It’s Election Day.

Election Day

The Story

It’s Election Day.

Who's on the ballot?

That depends on where you live. Here’s what to look out for:

Abortion…is on the ballot in Ohio. Voters there will decide whether to enshrine the right to abortion by amending the state’s constitution. The procedure is legal in Ohio up until about 22 weeks of pregnancy, as the state's six-week ban remains on hold amid legal challenges. Abortion has emerged as a key issue in elections since SCOTUS overturned Roe v. Wade. Now, both sides of the aisle are watching Ohio to gauge how voters feel going into 2024 — when several states are expected to have abortion-related measures on the ballot.

Governorships…in Kentucky and Mississippi are up for grabs. Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) is looking to keep his seat warm as he faces off with GOP nominee Daniel Cameron. If Beshear wins again, he could be one of only two Dem governors left in the South in 2024. Meanwhile, Brandon Presley (D) is challenging Gov. Tate Reeves’ (R-MS) bid for a second term. Presley focused his campaign on fighting corruption in the state and put Reeves on the defense for a multimillion dollar welfare scandal that happened while he was lieutenant governor.

Legislative races…are heating up in Virginia, as the GOP looks to take control of the state legislature. Republicans hold a narrow 52-48 majority in the House of Delegates, while Democrats hold a razor-thin 22-17 majority in the state Senate. Republicans are hoping that by flipping the Senate, they can clear the way for Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) to enact abortion restrictions.

Everything else…far-right officials in one California county want votes tallied up the old fashioned way: by hand. Despite voters’ concerns, the board chair said the county will sue if the state intervenes. Meanwhile, New Yorkers will weigh in on a number of races, including for mayors, New York City Council, and judges.

theSkimm

We’re about one year out from 2024’s Election Day. Former President Trump is expected to face off again against President Biden — and the latest poll shows Trump leading in five swing states. Tell us how you feel.

One Month

It’s been one month since Hamas launched a deadly terror attack on October 7th, killing more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, many in their homes and at a music festival. It was the deadliest single attack in Israel’s history and the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. More than 240 people were taken hostage, most of whom are still in captivity. The attack led Israel to declare war, promising to end Hamas’s ability to rule and launch attacks from the Gaza Strip. Hamas and other militant groups have reportedly launched more than 9,000 rockets into Israel, most of which are intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome.

Israel’s response has reportedly been the deadliest for Palestinians in just under a decade. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes have left more than 10,000 people dead, including more than 4,000 children, according to the latest figures. More than 50% of housing in Gaza is reportedly either damaged or destroyed. The UN estimates more than 1.5 million people have been displaced as Israel has called on Palestinians to move south, where airstrikes have continued. Food, water, and fuel is scarce. Now, Israel says it had encircled Gaza City in the north and divided northern and southern Gaza. Meanwhile, violence has ramped up between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank, with tensions also rising at the northern border with Lebanon. The threat of escalation with Iran, which backs militants across the region, continues.

Today marks one month since the deadly attack, with antisemitism and Islamophobia on the rise, a mounting death toll, and no end to the violence — or conflict — in sight.

Who said his piece…

Former President Trump. Yesterday, Trump testified in his New York civil fraud trial. NY AG Letitia James (D) is looking for $250 million in damages over allegations that the former president committed fraud and inflated his assets. After a month of gag order violations and his kids' testimony, 45 called the trial a “political witch hunt” and labeled James a “political hack.” During his testimony, Trump said that all he did was “authorize and tell people to give whatever is necessary” so his accountants could do the financial statements. The judge reeled in Trump a few times, telling Trump’s lawyer “this is not a political rally.” The judge already ruled that fraud went down but now has to decide how much Trump will have to pay in damages. Trump's legal team has already appealed the judge’s ruling.

What didn’t quite WeWork out...

WeWork. Yesterday, the office-sharing company filed for bankruptcy after years of struggling. Founded in 2010 by Adam Neumann, WeWork became a Silicon Valley darling and expanded to more than 700 locations around the world. At its height in 2019, the company reached a $47 billion valuation. However, Wall Street raised some red flags about the company’s long-term viability and profitability. Cue: WeCrashed. Neumann got the boot as CEO and the company never fully recovered. The bankruptcy filing doesn't mean WeWork's shutting all of its doors. Instead, WeWork says bankruptcy will allow the company to break or renegotiate dozens of its leases. In other words, WeWork is in its ReWork era.

…Oh and speaking of tech darlings, Bumble’s CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd announced she’s stepping down after nearly a decade at the top. Slack CEO Lidiane Jones is swapping out huddles for swipes and will be leading the company next year.

Who people are talking about…

Elijah McClain. Yesterday, a jury acquitted a suspended Colorado police officer of manslaughter in McClain’s death. In 2019, the 23-year-old Black man died after Aurora police put him in a chokehold and paramedics injected him with ketamine. His death led to widespread protests and police reforms in Colorado. During the trial, prosecutors said that officer Nathan Woodyard failed to follow his training. But Woodyard's lawyers said their client was justified in his actions after McClain allegedly reached for another officer's gun. Now, Woodyard is the second officer to be acquitted in McClain's death. Two paramedics charged in McClain's death are awaiting trial later this month. 

What’s got a message from the heart…

The American Heart Association (AHA). Yesterday, it released a study that found older adults who smoke marijuana have higher risks of heart attacks and strokes. They also found that daily marijuana smokers have a 34% higher chance of developing heart failure.

Who’s cooking up something new…

Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto and co.

While Barbra Streisand’s dropping a new title…

Megan Fox wants you to know that “Pretty Boys Are Poisonous.”

Who's causing an up-roar...

This animal trainer featured in “Tiger King.”