Midday Brief · Nov 2, 1:00 PM ET · 6:08

Judge tosses case against two officials accused of lying about Hunter Biden

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Written and voiced by AI from the reporting linked under each segment. How we work · Corrections

Top Stories

Read by Elena (AI anchor) · 0:00–1:33 · ▶ 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.

An update on the case against two former FBI officials: A federal magistrate judge dismissed the criminal charges. According to the report, Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui said prosecutors failed to show probable cause that the former officials, Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides, knowingly made false statements to Congress about their involvement in the investigation of Hunter Biden.

President Trump announced a $15 billion investment by Mesabi Metallics to build the nation’s largest steel mill in Iowa. According to the report, the announcement was made in late September during a meeting with Iowa Republicans in the Oval Office. According to the report, a month later residents of the small town of Wever, home to 142 people, heard that the mill would be built somewhere nearby, but no construction activity has been observed. According to the report, residents would welcome the development, while the president’s history of unfulfilled promises casts doubt on the proposal.

The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to require California to separate more than 20,000 ballots of voters the government suspects are likely non‑citizens. According to the report, a federal appeals court rejected the administration’s request to set aside mail ballots the previous week, creating another obstacle in the Justice Department’s effort to address alleged voter fraud in the final days of the midterm elections.

Reporting in this segment

Help me understand

Read by Elena (AI anchor) · 1:33–1:45 · ▶ Listen from here

The judge tossed the case against the two former FBI agents—what do we know about why prosecutors thought they had enough evidence and what that dismissal means for the larger laptop probe, Elena?

Reporting in this segment

Help me understand

Read by Theo (AI anchor) · 1:45–1:57 · ▶ Listen from here

The reports don’t explain why prosecutors initially believed there was sufficient evidence, and they say it’s still unclear how the dismissal will affect broader investigations into the laptop’s origins.

Help me understand

Read by Elena (AI anchor) · 1:56–2:03 · ▶ Listen from here

Got it. And do we have any sense if the Justice Department will appeal the dismissal or take other steps?

Help me understand

Read by Theo (AI anchor) · 2:03–2:11 · ▶ Listen from here

It’s unclear whether the Justice Department will appeal the dismissal or pursue other actions related to the investigation.

Business & Tech

Read by Theo (AI anchor) · 2:13–2:59 · ▶ Listen from here

Back with business and technology.

Marvell is buying Lumentum for $115 billion, financed entirely with Marvell stock. The deal ranks among the largest tech acquisitions ever. Both companies share Nvidia as a strategic investor, and observers note a similarity to the dot‑com bubble era.

The Center for Renewing America proposes a plan to bar certain individuals it describes as “neo‑Marxist progressives and anti‑Western Muslims” from assuming congressional office, arguing they cannot sincerely swear to protect the Constitution.

Generative AI has broadened enterprise analytics, letting more users access data.

Reporting in this segment

  • In one of the largest deals in tech history, Marvell buys Lumentum for $115B · TechCrunch (also MarketWatch)
  • A Right-Wing Think Tank Has a Plan to Prevent Democrats From Being Seated in Congress · WIRED
  • Raising the quality of insights in agentic analytics · MIT Technology Review

Markets

Read by Theo (AI anchor) · 3:01–3:35 · ▶ Listen from here

Here's a look at the markets.

Stocks are higher across the board, compared with the previous close. The S&P 500 is at 7,604, up 0.3 percent. The Dow is at 52,245, up 0.9 percent. And the Nasdaq Composite is at 25,507, up 0.3 percent.

Cal has sports, and some tough injury news for Ravens fans.

Sports

Read by Cal (AI anchor) · 3:37–4:11 · ▶ Listen from here

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

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson needs surgery on his injured right thumb and will be placed on injured reserve, coach Jesse Minter said. The thumb injury is described as potentially season‑ending.

There are takeaways from Sunday’s slate of games and fantasy fallout that listeners should note.

The Oklahoma Sooners have fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. Arbuckle was in his second season with the team.

Ivy has your weather for today across the country.

Reporting in this segment

Weather

Read by Ivy (AI anchor) · 4:13–5:13 · ▶ Listen from here

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

Here’s how today is shaping up across the country. The National Weather Service has flood warnings for parts of New Mexico, Utah and Arizona, and flash flood warnings for parts of Florida. In the Northeast, highs in the upper 60s with plenty of sunshine. In the South, highs from the 70s to the 80s with plenty of sunshine, and a few thunderstorms near Miami. In the Midwest, highs from the 60s to the 70s with rain around, and a few thunderstorms near Kansas City. In the West, highs from the 50s to the 70s with plenty of sunshine, and some rain near Denver. The warmest spot on our map today is Dallas at 87; the coolest, Seattle at 53. If you’re flying, the FAA reports delays. There’s a ground stop at Fort Lauderdale because of thunderstorms. Flights to San Diego are delayed an average of 29 minutes because of heavy traffic. Departures from Miami are running up to 2 hours late.

Culture

Read by Ivy (AI anchor) · 5:15–6:02 · ▶ Listen from here

Turning now to culture and entertainment.

The 49th Kennedy Center Honors gala will be held at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., rather than at the Kennedy Center, after a shutdown and President Donald Trump's attempts to rename the institution. Paul Anka, David Foster, Andy Garcia, David Mamet and Barbara Mandrell are among those slated to receive the honors.

Skyler Gisondo has landed his first fashion campaign with Bonobos, appearing in the “Dashing Through the Holidays” ad. He earned a Gotham Awards nomination for his role opposite Robert Pattinson in the film “Primetime.” Gisondo discussed his style evolution and his part as Ariana Grande’s fiancé in “Focker-in-Law.”

That's the culture news. Back to you, Elena.

Reporting in this segment

  • Paul Anka, David Foster, Andy Garcia, David Mamet and Barbara Mandrell Set for Kennedy Center Honors · The Hollywood Reporter
  • Skyler Gisondo on His Style Evolution, Landing His First Fashion Campaign With Bonobos and Playing Ariana Grande’s Fiancé in ‘Focker-in-Law’ · The Hollywood Reporter

Sign-off

Read by Elena (AI anchor) · 6:02–6:08 · ▶ Listen from here

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