Arizona stories ready to republish | November 2, 2026

Below are today’s Arizona and national stories, available for immediate republication. You can access them via The Center Square RSS feed or BLOX Content Exchange.

Pollsters: Gov. Katie Hobbs opening up lead on Biggs
With five days to go until the midterm elections, polling suggests Arizona’s Gov. Katie Hobbs will stick around for another four years. That’s the takeaway from multiple polls that show the Democratic incumbent opening her lead over U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, with Cook Political Report’s latest batch of gubernatorial polls upgrading the race from “Lean Democratic” to “Likely Democratic.” By Christopher Boan.

Seven U.S. Senate races to watch on Election Day
Seven critical races across the country will determine partisan control of the U.S. Senate in the midterm elections. Most election forecasters agree control of the U.S. Senate could go either way. The Cook Political Report ranks Senate control as a “toss up” and Fox News power rankings say the battle is a "coin flip.”

Prediction markets missed Brazil. U.S. midterms are the big test.
Prediction markets spent three weeks heavily favoring Flávio Bolsonaro to be Brazil's next president. That collapsed Sunday night. Tuesday, the same markets take on the U.S. Senate. Kalshi and Polymarket put Democratic control of the Senate at 70% and 73% as of Friday morning. Forecaster Nate Silver's model put it near 75% as of Oct. 29.

Federal judge dismisses Alaska spoiler candidate lawsuit
A federal judge in Alaska on Sunday dismissed a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department seeking to delay certification of Alaska's U.S. Senate race if an alleged spoiler candidate remains on the ballot. 

Feds target $3.7B in research as DEI crackdown sees success
As colleges and universities scale back diversity, equity and inclusion programs amid federal funding pressure from the Trump administration, supporters of the cuts argue DEI has negatively affected academics and higher education. Approximately $3.7 billion in federal research funding has been targeted for cuts. In the meantime, over 300 colleges and universities have eliminated DEI requirements, closed or restructured diversity offices, or otherwise changed policies.

U.S. shrimpers seek ban on Indian imports over forced labor allegations
American shrimpers are asking federal trade regulators to block imports from a major Indian seafood producer accused of using forced labor to undercut domestic competitors. The complaint, filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission, alleges that Indian seafood exporter Nekkanti Sea Foods uses exploitative labor practices to reduce production costs, allowing its shrimp to compete unfairly with American-caught seafood.

El-Sayed leads Rogers in polls as antisemitism concerns grow
Antisemitism remains a key issue in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race, as progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers. Research from the Middle East Forum, a Philadelphia-based conservative foreign policy think tank, found El-Sayed has “solicited votes” from inside Michigan mosques and Islamic centers whose leaders use “extreme rhetoric from the pulpit,” especially against Israel and Zionists.

US Attorney, ICE push back on Harris County indictment of ICE agent
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas Aaron Reitz and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are pushing back against a Harris County indictment of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. 

Everyday Economics: The U.S. economy is undergoing a structural shift
The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady last week. But borrowing costs remain elevated, making homes and cars less affordable. Meanwhile, higher energy prices are eroding purchasing power, and weak hiring is limiting workers' opportunities to change jobs. The bond market's reaction suggests there's more to the story.

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ELECTION 2026: The Center Square is covering Maricopa County election officials’ press conference Monday in Phoenix. By Christopher Boan. The Center Square on Tuesday evening will cover early results for key congressional races, top statewide races such as the gubernatorial and attorney general’s contests, and propositions.

POLLS OPEN: Polls begin opening at 6 a.m. Tuesday in several East Coast states as voters across the country decide key races to determine who controls Congress. Several high profile governor’s races also are on the ballot. The Center Square plans coverage of more than 80 races Tuesday night. (Andrew Rice) 

ALASKA SENATE: After a federal judge in Alaska ruled against the U.S. Department of Justice’s spoiler candidate lawsuit, prosecutors are expected to appeal the decision. (Andrew Rice) 

MILITARY INTELLIGENCE BUDGET: The Department of War disclosed that Congress appropriated $30.9 billion for the Military Intelligence Program in fiscal 2026, the largest top line in the 14 years the Pentagon has released the figure. That’s up 11% from fiscal 2025, but $2.7 billion below the request and 38% below the $50 billion the administration wants for fiscal 2027. Everything beyond the number remains classified. (Brett Rowland)

PRESIDENT’S SPEECH: After a month-long campaign blitz, President Donald Trump is giving an afternoon speech on the eve of the midterm elections outside the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool. (Sarah Roderick-Fitch)

HOUSE PREVIEW: What’s at stake for Republicans if they lose control of the U.S. House? (Therese Boudreaux)

SENATE PREVIEW: Control of the U.S. Senate is at stake in Tuesday’s midterm elections, with about seven key races that could determine which party controls the chamber. (Morgan Sweeney)

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Dave Mason
Regional Editor
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