Monday, November 2nd

What happened

Haley Stevens’s chief of staff and other congressional aides resigned after she endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers. The departing staff said they supported Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed and were shocked and heartbroken by her decision, which followed Stevens’s narrow August primary loss to El-Sayed and disputes over Israel. A planned Sunday church appearance with El-Sayed, Stevens and Rep. Jim Clyburn collapsed after El-Sayed’s campaign said Stevens was asked to avoid remaining events; Clyburn adviser Antjuan Seawright said the invitation stood. Stevens said she remained a proud Democrat. El-Sayed urged attention to costs, health care and schools. Voting in Michigan was scheduled for Tuesday.

What happened

U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason dismissed the Justice Department’s Alaska Senate election lawsuit. The Justice Department said it would appeal, while its investigation continued. The department had alleged that retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan’s candidacy could confuse voters and divert votes from Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, who faces Democrat Mary Peltola in a ranked-choice race that could affect Senate control. It sought to stop certification if those votes could change the outcome, and to preserve ballots for review. Gleason found no workable remedy that protected ballot secrecy. Alaska’s government had argued segregation was infeasible. Peltola denied involvement in recruiting Daniel Sullivan, who said he entered on his own.

What happened

A Learjet crashed in a residential area of Palm Beach County, Florida. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed all nine people aboard died. Authorities had not reported any confirmed deaths or injuries on the ground. The Learjet 60 went down around 12:50 p.m. on Nov. 1 near Cresthaven. The private jet had left Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas for North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said there were no immediate reports of anyone on the ground being hurt or killed. The crash left a large crater, fires and debris near homes and a busy roadway. Officials evacuated about 600 people. The NTSB is leading the investigation, with FAA help.