Here are today’s top stories.
Headlines
Nuclear Incident in South Carolina Triggers Alarm
A fire broke out Wednesday at the Savannah River National Laboratory, on the federal site where nuclear bomb parts were once made, prompting an emergency declaration at 5:39 p.m. The fire was put out, and no contamination was reported outside the facility. Workers not involved in the response were told to shelter, and incoming traffic, air and rail service near the site were restricted. Read More
A high-speed train slammed into another train that was stopped on the tracks near Urda in Spain’s Toledo province, south of Madrid, killing at least 68 people. It is Spain’s second major train crash this year, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has declared three days of national mourning. See Details
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu survived Israel’s election, but no bloc has a clear path to a governing majority. Arab parties made gains on record turnout. The long Iran war and President Trump’s role hang over the coalition talks that come next. Find out More
Politics
President Trump accused Democrats of fraud and perjury in Alaska’s Senate race. He is pointing to allegations that Mary Peltola’s side backed a scheme to put a second “Dan Sullivan” on the ballot against GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan, and the dispute has become one of the most heated fights of the campaign’s final week. Find out More
With less than a week to go, Roll Call ranked the senators most at risk of losing their seats in what is shaping up as a close fight for the chamber. Control of the Senate could come down to a handful of tight races. Source
With the midterms days away, voter support for reelecting their own members of Congress has dropped to a record low in new polling. The finding adds to pressure on incumbents in both parties ahead of Tuesday’s election. See Details
U.S. News
The search for convicted murderer Jacob Allen Morley, 28, spread to Illinois after the pickup truck he stole was found abandoned in Marion. Morley escaped through a fence at the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville late Sunday, and authorities are offering a combined $15,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Find out More
A federal jury convicted a U.S. woman of receiving military-style training from the Islamic State group. Prosecutors said she joined ISIS as a teen bride and got weapons training while overseas. Find out More
The Justice Department says a warrant matter tied to Rep. Ilhan Omar is still ongoing and is aimed at “other individuals.” The case is being fought in federal court in the final days before the midterms. Find out More
Business
Stocks head into Thursday’s session after the S&P 500 and Dow rose for a third straight day after the Fed held rates. Investors are digesting quarterly results that tech giants, including Alphabet and Microsoft, released late Wednesday. Find out More
Billionaire investor Nelson Peltz’s Trian has reportedly offered about $1.4 billion to take Wendy’s private, and the burger chain’s stock jumped about 15%. The bid comes after six straight quarters of falling same-store sales and 289 U.S. restaurant closures in the first half of the year. Find out More
Oil prices rose more than 1% Wednesday after Yemen’s Houthis said they hit Saudi Arabia’s largest refinery with a missile. Brent climbed to about $115 a barrel and U.S. crude topped $101. Saudi authorities did not immediately confirm the attack. See Details
World News
President Trump said “anything’s possible” when asked whether the U.S. could launch new strikes on Iran after next week’s midterm elections. The war is now in its eighth month, and the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint. See Details
A Kremlin aide said Moscow and Washington are discussing relief from U.S. sanctions on Russia’s sovereign wealth fund. The fund, run by Putin ally Kirill Dmitriev, has been under U.S. sanctions since 2022 and plays a role in recent U.S.-Russia energy dealings. Find out More
Indian authorities evacuated more than 180,000 people as Cyclone Arnab slammed into the country’s eastern coast in Andhra Pradesh state. The storm brought damaging winds and heavy rain to coastal districts. Source
Entertainment
Reality star Savannah Chrisley bought a five-bedroom, Nashville-area home for about $2.225 million, real estate records show. Sources say her fiancé, Jason Galanis, lives there with her, and the home was originally listed for nearly $2.9 million. Find out More
Early reactions to “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” are praising the new prequel ahead of its release. The film is the latest chapter in one of Hollywood’s biggest franchises. Source
Christian music star Amy Grant said her husband, country great Vince Gill, is “not afraid to put somebody in their place or be protective.” She was recalling the time Gill confronted radio host Don Imus on air after Imus mocked their marriage, and she said she feels deeply loved by him. Source
Sports
The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 in Game 5 to win the first World Series championship in team history. Milwaukee closed out the series one night after the Rays forced a fifth game with a 12th-inning rally. See Details
Brewers catcher William Contreras was named World Series MVP after hitting .381 (8-for-21) with four RBIs and throwing out four runners in the series. He finished the postseason with three home runs and nine RBIs. See Details
A new study estimates that about three in four former NFL players examined had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the brain disease tied to repeated head hits. The findings from Boston University researchers cover players who died between 2008 and 2023, and they renew pressure on the league over player safety. See Details
Off the Wall
A 3,156-pound pumpkin was carved into the world’s heaviest jack-o’-lantern in Salem, Massachusetts, earning a Guinness World Records title. The pumpkin was grown by Ron Wallace of Green, Rhode Island, and beat the old record of 2,749 pounds. Read More
