Tysonomo Multimedia

President Trump continues to tout the strength of the U.S. economy, saying the country has one of the best economies it has ever had.

But recent polling paints a sharply different picture of how Americans are experiencing it.

A new AP-NORC poll found just 26% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, while 73% disapprove.

Only 17% approve of his handling of the cost of living, and 65% say Trump’s policies are responsible for higher-than-usual prices.

The numbers highlight a widening gap between the president’s assessment of the economy and public sentiment as the November midterm elections approach.

Vice President JD Vance faced an interruption during a campaign appearance Thursday, October 1, when a heckler accused him of being a “pedophile protector” and thanked him for high gas prices.

The heckler also said he was excited to receive a proposed $5,000 check.

The remarks come as Vance warns Republicans about the consequences of losing the 2026 midterms.

During an appearance with Sean Hannity, Vance said a Democratic victory would mean “congressional investigations, as far as the eye can see.”

A frightening moment unfolded on live television Oct. 2 in Monterrey, Mexico, when a vehicle lost control on a rain-slick roadway and struck reporter Alma de la Rosa Flores and cameraman Cristo Morales while they were reporting on hazardous conditions.

The collision was captured live as the vehicle spun toward the news crew.

Both journalists survived and received medical treatment following the crash.

De la Rosa later said they were “alive by a miracle.”

Authorities detained the 19-year-old driver as the crash remained under investigation.

Four sailors escaped after their 52-foot yacht, Tai Tam, collided with a s***m whale in the South Pacific and later sank.

The collision occurred Sept. 26 about 250 nautical miles north of Norfolk Island as the yacht was sailing toward New Zealand.

The impact damaged the vessel’s steering and hull, causing significant flooding.

After hours of trying to save the yacht, the four crew members abandoned ship and entered a life raft.

They were later rescued by the container ship MV Sofrana Surville.

All four survived.

New Zealand Defence Force footage captured the damaged yacht before it disappeared beneath the Pacific.

Authorities have described the incident as a collision or whale strike.

There is no established evidence the whale intentionally attacked the yacht.

Christa Pike remains alive and in critical condition Thursday, October 1, after Tennessee’s attempt to execute her Wednesday night did not result in her death, according to her attorneys.

Her legal team says Pike is hospitalized and receiving life-saving medical care after two doses of pentobarbital were administered.

Her attorneys argue that complications they had warned about before the ex*****on occurred and are calling on the state to commute her death sentence rather than attempt another ex*****on.

The Tennessee Department of Correction has said officials followed the state’s established ex*****on protocol. Gov. Bill Lee has ordered a third-party review of the failed ex*****on.

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Rapper Rick Ross, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts II, was arrested in Miami Beach early Oct. 1 on domestic violence-related battery charges.

Ross faces one felony count of battery by strangulation and one misdemeanor battery count stemming from an alleged August 28 incident, according to authorities.

Ross appeared before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer Thursday morning.

His attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf and denied the allegations.

The judge found probable cause, imposed a stay-away order involving the alleged victim and set bond.

Ross is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

His arraignment is scheduled for October 22.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced today a new Office of Religious Affairs at the Pentagon, raising questions about where religious accommodation ends and government endorsement of religion begins.

The First Amendment contains both the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause.

The U.S. military may provide chaplains, worship facilities and other accommodations so service members can freely practice their faith.

The constitutional question is how the new office operates.

Providing neutral support for service members of different faiths, and those with no religious affiliation, is different from the government promoting or favoring a particular religion.

The creation of the office itself does not automatically constitute an Establishment Clause violation.

Its policies and implementation would determine whether a constitutional challenge has merit.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Project Meridian on September 30, naming Elon Musk, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Anduril founder Palmer Luckey to help examine the future of warfare.

Hegseth said the initiative will look at emerging technologies and the capabilities U.S. forces may need for future conflicts, including AI, autonomous systems, robotics, directed energy and biotechnology.

The group has been tasked with delivering its findings within 120 days.

One distinction worth preserving: Musk is an immigrant to the United States and a U.S. citizen today.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered remarks Wednesday, September 30, during President Trump’s Hispanic Heritage Month reception in the East Room of the White House.

The event celebrated the contributions and legacy of Hispanic Americans.

Rubio, a Miami native and the son of Cuban immigrants, serves as the 72nd U.S. secretary of state.