Morning Briefing · Thursday, October 29, 2026
7 stories, five minutes, and what each one means for you.
The big story
Alaska Governor Orders Probe Into Alleged Senate Ballot Scheme
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has ordered the state Department of Public Safety to investigate an alleged effort to recruit Senate candidates to confuse voters. The order follows a New York Times report tying the effort to Democrat Peltola's team, which her campaign denies.
What it means for you
- Alaska's Department of Public Safety will examine whether the alleged recruitment effort violated state law. Dunleavy said the evidence will decide what comes next.
- Certification of the Senate result could be delayed. The Justice Department's Oct. 22 lawsuit seeks that delay if Sen. Sullivan loses and votes for Daniel J. Sullivan could have changed the outcome.
Politics
CNN, MS NOW, Politico Seek White House Pool Access in Court
CNN, MS NOW and Politico asked a federal judge on Oct. 28 to put them back in the White House press pools. The outlets call their exclusion unlawful retaliation, while a White House official says journalists have no constitutional right of access to certain private areas.
What it means: If Judge Kelly grants the pool request, the three outlets could return to the small-group coverage of the president. The report gave no ruling date.
Emergency declared at South Carolina nuclear site after lab fire
A fire at the Savannah River National Laboratory near Aiken, South Carolina, led the Savannah River Site to declare a Site Area Emergency on Oct. 28. Reports conflict on whether a radiological release occurred, and the cause of the fire has not been reported.
What it means: Residents near Aiken should monitor local radio and television for updates and any instructions from state officials.
Judge rejects DOJ bid to set aside 20,000 California ballots
A federal judge on Oct. 28 denied a Justice Department request to make California set aside the ballots of about 20,000 voters the administration calls likely noncitizens. The Justice Department has appealed, and the case could move quickly ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
What it means: If the ruling stands, California would keep handling ballots as it normally does for the Nov. 3 election, as the Washington Examiner described it.
Trump Demands Alaska Senate Ballot Changes Over Second Dan Sullivan
President Donald Trump demanded last-minute changes to the Alaska U.S. Senate ballot on Oct. 28. He acted after a New York Times report said Democratic aides helped recruit a second candidate named Dan Sullivan.
What it means: Alaska voters should watch whether election officials or courts act on Trump's demand to change the Senate ballot.
Trump denies directing Vance to restart Iran peace talks
President Donald Trump on Oct. 28 denied reports that he told Vice President JD Vance to revive peace negotiations with Iran. The reports described a letter from Vance to Iran's national security chief, which would be the highest-level U.S. outreach to Iran in months.
What it means: Whether U.S. and Iranian officials resume peace talks is unconfirmed, and the president has denied directing any outreach.
Your paycheck
FTC Orders Walmart, Delta and Others to Detail Data-Driven Pricing
The Federal Trade Commission on Oct. 28 ordered Delta, Walmart and other companies to turn over details on how consumer data shapes their prices. The agency is also studying how ride-share and delivery firms use drivers' data to set pay.
What it means: If the FTC's review shows prices vary by person, the findings could add to the debate over personalized pricing that is already active in statehouses.
Forwarded this? Subscribe free. Share the briefing and earn the guide bundle: {{rp_refer_url}}
Corrections and tips: reply to this email. Every story links its sources.