My 13-year-old niece visited for the weekend, sending me straight into “cool aunt” mode. Top of mind: distract her from screens and keep the conversation going, because apparently middle schoolers are increasingly turning to AI for friendship. This guide with 118 tips to avoid doomscrolling arrived right on time. We took a walk (No. 28), stocked up on friendship bracelet supplies (No. 57), and she even helped with her baby cousin (not listed, but highly effective). The extra support meant I finally decorated for fall — my favorite item: this skeleton spoon rest I got at Walmart, a small touch that keeps the spooky spirit alive in the kitchen. Also keeping the Halloween vibes going: a candy corn perfume (a final batch goes on sale Oct 1) and Apple TV’s free streamof It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. I might even have the nieces over for a little watch party (this screen time is approved).Now, let’s get to the news…
— Maria Corpus / Editor / Madison, WI
It’s Not Always a Party
More Republicans Say: "It's Not You, It's My Reelection Campaign"
What's going on: As the midterms approach, President Donald Trump has repeatedly told voters to “pretend that I am on the ballot.” But some candidates hope they do the exact opposite. With less than 40 days to go until Election Day, more Republicans running for Congress are distancing themselves from the president. Last week, Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) released a campaign ad criticizing his approach to immigration. Meanwhile, some Republicans joined calls for an immediate end to the Iran war. Others have taken a more subtle approach: Several skipped the recent midterm convention (nicknamed “Trump-a-palooza”), and one candidate simply redesigned his campaign website to make Trump’s endorsement less prominent. Many are also thinking carefully about Trump’s presence on the campaign trail.
Sounds awkward: It’s common for candidates to distance themselves from an unpopular incumbent president (Trump’s approval rating recently reached a new low of 32%). It happened with Democrats in 2014 and Republicans in 2018. But this time around, analysts say the GOP could lose both the House and the Senate — similar to the midterm elections in 2006 amid backlash to the Iraq war and the federal response to Hurricane Katrina. Still, how voters react is difficult to predict. One Republican pollster told Axios that few respond to polls, adding that many could also stay home on Election Day. “It’s clear that Republicans are in full panic mode,” Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) told The New York Times last week. Some Republicans would agree: “It’s ‘Not great, Bob!’, as they say on Mad Men,” one GOP strategist said.
