The Stateside Beat — Evening Audio Brief · 2026-10-25

Evening audio brief for Sunday, October 25, 2026 — tap play above to listen with slides and subtitles. Here's what happened on the day's biggest stories:

DOJ sues to block Alaska Senate results if Republican loses

The Justice Department has asked a federal court to block Alaska from certifying its Senate race if the Republican candidate loses — an extraordinary intervention in a state-run election count, one week after Americans voted. Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the pre-emptive suit in a CNN interview, saying "there could be a crime," while rejecting suggestions that President Trump is trying to meddle with the results. Election-law experts across the political spectrum have struggled to cite precedent for the federal government moving against a state's certification in advance. The race itself remains a toss-up between Democrat Mary Peltola and her Republican rival — and Peltola added a twist Sunday, postponing campaign events after a car crash left her with what her campaign calls minor injuries requiring medical attention.

Also reported by Politico, the Anchorage Daily News, and The Guardian. Peltola developments via The New York Times and The Washington Post.

12 injured, including several minors, in shooting near Florida A&M stadium

Twelve people were injured in a shooting near Florida A&M University's stadium in Tallahassee on Sunday, and police say six of the victims are under 18 years old — including an 11-year-old. According to authorities, 11 people were wounded by gunfire. By Sunday evening, five of those hurt had been released from the hospital, while six remained, including one in critical condition. Police described first responders running into the scene amid chaos, and the investigation into who fired continues with no arrests announced.

Also reported by WESH and CNN.

US Southwest braces for more storms after days of rain and flooding

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for much of the Four Corners region — the meeting point of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah — after days of heavy rain already drenched the area. Forecasters warn that saturated ground means even moderate additional rainfall could trigger flash flooding in neighborhoods and along burn scars. Thunderstorms are expected to keep moving through the region as the new week begins. Residents in low-lying areas are being urged to keep an eye on local warnings.

Also reported by NBC News and CBS News.

Big Tech earnings week: AI spending fears threaten to swamp strong results

It's the biggest week of earnings season: around 160 S&P 500 companies report their quarterly results in the coming days, headlined by Alphabet, Microsoft and Amazon. The headline numbers are expected to look strong — but the real suspense is elsewhere. Investors are increasingly worried about how much the tech giants are spending to build out artificial intelligence, and Bloomberg reports that AI-spending fears could swamp otherwise solid earnings. How executives justify those capital budgets could set the market's direction into November.

Also reported by Bloomberg and Yahoo Finance.

Volkswagen to build $4 billion Audi SUV factory in Georgia

Volkswagen will spend $4 billion to build an Audi SUV plant in Georgia, creating about 4,500 American jobs. The announcement comes even as VW cuts positions in Germany, caught between Trump administration tariffs, intense Chinese competition and the costly shift to electric vehicles. It's the latest signal that global carmakers are shifting production to the US to get around import duties. For Georgia, it's a major manufacturing win; for Audi, it's a first-of-its-kind American production bet.

Also reported by CNBC and Yahoo Finance.

Brazil runoff: Lula vs Bolsonaro, with US influence at stake

Brazilians voted Sunday in a presidential runoff between incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and challenger Jair Bolsonaro — a rematch with real consequences for Washington. Brazil's Supreme Court extended voting hours after complaints about transport disruptions and long lines. As NPR notes, US influence in Latin America — from trade and tariffs to migration policy — hangs on the outcome. Results were expected to become clear overnight US time.

Also reported by Reuters and NPR.

Sources

The Stateside Beat Audio · 2026-10-25 · Evening Wrap · Narrated edition, compiled from NPR, Politico, The New York Times, The Washington Post, NBC News, WESH, CNN, The Guardian, CBS News, CNBC, Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance and Reuters.