Daily Brief · Friday, October 30, 2026

Daily Brief: Friday, Oct. 30, 2026

The U.S. economy grew at a 3.4% annual rate last quarter while the Fed's preferred inflation gauge rose to 3.6%, final Israeli results leave no bloc with a majority, Spain's train-crash death toll reaches 69, Alaska's governor orders a probe into the second 'Dan Sullivan' on the ballot, bird flu reaches 27 Washington dairy farms, Colorado gains authority to permit underground carbon storage, and Waddle and Allen return to limited practice for the Broncos.

World

Final Israeli results leave Netanyahu's bloc at 53 seats, short of a majority

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc won 53 seats, the opposition 48 and Arab-led parties 19, the AP reported; 61 are needed to govern. Likud has claimed the vote was "stolen," which the AP described as unsubstantiated, and the election committee's director called claims of widespread fraud baseless, The Times of Israel reported. President Isaac Herzog is expected to assign someone to try to form a government next week.

Source: The Times of Israel (opens in new tab)

Spain's high-speed train crash death toll rises to 69 as officials and unions dispute the cause

Spain's transport minister has pointed to a traffic controller's judgment, while rail unions blame failing safety systems, the AP reported. A judge and a government commission are investigating Wednesday's collision near Urda in Toledo province.

Source: AP (opens in new tab)

Aid mission reaches Ukraine's Oleshky under a truce; drone strike in Dnipro kills 13

Under a truce brokered by First Lady Melania Trump, Russian and Ukrainian officials reached the occupied town of Oleshky with aid and buses for residents who want to leave, the AP reported. Ukrainian officials said a Russian drone strike killed 13 people at a Dnipro train station and a missile attack on Kyiv killed one, according to the AP and Reuters.

Source: Reuters (opens in new tab)

U.S.

Alaska Gov. Dunleavy orders an investigation into a second 'Dan Sullivan' on the Senate ballot

The New York Times reported that Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola's team may have recruited a second candidate with the same name as Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, the AP reported. Peltola has dismissed the allegations, and Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered a probe. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Source: AP (opens in new tab)

Patrick Stewart, Star Trek's Captain Picard, dies at 86

Stewart's family said he had Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, the AP and NBC News reported. His death came days after original Star Trek actor Walter Koenig died at 90.

Source: AP (opens in new tab)

Money and tech

U.S. economy grew at a 3.4% annual rate in the third quarter, beating forecasts

The Bureau of Economic Analysis' advance estimate showed growth up from 2.2% in the second quarter, driven by investment, consumer spending and government spending; exports fell. Economists polled by Reuters had expected 3.2%. The AP tied the growth to consumer spending and AI-related investment. The figure is the first of three estimates.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (opens in new tab)

Fed's preferred inflation gauge rises to 3.6% in September; savings rate falls to 3.8%

The PCE price index rose from 3.4% in August, with core inflation at 3.1%, CNN reported; inflation-adjusted after-tax income fell 0.3% and the savings rate hit its lowest level in nearly four years. The AP said energy costs were a major factor, with U.S. oil still above $100 a barrel.

Source: AP (opens in new tab)

Alphabet shares fall nearly 13% in their worst day on record after earnings

Google's parent company reported weaker growth than analysts expected, CNBC and the AP reported.

Source: CNBC (opens in new tab)

Washington State

Bird flu confirmed at 27 Washington dairy farms in three weeks

The Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed the first detections in two Yakima County herds in early October and in Benton County on Oct. 26, the Washington State Standard reported. "The virus is moving fast," State Veterinarian Amber Itle said, adding that "the risk for humans is very low." Every farm in affected milksheds is now tested weekly. The Spokesman-Review also carried the report.

Source: Washington State Standard (opens in new tab)

Kitsap County voters to decide whether the PUD can explore providing electricity

Proposition 1 would authorize Kitsap Public Utility District to study taking over electric service for about 130,000 Puget Sound Energy customers, Axios Seattle reported. PSE, which is seeking residential rate increases of about 30% over three years, has spent $2.4 million opposing the measure, according to The Seattle Times, as cited by Axios. A district spokesperson said it has not determined whether public power would lower bills.

Source: Axios Seattle (opens in new tab)

Colorado

Colorado gains authority to permit underground carbon dioxide storage wells

The EPA granted Colorado authority over Class VI injection wells, letting the state approve and regulate carbon capture and storage, CPR News reported via KUNC. Two ethanol-plant projects could capture up to about 480,000 metric tons of CO2 a year, according to a state Energy and Carbon Management Commission presentation.

Source: KUNC / CPR News (opens in new tab)

Storm to bring heavy rain to flood-hit southwest Colorado and mountain snow from Halloween through Tuesday

Forecasters said the San Juan Mountains could see 1 to 3 inches or more of rain and 1 to 2 feet of snow on higher peaks, 9NEWS reported. Denver could see rain Monday into Tuesday, possibly ending as wet snow.

Source: 9NEWS (opens in new tab)

Colorado Parks and Wildlife pauses wildlife council ads amid electioneering allegations before the Amendment 83 vote

CPW Director Laura Clellan asked the Colorado Wildlife Council to suspend advertising until after Nov. 3 while the agency reviews a petition alleging license revenue was used to influence wildlife ballot measures, The Denver Gazette reported. Amendment 83 would make hunting and fishing constitutional rights; Gov. Jared Polis opposes it.

Source: The Denver Gazette (opens in new tab)

Denver Broncos

Waddle and Allen return to limited practice; Harvey and Jones added to the injury report before the Chiefs game

Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (chest) and defensive lineman Zach Allen (hamstring) were limited Thursday after sitting out Wednesday, the Broncos said. Running back RJ Harvey (knee) and safety Brandon Jones (hamstring) were added as limited, and safety Talanoa Hufanga (ankle) did not practice. Pat Surtain II was a full participant again. Mile High Report published the same participation report. Game statuses come out Friday for Sunday's game against Kansas City.

Source: Denver Broncos (opens in new tab)

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