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Year: 2025

First time voting? Here is the ultimate guide to ballot boxes, critical issues on Election Day

First time voting? Here is the ultimate guide to ballot boxes, critical issues on Election Day

Voters across the country — particularly in Virginia, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania — will head to the polls next month for an off-year election that could offer an early read on both parties’ strength heading into 2026. Virginia’s races include the governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general and have been brought to the fore of national conscience by the murder-text scandal enveloping Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones. Virginia law now permits voters to register to vote on the same day as the election. If someone chooses this route, they will be asked to cast a provisional ballot; meaning a ballot that is later supposed to be vetted against voter roll and other information. Every county from urban Arlington to far-flung Lee is also required to have at least one secure drop box. Voters can typically find them outside county offices, courthouses or libraries. FORTNIGHT TO ELECTION DAY: 5 KEY 2025 RACES TO WATCH Early voting in Virginia runs through Saturday, Nov. 1, ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Key issues in Virginia’s races include how candidates are aligning on transgender bathroom and school sports debates, with Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears accusing Democrat Abigail Spanberger of failing to stand up for Virginia’s children. That topic, as well as Jones’ texts envisioning the murder of a former GOP leader, led Earle-Sears to repeatedly interject in what she considered Spanberger’s vague or indirect answers at their sole debate held in Hampton Roads. Earle-Sears warned voters in Smyth County on Thursday that Democrats will continue prior efforts to suppress fossil fuel development – which she said not only affects jobs in the coal-and-gas-rich southwest, but every Virginian’s power bill. TRUMP’S SHADOW LOOMS LARGE OVER HEATED RACES ONE MONTH BEFORE ELECTION DAY On the lieutenant governor ballot, businessman and commentator John Reid has ripped Democrat Ghazala Hashmi for refusing to debate him – with Reid creating an AI version of the Chesterfield senator to try to get the public to see the stark differences in their policy proposals. Jones continues to be embroiled in scandal, as Attorney General Jason Miyares focused at their own debate in Richmond on the contrast between a candidate trying to be the state’s top law enforcement officer while carrying a criminal record and a hot temper per the texts, and one who has no such baggage. The federal government shutdown looms over the race, and is expected to help Democrats who do not blame their congressional leaders but President Donald Trump for the unique effects the situation has on workforces there, in Maryland and nominally eastern West Virginia. In New York, the future of the city’s political system is on the ballot as far-left Assemblyman. Zohran Mamdani leads both Democrat-turned-Independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. NATION’S ONLY TWO 2025 RACES FOR GOVERNOR ROCKED WITH THREE WEEKS UNTIL ELECTION DAY Cuomo and Sliwa — typically political adversaries — have both accused Mamdani of harboring “communist” policies that would make most city services free and weaken public safety through police reforms. Sliwa, the outspoken Canarsie Republican who founded the Guardian Angels, has said he is the only one who can ensure New York’s safety and solvency. But his third-place position led to debates with ideologically aligned colleagues like fellow radio host Sid Rosenberg over his potential spoiler role. Sliwa suggested last week he would never appear on 77WABC again after his colleagues purportedly abandoned him. Cuomo has positioned himself as the moderate, relying on his trademark Queens wit to fend off attacks from both rivals. Still, his resignation, pandemic-era controversies and cleared sexual misconduct allegations continue to shadow his campaign. FIVE RACES TO WATCH WITH 5 WEEKS TO GO UNTIL ELECTION DAY 2025 Mamdani, who was born in Uganda, has continued to face criticism for his far-left proposals, including free public transit, rent freezes and closing Rikers Island. Early voting in New York runs through Nov. 3. Across the Hudson, New Jersey is shaping up to be Republicans’ best shot at flipping a blue state – as former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli has made gains on Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J. Like the other elections, affordability is at the top of the ballot, and Ciattarelli has garnered several aisle-crossing endorsements, including in entrenched blue Hudson County – where Democrats like the imprisoned Robert Menendez Sr. made his name. NEW POLL IN KEY SHOWDOWN FOR VIRGINIA GOVERNOR INDICATES SINGLE-DIGIT RACE Trump has endorsed candidates in New Jersey, but not the Virginia governor’s race. He has endorsed Miyares for attorney general.  Pennsylvanians face a unique off-year election with three Democratic Supreme Court justices up for retention – or a vote to keep them on the bench for another 10 years. It is exceedingly rare for such elections to see the “No” column win – which would spark a new election for any jurist who loses more than 50% of voters’ confidence. Justices David Wecht, Christine Donohue and Kevin Dougherty all face immense opposition from the right – particularly for their rulings to keep the state closed under the wishes of then-Gov. Tom Wolf and his administration during the coronavirus pandemic. The aftermath of Pennsylvania’s shutdown – in which Wolf enacted policies often mirroring those of Cuomo – has somewhat bifurcated who continues to receive criticism. While Wolf was term-limited, many of his aligned then-colleagues, including then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, remain at the top levels of government. Shapiro enjoys elevated approval ratings as the incumbent governor, and is touted as a potential 2028 presidential figure – while Republicans have notably directed their ire at the justices for their role. Counties have the option to use drop boxes, while the largest counties, like Philadelphia and Allegheny, must have multiple ones, according to reports. Pennsylvania’s election system has been lambasted for its long count times – which often stem from its policy that county-received mail-in ballots cannot be even prepared (or “precanvassed”) for tabulation until 7 a.m. ET on Election Day. Of all the major states

The 5 longest government shutdowns in history: What happened, how they ended

The 5 longest government shutdowns in history: What happened, how they ended

There appears to be no end in sight to the current government shutdown, with Democrats and Republicans still far from striking a federal spending deal nearly a month into fiscal year (FY) 2026. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been furloughed and thousands have been laid off. Certain federal services have also paused due to lack of funding. It is not the first time such a standoff has paused all or some government operations. Below is a list of the top five longest government shutdowns in U.S. history, and how they were resolved. BATTLEGROUND REPUBLICANS HOLD THE LINE AS JOHNSON PRESSURES DEMS ON SHUTDOWN The longest government shutdown in history happened during the first Trump administration and lasted five weeks. Funding for President Donald Trump’s border wall was at the heart of that dispute. Trump had refused to sign a federal spending deal that did not include money for the project, and a standalone bill with $5.7 billion was blocked by a Senate Democrat-led filibuster. Trump eventually backed a short-term federal funding measure to reopen the government on Jan. 25, 2019, and a few weeks later, Congress approved $1.375 billion for 55 miles of border fencing between the U.S. and Mexico. It was a partial shutdown, meaning lawmakers managed to strike a deal on five of 12 appropriations bills before their clock ran out. The current government shutdown is now the second-longest in history, and the longest-ever full shutdown. That means Congress was unable to strike a federal funding deal on any appropriations bills before the end of FY 2025 on Sept. 30. Republicans, who control the House and Senate, had offered a seven-week extension of FY 2025 spending levels to give lawmakers more time to hash out next fiscal year’s numbers.  It passed the House on Sept. 19, with support from one Democrat, but has stalled in the Senate 12 separate times. SCREAMING MATCH ERUPTS BETWEEN HAKEEM JEFFRIES, MIKE LAWLER AS GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN CHAOS CONTINUES Democrats are demanding that any federal funding plan also include an extension of COVID-19 pandemic-era enhanced Obamacare subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of this year without congressional action. As of the most recent tally, at least five more Senate Democrats are needed to overcome a filibuster and pass the measure in the Senate. Republican leaders have shown no signs of giving in, however, accusing Democrats of trying to jam an unrelated issue into the yearly funding process. The second of two government shutdowns under former President Bill Clinton lasted three weeks, breaking a record at the time for the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Republicans had taken control of both the House and Senate in the 1994 midterm elections, leading Clinton on a collision course with then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga. Gingrich pursued significant cuts to the federal budget after being emboldened by the 1994 red wave in the House following his “Contract with America.” Clinton, who also pushed for a balanced budget, disagreed with the spending cuts sought by Republicans in Congress. That was also a partial shutdown, with the departments of energy, defense and agriculture among those funded before the impasse began. Republicans moved to end that shutdown amid mounting negative public polling for the GOP, NPR reported. The longest shutdown of former President Jimmy Carter’s four-year term in the White House lasted 18 days, at a time when Democrats controlled all levers of power in Washington. Carter had vetoed Congress’ bills on defense spending and public works that he thought wasted federal dollars, according to the Washington Post. That included funding for a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that Carter opposed. There was also a dispute over abortion in the funding bill for the now-defunct Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Congress wound up stripping the funding that Carter opposed from the defense and public works bills, while a compromise was reached on the latter issue. Much like the current standoff, the 2013 government shutdown also centered on Obamacare — also known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It is the second-longest full shutdown in history behind today’s. At the time, Republicans controlled the House while Democrats held the Senate. The GOP had insisted on spending bills that rolled back significant portions of Obamacare, then only about three years old. Senate Democrats rejected such measures passed by the Republican-controlled House, however. Congress eventually agreed to a short-term spending patch to end the shutdown, and Republicans relented on pushing funding bills with Obamacare cuts.

Trump dances with Malaysian performers as he kicks off Asia tour in lively fashion

Trump dances with Malaysian performers as he kicks off Asia tour in lively fashion

President Donald Trump danced alongside Malaysian performers as he was greeted on the first leg of his Asia tour. The White House dubbed his moves, “TRUMP DANCE MALAYSIA VERSION” on social media. The performance was part of a greeting for Trump laid out by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The five-day trip will see Trump meet with newly-elected Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo as well as Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. Trump also oversaw the signing of a peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand on Sunday. THAILAND, CAMBODIA REACH CEASEFIRE DEAL TO END CONFLICT THAT DISPLACED 260k, TRUMP SAYS The president watched as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed the expanded ceasefire at the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. CAMBODIA TO NOMINATE TRUMP FOR NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FOR ROLE IN ENDING COUNTRY’S CONFLICT WITH THAILAND The agreement requires Thailand to release 18 Cambodian soldiers held prisoner and for both countries to begin removing heavy weapons from the border. “We did something that a lot of people said couldn’t be done,” Trump said.  Cambodia’s prime minister called it a “historic day,” and the Thai prime minister said the agreement establishes “the building blocks for a lasting peace.” Ibrahim praised the agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, saying during opening remarks at the summit that “it reminds us that reconciliation is not concession, but an act of courage.” After the expanded ceasefire agreement was signed, Trump reached separate economic deals with Cambodia and Thailand. Trump also signed agreements with Malaysia involving trade and critical minerals. The U.S. has been working to expand its supply chains to reduce reliance on China, as Beijing has limited exports of key components in technology manufacturing. Fox News’ Landon Mion and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Progressive power players rally voters for Zohran Mamdani as early voting kicks off in NYC mayoral race

Progressive power players rally voters for Zohran Mamdani as early voting kicks off in NYC mayoral race

NEW YORK – Progressive stars Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., are teaming up with New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani Sunday night for a “New York is not for sale” rally at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York City. The high-profile campaign event comes nearly one week before Election Day, as New Yorkers head to the polls for the first weekend of early voting, closing out a contentious mayoral battle where Mamdani’s unanticipated success has landed him on the national stage. “Zohran Mamdani is modeling a different kind of politics,” Sanders, the former Democratic presidential candidate and longtime progressive leader, said in a statement ahead of the rally.  The trio of self-identified Democratic socialists have invigorated the Democratic Party’s progressive base at a time when Democrats are still grappling with devastating losses in 2024 amid growing discontent with President Donald Trump‘s sweeping, second-term agenda. BERNIE SANDERS RIPS DEM LEADERS FOR SNUBBING MAMDANI IN MAYORAL RACE: ‘THIS IS OUR GUY!’ When Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez teamed up for the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour earlier this year, they sparked sizable buzz, firing up thousands of Democrats at rallies across the United States who had been left without a clear party leader. BERNIE SANDERS, ZOHRAN MAMDANI TEAM UP TO ‘FIGHT OLIGARCHY’ IN NYC “As mayor, he will not run a top-down, billionaire-funded, consultant-driven administration. Instead, Zohran will be a champion for the working people of New York,” Sanders said. Both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have campaigned alongside Mamdani in his bid to lead the nation’s most populous city.  On Friday night, Sanders appeared for a virtual “Get Out the Vote” event with Mamdani. Last month, Sanders and Mamdani teamed up for a “Fighting Oligarchy” town hall in Brooklyn.  Ahead of the Brooklyn town hall event, the two progressive leaders marched alongside union members in Manhattan’s Labor Day parade. That afternoon, Mamdani posed for a photo with Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez in Astoria, Queens, amassing millions of views. Sanders, a two-time Democratic presidential nominee runner-up, was an early endorser of Mamdani’s primary campaign, along with Ocasio-Cortez. Their endorsements helped Mamdani consolidate progressive support in the 11-candidate field during the final weeks of the primary race. Mamdani’s primary upset triggered a political earthquake as the democratic socialist handily defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was widely expected to secure the Democratic nomination. Mamdani’s cross-endorsement with fellow progressive New York City Comptroller Brad Lander cleared the path for Mamdani to consolidate support against Cuomo through ranked-choice voting.  Cuomo has since launched an independent campaign, teeing up a competitive and contentious general election battle.  Since Mamdani secured the Democratic nomination, Trump has labeled him a “100% Communist Lunatic,” and “my little communist,” ushering Mamdani onto the national political stage. Mamdani has rejected the moniker, maintaining that he identifies as a democratic socialist, like Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez.  As Trump began criticizing Mamdani, New York Democrats chose to withhold their endorsements of the socialist candidate, who has made a slew of ambitious campaign promises, like fast and free buses, city-run grocery stores and free child care, all of which he plans to pay for by raising taxes on corporations and the top 1% of New Yorkers.  After months of withholding their endorsements, Gov. Kathy Hochul finally endorsed Mamdani last month and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries finally affirmed his support in a statement Friday. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has still yet to endorse.  Pressure had been mounting since Mamdani won the Democratic primary in June for Mayor Eric Adams, who was also running as an independent, or Cuomo to drop out of the race to consolidate support against Mamdani. Adams dropped out and endorsed Cuomo on Thursday.  That pressure reached a boiling point last week as billionaires, including Red Apple Media CEO John Catsimatidis and hedge fund CEO Bill Ackman, called on Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa to drop out of the race in order to clear a pathway to victory for Cuomo. The latest Fox News survey, conducted Oct. 10-14, ahead of the first general election debate last week, revealed that Mamdani has a substantial lead in the race. According to the poll, Mamdani has a 21-point lead among New York City registered voters with 49% of voters backing Mamdani, while 28% go for Cuomo and 13% favor Sliwa. Mamdani also rose above the 50% threshold among likely voters, garnering 52% support, while Cuomo picked up 28%, and Sliwa received just 14%.

Rubio reveals shared intelligence prevented possible Hamas attack, discusses international stabilization force

Rubio reveals shared intelligence prevented possible Hamas attack, discusses international stabilization force

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday said that the U.S., Israel and other mediators of the Gaza peace deal had shared intelligence to avoid a possible attack last weekend and would do so going forward.  “We put out a message through State Department, sent it to our mediators as well, about an impending attack, and it didn’t happen,” he told reporters while flying from Israel to Qatar. “So that’s the goal here, is ultimately to identify a threat before it happens.” This comes a week after the State Department said it had “credible reports” that Hamas was planning an attack on Palestinian civilians in violation of the agreement. Rubio said Saturday the U.S. has talked with countries like Qatar, Egypt and Turkey who are interested in contributing to an international stabilization force in the region. He added that Indonesia and Azerbaijan are also interested. EXCLUSIVE: RUBIO SAYS US-ISRAEL ALLIANCE REMAINS FIRM AS HE HEADS TO QATAR AMID BACKLASH OVER DOHA STRIKES But, he said, “Many of the countries who want to be a part of it can’t do it without” a United Nations resolution supporting the force. Rubio also met with President Donald Trump in Qatar ahead of the president’s Asian tour. Vice President JD Vance was also in Israel earlier this week along with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner in an attempt to solidify the ceasefire deal, which took effect earlier this month. TRUMP DIRECTED ENVOY TO WARN QATAR AHEAD OF ‘UNFORTUNATE’ ISRAELI STRIKE, WHITE HOUSE SAYS Next week, Rubio said the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, is expected to travel to Israel as well. Trump thanked Qatar for their part in helping secure the peace deal while meeting with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thanimet and Qatar Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. “This should be an enduring peace,” Trump told reporters of the deal. His visit to Qatar was part of a refueling stop before heading on to Asia. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.