Walz walks back call to abolish Electoral College, lines up with Harris campaign
Minnesota Gov. and vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, D, walked back his recent comments in support of abolishing the Electoral College. In a recent interview with ABC News, Walz clarified that his position is in line with Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign, which does not support replacing the Electoral College with a national popular vote system.
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Walz originally voiced his support for eliminating the Electoral College during a campaign event hosted by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, D. His remarks sparked controversy, leading to questions about whether his views were consistent with those of the Harris-Walz campaign.
In the interview, Walz stated that his earlier comments did not reflect the campaign’s official position.
“The campaign’s position is clear,” Walz said. “Their position, and my position, is to make sure that everybody understands their vote, no matter what state they’re in, matters.”
When asked directly if he and Harris disagreed on the issue, Walz said he had discussed the matter in the past but reiterated that he stands by the campaign’s position.
“She’s been very clear on this,” Walz said in the interview. “And the campaign’s position is my position.”
The clarification comes amid other moments on the campaign trail where Walz has had to walk back or clarify statements, including questions regarding his military tenure, family planning decisions and his past as a high school football coach.
Political observers suggest these missteps could be exploited by opponents as the race heats up. Some analysts note that Walz’s occasional stumbles could pose challenges for the Harris-Walz ticket as they head into the final stretch of the election season.
Despite national polling showing that 63% of Americans favor a popular vote system over the Electoral College, the Harris-Walz campaign remains focused on securing the necessary 270 electoral votes to win in November.
On Thursday, Oct. 10, attorneys who represent immigrants called “Dreamers,” protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, defended it before a federal court. Now, federal judges will decide the program’s fate.
DACA shields immigrants who came into the United States as children and don’t have permanent legal status or a path to citizenship. The program was meant to be temporary during the Obama administration.
But 12 years later, the program is still going, despite legal battles. Over the last six years, Texas and eight other Republican-led states that oppose the policy have sought to end it in court.
The Biden administration has tried to turn DACA into federal regulation. Their attempts have been in hopes of increasing the program’s chances of surviving legal challenges in the future.
It was first challenged in 2018, when the nine Republican-led states enacted their lawsuit after then-President Donald Trump’s efforts to terminate DACA failed. A Supreme Court ruling kept the program in place.
It could take weeks or months for a new federal ruling, which could lead to the fate of DACA being left to the incoming administration. Vice President Kamala Harris has been supportive of the initiative.
There were roughly 535,000 immigrants enrolled in DACA at the end of June, according to government data.
Trump pitches making car loan interest tax deductible
Former President Donald Trump was doing more than just talking about the auto industry at the Detroit Economic Club on Thursday, Oct. 10. He made headlines when he said he supports making interest on car loans tax deductible.
Trump compared car loan interest to interest that Americans pay on their home mortgages. However, any change to the tax code would have to go through Congress. Republicans currently control the House, while Democrats have a slim majority in the Senate. That balance of power might change in the upcoming November election.
Auto loan rates are largely dependent on a car buyer’s credit score. The better your credit score, the lower your interest rate. A poor credit score can lead to a very high interest rate.
Trump’s remarks on eliminating taxes come after he made similar statements about getting rid of taxes on tips that workers make in the service industry. He has also advocated getting rid of the federal tax on Social Security benefits for seniors.
There are skeptics of his plans. Brian Riedl, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, said Trump is just “throwing darts at the populist pandering dart board.”
The former president’s remarks come as the economy continues to be the number one issue for voters in many states. Vice President Kamala Harris recently unveiled her economic plan. She also indicated she wants to abolish taxes on tips.
FCC chair responds to Trump’s call for CBS to lose license over Harris interview
Former President Donald Trump accused CBS of altering a “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris to make her appear more presidential. Trump also demanded the network lose its broadcast license.
Posting on Truth Social and X, Trump called the incident “the greatest fraud in broadcast history,” sparking widespread debate and further straining his contentious relationship with the media.
The controversy began after a teaser for Harris’s Oct. 7 interview showed a sequence that differed slightly from the full broadcast. Trump accused CBS of editing Harris’s answers, claiming the network was deliberately enhancing her image.
In response, FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel firmly rejected Trump’s demands, stating that broadcast licenses cannot be revoked due to political disagreements. She reiterated the FCC’s commitment to free speech and media independence, calling the First Amendment “a cornerstone of our democracy.”
“We do not control CBS’s production decisions and refer questions to CBS,” the campaign said in a statement.
This is not the first time Trump has targeted a major network. He previously called for ABC’s license to be revoked after the September 2024 presidential debate. However, the FCC maintained that media freedom remains vital, regardless of political disagreements.
Portland election to overhaul government with new City Council structure
Portland is preparing for a significant transformation this November as voters get ready to overhaul the city’s government structure. After enduring four tumultuous years marked by over 100 days of protests, a fentanyl and homelessness crisis, and the decriminalization of all drugs, the Rose City is seeking a reset.
In 2020, an overwhelming 74% of Multnomah County residents supported Measure 110, which decriminalized all drugs. However, the aftermath of this policy, combined with existing financial challenges, has intensified issues such as rising drug use and homelessness.
City Council member and mayoral candidate Carmen Rubio described the situation as “a perfect storm.” She is one of many local politicians running for office amid a political free-for-all.
The city will transition from four at-large City Council seats to 12 district seats. Nineteen candidates are vying for the mayoral position, while 98 are competing for City Council seats. Most candidates lean to the Left and include Black Lives Matter activists, nonprofit leaders, business owners, and police officers.
With the exodus of the old government comes a population decline, with nearly 12,000 residents leaving Multnomah County between 2020 and 2023. Downtown Portland, once vibrant, is now struggling economically.
Retiring longtime Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., lamented that some areas resemble “Dresden in World War II,” stating, “I’ve spent 54 years trying to make Portland the most livable city in the country or in the world. No one’s going to describe it like that now.”
Residents’ biggest concerns include crime, drugs, homelessness, and economic revitalization. The upcoming local elections will determine which issues the city prioritizes in its efforts to revitalize.
Who is actually ahead in the presidential race? Polls give conflicting answers
As the race for president enters its final few weeks, it is tough to tell who is actually ahead. The race appears to be very tight, with different numbers giving different results depending on which site you visit.
In fact, Vice President Kamala Harris’ official campaign website opens with the declaration, “WE ARE FALLING BEHIND.” It shows a pie graph with former President Donald Trump ahead 50% To 49%, with no attribution. Instead, there is a statement that time is running out and there is also an appeal for donations to Harris campaign.
On Nate Silver’s well known 538 website, he asks the question “Who Is Favored To Win The 2024 Presidential Election?” Noting that 538 uses polling, economic and demographic data to come up with outcomes, Harris wins 55 times out of 100. Trump wins 45 times out of 100.
At RealClearPolitics, which is an aggregate of numerous polls, there has been a shift. This week it pushed Michigan into the Trump column. Last week, it moved Pennsylvania to Trump when they model without having toss-up states. As a result, RealClearPolitics has Trump currently winning the election with 302 electoral votes. Harris winds up with 236.
On Friday, Oct. 11, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) came out with a poll on the battle for seven swing states. The poll called the races in those states tied.
The same WSJ poll shows voters prefer Trump on the key issues of the economy and border security. However, Harris still has a path to victory in the Electoral College, according to that poll.
At least 15 dead, 2.6 million without power after Hurricane Milton
The death toll from Hurricane Milton rises as millions are left without power in the storm’s aftermath. And one person is killed and 12 others rescued after a disaster during a tour of a Colorado mine. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.
At least 8 dead, 2.6 million without power after Hurricane Milton
At least 15 people are dead (that number has risen since Unbiased Updates was recorded Friday morning, Oct. 11), and 2.6 million homes and businesses remain without power as Florida begins to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Milton roared across the state. It was the second devastating storm to batter the Sunshine State in less than two weeks.
Now a post-tropical cyclone, Milton is expected to continue to weaken over the next few days.
While Milton made landfall on Florida’s west coast near Sarasota, most of the deaths reported have been in the eastern part of the state, where dozens of tornadoes have been reported. While the storm did not prove to be the worst-case scenario, rescuers have been very busy pulling and dragging hundreds of people from flooded areas to safety.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Joe Biden have both said in this case, warnings came early and often, spurring tens of thousands of people to evacuate and saving countless lives.
Still, the cleanup and recovery processes are expected to take weeks, if not months — especially in the areas that were also hit by Hurricane Helene just 13 days before Milton barreled in.
1 dead, 12 rescued after elevator malfunction at Colorado gold mine
In Colorado, 12 people are now safe after getting trapped at the bottom of a gold mine for six hours Thursday, Oct. 10. One person died after the elevator at the Mollie Kathleen Mine, a popular tourist attraction, experienced a mechanical problem 500 feet below the earth’s surface.
The 12 adults had access to water and were able to communicate with authorities via radio while trapped. As that group was stuck, rescuers were able to get to 11 other people who were riding the elevator and get them to safety.
The local sheriff said it is not yet known what caused the malfunction. An investigation is underway.
The incident happened during the final week of Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine‘s tourist season before it shuts down for the winter.
Chemical leak at Houston oil refinery kills 2, injures dozens more
Two people are dead and 35 more are injured after a chemical leak involving hydrogen sulfide, a potentially toxic gas, at an oil refinery in Deer Park, Texas — near Houston. Officials said a group was working on a flange Thursday when some kind of accident happened, and gas started leaking.
Emergency officials urged residents in the area to shelter in place after the incident, but this morning, that’s since been lifted after air monitoring showed no signs hazardous chemicals had gotten into the air.
Trump talks economic plan in Detroit; Obama rallies for Harris in PA
With just 25 days until Americans head to the polls, voters in two battleground states heard from two former presidents on Thursday. Republican nominee former President Donald Trump spoke to supporters in Detroit, Michigan while former President Barack Obama – stumped for Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
While delivering his economic address to the Detroit Economic Club, Trump spoke about his goal to revive the auto industry and bring a “rebirth” to Detroit. He then turned to international companies and his plan for them to open facilities in America.
“So, here is the deal that I will be offering to the world to companies outside of our world — big companies, powerful companies that have become powerful because we were stupid, we were stupid, we allowed them to come and raid and rape our country,” Trump said. “That’s what they did. ‘Oh, he used the word rape.’ That’s right, I used the word. They raped our country. The United States will give you the lowest taxes, the lowest energy cost, we have more liquid gold under our feet than any other country in the world and it’s the best…But only if you make your products here in America. In other words, you get all of these assets, but you have to make your product here in America and you have to hire American workers.”
“Kamala is as prepared for the job as any nominee for president has ever been,” Obama said. “That’s who Kamala is.”
He added, “I’m sorry gentlemen; I’ve noticed this especially with some men who seem to think Trump’s behavior of bullying and of putting people down is a sign of strength. I am here to tell you, that is not what real strength is. Real strength is about working hard and carrying a heavy load without complaining and telling the truth even when it’s inconvenient. Real strength is about helping people who need it and standing up for those who can’t always stand up for themselves. That is what we should want for our daughters and for our sons and that is what I want to see in a president for the United States of America.”
Hezbollah official escapes during deadly Israeli strikes in Lebanon
Lebanese authorities say Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in Beirut killed 22 people and injured 117 others. Sources told Reuters a senior Hezbollah official, targeted by Israeli forces during the Thursday night strikes, was able to survive.
Israel has not commented on the attack.
The United Nations said its personnel is facing increasing danger in Lebanon as two U.N. peacekeepers were injured after an Israeli tank fired at a watchtower at its main headquarters in the southern portion of the country. Israel issued a statement on that incident, saying its military operated “next to” the U.N.’s base and had instructed U.N. officials to remain in protected spaces before its troops opened fire.
Hezbollah operates from within and near civilian areas in southern Lebanon, including areas near @UNIFIL_ posts.
The IDF is operating in southern Lebanon and maintains routine communication with UNIFIL.
IDF troops operated in the area of Naqoura, next to a UNIFIL base.…
The peacekeepers were said to be in good condition after being treated for their injuries.
Sports leagues come together to combat hate in America
In a sign of true sportsmanship, eight American sports leagues have come together to back a new campaign targeting hate in the U.S. It is an idea from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his foundation to combat antisemitism.
The initiative brought together the heads of the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHK, NASCAR and others to come up with plans to curb hate of any kind in the country. The sports leaders are spending $50 million to get the word out.
The campaign, titled “Timeout Against Hate,” launched during Thursday night football on Oct. 10, with a commercial featuring legendary figures and current-day athletes from all sports speaking out against hate.
Twitch becoming a hub of political commentary this election year
An unlikely streaming platform has become a major hub for election news. Twitch is typically used by gamers to broadcast live video games and for public figures to interact with fans. Now, Gen Z and millennials, who are the majority of users on Twitch, are watching for political commentary on the platform.
This election year, Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign has been using Twitch to live stream events. Most recently, the rally for Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., in Arizona on Wednesday, Oct. 9, was broadcast live to thousands.
Last week, former Rep. George Santos was on Twitch playing Fortnite while discussing politics and cancel culture.
On Monday, Aug. 5, former President Donald Trump also participated in the live-streaming trend on Kick with well-known conservative creator Adin Ross. The interview got more than 500,000 live viewers.
Both political parties invited social media content creators to their national conventions this year to get more online exposure. More than 200 of them were in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention, while nearly 100 conservative influencers attended the Republican National Convention.
Afghan refugee arrested in Election Day terror plot worked for CIA: Report
An Afghan refugee arrested in Oklahoma this week for allegedly plotting a terror attack on Election Day previously served as a security guard for the CIA in Afghanistan, according to a new report. Officials said 27-year-old Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi entered the U.S. in 2021, just days after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
As the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan, the Biden administration granted visas to more than 70,000 Afghans. According to the Department of Justice, Tawhedi entered the U.S. on a visa, which required a thorough screening process.
However, two U.S. officials told NBC News that this is inaccurate, stating that Tawhedi actually entered through a humanitarian parole program, which required far less screening than those arriving on a visa.
It remains unclear whether he had ties to ISIS prior to entering the U.S. or if he was radicalized in the three years since his arrival.
While sources tell NBC News that Tawhedi worked for the CIA in the Middle East, they noted he was not a CIA informant and had minimal interaction with American personnel.
In the weeks leading up to his arrest, Tawhedi was allegedly preparing for a planned attack, ordering AK-47s, liquidating his family’s assets and buying two one-way tickets for his wife and child to return to Afghanistan.
Officials said he planned to die a martyr alongside an accomplice identified as a juvenile by the DOJ.
Tawhedi has been charged with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS. Authorities have not yet revealed how he or his plans came to their attention.
University of Kansas professor suspended for ‘shoot them’ comments
A University of Kansas professor was suspended after making controversial remarks during a lecture. The comments about the 2024 election gained significant traction online.
“There are going to be some males in our society who will refuse to vote for a potential female president because they don’t think females are smart enough to be president,” Phillip Lowcock said. “We could line all those guys up and shoot them. They clearly don’t understand the way the world works.”
Lowcock, an athletics lecturer at the university, has been placed on administrative leave while the school investigates his comments regarding men who refuse to vote for female presidential candidates.
“The instructor offers his sincerest apologies and deeply regrets the situation,” the statement read. “His intent was to emphasize his advocacy for women’s rights and equality, and he recognizes he did a very poor job of doing so. The university has an established process for situations like this and will follow that process.”
Republican senators from Kansas reacted on X.
“This guy shouldn’t be within 100 yards of a university and I am calling for his swift termination,” Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., said.
“There should never be a call for violence anytime or anywhere in the classroom,” Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., said. “We must cool down the political rhetoric and be respectful and civil to each other, and that is especially true for someone charged with teaching our young people.”
