Judge Dismisses DOJ Bid to Halt Alaska Senate Certification If Sullivan Falls

A federal judge in Juneau, Alaska, dismissed a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice on Sunday. The suit sought to block the certification of the state's U.S. Senate race results if Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan loses to Democratic challenger Mary Peltola. The election takes place Tuesday and is being closely watched because control of the Senate is at stake.

The Justice Department filed the case less than two weeks before the vote. Early voting was already underway when the suit was submitted. The legal action called for an investigation into specific votes. The lawsuit questioned whether votes cast for a candidate named Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher who is not the incumbent, should be counted.

Sullivan, an ally of President Donald Trump, faces Peltola, a former U.S. Representative from Alaska. The race draws national attention due to its tight margins. The election uses a ranked-choice voting system. Two other candidates on the ballot have done little campaigning. One of these candidates shares the incumbent's full name, which complicated the legal arguments in the dismissed suit.

The dismissal removes a potential legal hurdle for the election process. It allows the state to proceed with counting ballots without first resolving the specific question regarding the retired teacher's candidacy. The judge's decision came as voters continued to cast ballots in the weeks leading up to Tuesday's general election.

In related political news, the Trump administration has announced $15 billion in promises to agriculture producers in the weeks before the midterms. The initiatives aim to offset higher costs for diesel and fertilizer. These increases are largely attributed to tariffs and the war in Iran. The Department of Agriculture plans to pay $13.8 billion in safety net program payments for eligible producers for the 2025 crop year. These payments are intended to offset shortfalls for farmers who grow corn, soybeans, wheat, and rice.

President Trump visited Iowa and Kansas on Sunday, two days before the election. The visits focused on rural areas where traditionally Republican seats are now considered competitive. The administration hopes the financial pledges will motivate more voters to turn out in agricultural states. The timing of the announcements and the presidential travel highlights the administration's focus on securing rural support ahead of the midterms.

In France, authorities reported less violence during Sunday's mass protests over rising living costs compared to previous weekends. Police expect new demonstrations as high schools reopen Monday after their autumn break. In Paris, rioters targeted police with Molotov cocktails at the end of Saturday's march. Three officers were injured, and a car was set ablaze. In Germany, nationwide protests Saturday ended with rioters attacking police and looting stores in some cities. Hundreds of thousands of people joined peaceful marches across Europe, inspired by young people, despite scattered unrest.

Gun violence erupted at nightlife districts in half a dozen U.S. cities over the Halloween weekend. Dozens of people were injured, and at least six died in mass shootings. Dallas police reported the deadliest violence, with four people dead and 15 injured following shootings in the Deep Ellum neighborhood. The incidents occurred over a span of about an hour and 15 minutes on Saturday night. Police in college towns including Fayetteville, Arkansas; Birmingham, Alabama; and Newark, Delaware, also reported shootings in their nightlife districts.

In New York, Andreas Almgren of Sweden won the men's race of the New York City Marathon. It was his first marathon. He pulled away from Yemaneberhan Crippa of Italy in the final mile. Almgren finished in 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 1 second. He earned $100,000 for the victory. Crippa finished 13 seconds behind. Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya won the women's race. It was her second win in the event.

In Uruguay, a parish in the Borro neighborhood of Montevideo prepares for a visit from Pope Leo XIV. The neighborhood is hit hard by drug trafficking violence. Lucía Pintos, a 21-year-old training to be a teacher, said children must go to school to have lunch because it is unsafe to play outside due to gunfire. The Pope is scheduled to visit the north side of the capital at the start of his trip in November.