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At this time’s high tales
NPR’s senior political editor/correspondent Domenico Montanaro joins the publication right now to interrupt down the 2025 off-year elections.
Up and down the poll, Democrats did properly, from the marquee gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey to a key redistricting poll initiative in California and even state Supreme Court docket races in Pennsylvania. Listed here are 5 takeaways from the 2025 off-year elections:
Voters solid their ballots at a polling station on Nov. 4, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. Virginians hit the polls on Election Day to select their subsequent governor.
Alex Wong/Getty Photographs
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Alex Wong/Getty Photographs
- It is nonetheless the price of residing, silly. Costs, costs, costs. Affordability was a by line in many of the races Tuesday. President Trump’s lack of concentrate on it seemingly harm his get together, as voters overwhelmingly sided with Democrats on the financial system.
- Republicans nonetheless have a Trump drawback — in two other ways. Republican candidates are in a quandary — Trump is unpopular and a drag with independents, however with out him on the poll, they proceed to have issues turning out base voters.
- The Trump hunch with Latinos seems to be actual. Trump made inroads with Latinos in 2024, however that has slid backward. Latinos selected Democrats within the governors’ races by 2-to-1 margins.
- The redistricting arms race is on, and Democrats acquired a lift Tuesday on that entrance. Sure on Prop 50 gained massive, giving Democrats an opportunity to counterbalance GOP efforts to squeeze out extra Republican Home seats. It was an enormous win for California Gov. Gavin Newsom, too.
- The Democratic Social gathering must wrestle with its id over the following yr. From Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York to Abigail Spanberger for Virginia governor, there’s going to be an actual debate on how finest for Democrats to current themselves to win in subsequent yr’s midterm elections.
Keep knowledgeable with extra information and evaluation by subscribing to the NPR Politics publication and listening to the NPR Politics podcast.
At this time marks day 36 of the continuing authorities shutdown, making it the longest in U.S. historical past. It takes the title from the newest shutdown, which stretched from December 2018 to January 2019 throughout President Trump’s first time period in workplace. Ad infinitum, Individuals are feeling the worsening impacts each day, from disruptions at airports throughout the U.S. to federal staff going and not using a paycheck. Here is how this shutdown compares to earlier ones.
The Supreme Court docket hears arguments right now on whether or not Trump can unilaterally set tariff charges beneath the Worldwide Emergency Financial Powers Act. Decrease courts say he has exceeded his authority, whereas Trump argues that the measure permits him to impose tariffs to deal with commerce imbalances and fentanyl imports. Tariffs are producing billions of {dollars} for the federal authorities, however they’re additionally elevating the prices of products for shoppers and irritating companies. Take heed to the oral arguments within the case right here.
Israeli authorities have arrested and detained the army’s high lawyer after she admitted leaking footage of Israeli troopers sexually abusing a Palestinian detainee at a facility the place Israel has held Palestinian prisoners all through the warfare in Gaza. The army advocate normal, Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, acknowledged in her resignation letter that she approved the video’s launch to defuse assaults on investigators dealing with the case. Tomer-Yerushalmi has now been arrested for leaking the footage. Take heed to NPR’s Daniel Estrin talk about the importance of the case with Morning Version or learn the transcript right here.
At this time’s pay attention
Callery pear blossoms.
Charles A. Tilford/Flickr
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Charles A. Tilford/Flickr
Callery pear blossoms.
Charles A. Tilford/Flickr
From day by day stress to nonstop information, all of us would possibly want a second to calm our nerves now and again. NPR’s All Songs Thought-about has launched its fourth installment of music to calm you down. It options new releases showcasing ambient sounds from Ozbolt and Klein alongside the hope and good firm discovered within the music of Samia, Hand Habits, KeiyaA, and extra. Take heed to snippets of the songs. You can even immerse your self within the playlist right here.
Dwelling Higher
Our physique is an beautiful time-keeping machine. Each cell that has DNA has a molecular clock, however they do not preserve excellent time on their very own.
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AzmanL/E+/Getty Photographs
Dwelling Higher is a particular sequence about what it takes to remain wholesome in America.
Scientists say returning to “normal time” is helpful for our well being, however the adjustment could be disruptive. When our physique’s circadian rhythm is out of sync, dangers for diabetes and coronary heart illness can rise. Listed here are some methods to realign your habits:
- ⏰ Eat inside a 10-hour window. Additionally, drop the late-night snack.
- ⏰ Hold a constant sleep schedule so your physique can keep in rhythm.
- ⏰Train while you really feel most alert to assist cue your physique to be awake.
The time change presents an incredible alternative to reset your sleep schedule. Learn extra in regards to the adolescent biology of sleep patterns.
3 issues to know earlier than you go
Teen Vogue signage is seen throughout the 2025 Teen Vogue Summit at NYA WEST on September 20, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Photographs for Teen Vogue
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Phillip Faraone/Getty Photographs for Teen Vogue
- Teen Vogue staffers introduced that they have been laid off because the outlet strikes beneath Vogue.com. The outlet coated vogue, superstar, politics and social justice points.
- Final night time, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear mentioned that there have been at the least seven confirmed deaths and 11 accidents from a United Parcel Service cargo aircraft crash close to the Louisville airport. (by way of LPM)
- Math academics at an Arizona highschool are going through demise threats after a Turning Level USA worker falsely accused them of carrying Halloween costumes that mocked the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The educators say it was only a joke about fixing math issues. (by way of KJZZ)
This article was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi.
