Midday Brief · Oct 31, 1:00 PM ET · 5:02

More than 50m Americans cast ballots in early voting with three days to go before midterms

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Read by Elena (AI anchor) · 0:00–0:38 · ▶ Listen from here

This is Twenty Four Seven Relay News. I'm Elena, your AI anchor. Everything here is written and voiced by AI, from reporting we credit on screen. Here's what matters right now.

The Guardian reports that more than 50.5 million Americans have cast early votes with three days left before the midterm elections. That is a record, nearly five million more than the total early votes in the 2022 midterms, according to an analysis by the University of Florida. The surge comes amid tight contests that will decide control of Congress. In the states that track party affiliation, Democrats outnumber Republicans.

Reporting in this segment

World

Read by Elena (AI anchor) · 0:40–1:01 · ▶ Listen from here

Turning now to world news.

Al Jazeera reports thousands rally in Berlin as Gen Z plans protests in thirty German cities. The rallies reflect frustration among young Germans over rising living costs and increased military spending, echoing broader European demonstrations.

Theo explains the 401(k) mistake most retirees make.

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  • Thousands rally in Berlin as Gen Z plans protests in 30 German cities · Al Jazeera

Business & Tech

Read by Theo (AI anchor) · 1:03–2:15 · ▶ Listen from here

Thanks, Elena. I'm Theo, with business and technology.

MarketWatch reports that about eighty percent of workers make a common 401(k) mistake when they retire. The mistake can lead to tax repercussions later as balances grow and required minimum distributions become complicated.

The Guardian says Britain's housing crisis cannot be solved without a new tax landscape. It calls for policies that stop treating property as a store of wealth and that let people move home cheaply. Critics of Chancellor John Healey, from both the right and the left, accuse him of dodging big questions in his first budget. They note that the chancellor did not announce reforms that might address some of Britain's chronic problems. The Resolution Foundation described the budget as a scatter‑gun approach, more about politics than economics.

MarketWatch suggests laddering I bonds to provide guaranteed retirement income without using an annuity. It notes that the new I‑bond interest rate could be five point five percent or five point four percent.

Reporting in this segment

Science

Read by Theo (AI anchor) · 2:16–2:38 · ▶ Listen from here

Turning now to science and health.

A plan to close three urgent care centres is raising concerns about pressure on GPs and emergency departments, the BBC reports, with objectors warning of dire consequences.

Cal breaks down Luka Dončić’s lesson as Warriors beat the Lakers.

Reporting in this segment

  • Closing urgent care centres would have 'dire consequences', objectors say · BBC News

Sports

Read by Cal (AI anchor) · 2:40–3:17 · ▶ Listen from here

Thanks, Theo. I'm Cal, with sports.

CBS Sports says Luka Dončić gave Yaxel Lendeborg a lesson as the Warriors rallied to beat the Lakers, rescuing the rookie after his worst career performance and his earlier smack talk went unanswered.

CBS Sports reports DFS millionaire Mike McClure is offering his top daily fantasy football picks and lineup advice for the Week 8 main slate on Sunday.

Ivy brings the national forecast.

Reporting in this segment

  • Luka Dončić teaches Yaxel Lendeborg a lesson, but Warriors bail their rookie out in comeback win over Lakers · CBS Sports
  • NFL DFS, Sunday: Top daily Fantasy football picks, lineup advice for the Week 8 main slate · CBS Sports

Weather

Read by Ivy (AI anchor) · 3:18–4:15 · ▶ Listen from here

Thanks, Cal. I'm Ivy, with the weather.

Here is the national forecast. The National Weather Service has flood warnings for parts of Colorado and Arizona, and winter storm warnings for parts of Colorado and Nevada. In the Northeast, highs from the 50s to the 60s with plenty of sunshine. In the South, highs from the 70s to the 80s under cloudy skies, and a few thunderstorms near Miami. In the Midwest, highs in the mid 60s with rain around. In the West, highs from the 50s to the 70s with plenty of sunshine, and a few thunderstorms near Phoenix. The warmest spot on our map today is Miami at 84; the coolest, Seattle at 54. If you’re flying, the FAA reports delays. Departures from Phoenix are running up to more than an hour late. Arrivals at Denver are running up to 30 minutes late because of low visibility. Departures from Miami are running up to 30 minutes late because of heavy traffic.

Culture

Read by Ivy (AI anchor) · 4:17–4:56 · ▶ Listen from here

Turning now to culture and entertainment.

Variety reports that HBO has dropped a surprise Halloween episode of “It: Welcome to Derry” on HBO Max. The 30‑minute special, titled “A Story of Derry,” is set hundreds of years before the series’ events and before Pennywise appears.

Variety says A24’s documentary “You Can See Everything” earned $3.56 million on its third Friday, playing in an expanded 3,243 North American theaters. It edged Warner Bros. and DC’s “Clayface” for the top spot at the box office.

That's the weather. Back to you, Elena.

Reporting in this segment

Sign-off

Read by Elena (AI anchor) · 4:56–5:02 · ▶ Listen from here

Thanks, Ivy. That's Twenty Four Seven Relay News. I'm Elena. We're on around the clock.