Control of the US Senate could come down to Arizona and Nevada

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Thursday 11.10.22

Election officials cautiously went into the midterms this week bracing for the possibility of harassment and hostility at some polling places. Luckily, voting went smoothly across the US -- even after two years that election-deniers bragged that they would flood the polls with observers to find fraud. Here's what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On With Your Day.

By Alexandra Meeks

An election worker arrives with ballots to be tabulated inside the Maricopa County Recorder's Office on Wednesday in Phoenix, Arizona.

Midterms

Control of Congress remains undermined as results continue to trickle in from Senate races in Arizona and Nevada. Georgia's contest is also heading to a runoff on December 6 after neither Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock nor Republican challenger Herschel Walker surpassed the 50% threshold needed to win the race outright. In the House, it could be days until a full picture emerges as votes are still being counted in states like California, Oregon, Nevada and Arizona. Although Republicans are inching toward a slim majority in the House, President Joe Biden called the midterm vote "a good day for democracy" and praised Democrats' efforts to stave off resounding GOP wins. "While any seat lost is painful… Democrats had a strong night," he said.

Tropical Storm Nicole

Nicole made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane just south of Vero Beach, Florida, early this morning, packing winds of 75 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. While it has weakened to a tropical storm, Nicole is expected to lash the state with heavy rain and storm surge for the next several hours. Nicole's colossal path has already caused power outages for nearly 110,000 customers and has prompted the closures of many schools, colleges and universities as well as the cancellation of hundreds of flights and the shuttering of amusement parks. Additionally, some residents evacuated their homes after they were deemed unsafe and at risk of collapse due to the storm's impact. You can track the storm's path here.

Ukraine

Russia has ordered its troops to retreat from the key city of Kherson, the only regional capital it has captured since the start of its war in Ukraine. This is a dramatic setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin as Ukrainian forces approach the city from two directions. The withdrawal "demonstrates the courage, the determination, the commitment of Ukrainian armed forces and also the importance of the continued support" of the West, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg told CNN. This comes as a top US general said Russia has suffered more than 100,000 killed and wounded soldiers as a result of the invasion -- and Ukraine is probably looking at similar numbers.

Marijuana

Ballot measures that will legalize marijuana are expected to pass in two states and fail in three others, CNN projects, as momentum has grown nationwide to push for lifting penalties once associated with cannabis. Voters in Arkansas, North Dakota and South Dakota rejected measures that would have allowed certain amounts of cannabis possession and recreational consumption for people 21 and older. CNN projects Maryland and Missouri will approve measures to legalize recreational marijuana use. In Maryland specifically, individuals who were previously convicted of cannabis possession and intent to distribute will also be able to apply for record expungement. Recreational use of marijuana is currently legal in 19 states, along with Washington, DC.

Listeria outbreak

The CDC issued a warning Wednesday about a deadly listeria outbreak in six states that has been linked to contaminated deli meat and cheese. People at high risk of severe illness from listeria infection -- such as pregnant people, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems -- should not eat meat or cheese from any deli counter without first reheating it "steaming hot," the CDC said in a statement. At least one death was reported in Maryland and 16 people have been infected, according to reports from six states. If you have recently purchased deli cheese or meat, the agency recommends a careful cleaning of your refrigerator -- and any containers or surfaces the meat or cheese may have touched -- with hot, soapy water.

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