Alaska governor probes Senate race claim

19 virtual rallies. That is the number of telerallies President Trump scheduled as part of his final push for Republican candidates before the November 3 election. The shift to digital campaigning comes amid polling data that suggests the party faces hurdles in retaining House seats. Despite the pivot to screens, the President remains a central figure in mobilizing his base across competitive states.

In the Alaska U.S. Senate race, a dispute has emerged over a potential third-party candidate. The New York Times reported that Democratic campaign staff attempted to recruit a candidate sharing the name Dan Sullivan. The Republican incumbent also bears that name. Republicans argue the candidate could confuse voters and divert votes from the sitting senator. Democrat Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman, is the primary challenger aiming to flip the seat.

Alaska's governor ordered an investigation into the matter following the news report. Election law experts contacted by Alaska Public Media stated that no specific state laws were violated by the conduct. However, the experts noted the actions crossed moral and ethical lines. The race is currently considered a toss-up, with both parties focusing on final voter outreach efforts in the state.

At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia. Sylvia oversaw planning at the Pentagon and served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The removal occurs as the United States and Israel prepare for potential new attacks against Iran. Although Sylvia held a senior role in strategy and policy, he was not involved in the day-to-day operations of the Iran conflict.

The Pentagon is investigating a leak related to the dismissal but has not provided specific details. Hegseth has removed several other generals and admirals recently, often without offering explanations. These firings have disrupted senior military operations according to NPR correspondent Greg Myre. The U.S. currently has two aircraft carriers in the Arabian Sea, with a third, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, en route. Stationing three carriers in one region is unusual; the last time it occurred was during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

In a separate development, thousands of veterans facing higher mortgage payments have been affected by the shutdown of the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase program. The program, created under the previous administration, helped tens of thousands of veterans who fell behind on payments by rolling missed amounts into new, low-interest mortgages. The Trump administration ended the program without a viable replacement, leading to loan modifications at higher interest rates.

An NPR investigation found that more than 15,000 veterans experienced monthly payment increases of at least $150 after their loans were modified due to financial hardship. More than 700 veterans saw their payments rise by $1,000 or more. The mortgage industry and housing groups had warned the administration against ending the program without establishing an alternative first.

The Department of Justice subpoenaed election workers in Los Angeles amid rising tensions with California officials. The federal effort aims to identify noncitizens on voter rolls. This action adds to the legal and political disputes surrounding the 2026 midterm elections as officials in both parties prepare for Tuesday's vote.