JD Vance discusses his approach to the midterms as he weighs a 2028 presidential run. Records detail a Cornell fraternity brother’s account of the night a woman alleges she was raped. And what long-term unemployment says about the economy.
Here’s what to know today.
Vance talks 2028, Ted Cruz and a tough midterm climate
Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that Republicans face an “uphill climb” in the midterms — telling NBC News the results could influence whether he runs for president in 2028.
This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.
“Regardless of what happens over the next 35 days, there will be new information, new things you have to make a decision over,” he said.
He said he’s cautiously optimistic that the GOP’s numbers are improving even as concerns about the Iran war and gas prices take a toll. He reiterated that Republicans can’t pretend things are perfect, but they can argue that the next wave of Democrats would be worse.
He also addressed a prospective rival — Ted Cruz.
“It is really obvious to me that, at this very moment, Ted Cruz is running for president,” Vance said. “At this moment, I’m not. I’m trying to help elect Republicans.”
Here’s what Vance said about data centers during the exclusive interview.
More politics news:
- Analysis: Democrats have managed to regain ground on voter registration in key states after steep drops.
- A look at Trump’s wins — and losses — as the new Supreme Court term begins.
Records give insight into how one Cornell student responded to rape accusation
A Cornell fraternity brother named in a lawsuit said he didn’t see the woman in distress, despite her allegation that she was assaulted, according to court records.
Scott Kretzschmar, now 22, said that after he saw a Snapchat post advertising “free p—y upstairs,” he entered the room already filled with several fraternity brothers, but never saw the woman naked, did not touch her or use ketamine.
A photo of Jane Doe was shared among active Chi Phi members in a Snapchat group, documents revealed.
Text messages obtained by NBC News between Jane Doe and another fraternity member she later accused of assault also provide context on the aftermath of the incident. “My reputation is destroyed and I’m utterly ashamed,” she wrote.
Here’s what else was mentioned.
More on Cornell:
- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul replaced the DA handling the case, appointing AG Letitia James as backlash mounts. It’s not the first time prosecutor Matthew Van Houten has come under scrutiny.
- A Cornell survey showed an increase in reports of female undergraduates experiencing nonconsensual sexual contact.
It’s rarely been harder for people to find new jobs
At 4.1%, the official unemployment rate is lower than its historical average of more than 5%, signaling a seemingly steady labor market. Long-term unemployment tells a different story.
The share of workers who have been out of a job for 27 weeks or longer now stands at 27%, the highest since 2015 outside of the Covid pandemic. The median spell of unemployment lasts about 11 weeks, and the average is more than six months, suggesting rising levels of long periods of joblessness.
Overall, fewer people are being hired, and those who have jobs aren’t leaving them.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is set to announce September’s jobs report today. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones estimate the U.S. added 84,000 jobs last month, with the unemployment rate holding.
Read what’s behind the trends.
Shingles cases dropping among people who got chickenpox vaccine, data shows
The chickenpox vaccine appears to protect against shingles, according to a large new analysis.
Anyone who got infected with chickenpox as a child is at risk of later developing shingles. But new data suggests that people aged 34 and younger may be less likely to develop shingles than previous generations, because they are more likely to have been vaccinated against chickenpox.
It’s a promising development, though because shingles is typically rare in people younger than 50, the data can’t prove whether the protection will last as they age, said one researcher.
Staff Pick: Harmful kratom-like substances hidden in cat’s claw products across the country
My interest in kratom began in the summer of 2025. I had just come across a TikTok video of a man warning about its addictive potential and wanted to learn more. I had never heard of kratom, a supplement that causes opioid-like effects, but soon went down a rabbit hole of stories from people who said the substance nearly cost them their lives. Since then, kratom has continued to appear in news headlines. Most recently, two University of Mississippi students were found dead, and authorities said the supplement was found at the scene.
While many states are taking the steps to ban kratom, manufacturers are trying to get around that by selling it under different labels, such as cat’s claw — a substance used for inflammation. This is a growing problem, as Poison Control Centers are receiving an uptick in calls about exposure to “cat’s claw.” Health officials are sounding the alarm to prevent risk of overdose and death. People deserve to know what they are buying, and this situation is a case of false advertising. As one doctor said, these products are kratom in disguise.
— Claretta Bellamy, researcher
Read All About It
- ‘Couldn’t let all of them die’: Pilot attacked on Flydubai plane speaks for first time.
- An American passenger described drafting goodbye texts to her family as the Flydubai plane she was on plummeted.
- Sean “Diddy” Combs has been placed in solitary confinement following an NBC News report on his VIP lifestyle inside prison, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.
- A purported media representative for Hamas has been accused of funneling roughly $1.7 million to the terrorist organization from donors who believed they were giving aid to Gaza.
- Mike Tomlin is a Super Bowl-winning coach. Now he’s revealing a masterpiece he spent more than a decade building — in “Minecraft.”
NBC Selected: Online Shopping, Simplified
Gen Z doesn’t carry wallets — so we spoke to our editors to find out what they’re carrying instead. Plus, new early October Prime Day deals just dropped, and we hand-picked the ones actually worth shopping, including up to 50% off top-rated vacuums.
Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.
Thanks for reading today’s Morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was curated for you by Kayla Hayempour. If you’re a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can sign up here.
