| | | | | A US Secret Service officer walks on the block where former President Obama and his family live in Washington after an explosive device was sent to the Obamas' home Wednesday. Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images | | | "An Act of Terror": At least 10 suspicious packages have been sent
The President's Response: Trump called for unity before returning to attacking "fake news"
There's a New Song About Voting: It's short and Kelly Clarkson and Christina Aguilera have both covered it | | | What America is Talking About: - It's 12 days until the midterm election.
- In the Florida gubernatorial debate, Democrat Andrew Gillum said of his opponent Ron DeSantis, "I'm not calling Mr. DeSantis a racist, I'm simply saying the racists believe he's a racist."
- A federal judge ruled that Georgia must stop rejecting absentee ballots with signatures that don't appear to match records.
- The Arizona State Troopers Association has withdrawn its endorsement of Democratic Senate candidate Kyrsten Sinema after an internal poll found members would prefer that the organization stays neutral.
- Following her blackface controversy, Megyn Kelly's show will air pre-taped episodes for the remainder of the week.
- The Boston Red Sox now lead the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-0 in the World Series.
Poll of the Day:
Although health care is a top issue nationally for the midterm elections, our Grace Sparks found that in many key races, other issues -- such as the economy and immigration -- actually dominate.
"An Act of Terror":
That's what New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called this week's mailings of explosive devices to two former presidents and other political figures. At least 10 suspicious packages have been located, addressed to people President Trump frequently goes after in his speeches and tweets. They have a return address for Debbie Wasserman Schultz's office in Florida. Here's where these packages were sent: | | Credit: CNN - Liberal mega-donor George Soros in New York.
- Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in New York.
- Former CIA director John Brennan, addressed to CNN's New York bureau.
- Former President Obama in Washington.
- Rep. Maxine Waters, D-California, in one package found at a congressional mail sorting facility outside Washington and another found at a postal facility in south central Los Angeles.
- Former attorney general Eric Holder, in a package that was not delivered and sent back to Schultz's office.
- Former Vice President Joe Biden, in two packages found in Delaware -- in Wilmington and New Castle.
- Actor-director Robert De Niro in New York.
The FBI released this image of one of the packages, which are all similar in appearance: | | Credit: FBI
The packages contained explosive devices that law enforcement told CNN were rudimentary but functional. At least one explosive contained shards of glass. The FBI said there may be additional packages mailed to other locations and asked the public "to remain vigilant and not touch, move or handle any suspicious or unknown packages." If you find a suspicious package or believe you have information about the case, contact the bureau at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.
For continuing developments, please visit CNN's live updates page.
The President's Response:
In his first verbal comments about the devices yesterday, President Trump called for Americans to "come together and send one very clear, strong, unmistakable message that threats or acts of political violence have no place in the United States of America," and he vowed "we will spare no resources or expense" to find whoever was responsible. Then he blamed the press.
At his rally last night in Mosinee, Wisconsin, Trump said the media should "stop the endless hostility and constant negative and oftentimes false attacks and stories." This morning, he tweeted, "A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News."
The President had a powerful opportunity to follow through with his call for America to come together and he did not take it.
"Words Matter":
CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker said in a statement yesterday: "There is a total and complete lack of understanding at the White House about the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media. The President, and especially the White House Press Secretary, should understand their words matter. Thus far, they have shown no comprehension of that."
The Chinese and Russians Have Reportedly Eavesdropped on Trump Calls:
Trump uses his iPhone instead of a secure landline to make some phone calls that US intelligence officials say China and Russia have listened in on, per the New York Times. Current and former officials told the Times the Chinese use what they learn on the calls to keep the trade war from escalating. @realDonaldTrump denied the story, in a tweet sent from an iPhone.
Nancy Pelosi's Daughter Made a Documentary:
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's daughter Alexandra Pelosi is out with her 12th film for HBO, a documentary titled "Outside the Bubble: On the Road with Alexandra Pelosi." In it, she talks with people who don't agree with her about six issues, including guns, climate, and race. "I may live in liberal America, but I know this is not the only America," Pelosi says in the trailer. The documentary premieres Monday. | | HBO/YouTube
WaPo: Demand The Truth:
The Washington Post today published a full-page ad with a photo of Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman on the back of its A section. Saudi Arabia reversed its story on Jamal Khashoggi, now saying the Post columnist was killed in a planned operation. The Post demands the truth. | | Credit: The Washington Post
There's a New Song About Voting:
"Get Up And Vote" is a short ditty written by John Legend and songwriter Linda Perry (who penned hits including Pink's "Get The Party Started" and Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful"). Legend and Perry both released videos of them singing the song, and other stars like Aguilera and Kelly Clarkson have posted their own renditions, with more expected.
The lyrics:
Hey hey, come together
We can make the world much better
Can't give up on hope
Gotta get up and vote
Gotta get up and vote | | Credit: Kelly Clarkson/Facebook
Perry told the Hollywood Reporter she and Legend "wanted to write a little song for people to do their own version and post themselves. We wrote this while I was on a plane to N.Y. and John was home in L.A."
Time Taps JR for Cover Story on Guns:
French artist JR created the cover for a new Time story, "Guns Have Divided America. Here's What Happens When 245 People Try to Meet in the Middle."
For it, he photographed and filmed people from St. Louis, Washington, and Dallas with an array of views on guns. "In France, we don't have any relationship with guns, and so I'm discovering the whole issue," he told Time. The 245 participants "will always be part of the same mural even if they don't share the same ideas," he said. | | Credit: Time
Street Art Sighting:
This "Who Wins Matters" poster encouraging voting is from the nonpartisan group Minnesota Voters Alliance and was spotted in Minneapolis' Uptown neighborhood. | | Credit: Jake Rudy
If you spot political street art, tweet me @hunterschwarz, tag me on Instagram @hunterschwarz, or email me at coverlinehunter@cnn.com with your sighting so I can feature it in COVER/LINE.
Kate Bennett is off. | | | | | | |
