FOUR-MINUTE READ | UNBIASED COVERAGE OF TOP POLITICAL NEWS
Federal Level
DOJ Issues Dozens of Subpoenas in Alaska Senate Race
On Thursday, the Justice Department issued at least three dozen new subpoenas and document preservation requests in its probe of the Alaska Senate race, a U.S. official confirmed to NBC News. The subpoenas went to the campaign offices of Democrat Mary Peltola and of Dan J. Sullivan, a candidate who shares a name with Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan. The same day, House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer said his panel had requested interviews with former Peltola campaign manager Elisa Rios and Democratic operative Jerid Kurtz. Peltola’s campaign has said it had no involvement with either Sullivan campaign, and she called the reporting a distraction.1, 2
Judge Orders DOJ to Name States Sent Ballot Letters
A federal judge in Washington on Thursday ordered the Justice Department to identify every state beyond California and Washington that received its letters demanding that ballots of alleged noncitizens be set aside. Chief Judge James Boasberg gave the administration until Friday to turn over the list. Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, brought the lawsuit. Boasberg said he would rule by Monday on whether to block more letters, though he questioned whether the plaintiffs have legal standing. A government attorney argued that the letters only notify states of potential violations of federal law.3, 4
Trump Cancels Kansas and Iowa Rallies for Phone Events
President Trump on Thursday canceled weekend rallies in Kansas and Iowa, and the Republican National Committee said he would instead hold telephone rallies in nearly 20 states. The announcement followed Trump’s appearance in Rock Hill, South Carolina, for Sen. Darline Graham, who faces a close race against Democrat Annie Andrews. Trump rejected a reporter’s suggestion that his health drove the change, saying, “I feel perfect.” He said he did not need to visit Kansas because Sen. Roger Marshall is doing well. Trump still plans a Friday rally in Daytona Beach, Florida, ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections.5
Judge Names Special Master in California Ballot Fight
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter appointed a special master to evaluate the Trump administration’s claim that California has some 20,000 noncitizens on its voter rolls. Carter had already rejected the government’s request earlier this week to make the state set aside those ballots. Special master Daniel B. Garrie will develop the factual record ahead of a Nov. 13 hearing. The Associated Press also reported that federal prosecutors have subpoenaed Los Angeles County election employees. Trump criticized the earlier ruling on Thursday, calling California’s elections “extremely corrupt” and saying the administration would appeal.6
Judge Blocks Trump Medicaid Rule on Medically Frail
A federal judge in Boston ruled on Thursday that the Trump administration unlawfully narrowed who qualifies as “medically frail” under new Medicaid work requirements. Judge Richard Stearns sided with 25 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia, finding that federal guidance went beyond what Congress passed in 2025. The ruling also tells states to wait at least six months after the work rules begin before canceling coverage for people claiming a medical exemption. The broader work requirements, which take effect in January, remain in place. Stearns upheld other parts of the guidance, and the federal agency declined to comment on an appeal.7
State Level
Alaska Troopers Open Probe Into Peltola Campaign Effort
Alaska’s Department of Public Safety confirmed on Thursday that state investigators have opened a probe into an alleged effort by Mary Peltola’s Senate campaign to recruit a namesake challenger to Sen. Dan S. Sullivan. Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered the investigation late Wednesday after a New York Times report. Speaking Thursday, Dunleavy said a very close result may require the state to “take a look,” and that findings could affect whether someone is seated. The Peltola campaign denies any involvement. A former Justice Department attorney told the Anchorage Daily News he knows of no state law barring such recruitment.1, 2
Texas Sues Harris County Clerk Over Targeted Voter Ads
The Texas Attorney General’s Office sued the Harris County Clerk’s Office on Thursday, alleging that it ran voter awareness ads on Facebook and Instagram aimed at certain racial and ethnic groups. The lawsuit names County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth and communications director Irene Nuñez. According to the filing, the office spent more than $40,000 on such ads over the past 30 days. Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee in a close U.S. Senate race against Democrat James Talarico, has recused himself, his office said. The clerk’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Early voting in Texas ends Friday.8
Bonta Sues to Defend California Propane Cylinder Law
California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit on Thursday challenging a federal ruling that the state cannot ban the sale of certain single-use propane cylinders. In September, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration found that federal hazardous materials law overrides the state measure, which takes effect in 2028. Bonta asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to vacate that decision. The state estimates that about 3 million of the 4 million one-pound cylinders sold each year end up in regular trash, where leftover gas can explode. Ohio-based manufacturer Worthington Enterprises had requested the federal ruling.9
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Article Sources
1. NBC News, “DOJ issues subpoenas in Alaska Senate race as governor launches separate investigation,” Oct. 29, 2026.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/mike-dunleavy-orders-investigation-mary-peltola-campaign-dan-sullivan-rcna606316
2. Anchorage Daily News, “Ordering investigation, Alaska Gov. Dunleavy raises question of election certification if Senate race saw illegal activity,” Oct. 29, 2026.
https://www.adn.com/politics/2026/10/29/alaska-gov-dunleavy-orders-investigation-into-alleged-democratic-scheme-to-recruit-dan-sullivan-challenger/
3. Roll Call, “Judge orders Justice Department to disclose noncitizen voter letters it sent to states,” Oct. 29, 2026.
https://rollcall.com/2026/10/29/judge-orders-justice-department-to-disclose-noncitizen-voter-letters/
4. Associated Press via U.S. News & World Report, “Judge Presses the Trump Administration for Details on Its Campaign to Stop Noncitizens From Voting,” Oct. 29, 2026.
https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2026-10-29/judge-presses-the-trump-administration-for-details-on-its-campaign-to-stop-noncitizens-from-voting
5. Associated Press, “Trump cancels rallies in Kansas and Iowa, opting for telerallies to reach more voters, RNC says,” Oct. 29, 2026.
https://apnews.com/article/darline-graham-annie-andrews-trump-south-carolina-01f4f35da63d63385777dd2238226842
6. Associated Press, “Justice Department subpoenas California officials in escalation of its scrutiny of elections,” Oct. 29, 2026.
https://apnews.com/article/california-noncitizen-voting-trump-midterm-lawsuit-20714065e59fe13db0e53c711a3ca390
7. Politico, “’Contrary to law’: Judge strikes down Trump admin’s definition of ‘medically frail’ in Medicaid work requirements,” Oct. 29, 2026.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/10/29/judge-strikes-down-trump-admins-definition-of-medically-frail-in-medicaid-work-rules-01140696
8. Houston Public Media, “Texas AG’s office sues Harris County Clerk for allegedly running ‘racially discriminatory advertisements,’” Oct. 29, 2026.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/election-2026/2026/10/29/565612/texas-ags-office-sues-harris-county-clerk-for-allegedly-running-racially-discriminatory-advertisements/
9. California Department of Justice, “Attorney General Bonta Sues Trump Administration to Defend State Law Prohibiting the Sale of Non-Reusable Propane Cylinders,” Oct. 29, 2026.
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-sues-trump-administration-defend-state-law-prohibiting