How Inflation Is Shaping Battleground Races; Is Ukraine Getting Cut Off From Allies?

Reports that AI agents are taking over our bank accounts, hacking into our personal data and shutting humans out of their systems have been in the news this week. On the other hand, an AI tool helped detect a critical vulnerability online. So should we feel worried or optimistic? NBC News AI reporter Jared Perlo dives deep. Then, the resignation of leading Make America Healthy Again figure Calley Means as a senior adviser to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is revealing MAHA-sized cracks in President Donald Trump's coalition. NBC News correspondent Julie Tsirkin explains why some MAHA activists feel the administration has fallen short on key promises, and why both parties are now vying for MAHA support in the midterms. Finally, it’s Game 1 of the World Series … with the Milwaukee Brewers facing off against the Tampa Bay Rays. NBC News sports reporter Andrew Greif breaks down how these smaller-market teams were able to beat out richer rivals and why upcoming labor negotiations about salary caps could lead to a lockout ahead of the 2027 MLB season.

Top Democrats have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to block it from usurping states’ authority in conducting elections. NBC News senior political reporter Jane C. Timm explains how this is connected to a Justice Department lawsuit against California over mail-in ballot counting and how unusual it is for the department to bring litigation right before an election. Then, Netflix has laid off around 1,000 employees and reshuffled its top creative team amid a slowdown in revenue growth. NBC News senior Hollywood reporter Rebecca Keegan explains how the streaming giant is positioning itself against competitors, including YouTube and the newly merged Skydance. Finally: No packages. No credit card bill. Just the thrill of online shopping. NBC News chief consumer investigative correspondent Vicky Nguyen helps us unbox a new trend from South Korea: fake online stores designed to deliver the dopamine rush of buying — without the cost.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “humanitarian” on Wednesday, after Russia released a retired American teacher who’s been in custody since 2022. John Herbst, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, breaks down whether this really was a gesture of good faith by Putin and how this softening of U.S.-Russia relations could affect the war in Ukraine. Next, the race for governor in Ohio is getting personal. Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has claimed responsibility for an attack ad against his opponent, Democrat Amy Acton, that features her estranged mother. NBC News senior national politics reporter and Ohio native Henry J. Gomez explains the response in the state and how the ad could actually backfire against Ramaswamy. Plus, an NBC News analysis found that some students had viewed thousands of YouTube videos during school hours last year. NBC News national reporter Tyler Kingkade describes why parents are raising the alarm about screen time in school.

A burgeoning separatist movement in Canada’s Alberta province was squelched this week after 75% of voters chose to remain part of Canada. Mickey Djuric, a politics and policy reporter for Politico Canada, explains how the movement grew in the conservative oil-rich province and what the outcome of the vote means for Prime Minister Mark Carney as he navigates tensions with President Donald Trump. The new documentary “You Can See Everything” about Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes is smashing box office records, after pulling in $15 million in its opening weekend and earning rave reviews from critics. WIRED Global Editorial Director Katie Drummond shares what she learned from her cover-story interview with the elusive co-director Nathan Fielder and explains how the Theranos scandal influenced the way journalists cover today’s AI boom. Plus, the NBA season tips off today and basketball fans already have questions: Will the NY Knicks be able to fend off Lebron James’ 76ers and a stronger-than ever all-star Eastern Conference? Will the Thunder and the Spurs continue to dominate the West? Mike Tirico, NBC Sports NBA play-by-play voice, gives his full-season preview and predictions.

President Trump’s approval ratings have hit a new second-term low, based on the latest polling from the NBC News Decision Desk, and 71% of Americans say they think the country is on the wrong track. But how much will this negative public sentiment hurt Republicans in the midterms? NBC News chief data analyst Steve Kornacki explains what pollsters might be missing as we approach the midterms. In France, violent protests erupted in cities across the country this weekend. NBC News foreign correspondent Raf Sanchez explains how student-led protests over school conditions grew into nationwide demonstrations, and how the turmoil is already playing a role in the country’s upcoming presidential elections. Then, the 21st book in the beloved “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series is hitting bookshelves on Oct. 20. Author Jeff Kinney explains why he’s taking on bullying and why his main character Greg’s frown on the front cover has helped the series become a global success in the past two decades.