Cold and flu season is underway — and sickness has already struck my house. As my husband battles a bug, I’m leaning into all things warm and cozy. I’ve already bookmarked this Chicken Soup from Scratch, which The New York Times describes as “a warm hug.” And I’m adding Liquid I.V.’s hot chocolate flavor to my grocery list for when I really need a hydrating yet sweet pick-me-up. Once everyone’s fully recovered, I can’t wait to jump into some of my favorite fall activities, including taking a trip to enjoy the foliage — check out this state-by-state prediction for peak leaf peeping. Until then, I’m still debating my costume for the family Halloween party. If you’re like me and prefer low-effort, low-cost ideas, you’ll want to save this guide. Now, let’s get to the news…
— Maria Corpus / Editor / Madison, WI
US News
And on Today’s Livestream
What's going on: Over the weekend, President Donald Trump said he is considering livestreaming the firing squad execution of former Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people and injuring 32 others in the 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood. “I know what the military would like to do, but I’ll make a decision,” Trump said on Saturday. His comments came one day after saying he “absolutely” supported Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s idea to livestream the execution. Vice President JD Vance said that Hegseth’s plan might not happen, and if it did, he wouldn’t watch it. As members of the Trump administration publicly go back and forth, politicians — including some Republicans who support the death penalty — and survivors of the Fort Hood shooting have criticized the idea. "I don't want this to be viewed upon as a spectacle, like a pay-per-view event, or like going to a basketball tournament," one survivor told ABC News.
Is this legal?: It’s not immediately clear. Execution by firing squad is legal in five states and federally, although the US military hasn’t put anyone to death in this way since 1945. But livestreaming one might not be; they are generally witnessed by a small group of family, legal counsel, government officials, and select members of the media. In 2001, a judge denied an internet company’s request to livestream the execution of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, citing the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ media restrictions. However, this situation is different because the government would be requesting the livestream. Given this, Hasan could file a new appeal in federal court — which might make its way to the Supreme Court — but he and his lawyers haven’t yet said if they will.
