed disavowed the Muslim Brotherhood Saturday during a heated town hall exchange.

• ICE enforcement

  Protesters rallied in Fresno's Tower District against a reported increase in ICE activity.

• Fuel prices

  Raw Story reported Trump is being criticized over the Russian diesel supply deal he announced Friday.

• The Supreme Court

  The Washington Examiner reported some conservatives still hope Justice Samuel Alito, 76, will retire despite his rejection of retirement.

8 stories closed across 8 threads. Each stays on its thread’s timeline and reopens if the reporting comes back.