JERUSALEM-&nbsp;The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in order to deter any&nbsp;actor seeking to escalate the situation or widen the war, according to a media release from U.S. Central Command.

The forces in the area include the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), with its 8 squadrons of attack and support aircraft, and the Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), as well as the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Carney (DDG 64), and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80).

Efforts to increase U.S. posture continue, including the rapid movement into theater of U.S. Air Force F-15s, F-16s and A-10s to augment existing fighter squadrons in the region.

"The arrival of these highly capable forces to the region&nbsp;is a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation," said General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander, U.S. Central Command.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696972133403.png" alt="USS Gerald R. Ford -photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>USS Gerald R. Ford -photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM-&nbsp;The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in order to deter any&nbsp;actor seeking to escalate the situation or widen the war, according to a media release from U.S. Central Command.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Watch: An Israeli cargo plane lands, delivering an initial shipment of advanced weaponry from the United States to Israel. <a href="https://t.co/TEv2g9gXyW">pic.twitter.com/TEv2g9gXyW</a>&mdash; Ministry of Defense (@Israel_MOD) <a href="https://twitter.com/Israel_MOD/status/1711974859520041121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The forces in the area include the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), with its 8 squadrons of attack and support aircraft, and the Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), as well as the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Carney (DDG 64), and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80).Efforts to increase U.S. posture continue, including the rapid movement into theater of U.S. Air Force F-15s, F-16s and A-10s to augment existing fighter squadrons in the region."The arrival of these highly capable forces to the region&nbsp;is a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation," said General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander, U.S. Central Command.

US warships, weapons arrive in Mediterranean to support Israel

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Republican majority is stuck, one week after the ouster of Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555">Kevin McCarthy</a>, with lawmakers unable to coalesce around a new leader in a stalemate that threatens to keep Congress partly shuttered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-mccarthy-vacancy-scalise-jordan-israel-58c7df019c59e144b2a526c657cf6087">indefinitely</a>.

On Tuesday evening, two leading contenders for the gavel, Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, outlined their visions behind closed doors at a lengthy candidate forum. But they appeared to be splitting the vote among their Republican colleagues.

McCarthy, meanwhile, who had openly positioned himself to reclaim the gavel he just lost, told his colleagues during the private meeting not to nominate him this time. Instead, he read a poem from Mother Teresa and delivered a prayer.

“I don’t know how the hell you get to 218," Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, said afterward, referring to the majority vote typically needed to seize the gavel. “It could be a long week.”

House Republicans took the majority aspiring to operate as a team, and run government more like a business, but have drifted far from that goal. Just 10 months in power, the historic ouster of their House speaker — a first in the U.S. — and the prolonged infighting it has unleashed are undercutting the Republicans' ability to govern at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-war-live-updates">crisis at home and abroad</a>.

Now, as House Republicans push ahead toward snap elections Wednesday aimed at finding a new nominee for speaker, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kevin-mccarthy-republican-lawmakers-house-opponents-33c7d984964916f29d548b5b1dfe508b">hard-right coalition of lawmakers</a>&nbsp;that ousted McCarthy has shown what an oversized role a few lawmakers can have in choosing the successor.

“This is a hard conference to lead,” said Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark. “A lot of free agents.”

Both Scalise and Jordan are working furiously to shore up support. Both are easily winning over dozens of supporters and could win the majority of Republicans, about 110 votes.

But it's unclear if either Scalise or Jordan can amass the 217 votes that would be needed in a floor vote to overcome opposition from Democrats. There are currently two vacancies in the 435-seat House.

Many Republicans want to prevent the spectacle of a messy House floor fight like the grueling January brawl when McCarthy became speaker.

“We’re in a similar situation that we were back in January,” said Doug Heye, a former Republican leadership aide, adding the political optics of the feud look “terrible” to American voters.

Some have proposed a rules change that Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., the interim speaker pro tempore, is considering to ensure a majority vote during closed balloting Wednesday before the nominee is presented for a full floor vote.

McCarthy himself appeared to agree with a consensus approach. “They shouldn’t come out of there until they decide that they have enough votes for whoever they bring to the floor,” McCarthy said.

But short of a rules change, Republican lawmakers would be expected to agree to a majority-wins process — whichever candidate wins the internal private vote would be given the full backing of the Republicans on the House floor.

It’s no guarantee — with trust low among House Republicans and tensions high, those normal protocols could be challenged. Both Scalise and Jordan indicated they would support the eventual nominee, lawmakers said. But many lawmakers remained undecided.

“I am not thrilled with either choice right now,” said Rep. Ken Buck, a Colorado Republican who voted to oust McCarthy.

While both are conservatives from the right flank, neither Scalise nor Jordan is the heir apparent to McCarthy.

Scalise as the second-ranking Republican would be next in line for the gavel and is seen as a hero among colleagues for having survived severe injuries from a mass shooting during a congressional baseball practice in 2017. Now battling blood cancer, the Louisianan is not a clear lock.

“We’re going to go get this done tomorrow, and the House is going to get back to work,” Scalise said as he exited the meeting.

Jordan is a high-profile political firebrand known for his close&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-speaker-mccarthy-capitol-hill-432f89f6826b2b4f51990ae4b4d293fb">alliance with Donald Trump</a>, particularly when the then-president was working to overturn the results of the 2020 election, leading to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Trump has backed Jordan's bid for the gavel.

Scalise and Jordan presented similar views at the forum about cutting spending and securing the southern border with Mexico, top Republican priorities.

Several lawmakers, including Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who engineered McCarthy's ouster said they would be willing to support either Scalise or Jordan.

“I think it’s a competitive race for speaker because we’ve got two greats,” said Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky.

Barr said he was working to help secure votes for Scalise, but would be comfortable with either candidate.

Others though, particularly more centrist conservative Republicans from districts that are narrowly split between the parties, are holding out for another choice.

“Personally, I’m still with McCarthy," said Rep. David Valadao, a Republican who represents a California district not far from the former speaker's district.

“We’ll see how that plays out, but I do know a large percentage of the membership wants to be there with him as well.”

McCarthy headed into the evening forum insisting he was not, at the moment, a candidate for speaker.

But the California Republican gave a nod to his own short track record as speaker — being ousted by the far-right flank after he led Congress to approve a stopgap spending bill to prevent a disruptive federal government shutdown.

“I think it’s important whoever takes that job is willing to risk the job for doing what’s right for the American public,” McCarthy said.

For now, McHenry is effectively in charge. He has shown little interest in expanding his power beyond the role he was assigned — an interim leader tasked with ensuring the election of the next speaker.

The role was created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to ensure the continuity of government. McHenry's name was at the top of a list submitted by McCarthy when he became speaker in January.

While some Republicans, and Democrats, are open to empowering McHenry the longer he holds the temporary position, that seems unlikely as the speaker's fight drags on.

McHenry told reporters it's “my goal” to keep to the schedule to have hold a House speaker election on Wednesday. He quickly gaveled the House in and out of a brief session Tuesday, with no business conducted.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696366148194.png" alt="A view of the House during the vote count to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>A view of the House during the vote count to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Republican majority is stuck, one week after the ouster of Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555">Kevin McCarthy</a>, with lawmakers unable to coalesce around a new leader in a stalemate that threatens to keep Congress partly shuttered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-mccarthy-vacancy-scalise-jordan-israel-58c7df019c59e144b2a526c657cf6087">indefinitely</a>.On Tuesday evening, two leading contenders for the gavel, Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, outlined their visions behind closed doors at a lengthy candidate forum. But they appeared to be splitting the vote among their Republican colleagues.McCarthy, meanwhile, who had openly positioned himself to reclaim the gavel he just lost, told his colleagues during the private meeting not to nominate him this time. Instead, he read a poem from Mother Teresa and delivered a prayer.“I don’t know how the hell you get to 218," Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, said afterward, referring to the majority vote typically needed to seize the gavel. “It could be a long week.”House Republicans took the majority aspiring to operate as a team, and run government more like a business, but have drifted far from that goal. Just 10 months in power, the historic ouster of their House speaker — a first in the U.S. — and the prolonged infighting it has unleashed are undercutting the Republicans' ability to govern at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-war-live-updates">crisis at home and abroad</a>.Now, as House Republicans push ahead toward snap elections Wednesday aimed at finding a new nominee for speaker, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kevin-mccarthy-republican-lawmakers-house-opponents-33c7d984964916f29d548b5b1dfe508b">hard-right coalition of lawmakers</a>&nbsp;that ousted McCarthy has shown what an oversized role a few lawmakers can have in choosing the successor.“This is a hard conference to lead,” said Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark. “A lot of free agents.”Both Scalise and Jordan are working furiously to shore up support. Both are easily winning over dozens of supporters and could win the majority of Republicans, about 110 votes.But it's unclear if either Scalise or Jordan can amass the 217 votes that would be needed in a floor vote to overcome opposition from Democrats. There are currently two vacancies in the 435-seat House.Many Republicans want to prevent the spectacle of a messy House floor fight like the grueling January brawl when McCarthy became speaker.“We’re in a similar situation that we were back in January,” said Doug Heye, a former Republican leadership aide, adding the political optics of the feud look “terrible” to American voters.Some have proposed a rules change that Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., the interim speaker pro tempore, is considering to ensure a majority vote during closed balloting Wednesday before the nominee is presented for a full floor vote.McCarthy himself appeared to agree with a consensus approach. “They shouldn’t come out of there until they decide that they have enough votes for whoever they bring to the floor,” McCarthy said.But short of a rules change, Republican lawmakers would be expected to agree to a majority-wins process — whichever candidate wins the internal private vote would be given the full backing of the Republicans on the House floor.It’s no guarantee — with trust low among House Republicans and tensions high, those normal protocols could be challenged. Both Scalise and Jordan indicated they would support the eventual nominee, lawmakers said. But many lawmakers remained undecided.“I am not thrilled with either choice right now,” said Rep. Ken Buck, a Colorado Republican who voted to oust McCarthy.While both are conservatives from the right flank, neither Scalise nor Jordan is the heir apparent to McCarthy.Scalise as the second-ranking Republican would be next in line for the gavel and is seen as a hero among colleagues for having survived severe injuries from a mass shooting during a congressional baseball practice in 2017. Now battling blood cancer, the Louisianan is not a clear lock.“We’re going to go get this done tomorrow, and the House is going to get back to work,” Scalise said as he exited the meeting.Jordan is a high-profile political firebrand known for his close&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-speaker-mccarthy-capitol-hill-432f89f6826b2b4f51990ae4b4d293fb">alliance with Donald Trump</a>, particularly when the then-president was working to overturn the results of the 2020 election, leading to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Trump has backed Jordan's bid for the gavel.Scalise and Jordan presented similar views at the forum about cutting spending and securing the southern border with Mexico, top Republican priorities.Several lawmakers, including Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who engineered McCarthy's ouster said they would be willing to support either Scalise or Jordan.“I think it’s a competitive race for speaker because we’ve got two greats,” said Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky.Barr said he was working to help secure votes for Scalise, but would be comfortable with either candidate.Others though, particularly more centrist conservative Republicans from districts that are narrowly split between the parties, are holding out for another choice.“Personally, I’m still with McCarthy," said Rep. David Valadao, a Republican who represents a California district not far from the former speaker's district.“We’ll see how that plays out, but I do know a large percentage of the membership wants to be there with him as well.”McCarthy headed into the evening forum insisting he was not, at the moment, a candidate for speaker.But the California Republican gave a nod to his own short track record as speaker — being ousted by the far-right flank after he led Congress to approve a stopgap spending bill to prevent a disruptive federal government shutdown.“I think it’s important whoever takes that job is willing to risk the job for doing what’s right for the American public,” McCarthy said.For now, McHenry is effectively in charge. He has shown little interest in expanding his power beyond the role he was assigned — an interim leader tasked with ensuring the election of the next speaker.The role was created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to ensure the continuity of government. McHenry's name was at the top of a list submitted by McCarthy when he became speaker in January.While some Republicans, and Democrats, are open to empowering McHenry the longer he holds the temporary position, that seems unlikely as the speaker's fight drags on.McHenry told reporters it's “my goal” to keep to the schedule to have hold a House speaker election on Wednesday. He quickly gaveled the House in and out of a brief session Tuesday, with no business conducted.

A week without a House speaker, GOP no closer to choosing a new leader

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday confirmed that U.S. citizens are among the hostages captured by Hamas in this weekend’s attack on Israel and he condemned the militant group for “sheer evil” for its shocking multipronged attack on Israel launched from the Gaza Strip that has killed hundreds of civilians, including at least 14 American citizens.

(Click below to watch a replay of the President's comments)

Biden and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;spoke by phone earlier on Tuesday with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/benjamin-netanyahu">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a>&nbsp;to discuss the situation on the ground. Biden outlined the actions he and other allies have taken to support Israel in the aftermath of the attack and expressed his horror about “sickening” reports of torture inflicted by militants on innocent civilians.

“Our hearts may be broken but our resolve is clear,” said Biden, who compared Hamas action to the terrorist group ISIS. He added, “Let there be no doubt. The United States has Israel’s back. We’ll make sure the Jewish and democratic state of Israel can defend itself today, tomorrow as we always have.”

Biden, in his public remarks and statements since Hamas launched its attacks, has repeatedly emphasized his shock over the breadth and brutality of the Hamas assault — a blitz by land, sea and air that surprised Israeli and U.S. intelligence and that has killed hundreds Israelis and left even more wounded.

Retaliatory strikes by Israel on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gaza-strip">Gaza Strip</a>&nbsp;have also left hundreds of dead and wounded Palestinians in the blockaded 141-square mile area, one the poorest places in the world. The death toll was expected to grow as Israel pummeled Gaza with airstrikes and sent tens of thousands of Palestinians fleeing into U.N. shelters.

Biden said he has directed his team to share intelligence and military experts to consult and advise Israelis. He also confirmed that the U.S. believes that Americans are among dozens of hostages taken by Hamas.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. does not know the precise number of American hostages that were taken. Sullivan said that the U.S., at the moment, has no plans of putting U.S. troops on the ground.

“As president I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans being held hostage around the world,” Biden said.

The White House on Monday confirmed that it has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-state-department-39b9e7f15334ff756f022704f9516867">already begun delivering critically needed munitions and military equipment</a>&nbsp;to Israel, and the Pentagon was reviewing its inventories to see what else can be sent quickly to boost its ally in the war against Hamas.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-american-carrier-strike-force-mediterranean-db05d535a9ebb931f684f758c9b6f628">Ford carrier strike group</a>&nbsp;has arrived in the far Eastern Mediterranean, within range to provide a host of air support or long-range strike options for Israel if requested, but also to surge U.S. military presence there to prevent the war from spilling over into a more dangerous regional conflict, officials said.

The Pentagon has said that the U.S. warplanes, destroyers and cruisers that sailed with the Ford will conduct maritime and air operations which could include intelligence collection, interdictions and long-range strikes.

Along with the Ford, the U.S. is sending the cruiser USS Normandy and destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt, and the U.S. is augmenting Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.

“Let me say again to any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation,” Biden said. “I have one word: Don’t."

Biden is dispatching his top diplomat to Israel on an urgent mission to show U.S. support after the attacks, the State Department said Tuesday.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Secretary of State Antony Blinken would travel in the coming days to deliver a message of solidarity and support. He said Blinken will also “talk about what additional resources we can give them.”

Blinken will leave Wednesday and is expected to arrive Thursday.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters traveling with him Tuesday to a Ukraine contact group meeting in Brussels that a small group of U.S. special operations forces is also working with the Israelis to help with planning and intelligence.

Biden on Monday in a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak underscored the “legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people” and their decades-long push for sovereignty. But the leaders also sought to separate the Palestinians’ aspirations from the “appalling acts of terrorism” by Hamas.

Americans have had a gloomy outlook on Biden’s performance on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Six in 10 Americans (61%)&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-israel-united-states-biden-netanyahu-41ba5cb189185f3e4956f4465c00999f">disapproved of how Biden was handling the conflict</a>&nbsp;between the Israelis and Palestinians, according to an August poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About one-third (35%) of U.S. adults approved, which was slightly lower than Biden’s overall approval rating of 42% in the same poll.

Four in 10 Americans (44%) said the U.S. gives about the right amount of support to Israel in the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Republicans were more likely than Democrats to say the U.S. should offer more support to Israel. Four in 10 Americans (42%) said the correct amount of support is given to the Palestinians. Democrats and Independents were more likely than Republicans to say the Palestinians should receive more support.

The current crisis seems certain to further test public sentiment about Biden’s Mideast foreign policy approach.

The Biden White House has pointed to its handling of the last conflict between Israel and Gaza in 2021 as playing a crucial part in limiting the length and loss of life in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-was-the-outcome-of-israel-gaza-war-4f94e80a9d6f53ecd5353db83ed27526">a war that stretched over 11 days</a>&nbsp;and killed at least 250 people in Gaza and 13 in Israel.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-was-the-outcome-of-israel-gaza-war-4f94e80a9d6f53ecd5353db83ed27526">During the 2021 conflict,</a>&nbsp;Biden limited his public commentary while pressing Netanyahu in private to end the conflict. His behind-the-scenes effort played out even as some of the president’s fellow Democrats pressured him to speak out against the Israelis as the death toll climbed in Gaza and as tens of thousands of Palestinians were displaced by the aerial bombardment,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/africa-middle-east-business-israel-palestinian-conflict-health-d2781b6e5aea8602547c5c0b4112e977">White House officials said at the time.</a>

But this conflict is unlikely to end so quickly. Domestic and international pressure could quickly mount on Biden to pressure Netanyahu to wind down operations to prevent the suffering of innocent Gazans.

Netanyahu said on Saturday that civilians in Gaza should leave areas near where Hamas is operating as the Israeli military planned to take defining action against the the militant group.

Sullivan said U.S. government officials have discussed details with Israel and Egyptian officials about where people in Gaza should go.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696938143887.png" alt="The White House lit up blue and white Monday night as a symbol of the United States’ enduring support and solidarity with the people of Israel in the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks committed by Hamas.-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>The White House lit up blue and white Monday night as a symbol of the United States’ enduring support and solidarity with the people of Israel in the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks committed by Hamas.-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday confirmed that U.S. citizens are among the hostages captured by Hamas in this weekend’s attack on Israel and he condemned the militant group for “sheer evil” for its shocking multipronged attack on Israel launched from the Gaza Strip that has killed hundreds of civilians, including at least 14 American citizens.(Click below to watch a replay of the President's comments)<div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7v40bJGqfEo?si=wCspaDDhv7t2n9B0&amp;start=5840" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Biden and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;spoke by phone earlier on Tuesday with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/benjamin-netanyahu">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a>&nbsp;to discuss the situation on the ground. Biden outlined the actions he and other allies have taken to support Israel in the aftermath of the attack and expressed his horror about “sickening” reports of torture inflicted by militants on innocent civilians.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on Hamas attacks against Israel: &quot;This was an act of sheer evil.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/JlfEvefe4f">pic.twitter.com/JlfEvefe4f</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1711824332270248058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Our hearts may be broken but our resolve is clear,” said Biden, who compared Hamas action to the terrorist group ISIS. He added, “Let there be no doubt. The United States has Israel’s back. We’ll make sure the Jewish and democratic state of Israel can defend itself today, tomorrow as we always have.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696961319712.png" alt="President Biden on Tuesday sat down with our teams to receive a situation update on the terrorist attack in Israel and to direct next steps.&nbsp;We connected with Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss coordination to support Israel, deter hostile actors, and protect innocent people." />
 <figcaption>President Biden on Tuesday sat down with our teams to receive a situation update on the terrorist attack in Israel and to direct next steps.&nbsp;We connected with Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss coordination to support Israel, deter hostile actors, and protect innocent people.</figcaption>
 </figure>Biden, in his public remarks and statements since Hamas launched its attacks, has repeatedly emphasized his shock over the breadth and brutality of the Hamas assault — a blitz by land, sea and air that surprised Israeli and U.S. intelligence and that has killed hundreds Israelis and left even more wounded.Retaliatory strikes by Israel on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gaza-strip">Gaza Strip</a>&nbsp;have also left hundreds of dead and wounded Palestinians in the blockaded 141-square mile area, one the poorest places in the world. The death toll was expected to grow as Israel pummeled Gaza with airstrikes and sent tens of thousands of Palestinians fleeing into U.N. shelters.Biden said he has directed his team to share intelligence and military experts to consult and advise Israelis. He also confirmed that the U.S. believes that Americans are among dozens of hostages taken by Hamas.White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. does not know the precise number of American hostages that were taken. Sullivan said that the U.S., at the moment, has no plans of putting U.S. troops on the ground.“As president I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans being held hostage around the world,” Biden said.The White House on Monday confirmed that it has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-state-department-39b9e7f15334ff756f022704f9516867">already begun delivering critically needed munitions and military equipment</a>&nbsp;to Israel, and the Pentagon was reviewing its inventories to see what else can be sent quickly to boost its ally in the war against Hamas.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-american-carrier-strike-force-mediterranean-db05d535a9ebb931f684f758c9b6f628">Ford carrier strike group</a>&nbsp;has arrived in the far Eastern Mediterranean, within range to provide a host of air support or long-range strike options for Israel if requested, but also to surge U.S. military presence there to prevent the war from spilling over into a more dangerous regional conflict, officials said.The Pentagon has said that the U.S. warplanes, destroyers and cruisers that sailed with the Ford will conduct maritime and air operations which could include intelligence collection, interdictions and long-range strikes.Along with the Ford, the U.S. is sending the cruiser USS Normandy and destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt, and the U.S. is augmenting Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.“Let me say again to any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation,” Biden said. “I have one word: Don’t."Biden is dispatching his top diplomat to Israel on an urgent mission to show U.S. support after the attacks, the State Department said Tuesday.State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Secretary of State Antony Blinken would travel in the coming days to deliver a message of solidarity and support. He said Blinken will also “talk about what additional resources we can give them.”Blinken will leave Wednesday and is expected to arrive Thursday.Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters traveling with him Tuesday to a Ukraine contact group meeting in Brussels that a small group of U.S. special operations forces is also working with the Israelis to help with planning and intelligence.Biden on Monday in a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak underscored the “legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people” and their decades-long push for sovereignty. But the leaders also sought to separate the Palestinians’ aspirations from the “appalling acts of terrorism” by Hamas.Americans have had a gloomy outlook on Biden’s performance on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Six in 10 Americans (61%)&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-israel-united-states-biden-netanyahu-41ba5cb189185f3e4956f4465c00999f">disapproved of how Biden was handling the conflict</a>&nbsp;between the Israelis and Palestinians, according to an August poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About one-third (35%) of U.S. adults approved, which was slightly lower than Biden’s overall approval rating of 42% in the same poll.Four in 10 Americans (44%) said the U.S. gives about the right amount of support to Israel in the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Republicans were more likely than Democrats to say the U.S. should offer more support to Israel. Four in 10 Americans (42%) said the correct amount of support is given to the Palestinians. Democrats and Independents were more likely than Republicans to say the Palestinians should receive more support.The current crisis seems certain to further test public sentiment about Biden’s Mideast foreign policy approach.The Biden White House has pointed to its handling of the last conflict between Israel and Gaza in 2021 as playing a crucial part in limiting the length and loss of life in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-was-the-outcome-of-israel-gaza-war-4f94e80a9d6f53ecd5353db83ed27526">a war that stretched over 11 days</a>&nbsp;and killed at least 250 people in Gaza and 13 in Israel.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-was-the-outcome-of-israel-gaza-war-4f94e80a9d6f53ecd5353db83ed27526">During the 2021 conflict,</a>&nbsp;Biden limited his public commentary while pressing Netanyahu in private to end the conflict. His behind-the-scenes effort played out even as some of the president’s fellow Democrats pressured him to speak out against the Israelis as the death toll climbed in Gaza and as tens of thousands of Palestinians were displaced by the aerial bombardment,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/africa-middle-east-business-israel-palestinian-conflict-health-d2781b6e5aea8602547c5c0b4112e977">White House officials said at the time.</a>But this conflict is unlikely to end so quickly. Domestic and international pressure could quickly mount on Biden to pressure Netanyahu to wind down operations to prevent the suffering of innocent Gazans.Netanyahu said on Saturday that civilians in Gaza should leave areas near where Hamas is operating as the Israeli military planned to take defining action against the the militant group.Sullivan said U.S. government officials have discussed details with Israel and Egyptian officials about where people in Gaza should go.

🎥Biden confirms Americans among hostages captured in Israel

 Nebraska Senator Ricketts Discusses Terror Attacks on Israel

Maddie Peterson&nbsp;| Athletic Communications Intern

LINCOLN, Nebr - Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule met with members of the media on Tuesday of the bye week. Rhule discussed the identity of the team.

"We did a bye week plan to win with the guys with all the things we need to improve upon," he said. "The one thing we are doing well is we are first in the Big Ten in rushing offense. We are first in 10 plus yards rushing. I think we're third in yards per carry with 5.1 We are second in rush defense, maybe first or second in defensive yards per carry and first in 10 plus runs so we are defending the run well. Third down we need to get about seven percent better on offense and seven percent better on defense. I think we're middle of the pack, I can't remember the numbers but we're 40 percent on defense. We need to be in the low 30s. We're 37 percent on offense, we need to be in the mid-40s. There's a lot of things that are close. The one thing that's giving us a chance is running the football. Through six games, we're minus seven in the turnover battle. We're 129th out of 133 teams. That could have been a 30 to 7 game, 35 to 7, 40 to 7 game so there's a lot of things but our identity of running the football and stopping the run, that can't change, that's just the bedrock of who we want to be. We couldn't get it done against Michigan but as we move forward we have to continue to do that. These young receivers, I think we started making some plays in the passing game this game that allowed us to score some touchdowns by Ty (Hahn) and some third-down conversions so we have to continue to augment that as we move forward."

Rhule talked on the importance of accomplishing more offensive explosive pass plays.

"Who's winning in college football that's not running the football and playing good defense? We have to be more explosive on offense," Rhule said. "We're not going to be able to win long-term if you can't make explosive plays in the passing game. We're one of the top teams in terms of explosive run plays but we're going to need explosive pass plays. On the flip side on defense we have given up way too many explosive 20 yard passes, so that component will continue to come. Part of that is getting comfortable and part of that is playmakers as they develop, as you recruit them. There's a lot of teams on Saturday that catch a slant and take it 80. We have guys that can do that, we just have to continue to get them confident and I see them becoming a more confident team day by day."

Rhule was asked what he hopes to see from the team during the second half of the season.

"For the second half of the season we should try to win every game," he said. "We'll have a chance in every game and also there's not a team that can't beat us. There's not a team we can't beat and there's not a team that can't beat us so we will probably just prepare at a high level and I hope the one thing we learned from last week was what seemed like really hard like we're in full pads on a Sunday the day after we played Michigan probably will end up being one of the better memories from the year and probably led to one of their best weeks of football and that gave them the right to have that swagger...I told them if you practice that way, then you earn the right to play that way so I think they understand that they have to prepare, they have to have edge, they have to play a certain way and they have to play as a team."

Following the bye week, the Huskers will take on Northwestern on Oct. 21 at 2:30 p.m. (CT) at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. The game is set to be televised on the Big Ten Network, with radio coverage by the Huskers Radio Network.

Maddie Peterson&nbsp;| Athletic Communications InternLINCOLN, Nebr - Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule met with members of the media on Tuesday of the bye week. Rhule discussed the identity of the team.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696962370990.png" alt="Matt Rhule discussing practice on October 10th, 2023 with media" />
 <figcaption>Matt Rhule discussing practice on October 10th, 2023 with media</figcaption>
 </figure>"We did a bye week plan to win with the guys with all the things we need to improve upon," he said. "The one thing we are doing well is we are first in the Big Ten in rushing offense. We are first in 10 plus yards rushing. I think we're third in yards per carry with 5.1 We are second in rush defense, maybe first or second in defensive yards per carry and first in 10 plus runs so we are defending the run well. Third down we need to get about seven percent better on offense and seven percent better on defense. I think we're middle of the pack, I can't remember the numbers but we're 40 percent on defense. We need to be in the low 30s. We're 37 percent on offense, we need to be in the mid-40s. There's a lot of things that are close. The one thing that's giving us a chance is running the football. Through six games, we're minus seven in the turnover battle. We're 129th out of 133 teams. That could have been a 30 to 7 game, 35 to 7, 40 to 7 game so there's a lot of things but our identity of running the football and stopping the run, that can't change, that's just the bedrock of who we want to be. We couldn't get it done against Michigan but as we move forward we have to continue to do that. These young receivers, I think we started making some plays in the passing game this game that allowed us to score some touchdowns by Ty (Hahn) and some third-down conversions so we have to continue to augment that as we move forward."Rhule talked on the importance of accomplishing more offensive explosive pass plays."Who's winning in college football that's not running the football and playing good defense? We have to be more explosive on offense," Rhule said. "We're not going to be able to win long-term if you can't make explosive plays in the passing game. We're one of the top teams in terms of explosive run plays but we're going to need explosive pass plays. On the flip side on defense we have given up way too many explosive 20 yard passes, so that component will continue to come. Part of that is getting comfortable and part of that is playmakers as they develop, as you recruit them. There's a lot of teams on Saturday that catch a slant and take it 80. We have guys that can do that, we just have to continue to get them confident and I see them becoming a more confident team day by day."Rhule was asked what he hopes to see from the team during the second half of the season."For the second half of the season we should try to win every game," he said. "We'll have a chance in every game and also there's not a team that can't beat us. There's not a team we can't beat and there's not a team that can't beat us so we will probably just prepare at a high level and I hope the one thing we learned from last week was what seemed like really hard like we're in full pads on a Sunday the day after we played Michigan probably will end up being one of the better memories from the year and probably led to one of their best weeks of football and that gave them the right to have that swagger...I told them if you practice that way, then you earn the right to play that way so I think they understand that they have to prepare, they have to have edge, they have to play a certain way and they have to play as a team."Following the bye week, the Huskers will take on Northwestern on Oct. 21 at 2:30 p.m. (CT) at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. The game is set to be televised on the Big Ten Network, with radio coverage by the Huskers Radio Network.

Nebraska Football - Tuesday practice report from Matt Rhule

By Debrorah Van Fleet&nbsp; Nebraska News Connection

&nbsp; The&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/Agencies/Inspector_General_of_the_Nebraska_Correctional_System/600_20230915-185212.pdf" target="_blank">latest report</a>&nbsp;on the Nebraska Correctional System shows a decrease in the use of restrictive housing. The Office of Inspector General of Correctional Services has tracked the data and other prison practices since it was created in 2015 to oversee the state's correctional system.

The use of restricting a prisoner's contact with others peaked at 423 in 2018 and has dropped most years since then, to 216 people in August. Scout Richters, policy director for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aclunebraska.org/" target="_blank">ACLU of Nebraska</a>, said although the progress "deserves recognition," it is not enough, especially when the isolation is for long periods of time.

"Across the globe, there's a consensus that prolonged solitary confinement is torture, that it's inhumane, that it greatly exacerbates mental health issues and self-harm attempts," Richters outlined.

The Inspector General's report showed the number of people in restrictive arrangements for over six months declined from 185 five years ago, to 42 this year.

In August, Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers&nbsp;<a href="https://ago.nebraska.gov/opinions/constitutionality-inspector-general-acts" target="_blank">blocked</a>&nbsp;the Inspector General from accessing prison records, stating the way the Legislature created the office violates the state constitution. As a result, Richters pointed out, information including the frequency and duration of restrictive housing and circumstances surrounding deaths has been unavailable for oversight since mid-August.

"This is really a major concern," Richters contended. "It should be a major concern for all Nebraskans, as the Inspector General really provides critical, neutral insight into what is actually happening within the prisons." Sen. Tony Vargas, D-Omaha, has introduced&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49927" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 557</a>&nbsp;to be considered next year. It would cap the use of restrictive housing at 15 days. Richters noted polls show the majority of Nebraskans support this and other types of prison reform.

"Really ensuring that those with substance abuse issues, mental health disorders, get the treatment they need rather than prison sentences," Richters emphasized. "Including the use of restrictive housing and solitary confinement that really don't solve the underlying issue."

The report showed two men scheduled to be released from Nebraska prisons in December have been in restrictive housing for extensive time periods, one for nearly four years and the other for more than five-and-a-half years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By Debrorah Van Fleet&nbsp; Nebraska News Connection&nbsp; The&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/Agencies/Inspector_General_of_the_Nebraska_Correctional_System/600_20230915-185212.pdf" target="_blank">latest report</a>&nbsp;on the Nebraska Correctional System shows a decrease in the use of restrictive housing. The Office of Inspector General of Correctional Services has tracked the data and other prison practices since it was created in 2015 to oversee the state's correctional system. The use of restricting a prisoner's contact with others peaked at 423 in 2018 and has dropped most years since then, to 216 people in August. Scout Richters, policy director for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aclunebraska.org/" target="_blank">ACLU of Nebraska</a>, said although the progress "deserves recognition," it is not enough, especially when the isolation is for long periods of time. "Across the globe, there's a consensus that prolonged solitary confinement is torture, that it's inhumane, that it greatly exacerbates mental health issues and self-harm attempts," Richters outlined.The Inspector General's report showed the number of people in restrictive arrangements for over six months declined from 185 five years ago, to 42 this year. In August, Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers&nbsp;<a href="https://ago.nebraska.gov/opinions/constitutionality-inspector-general-acts" target="_blank">blocked</a>&nbsp;the Inspector General from accessing prison records, stating the way the Legislature created the office violates the state constitution. As a result, Richters pointed out, information including the frequency and duration of restrictive housing and circumstances surrounding deaths has been unavailable for oversight since mid-August."This is really a major concern," Richters contended. "It should be a major concern for all Nebraskans, as the Inspector General really provides critical, neutral insight into what is actually happening within the prisons." Sen. Tony Vargas, D-Omaha, has introduced&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49927" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 557</a>&nbsp;to be considered next year. It would cap the use of restrictive housing at 15 days. Richters noted polls show the majority of Nebraskans support this and other types of prison reform."Really ensuring that those with substance abuse issues, mental health disorders, get the treatment they need rather than prison sentences," Richters emphasized. "Including the use of restrictive housing and solitary confinement that really don't solve the underlying issue."The report showed two men scheduled to be released from Nebraska prisons in December have been in restrictive housing for extensive time periods, one for nearly four years and the other for more than five-and-a-half years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ACLU: NE prison progress on 'restrictive housing' not enough

By ASHLEY MURRAY,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — As Congress faces another pressing deadline to fund the government and the U.S. House grinds to a halt without a speaker, the reauthorization of the nation’s agriculture and hunger programs has taken a back seat.

But lawmakers tasked with shepherding the new version maintain their progress is “in good shape.”

The previous farm bill&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/08/17/farm-bill-timeline-in-flux-as-a-messy-september-for-congress-nears/">expired</a>&nbsp;Sept. 30 and its renewal, a process that occurs every five years, remains “in the drafting stage,” said Sen. John Boozman, the Arkansas GOP lawmaker and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

“I know myself and Sen. Stabenow, our teams are working together to try and get ideas in the text. And so we’re moving forward,” Boozman told reporters Wednesday.

Stabenow of Michigan chairs the committee.

“It’s been difficult because the appropriations process has kind of sucked all the wind out. But we’re in good shape. We don’t need an extension until the first of the year. If we do need an extension, I think we’ll be looking in the November time frame as we do the CR.”

The CR, or continuing resolution, is the funding&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/congress-clears-bill-avert-shutdown-vote-promised-later-ukraine-aid-3">compromise</a>&nbsp;Congress struck last weekend just hours before a partial government shutdown. The temporary spending measure expires Nov. 17.

The farm bill and long-term government funding are completely different processes, but GOP House majority infighting over appropriations has stalled other priorities.

And, with the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/10/03/u-s-house-votes-to-remove-kevin-mccarthy-as-speaker/">ouster</a>&nbsp;of former House Speaker and California Republican Kevin McCarthy by a handful of far-right party members and all House Democrats, the lower chamber is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/10/04/how-does-a-frozen-u-s-house-function-without-a-speaker-everyones-got-an-opinion/">frozen</a>.

“As with every Farm Bill, there are forces and circumstances out of our control. What is always a complicated process has become a little more complicated, but our work continues to produce an effective Farm Bill,” said Pennsylvania GOP Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, who chairs the House Committee on Agriculture, in an emailed statement.

Thompson and fellow lawmakers have spent thousands of hours over the past two years collecting feedback from constituents on what they want to see in the multi-year bill, which is forecast to cost $1.5 trillion.

But some constituents say despite reassurance that the farm bill is progressing, they remain concerned about its delay, as well as funding for several of its programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.

As a mandatory program, SNAP will&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/09/26/the-farm-bill-is-on-the-verge-of-expiring-congress-is-months-away-from-a-new-version/">continue</a>&nbsp;as long as Congress approves either temporary or long-term government funding.

“The delay in considering important legislation, such as agriculture appropriations and the farm bill, creates a great deal of uncertainty for farmers and ranchers. The 2018 farm bill already expired,” Sam Kieffer, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s vice president of public policy, said in a statement.

“All families, including those in rural America, face rising interest rates, high inflation and turbulence in the marketplace,” he continued. “The farm bill provides certainty to those who grow this nation’s food, fuel and fiber and is crucial to ensuring a safe and affordable food supply. Congress has always come through on a farm bill, and they must do it again. Every family in America is counting on it.”

The 2018 farm bill was not signed into law&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47313">until</a>&nbsp;Dec. 20 of that year.

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12047">expansive</a>&nbsp;agricultural and food policy bill covers farmer safety net programs, conservation and sustainability incentives, international trade, rural area development, and food and nutrition programs for low-income earners — the last of which accounts for the largest portion of the bill. The legislation is one of Congress’ omnibus packages, meaning it’s made up of numerous provisions from many lawmakers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696870697157.jpeg" alt=" Rows of soybean plants grow in the fields at Seidenstricker Farms, owned by Robert and Cathy Seidenstricker, in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas, on June 25, 2019. (USDA photo by Lance Cheung)" />
 <figcaption> Rows of soybean plants grow in the fields at Seidenstricker Farms, owned by Robert and Cathy Seidenstricker, in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas, on June 25, 2019. (USDA photo by Lance Cheung)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ASHLEY MURRAY,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — As Congress faces another pressing deadline to fund the government and the U.S. House grinds to a halt without a speaker, the reauthorization of the nation’s agriculture and hunger programs has taken a back seat.But lawmakers tasked with shepherding the new version maintain their progress is “in good shape.”The previous farm bill&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/08/17/farm-bill-timeline-in-flux-as-a-messy-september-for-congress-nears/">expired</a>&nbsp;Sept. 30 and its renewal, a process that occurs every five years, remains “in the drafting stage,” said Sen. John Boozman, the Arkansas GOP lawmaker and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.“I know myself and Sen. Stabenow, our teams are working together to try and get ideas in the text. And so we’re moving forward,” Boozman told reporters Wednesday.Stabenow of Michigan chairs the committee.“It’s been difficult because the appropriations process has kind of sucked all the wind out. But we’re in good shape. We don’t need an extension until the first of the year. If we do need an extension, I think we’ll be looking in the November time frame as we do the CR.”The CR, or continuing resolution, is the funding&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/congress-clears-bill-avert-shutdown-vote-promised-later-ukraine-aid-3">compromise</a>&nbsp;Congress struck last weekend just hours before a partial government shutdown. The temporary spending measure expires Nov. 17.The farm bill and long-term government funding are completely different processes, but GOP House majority infighting over appropriations has stalled other priorities.And, with the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/10/03/u-s-house-votes-to-remove-kevin-mccarthy-as-speaker/">ouster</a>&nbsp;of former House Speaker and California Republican Kevin McCarthy by a handful of far-right party members and all House Democrats, the lower chamber is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/10/04/how-does-a-frozen-u-s-house-function-without-a-speaker-everyones-got-an-opinion/">frozen</a>.“As with every Farm Bill, there are forces and circumstances out of our control. What is always a complicated process has become a little more complicated, but our work continues to produce an effective Farm Bill,” said Pennsylvania GOP Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, who chairs the House Committee on Agriculture, in an emailed statement.<h2>Worries over lack of progress&nbsp;</h2>Thompson and fellow lawmakers have spent thousands of hours over the past two years collecting feedback from constituents on what they want to see in the multi-year bill, which is forecast to cost $1.5 trillion.But some constituents say despite reassurance that the farm bill is progressing, they remain concerned about its delay, as well as funding for several of its programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.As a mandatory program, SNAP will&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/09/26/the-farm-bill-is-on-the-verge-of-expiring-congress-is-months-away-from-a-new-version/">continue</a>&nbsp;as long as Congress approves either temporary or long-term government funding.“The delay in considering important legislation, such as agriculture appropriations and the farm bill, creates a great deal of uncertainty for farmers and ranchers. The 2018 farm bill already expired,” Sam Kieffer, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s vice president of public policy, said in a statement.“All families, including those in rural America, face rising interest rates, high inflation and turbulence in the marketplace,” he continued. “The farm bill provides certainty to those who grow this nation’s food, fuel and fiber and is crucial to ensuring a safe and affordable food supply. Congress has always come through on a farm bill, and they must do it again. Every family in America is counting on it.”The 2018 farm bill was not signed into law&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47313">until</a>&nbsp;Dec. 20 of that year.The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12047">expansive</a>&nbsp;agricultural and food policy bill covers farmer safety net programs, conservation and sustainability incentives, international trade, rural area development, and food and nutrition programs for low-income earners — the last of which accounts for the largest portion of the bill. The legislation is one of Congress’ omnibus packages, meaning it’s made up of numerous provisions from many lawmakers.

Farm bill stalled amid U.S. House speaker battle, delay of spending bills

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has been interviewed as part of an independent investigation into his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-812ef44a5333f6d93423a67a683fa024">handling of classified documents</a>, the White House said late Monday. It's a possible sign that the investigation is nearing its end.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-hur-special-counsel-biden-d715ffd26adc75f2ba740d1960936a09">Special counsel Robert Hur</a>&nbsp;is examining the improper retention of classified documents by Biden from his time as a U.S. senator and as vice president that were found at his Delaware home, as well as at a private office that he used in between his service in the Obama administration and becoming president.

Biden has said he was unaware he had the documents and that "&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-wilmington-merrick-garland-f2384a87dcddbd38796f63e1269c6baf">there's no there there.</a>&nbsp;”

Ian Sams, a spokesperson for the White House counsel's office, said in a statement that the interview was voluntary and conducted at the White House on Sunday and Monday.

Hur's office likely asked to interview Biden sometime after Aug. 25.

Asked at that time if he planned to sit for an interview with the special counsel, Biden replied, “There's no such request and no such interest.”

The interview could signal that the special counsel investigation is nearing its conclusion.

In 2016, then-FBI Director James Comey announced his recommendation against criminal charges for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. the Democratic presidential nominee, over her handling of classified information just three days after agents interviewed her at FBI headquarters.

Investigators with Hur's office have already cast a broad net in the Biden probe, interviewing a wide range of witnesses about their knowledge of the handling of classified documents.

In his statement, Sams reiterated that Biden and the White House were cooperating. He referred any questions to the Justice Department.

“As we have said from the beginning, the President and the White House are cooperating with this investigation, and as it has been appropriate, we have provided relevant updates publicly, being as transparent as we can consistent with protecting and preserving the integrity of the investigation,” Sams said. "We would refer other questions to the Justice Department at this time.”

Attorney General Merrick Garland in January 2023 named Hur, a former U.S. attorney for Maryland, to handle the politically sensitive Justice Department inquiry in an attempt to avoid conflicts of interest.

It is one of three recent Justice Department investigations into the handling of classified documents.

The investigation into Biden is separate from special counsel Jack Smith’s probe into the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-37a360519244eb3c211a56cd9355adc8">handling of classified documents by former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;after he left the White House. Smith’s team has charged Trump with illegally retaining top secret records at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida and then obstructing government efforts to get them back. Trump has said he did nothing wrong.

No evidence has emerged to suggest that Biden engaged in comparable conduct or willfully held onto records he wasn’t supposed to have.

Questioned in January about the discovery, Biden told reporters that the documents were immediately turned over to the National Archives and the Justice Department. He said he was cooperating fully with the investigation and was “looking forward to getting this resolved quickly.”

“I think you’re going to find there’s nothing there,” he said. “There’s no there there.”

In June, the Justice Department informed former Vice President Mike Pence's legal team that it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-classified-documents-doj-criminal-investigation-campaign-trump-af4ff0d829e32bf33a60e7a2197c761b">would not pursue criminal charges against him</a>&nbsp;related to the discovery of classified documents at his Indiana home. The news came as Pence finalized plans to launch his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

About a dozen documents with classified markings&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-classified-documents-791bba57abaf50377f0938f0d293f36e">were discovered at Pence’s home in January</a>&nbsp;after he asked his lawyers to search his vice presidential belongings “out of an abundance of caution” after the Biden discovery. The items had been “inadvertently boxed and transported” to Pence’s home at the end of the last administration, Pence’s lawyer, Greg Jacob, wrote in a letter to the National Archives.

The FBI then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-michael-pence-classified-documents-indiana-7b3bfba7cdd8d9d8fd828045ab3208e6">discovered an additional document</a>&nbsp;with classified markings at the Indiana house during its own search the following month.

Pence repeatedly had said he was unaware of the documents’ existence, but that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-united-states-government-michael-pence-classified-documents-donald-trump-c4b11d44f11605ccb055a77d54eb2303">“mistakes were made"</a>&nbsp;in his handling of classified material.

It is hardly unprecedented for sitting presidents to be interviewed in criminal investigations.

President George W. Bush sat for a 70-minute interview as part of an investigation into the leak of the identify of a CIA operative. President Bill Clinton in 1998 underwent more than four hours of questioning from independent counsel Kenneth Starr before a federal grand jury.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673546739694.png" alt="Biden backing his Corvette into the garage next to stacks of boxes where classified documents were found-image from a 2020 Biden for President campaign ad&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Biden backing his Corvette into the garage next to stacks of boxes where classified documents were found-image from a 2020 Biden for President campaign ad&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has been interviewed as part of an independent investigation into his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-812ef44a5333f6d93423a67a683fa024">handling of classified documents</a>, the White House said late Monday. It's a possible sign that the investigation is nearing its end.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-hur-special-counsel-biden-d715ffd26adc75f2ba740d1960936a09">Special counsel Robert Hur</a>&nbsp;is examining the improper retention of classified documents by Biden from his time as a U.S. senator and as vice president that were found at his Delaware home, as well as at a private office that he used in between his service in the Obama administration and becoming president.Biden has said he was unaware he had the documents and that "&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-wilmington-merrick-garland-f2384a87dcddbd38796f63e1269c6baf">there's no there there.</a>&nbsp;”Ian Sams, a spokesperson for the White House counsel's office, said in a statement that the interview was voluntary and conducted at the White House on Sunday and Monday.Hur's office likely asked to interview Biden sometime after Aug. 25.Asked at that time if he planned to sit for an interview with the special counsel, Biden replied, “There's no such request and no such interest.”The interview could signal that the special counsel investigation is nearing its conclusion.In 2016, then-FBI Director James Comey announced his recommendation against criminal charges for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. the Democratic presidential nominee, over her handling of classified information just three days after agents interviewed her at FBI headquarters.Investigators with Hur's office have already cast a broad net in the Biden probe, interviewing a wide range of witnesses about their knowledge of the handling of classified documents.In his statement, Sams reiterated that Biden and the White House were cooperating. He referred any questions to the Justice Department.“As we have said from the beginning, the President and the White House are cooperating with this investigation, and as it has been appropriate, we have provided relevant updates publicly, being as transparent as we can consistent with protecting and preserving the integrity of the investigation,” Sams said. "We would refer other questions to the Justice Department at this time.”Attorney General Merrick Garland in January 2023 named Hur, a former U.S. attorney for Maryland, to handle the politically sensitive Justice Department inquiry in an attempt to avoid conflicts of interest.It is one of three recent Justice Department investigations into the handling of classified documents.The investigation into Biden is separate from special counsel Jack Smith’s probe into the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-37a360519244eb3c211a56cd9355adc8">handling of classified documents by former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;after he left the White House. Smith’s team has charged Trump with illegally retaining top secret records at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida and then obstructing government efforts to get them back. Trump has said he did nothing wrong.No evidence has emerged to suggest that Biden engaged in comparable conduct or willfully held onto records he wasn’t supposed to have.Questioned in January about the discovery, Biden told reporters that the documents were immediately turned over to the National Archives and the Justice Department. He said he was cooperating fully with the investigation and was “looking forward to getting this resolved quickly.”“I think you’re going to find there’s nothing there,” he said. “There’s no there there.”In June, the Justice Department informed former Vice President Mike Pence's legal team that it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-classified-documents-doj-criminal-investigation-campaign-trump-af4ff0d829e32bf33a60e7a2197c761b">would not pursue criminal charges against him</a>&nbsp;related to the discovery of classified documents at his Indiana home. The news came as Pence finalized plans to launch his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.About a dozen documents with classified markings&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-classified-documents-791bba57abaf50377f0938f0d293f36e">were discovered at Pence’s home in January</a>&nbsp;after he asked his lawyers to search his vice presidential belongings “out of an abundance of caution” after the Biden discovery. The items had been “inadvertently boxed and transported” to Pence’s home at the end of the last administration, Pence’s lawyer, Greg Jacob, wrote in a letter to the National Archives.The FBI then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-michael-pence-classified-documents-indiana-7b3bfba7cdd8d9d8fd828045ab3208e6">discovered an additional document</a>&nbsp;with classified markings at the Indiana house during its own search the following month.Pence repeatedly had said he was unaware of the documents’ existence, but that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-united-states-government-michael-pence-classified-documents-donald-trump-c4b11d44f11605ccb055a77d54eb2303">“mistakes were made"</a>&nbsp;in his handling of classified material.It is hardly unprecedented for sitting presidents to be interviewed in criminal investigations.President George W. Bush sat for a 70-minute interview as part of an investigation into the leak of the identify of a CIA operative. President Bill Clinton in 1998 underwent more than four hours of questioning from independent counsel Kenneth Starr before a federal grand jury.

Biden interviewed by special counsel in classified documents case

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.73 billion after no one matched the game’s six numbers Monday and won the giant prize.

The winning numbers announced were: 16, 34, 46, 55, 67 and the Powerball 14.

There has been no winner for 35 consecutive drawings, since the last time someone won the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-winner-california-9f0e98a47c96c2b3087a68b33195dd50">top prize on July 19</a>. That streak trails the record of 41 draws set in 2021 and 2022. The largest jackpot ever was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lotteries-iowa-36ef3aefbbc37a15e1c5f172129fa6a6">$2.04 billion Powerball</a>&nbsp;prize hit by a player in California in November 2022.

The scarcity of Powerball jackpot winners reflects the game’s daunting odds of 1 in 292.2 million.

The $1.73 billion prize is for a sole winner who is paid through an annuity, with annual checks over 30 years. Most jackpot winners opt for cash, which for the next drawing Wednesday night would be an estimated $756.6 million.

Federal taxes eat into the winnings, and some states also tax big lottery prizes.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.73 billion after no one matched the game’s six numbers Monday and won the giant prize.The winning numbers announced were: 16, 34, 46, 55, 67 and the Powerball 14.There has been no winner for 35 consecutive drawings, since the last time someone won the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-winner-california-9f0e98a47c96c2b3087a68b33195dd50">top prize on July 19</a>. That streak trails the record of 41 draws set in 2021 and 2022. The largest jackpot ever was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lotteries-iowa-36ef3aefbbc37a15e1c5f172129fa6a6">$2.04 billion Powerball</a>&nbsp;prize hit by a player in California in November 2022.The scarcity of Powerball jackpot winners reflects the game’s daunting odds of 1 in 292.2 million.The $1.73 billion prize is for a sole winner who is paid through an annuity, with annual checks over 30 years. Most jackpot winners opt for cash, which for the next drawing Wednesday night would be an estimated $756.6 million.Federal taxes eat into the winnings, and some states also tax big lottery prizes.

Powerball jackpot up to $1.73 billion as lottery losing streak continues

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Longtime environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;said Monday he'll run for president as an independent and drop his Democratic primary bid, adding a wrinkle to a 2024 race heading toward a likely rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

Speaking Monday from Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, where America’s founding documents were adopted, Kennedy said there is a “rising tide of discontent” in the country and said he wants to make a “new Declaration of Independence” — from corporations, the media and the two major political parties.

“I’ve come here today to declare our independence from the tyranny of corruption which robs us of affordable lives, our belief in the future, and our respect for each other,” Kennedy said. “But to do that I must first declare my own independence. Independence from the Democratic Party and from all other political parties.”

Kennedy, a member of one of the most famous Democratic families in politics, was running&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-biden-trump-third-parties-e0f57b636d1365050102a8aebfb65712">a long-shot primary bid</a>&nbsp;and has better favorability ratings among Republicans than Democrats. It’s unclear whether GOP support would translate to a general election when Kennedy would also be running against Trump. Allies of both Biden and Trump have at times questioned whether Kennedy would be a spoiler against their candidate.

“The truth is, they’re both right," Kennedy said in his speech. “My intention is to spoil it for both of them."

Biden’s allies so far have dismissed Kennedy’s primary campaign as unserious. Asked for comment ahead of the announcement, a Democratic National Committee spokesman responded with an eye roll emoji.

The Republican National Committee published a fact sheet before Kennedy's speech titled “Radical DEMOCRAT RFK Jr.” that lists times he supported liberal politicians or ideas. The document also listed times he supported conspiracy theories about COVID-19 or “stolen-election claims” related to the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections that Democrats lost to President George W. Bush. Trump continues to promote&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">the disproved theory</a>&nbsp;that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wins-white-house-ap-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9">his loss to Biden</a>&nbsp;was the result of a stolen election.

Hundreds of supporters gathered for Kennedy's remarks, at times chanting, “RFK, all the way!” Campaign signs teased a potential new slogan: “Declare your independence.”

Among Kennedy's fans in the crowd were several voters who said they don’t identify as Democratic or Republican and view Kennedy as a truth teller and a breath of fresh air.

“He tells it how it is,” said Julia Hill, a 23-year-old student from New Jersey. “He doesn’t sound like a politician.”

Other supporters, such as Brent Snyder, a disabled veteran from south Philadelphia, said they had voted for Trump in the past but were looking for a change.

“The last couple years I’ve been noticing the Republican Party’s been going a way I didn’t like,” Snyder said. “Not that I agree with everything that’s happening to Trump, but I think right now he has more baggage than his country needs. The division right now is just terrible. We need someone to bring both sides together to make us work.”

Four of Kennedy's 10 siblings put out a joint statement denouncing his candidacy and saying they were saddened by his announcement.

“The decision of our brother Bobby to run as a third party candidate against Joe Biden is dangerous to our country,” it read. “Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment.”

Monday's announcement comes less than a week after the progressive activist Cornel West&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cornel-west-president-independent-green-party-2024-57dd7dbc0bccc10ea866005663398823">abandoned his Green Party bid</a>&nbsp;in favor of an independent White House run. Meanwhile, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-labels-bipartisan-presidential-candidate-d230dd3a3da6d78da6707c0165aa6443">centrist group No Labels</a>&nbsp;is actively securing ballot access for a yet-to-be-named candidate.

Kennedy has spent weeks accusing the DNC of “rigging” the party’s primary against him and threatening that he might need to consider alternatives.

In campaign emails and videos, he blasted the DNC’s decision not to host debates between Biden and other candidates and railed against the committee’s plan to give South Carolina rather than Iowa or New Hampshire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-iowa-e46b21ac9ed4ac96be6791bf7afc163d">the leadoff spot on the primary calendar</a>&nbsp;this election cycle.

“If they jam me, I’m going to look at every option,” he said in September at a New Hampshire barbecue held by Republican former Sen. Scott Brown.

Far-right and anti-vaccine influencers close to Kennedy also sent strong signals on social media suggesting he should or would leave the Democratic Party. Last month, Joseph Mercola, an influential anti-vaccine doctor who is allied with Kennedy, ran a poll on X, formerly known as Twitter, asking if Kennedy should quit the party.

While Kennedy has long&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-kennedy-election-2024-president-campaign-621c9e9641381a1b2677df9de5a09731">identified as a Democrat</a>&nbsp;and frequently invokes his late father, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and his uncle President John F. Kennedy on the campaign trail, he has built&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-rfk-jr-built-anti-vaccine-juggernaut-amid-covid-4997be1bcf591fe8b7f1f90d16c9321e">close relationships with far-right figures</a>&nbsp;in recent years. He appeared on a channel run by the Sandy Hook conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and headlined a stop on the ReAwaken America Tour, the Christian nationalist road show put together by Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Polls show far more Republicans than Democrats have a favorable opinion of Kennedy. He also has gained support from some far-right conservatives for his fringe views, including his vocal distrust of COVID-19 vaccines, which studies have shown are safe and effective against severe disease and death.

Kennedy’s anti-vaccine organization, Children’s Health Defense, currently has a lawsuit pending against a number of news organizations, among them The Associated Press, accusing them of violating antitrust laws by taking action to identify misinformation, including about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. Kennedy took leave from the group when he announced his run for president but is listed as one of its attorneys in the lawsuit.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Longtime environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;said Monday he'll run for president as an independent and drop his Democratic primary bid, adding a wrinkle to a 2024 race heading toward a likely rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A9opkWJn5aE?si=WQExXSDie9KfTFHo&amp;start=1262" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Speaking Monday from Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, where America’s founding documents were adopted, Kennedy said there is a “rising tide of discontent” in the country and said he wants to make a “new Declaration of Independence” — from corporations, the media and the two major political parties.“I’ve come here today to declare our independence from the tyranny of corruption which robs us of affordable lives, our belief in the future, and our respect for each other,” Kennedy said. “But to do that I must first declare my own independence. Independence from the Democratic Party and from all other political parties.”Kennedy, a member of one of the most famous Democratic families in politics, was running&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-biden-trump-third-parties-e0f57b636d1365050102a8aebfb65712">a long-shot primary bid</a>&nbsp;and has better favorability ratings among Republicans than Democrats. It’s unclear whether GOP support would translate to a general election when Kennedy would also be running against Trump. Allies of both Biden and Trump have at times questioned whether Kennedy would be a spoiler against their candidate.“The truth is, they’re both right," Kennedy said in his speech. “My intention is to spoil it for both of them."Biden’s allies so far have dismissed Kennedy’s primary campaign as unserious. Asked for comment ahead of the announcement, a Democratic National Committee spokesman responded with an eye roll emoji.The Republican National Committee published a fact sheet before Kennedy's speech titled “Radical DEMOCRAT RFK Jr.” that lists times he supported liberal politicians or ideas. The document also listed times he supported conspiracy theories about COVID-19 or “stolen-election claims” related to the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections that Democrats lost to President George W. Bush. Trump continues to promote&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">the disproved theory</a>&nbsp;that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wins-white-house-ap-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9">his loss to Biden</a>&nbsp;was the result of a stolen election.Hundreds of supporters gathered for Kennedy's remarks, at times chanting, “RFK, all the way!” Campaign signs teased a potential new slogan: “Declare your independence.”Among Kennedy's fans in the crowd were several voters who said they don’t identify as Democratic or Republican and view Kennedy as a truth teller and a breath of fresh air.“He tells it how it is,” said Julia Hill, a 23-year-old student from New Jersey. “He doesn’t sound like a politician.”Other supporters, such as Brent Snyder, a disabled veteran from south Philadelphia, said they had voted for Trump in the past but were looking for a change.“The last couple years I’ve been noticing the Republican Party’s been going a way I didn’t like,” Snyder said. “Not that I agree with everything that’s happening to Trump, but I think right now he has more baggage than his country needs. The division right now is just terrible. We need someone to bring both sides together to make us work.”Four of Kennedy's 10 siblings put out a joint statement denouncing his candidacy and saying they were saddened by his announcement.“The decision of our brother Bobby to run as a third party candidate against Joe Biden is dangerous to our country,” it read. “Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment.”Monday's announcement comes less than a week after the progressive activist Cornel West&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cornel-west-president-independent-green-party-2024-57dd7dbc0bccc10ea866005663398823">abandoned his Green Party bid</a>&nbsp;in favor of an independent White House run. Meanwhile, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-labels-bipartisan-presidential-candidate-d230dd3a3da6d78da6707c0165aa6443">centrist group No Labels</a>&nbsp;is actively securing ballot access for a yet-to-be-named candidate.Kennedy has spent weeks accusing the DNC of “rigging” the party’s primary against him and threatening that he might need to consider alternatives.In campaign emails and videos, he blasted the DNC’s decision not to host debates between Biden and other candidates and railed against the committee’s plan to give South Carolina rather than Iowa or New Hampshire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-iowa-e46b21ac9ed4ac96be6791bf7afc163d">the leadoff spot on the primary calendar</a>&nbsp;this election cycle.“If they jam me, I’m going to look at every option,” he said in September at a New Hampshire barbecue held by Republican former Sen. Scott Brown.Far-right and anti-vaccine influencers close to Kennedy also sent strong signals on social media suggesting he should or would leave the Democratic Party. Last month, Joseph Mercola, an influential anti-vaccine doctor who is allied with Kennedy, ran a poll on X, formerly known as Twitter, asking if Kennedy should quit the party.While Kennedy has long&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-kennedy-election-2024-president-campaign-621c9e9641381a1b2677df9de5a09731">identified as a Democrat</a>&nbsp;and frequently invokes his late father, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and his uncle President John F. Kennedy on the campaign trail, he has built&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-rfk-jr-built-anti-vaccine-juggernaut-amid-covid-4997be1bcf591fe8b7f1f90d16c9321e">close relationships with far-right figures</a>&nbsp;in recent years. He appeared on a channel run by the Sandy Hook conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and headlined a stop on the ReAwaken America Tour, the Christian nationalist road show put together by Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn.Polls show far more Republicans than Democrats have a favorable opinion of Kennedy. He also has gained support from some far-right conservatives for his fringe views, including his vocal distrust of COVID-19 vaccines, which studies have shown are safe and effective against severe disease and death.Kennedy’s anti-vaccine organization, Children’s Health Defense, currently has a lawsuit pending against a number of news organizations, among them The Associated Press, accusing them of violating antitrust laws by taking action to identify misinformation, including about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. Kennedy took leave from the group when he announced his run for president but is listed as one of its attorneys in the lawsuit.

🎥RFK Jr. launches independent bid for president

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Sunday he has ordered the Ford carrier strike group to sail to the Eastern Mediterranean to be ready to assist Israel after the surprise attack by Hamas that has left more than 1,000 dead and thousands wounded on both sides.

The USS Gerald R. Ford and its approximately 5,000 sailors and deck of warplanes will be accompanied by cruisers and destroyers in a show of force that is meant to be ready to respond to anything, from possibly interdicting additional weapons from reaching Hamas and conducting surveillance.

The large deployment, which also includes a host of ships and warplanes, underscores the concern that the United States has in trying to deter the conflict from growing. The Israeli government formally declared war Sunday and gave the green light for “significant military steps” to retaliate against Hamas.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. was trying to verify reports that several Americans were killed and some were taken captive by Hamas.

Along with the Ford the U.S. is sending the cruiser USS Normandy, destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt and the U.S. is augmenting Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.

“The U.S. maintains ready forces globally to further reinforce this deterrence posture if required,” Austin said in a statement.

In addition, the Biden administration “will be rapidly providing the Israel Defense Forces with additional equipment and resources, including munitions. The first security assistance will begin moving today and arriving in the coming days,” Austin said.

The Norfolk, Virginia-based carrier strike group( was already in the Mediterranean. Last week it was conducting naval exercises with Italy in the Ionian Sea. It’s the United States newest and most advanced aircraft carrier and this is its first full deployment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696803172229.png" alt="The USS Gerald R. Ford and its approximately 5,000 sailors and deck of warplanes will be accompanied by cruisers and destroyers in a show of force that is meant to be ready to respond to anything, from possibly interdicting additional weapons from reaching Hamas and conducting surveillance.-photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>The USS Gerald R. Ford and its approximately 5,000 sailors and deck of warplanes will be accompanied by cruisers and destroyers in a show of force that is meant to be ready to respond to anything, from possibly interdicting additional weapons from reaching Hamas and conducting surveillance.-photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Sunday he has ordered the Ford carrier strike group to sail to the Eastern Mediterranean to be ready to assist Israel after the surprise attack by Hamas that has left more than 1,000 dead and thousands wounded on both sides.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Strengthening our joint force posture, in addition to the materiel support—including munitions—that we will rapidly provide to Israel, underscores the United States’ ironclad support for Israel.&mdash; Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef/status/1711075334827675754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The USS Gerald R. Ford and its approximately 5,000 sailors and deck of warplanes will be accompanied by cruisers and destroyers in a show of force that is meant to be ready to respond to anything, from possibly interdicting additional weapons from reaching Hamas and conducting surveillance.The large deployment, which also includes a host of ships and warplanes, underscores the concern that the United States has in trying to deter the conflict from growing. The Israeli government formally declared war Sunday and gave the green light for “significant military steps” to retaliate against Hamas.Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. was trying to verify reports that several Americans were killed and some were taken captive by Hamas.Along with the Ford the U.S. is sending the cruiser USS Normandy, destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt and the U.S. is augmenting Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.“The U.S. maintains ready forces globally to further reinforce this deterrence posture if required,” Austin said in a statement.In addition, the Biden administration “will be rapidly providing the Israel Defense Forces with additional equipment and resources, including munitions. The first security assistance will begin moving today and arriving in the coming days,” Austin said.The Norfolk, Virginia-based carrier strike group( was already in the Mediterranean. Last week it was conducting naval exercises with Italy in the Ionian Sea. It’s the United States newest and most advanced aircraft carrier and this is its first full deployment.

 US sending warships, weapons to support Israel

DETROIT (AP) — Union workers at Mack Trucks went on strike Monday after voting down a tentative five-year contract agreement that negotiators had reached with the company.

The United Auto Workers said 4,000 unionized workers walked out at 7 a.m., adding to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-strike-ford-general-motors-stellantis-5f185f6615a1b3690af744641508c8e2">labor turmoil in the industry</a>&nbsp;that has ensnared all three big Detroit automakers.

With those workers joining picket lines, the total number of UAW members that are on strike now exceeds 30,000 across 22 states, the union said Monday.

Union President Shawn Fain said in a letter to Mack parent company Volvo Trucks that 73% of workers voted against the deal in results counted on Sunday.

The UAW represents Mack workers in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida. Union leaders had reached a tentative agreement on the deal on Oct. 1.

UAW Locals 171, 677, 1247, 2301, and 2420 in UAW Region 8 and Region 9 represent workers at Mack Trucks in Macungie and Middletown, Pennsylvania; Hagerstown and Baltimore, Maryland; and Jacksonville, Florida.

The deal negotiators had reached with Mack just over a week ago included a 19% pay raise over the life of the contract with 10% upon ratification. There also was a $3,500 ratification bonus, no increase in weekly health care contributions, increased annual lump sum payments for retirees and a $1,000 annual 401(k) lump sum to offset health care costs for employees who don’t get health insurance after retirement.

Fain said in his letter to Volvo Trucks' head of labor relations that employees working early Monday would exit the factories after performing tasks needed to prevent damage to company equipment.

Fain wrote that UAW members and workers across the country are seeking their fair share in wages and benefits.

The company and union are still apart on work schedules, health and safety, pensions, health care, prescription drug coverage, overtime and other issues, he wrote.

The contract may have been sunk by high expectations Fain has set in bargaining with Detroit’s three automakers. In those talks, the UAW has asked for 36% raises over four years, while Ford has offered 23% and the other two firms are at 20%.

“I’m inspired to see UAW members at Mack Trucks holding out for a better deal, and ready to stand up and walk off the job to win it,” Fain said in a prepared statement. “The members have the final say, and it’s their solidarity and organization that will win a fair contract at Mack.”

Mack Trucks President Stephen Roy said in a statement Sunday night that the company is “surprised and disappointed” that the union chose to strike. The union, he wrote, called the tentative agreement a record for the heavy truck industry. “We trust that other stakeholders also appreciate that our market, business and competitive set are very different from those of the passenger car makers,” the statement said.

Mack, he wrote, is part of the only heavy truck manufacturing group that assembles all of its vehicles and engines for North America in the U.S., competing against trucks built in lower-cost countries.

The company is committed to collective bargaining and is confident both sides will reach a deal that delivers competitive wages and benefits while safeguarding the company’s future, the statement said.

The UAW went on strike at selected factories run by automakers General Motors, Ford and Jeep maker Stellantis on Sept. 15. It started with one assembly plant for each company, then spread to 38 GM and Stellantis parts warehouses. Two additional assembly plants at Ford and GM were added later.

DETROIT (AP) — Union workers at Mack Trucks have voted down a tentative five-year contract agreement reached with the company and plan to strike at 7 a.m. Monday, the United Auto Workers union says.

The UAW represents about 4,000 Mack workers in three states. Union leaders had reached a tentative agreement on the deal on Oct. 1.

The deal included a 19% pay raise over the life of the contract with 10% upon ratification. There also was a $3,500 ratification bonus, no increase in weekly health care contributions, increased annual lump sum payments for retirees and a $1,000 annual 401(k) lump sum to offset health care costs for employees who don’t get health insurance after retirement.

Fain said in his letter to Volvo Trucks’ head of labor relations that employees working early Monday will exit the factories after performing tasks needed to prevent damage to company equipment.

The workers are in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696847042061.png" alt="The UAW represents about 4,000 Mack workers in three states." />
 <figcaption>The UAW represents about 4,000 Mack workers in three states.</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — Union workers at Mack Trucks went on strike Monday after voting down a tentative five-year contract agreement that negotiators had reached with the company.The United Auto Workers said 4,000 unionized workers walked out at 7 a.m., adding to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-strike-ford-general-motors-stellantis-5f185f6615a1b3690af744641508c8e2">labor turmoil in the industry</a>&nbsp;that has ensnared all three big Detroit automakers.With those workers joining picket lines, the total number of UAW members that are on strike now exceeds 30,000 across 22 states, the union said Monday.Union President Shawn Fain said in a letter to Mack parent company Volvo Trucks that 73% of workers voted against the deal in results counted on Sunday.The UAW represents Mack workers in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida. Union leaders had reached a tentative agreement on the deal on Oct. 1.UAW Locals 171, 677, 1247, 2301, and 2420 in UAW Region 8 and Region 9 represent workers at Mack Trucks in Macungie and Middletown, Pennsylvania; Hagerstown and Baltimore, Maryland; and Jacksonville, Florida.The deal negotiators had reached with Mack just over a week ago included a 19% pay raise over the life of the contract with 10% upon ratification. There also was a $3,500 ratification bonus, no increase in weekly health care contributions, increased annual lump sum payments for retirees and a $1,000 annual 401(k) lump sum to offset health care costs for employees who don’t get health insurance after retirement.Fain said in his letter to Volvo Trucks' head of labor relations that employees working early Monday would exit the factories after performing tasks needed to prevent damage to company equipment.Fain wrote that UAW members and workers across the country are seeking their fair share in wages and benefits.The company and union are still apart on work schedules, health and safety, pensions, health care, prescription drug coverage, overtime and other issues, he wrote.The contract may have been sunk by high expectations Fain has set in bargaining with Detroit’s three automakers. In those talks, the UAW has asked for 36% raises over four years, while Ford has offered 23% and the other two firms are at 20%.“I’m inspired to see UAW members at Mack Trucks holding out for a better deal, and ready to stand up and walk off the job to win it,” Fain said in a prepared statement. “The members have the final say, and it’s their solidarity and organization that will win a fair contract at Mack.”Mack Trucks President Stephen Roy said in a statement Sunday night that the company is “surprised and disappointed” that the union chose to strike. The union, he wrote, called the tentative agreement a record for the heavy truck industry. “We trust that other stakeholders also appreciate that our market, business and competitive set are very different from those of the passenger car makers,” the statement said.Mack, he wrote, is part of the only heavy truck manufacturing group that assembles all of its vehicles and engines for North America in the U.S., competing against trucks built in lower-cost countries.The company is committed to collective bargaining and is confident both sides will reach a deal that delivers competitive wages and benefits while safeguarding the company’s future, the statement said.The UAW went on strike at selected factories run by automakers General Motors, Ford and Jeep maker Stellantis on Sept. 15. It started with one assembly plant for each company, then spread to 38 GM and Stellantis parts warehouses. Two additional assembly plants at Ford and GM were added later.---------------DETROIT (AP) — Union workers at Mack Trucks have voted down a tentative five-year contract agreement reached with the company and plan to strike at 7 a.m. Monday, the United Auto Workers union says.Union President Shawn Fain said in a letter to Mack parent company Volvo Trucks that 73% of workers voted against the deal in results counted on Sunday.The UAW represents about 4,000 Mack workers in three states. Union leaders had reached a tentative agreement on the deal on Oct. 1.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BREAKING: 4,000 UAW members at Mack Trucks have voted to REJECT a tentative agreement, and will STRIKE at 7 am on Monday. &quot;I&#39;m inspired to see UAW members at Mack holding out for a better deal, and ready to stand up and walk off the job to win it,&quot; said UAW President Shawn Fain. <a href="https://t.co/YFYfqikSMh">pic.twitter.com/YFYfqikSMh</a>&mdash; UAW (@UAW) <a href="https://twitter.com/UAW/status/1711186526153900080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The deal included a 19% pay raise over the life of the contract with 10% upon ratification. There also was a $3,500 ratification bonus, no increase in weekly health care contributions, increased annual lump sum payments for retirees and a $1,000 annual 401(k) lump sum to offset health care costs for employees who don’t get health insurance after retirement.Fain said in his letter to Volvo Trucks’ head of labor relations that employees working early Monday will exit the factories after performing tasks needed to prevent damage to company equipment.The workers are in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida.Fain wrote that UAW members and workers across the country are seeking their fair share in wages and benefits. “The union remains committed to exploring all options for reaching an agreement, but we clearly are not there yet.”The company and union are still apart on work schedules, health and safety, pensions, health care, prescription drug coverage, overtime and other issues, he wrote.The contract may have been sunk by high expectations Fain has set in bargaining with Detroit’s three automakers. In those talks, the UAW has asked for 36% raises over four years, while Ford has offered 23% and the other two firms are at 20%.Mack Trucks President Stephen Roy said in a statement Sunday night that the company is “surprised and disappointed” that the union chose to strike. The union, he wrote, called the tentative agreement a record for the heavy truck industry. “We trust that other stakeholders also appreciate that our market, business and competitive set are very different from those of the passenger car makers,” the statement said.Mack, he wrote, is part of the only heavy truck manufacturing group that assembles all of its vehicles and engines for North America in the U.S., competing against trucks built in lower-cost countries.The company is committed to collective bargaining and is confident both sides will reach a deal that delivers competitive wages and benefits while safeguarding the company’s future, the statement said.The UAW went on strike at selected factories run by automakers General Motors, Ford and Jeep maker Stellantis on Sept. 15. It started with one assembly plant for each company, then spread to 38 GM and Stellantis parts warehouses. Two additional assembly plants at Ford and GM were added later.On Friday, the union decided not to expand the strikes to any more plants for the time being after GM agreed to bring its electric vehicle battery factories into the UAW’s national contract, assuring that they’ll be unionized. The union also reported progress with all three automakers.