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Episode Date: October 27, 2024

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Support for this podcast and the following message come from Autograph Collection Hotels, with over 300 independent hotels around the world, each exactly like nothing else. Autograph Collection is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotel brands. Find the unforgettable at autographcollection.com. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. With just nine days left before Election Day, former First Lady Michelle Obama helped Vice President Kamala Harris rally support during a stop Saturday in Kalamazoo, Michigan. If we want to elect someone with a character that is worthy of the Oval Office, someone

with the strength of heart to guide our country to a better day, we have got to what? Root the pain! And that someone, of course, is my dear friend Kamala Harris. Harris, meanwhile, criticized former President Donald Trump for calling for the termination of the U.S. Constitution after he lost the 2020 election. Officials in one county in the swing state of Pennsylvania say they received a large number of potentially fraudulent voter registration forms at the state's deadline. But as Jordan Wilke of Member Station WITF reports, the officials did not release any

evidence showing fraud, and large deliveries of registration forms are common in presidential election years. The Lancaster County District Attorney says her office has confirmed violations of state law and election code for some forms among a batch of 2,500 submitted registrations. She did not say how many forms are being investigated, which laws have allegedly been broken, or if charges will be brought. Jerry Feeser, a former elections director in a neighboring county, says third party get-out-the-vote groups often deliver large batches of registration applications at the deadline without checking the form's validity. That's where you end up causing undue pressure on election offices because you're now basically

wasting the election office's time. County election officials say no faulty registrations have been processed and all legitimate requests to register will be accepted by an election staff that is working overtime. For NPR News, I'm Jordan Wilkie in Harrisburg. Iran says it's obliged to defend itself following a series of air attacks on Saturday by Israel, but a foreign ministry statement added that Tehran recognizes its responsibilities towards regional peace and security. The BBC's Yolanda Nal reports, meanwhile, that the Israeli attacks have been condemned by countries across the Middle East. Israel said it targeted Iran's air defences with dozens of fighter jets and then sites

used to manufacture and launch drones and ballistic missiles. Israel appears to have heeded warnings from its closest ally, the US, to avoid Iran's more sensitive oil and nuclear facilities, with fears that doing so could trigger a full-blown regional war. Tehran said Israel's attack had been successfully countered, but there had been limited damage to some locations. The BBC's Jolanda Now, Washington says it was informed of Israel's action in advance but had no involvement.

Israeli strikes on northern Gaza overnight, meanwhile, have killed at least 22 people, including 11 women and two children. That's according to Palestinian health officials. Israel has been waging a massive air and ground offensive in the area for the last three weeks. You're listening to NPR News. Attorneys representing foster youth in Texas are appealing a decision they say makes it harder to force the state to investigate abuse and neglect allegations at facilities for those with intellectual disabilities. A filing

Friday night argues that the three-judge appeals panel was wrong to remove the lower court judge and void contempt fines. Texas Public Radio's Paul Flaff reports. Attorneys for foster children in a long-running lawsuit against the state of Texas are appealing a ruling they say puts kids at risk. For 13 years they've Paul Flaff reports. Judge Janice Jack had ruled in favor of reforms and her removal was seen as a win for the state. The court also vacated millions of dollars in fines that Judge Jack issued against the state over its failure to keep intellectually disabled foster children safe in treatment homes. Attorneys for the foster children are asking for the full Fifth Circuit to review the case. I'm Paul Flavin, San Antonio.

American Airlines is testing a new technology that's aimed at stopping people from boarding planes ahead of their group. The tech produces an audible sound if someone tries to board before the group is called. Agents then ask them to return when their group is boarding. Airline officials say they're pleased so far with the tests underway in three markets. At least 85 people are now dead after tropical Storm Tramie hit northwestern Philippines this week. The storm caused major flooding and landslides, with more than 20 people who were buried alive by mud.

Officials say that 41 people are still missing. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News. Who's claiming power this election? What's happening in battleground states? And why do we still have the electoral college? All this month, the Throughline Podcast is asking big questions about our democracy and going back in time to answer them.

Listen now to the Throughline Podcast from NPR.