Thursday, October 22

23 threads moved · 16 stories opened · 16 went quiet

Iran said seven oil tankers were hit in the Strait of Hormuz, and Brent crude rose above $111 a barrel. A federal judge ordered a halt to noncitizen voting investigations in nine states, and Russia struck Kyiv after the Kremlin said talks would resume. Newsweek reported record-low approval numbers for President Trump less than two weeks before the midterms.

The five

Iran
Iran says seven tankers hit in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's state television reported that seven oil tankers caught fire or were damaged overnight in the Strait of Hormuz after being targeted or hitting naval mines. Brent crude rose above $111 a barrel. The Boston Globe reported that US and Israeli militaries have drawn up plans for renewed strikes on Iran after the midterms, while Raw Story reported Trump accused Iran of making up attacks to push up oil prices.
The question
Will tensions around the Strait of Hormuz keep escalating?
Read the story ›
Voter rolls
Judge halts noncitizen voting probes in nine states
A federal judge in California ordered the Trump administration to halt investigations in nine states into whether noncitizens are registered to vote, KCRA reported. KCUR described a preliminary injunction issued late Wednesday that likened the tactic to voter intimidation. The Justice Department separately asked a federal appeals court to step in on its California mail-in ballot lawsuit.
The question
Should green card holders face criminal charges for voting?
Read the story ›
Russia and Ukraine
Russia strikes Kyiv hours after agreeing to resume talks
Ukrainian authorities said Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv killed one person and injured 22, hours after the Kremlin said it would resume trilateral peace talks. Econotimes reported Ushakov said Moscow was willing in principle to resume around Nov. 10. Zelensky backed the US proposal but said the timing was unclear.
The question
Will the US-led talks in Norway end the Ukraine war?
Read the story ›
Midterm messaging
Two new polls show record-low approval for Trump
Newsweek reported that two new polls put President Trump's approval rating at record lows, with economic discontent threatening Republicans. Cook Report polls put Democrats ahead in three critical Senate races. CNN listed the top 10 Senate seats most likely to flip, saying Democratic excitement is high but the outcome is "far from a sure bet."
The question
Should Congress place tighter checks on presidential power after the midterm elections?
Read the story ›
Senate races
Paxton donor backs Talarico as GOP PAC eyes Mississippi
Newsweek reported that attorney Thomas J. Henry, a major Ken Paxton donor, endorsed Democrat James Talarico in the Texas Senate race, citing his "balanced" and "honest" approach. CNN reported that a top Republican super PAC is buying ads in Mississippi to shore up Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. The Daily Caller put the spending at $1 million.
The question
Has Talarico changed his views to win the Senate race?
Read the story ›

Also yesterday

ICE enforcement
The Justice Department moved to remove two Minnesota federal judges from immigration cases, citing their remarks to media as "extraordinarily imprudent," Fox News reported.
Justice Department
Federal agents searched Rep. Ilhan Omar's Washington home in a criminal investigation tied to immigration fraud allegations.
Public health
Calley Means, a key MAHA adviser, resigned from the Trump administration, citing "dark forces," according to the Daily Caller, Daily Beast and The Independent.
New York City
The New York City Council voted to end Central Park horse carriage rides by 2028, and the New York Post reported the carriage union sued.
The economy
Mark Zuckerberg and Meta's board agreed Wednesday to create non-voting Class C stock that could help him pay California's proposed Prop 40 billionaire tax.
Epstein files
New Mexico sued Epstein's accountant and lawyer, accusing them of hiding sex trafficking at his ranch, NPR reported.
On the Hill
The Supreme Court docket lists Scanlan v. Coalition for Open Democracy, number 26A512, as active.