Here are today’s top stories.
Headlines
Trump Rules Out Iran Attack Before the Midterms
President Trump said Thursday the United States will not attack Iran before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. He had spent several days weighing a return to major combat operations. Read More
Hurricane Isaias, the first Atlantic hurricane of 2026, has strengthened into a Category 2 storm as it bears down on the Gulf Coast. The threat zone runs from Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle, with landfall forecast for Friday night and evacuations underway. Read More
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the public will be able to watch the firing-squad execution of Nidal Hasan, the former Army major convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009. The Pentagon confirmed the execution will be livestreamed and said details will follow. See Details
Politics
New CNN polls show Democrats competitive in Ohio and Iowa, two states Trump carried by double digits. The surveys cover the Senate and governor’s races in both states. Find out More
Sens. Steve Daines of Montana and Jeff Merkley of Oregon are floating major changes to Senate rules. The bipartisan pair argue their plan would help end dysfunction in the chamber. Find out More
Vice President JD Vance said the administration is suspending the ability of Microsoft, Adobe and several other IT firms to sponsor foreign-born workers for permanent residency. The action targets the green card sponsorship process and does not suspend H-1B visas. See Details
U.S. News
Lawyers for Tennessee inmate Christa Pike say she is struggling with pain, terror and psychological trauma after surviving an execution attempt. They say her physical recovery has been remarkable but the long-term effects are unknown. Source
Tens of millions of American children have been automatically enrolled in Trump Accounts, the new children’s investment accounts. The rollout has parents sorting out how the accounts work and what they need to do. Source
States are moving to shield residents from the electricity costs of new data centers. The steps come as the AI building boom strains the power grid. Source
Business
U.S. stock futures edged higher early Friday after an OpenAI revenue report unsettled the artificial-intelligence trade Thursday, with S&P 500 futures up about 0.4% and Nasdaq 100 futures up about 0.8%, while oil eased after President Trump said the United States would not attack Iran before the midterms. Find out More
Starbucks says it is focused on its turnaround after a report that it explored a merger with Chipotle. Chipotle shares had jumped on the report. Source
Shares of AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile were hammered after SpaceX struck a deal to acquire a spectrum license. The purchase strengthens Starlink’s push into phone service. Source
World News
Saudi officials say three people died in Thursday’s attacks on Riyadh’s airport, which also damaged a Saudia Airlines plane and led many airlines to cancel flights. Saudi airstrikes hit Houthi targets in Yemen’s capital overnight. Find out More
A prison riot in Mexico’s Sinaloa state killed 10 people and left 16 injured. The state has been plagued by violence. Source
Taiwan was rehearsing a giant national flag flight over the presidential office ahead of Saturday’s Double Ten National Day, when President Lai Ching-te is scheduled to speak on policy and relations with China. Find out More
Entertainment
“The Social Reckoning” is targeting a $7 million opening weekend at the box office. The horror film “Other Mommy” is expected to debut above $20 million. Source
Aerosmith is returning to the stage with two concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. The shows come two years after the band announced its retirement from touring. Source
Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris has entered rehabilitation after more than two months in a San Francisco hospital with a spinal cord injury. The band’s twice-postponed concert with Lionel Richie has now been canceled. Read More
Sports
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers scored 17 points in the third quarter and beat the Dallas Cowboys 24-16 on Thursday night for their first win of the season, with Bucky Irving rushing for 165 yards and rookie Jalon Daniels starting in place of Baker Mayfield. Source
The Cleveland Guardians forced a decisive AL Division Series Game 5, tying the Chicago White Sox 2-2 after a 9-5 road win Thursday, with Saturday’s finale in Cleveland and the winner to face the Tampa Bay Rays. See Details
Jon Rahm will not take part in the reorganized LIV Golf, calling the terms unacceptable. His playing future is uncertain. Source
Off the Wall
A grandmother of 12 held a plank for five hours to set a new world record. It was her third record attempt. Find out More
