Daily Brief · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Daily Brief: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026

A U.S. official says the U.S. carried out limited strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz on the eve of the midterms, Ukraine says a Russian bombing of an aid center killed at least 31, voters decide control of Congress today, stock futures are mixed as Apple slides and the Nasdaq-100 enters a correction, Washington voters weigh repealing the new millionaires tax, Colorado picks a governor and senator, and the Broncos lead the AFC West after Sunday's win over the Chiefs.

World

U.S. official says U.S. struck Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz; Iran says Washington must act to prevent more war

A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, told the AP the limited strikes targeted Iranians firing surface-to-air missiles at U.S. forces in the strait. Iranian state media reported explosions on Qeshm and Hengam islands and near Bandar Abbas. Unlike earlier in the war, the strikes were not publicly announced. A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday that the two countries remain far from a deal to end the war, while mediator Qatar steps up efforts to avert renewed escalation after the U.S. midterms.

Source: AP (opens in new tab)

Ukraine says Russian bombing of humanitarian aid center in Zaporizhzhia region killed at least 31

Ukrainian officials said Russian aerial bombs struck a former school in the village of Komyshuvakha that was used to distribute aid, killing at least 31 people with more than 40 missing, the BBC and The Guardian reported. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the attack "utterly horrific." Separately, a Russian regional governor said a Ukrainian drone strike set fire to an oil refinery in Yaroslavl.

Source: BBC (opens in new tab)

U.S.

Voters decide control of Congress in midterm elections

Democrats need to flip four Senate seats and three House seats to take control of the chambers from Republicans, the AP reported. Key Senate contests include Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Ohio and Texas. Democrats are also hoping to win a majority of governors' offices for the first time in two decades. Reuters reported that polls and nonpartisan analysts favor Democrats to win the House while Senate control remains uncertain. Results in West Coast states, including Washington, are expected late.

Source: AP (opens in new tab)

Money and tech

Stock futures mixed as Apple falls on margin warning and investors await midterm results

Dow futures were down about 0.4% to 0.6% early Tuesday while Nasdaq-100 futures rose about 0.4%, Reuters and Yahoo Finance reported. Apple fell about 4% to 4.5% premarket after warning that rising memory chip costs would pressure its holiday-quarter margin, and Palantir fell despite beating estimates. Reuters said the Nasdaq-100 closed Monday more than 10% below its record, confirming a correction amid worries about AI spending. Oil rebounded after the Hormuz strikes, according to the AP. AMD reports after the bell, and October jobs data comes Friday.

Source: Reuters (opens in new tab)

Washington State

Washington voters decide on repealing the new millionaires tax, parental rights and girls' sports measures

Initiative 645 would repeal the 9.9% state tax on income over $1 million before it is ever collected; a yes vote repeals it, KOMO and Axios Seattle reported. Initiative 001 would restore the original Parents' Bill of Rights, and Initiative 638 would require sex verification for girls' K-12 sports. All 10 U.S. House seats and five state Supreme Court seats are also on the ballot. Ballots must be in a drop box or returned in person by 8 p.m.; first results are expected around 8 p.m., and the election will be certified Nov. 24.

Source: KOMO News (opens in new tab)

Washington ballot returns slightly behind 2022 pace heading into Election Day

As of Monday, about 40.9% of Washington's 5.2 million registered voters had returned ballots, compared with about 42.3% at the same point in 2022, The Seattle Times reported, citing state data; NPI's Cascadia Advocate reported similar figures. Voters can still register and vote in person through 8 p.m., and officials recommend drop boxes over mailing ballots today.

Source: The Seattle Times (opens in new tab)

Colorado

Colorado votes on governor, U.S. Senate, eight House seats and 14 statewide measures

Democrat Phil Weiser faces Republican Victor Marx for governor, and Sen. John Hickenlooper faces Republican Mark Baisley, The Colorado Sun reported. Axios Denver said the competitive 8th Congressional District and 11 conservative-backed ballot questions, including an income tax cap, are among the races to watch. As of Sunday, 1.6 million ballots had been cast, with returns trending above four years ago, CPR News reported. Polls close at 7 p.m., and same-day registration is available.

Source: The Colorado Sun (opens in new tab)

Denver Broncos

Broncos take AFC West lead after 28-24 win over Chiefs; trade deadline is Nov. 10

Denver erased an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit, and a Chiefs false-start penalty wiped out a would-be winning touchdown by Patrick Mahomes, the AP reported, leaving the Broncos 6-2 atop the division. Sports Illustrated and USA Today's Broncos Wire report Denver may look at running backs before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. The Broncos play at Carolina on Nov. 8.

Source: AP (opens in new tab)

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