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Morning Briefing · Tuesday, October 20, 2026
7 stories, five minutes, and what each one means for you.
The big story
Khalil petition follows deportation order and rehearing denial
Mahmoud Khalil posted his Supreme Court petition online on Oct. 19 and detailed the earlier rulings against him. His lawyers say a separate federal case means he cannot yet be detained or deported.
What it means for you
- Khalil's lawyers say a separate federal case bars his detention or deportation for now.
- The Supreme Court will consider the petition at a closed-door meeting in the coming months.
Politics
Supreme Court Lacks Quorum on Copyright Case; 5th Circuit Ruling Stands
The Supreme Court could not consider a copyright petition after four justices recused themselves, leaving the court without a quorum, according to the Washington Examiner. As a result, the 5th Circuit's ruling in BMG Rights Management v. Vetter will stand.
What it means: The 5th Circuit's ruling stands in this dispute between major music labels and artists.
Second Home Distilling Petition Still Pending at Supreme Court
As of Oct. 19, the Supreme Court had not acted on a second petition over the federal home distilling ban, which comes from an Ohio brewpub owner. Reports also detail the penalties, the tax rules that would still apply, and a repeal bill in Congress.
What it means: A fine of up to $10,000 can accompany a violation, on top of prison time, according to NBC News.
Federal Prosecutors Charge 28 Noncitizens With California Election Crimes
Federal authorities charged 28 noncitizens in California with election crimes on Oct. 19 and arrested 11 of them, according to the Daily Signal. The cases come as the Justice Department presses its dispute with the state over voter rolls ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
What it means: The 28 defendants are accused, not convicted. The reports did not say when they will appear in court.
Mahmoud Khalil asks Supreme Court to hear his detention case
Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University demonstrator arrested by immigration authorities in March 2025, asked the Supreme Court on Oct. 19 to take up his case, his lawyers said. He is appealing a ruling that a federal judge could not order his release until he finishes the immigration court process.
What it means: Khalil stays free while the justices decide whether to take the case.
Trump Signs Order Creating Women's Health Division at NIH
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Oct. 19 that sets up a women's health division inside the National Institutes of Health and a new White House task force on the subject. The order aims to expand federal research into conditions that Trump says remain understudied.
What it means: The order puts women's health research under a dedicated NIH office, with a White House task force overseeing the effort.
Your business
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Over Costco Kirkland '100% Agave' Tequila Label
A judge dismissed a proposed class-action lawsuit claiming Costco's Kirkland tequilas labeled "100% agave" are mixed with low-grade alcohol. The judge deferred to Mexico's authority over tequila regulation, and the plaintiffs' lawyers say they will appeal.
What it means: The suit over Kirkland tequila labels is dismissed for now. The plaintiffs' lawyers say they will appeal.
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