Good morning and happy Columbus Day. Today’s newsletter is abbreviated as we take some time to celebrate the great Italian explorer. We’ll be back tomorrow as normal, unless we’re too full on Italian food to write.

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🏥 Talarico's campaign denies mental hospital rumors amid absence. Texas Democrat James Talarico's Senate campaign denied claims that he suffered a mental health crisis after being missing for two weeks. He and the campaign insist he was recovering from the flu at home in Austin. The denial came after a supposed recording of a woman, purportedly an employee at an Ohio mental health facility, appeared to confirm that James Talarico had just been discharged. The facility issued a statement denying he was ever a patient.

🇷🇺 Trump signs off on Russian diesel deal. Six senators, including Republicans Susan Collins (ME) and Lisa Murkowski (AK), urged President Trump to reverse his decision allowing Russia to supply over 300,000 tons of diesel to US markets. The senators argue the deal violates the 2022 congressional ban on Russian energy imports and gives Vladimir Putin "a financial lifeline.”

🔫 Fort Hood terrorist's execution to be livestreamed. The Pentagon confirmed that convicted Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan's December 3 execution will be broadcast publicly, marking the military's first execution in over six decades. President Trump approved the firing squad method after War Secretary Pete Hegseth recommended it.

💬 Cornell 7 case unravels as texts contradict assault narrative. Text messages between the accuser and a defendant are raising serious doubts about the allegations that sparked national outrage. In messages sent two days after the incident, Jane Doe described the encounter as a "gangbang," defended it by saying "our body our choice," and wrote that "none of the sexual stuff was illegal."

Behind the paywall: The fallout from new missile strikes on a Saudi airport, the toll of France's far-left riots, and Pope Leo gives a medical update.

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🗳️ In-person on Election Day (1,129)

🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⏰ In-person early voting (453)

🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ 📩 Mail-in voting (122)

🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ 🤔 Unsure (16)

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