The vice presidential debate between Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz took place last night as viewers all over the country tuned in to watch. The debate served up less drama than September’s presidential debate, but offered revealing differences on abortion, school shootings, and immigration.

The two rivals, who have forcefully attacked each other on the campaign trail, mostly struck a cordial tone, instead concentrating their fire on each other’s running mates. Vance repeatedly attacked Vice President Kamala Harris on border security, while Walz criticized former President Donald Trump’s views on abortion rights.

According to a snap poll conducted right after the two candidates faced off, voters declared there was no decisive winner and were split on who performed better. However, Vance gave more misleading statements than Walz, according to a check of some of the main facts claimed by both candidates.

This debate is unlikely to change the trajectory of the presidential race, as many polls have revealed that almost no respondents felt the need to change the way they’ve decided to vote after watching the debate.

Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect in the second assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, is scheduled to appear before a magistrate judge to determine if he will remain in custody during the legal process. 

Routh sat with a rifle in the trees where Donald Trump was golfing earlier this month in West Palm Beach, Florida. He faces charges for firearm possession as a convicted felon and for possessing a firearm with an altered serial number. Prosecutors have requested that he continue to be held in detention.

According to federal filings, Routh also had a handwritten list of dates and venues linked to Trump's appearances leading up to the 2024 election. He had traveled from North Carolina to West Palm Beach in mid-August and was spotted by Secret Service near Trump’s golf course with an SKS rifle. 

Investigators also revealed that Routh had written a letter claiming responsibility for the assassination attempt, stating, "I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster."

Routh fled the Trump International Golf Course before being apprehended, and authorities are considering bringing more serious charges as the investigation progresses.

Harris and Trump face off in intense debate

The presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump began with a handshake, but soon escalated into a heated exchange, as voters nationwide tuned in to watch. On Tuesday night, the two candidates clashed over various issues, such as the economy, abortion, foreign policy, and even the size of their rally crowds. 

In the debate’s opening minutes, Trump and Harris went to battle on a key issue for voters: the economy. Harris outlined the recent economic policies she introduced in recent weeks, while Trump centered his remarks on tariffs.

During the square-off, Harris made many attempts to get under Trump’s skin, provoking him over his felony convictions and the 2020 election. This put the former president on the defensive an hour into the debate. 

As the debate concluded, reactions were mixed, with no clear winner emerging immediately. 

Democrats believed Harris effectively presented her policy proposals. Republicans, on the other hand, were impressed by Trump’s assertiveness and perceived him as having dominated.

With no other debates officially scheduled, this may have been the only time the two will face-off in an attempt to persuade undecided voters ahead of Election Day.