Are big three senate races slipping from Dems?  —  It's been the most remarkably enduring story line of Election 2014: three Democratic senators defying their states' deep red complexion and their president's abysmal approval ratings to stay competitive in races that should have, on paper, been lost long ago.

Obama's Éminence Grise  —  As the Obama administration crashes and burns, insiders begin to blame Valerie Jarrett.  —  Are significant chunks of the mainstream media in despair over Barack Obama?  This past week, Obama used 60 Minutes to attempt to shift blame for the failure …

NBC News Freelancer in Africa Diagnosed With Ebola  —  An American freelance cameraman working for NBC News in Liberia has tested positive for Ebola and will be flown back to the U.S. for treatment.

The Return of the GOP Hawks  —  Not that they ever really left.  —  The Republican flirtation with dovish noninterventionism is over.  It wasn't much of a fling.  —  For five years, we've been hearing that foreign policy and national security issues would split the Republican party.

McAuliffe aide suggested job for senator's daughter if he remained in his seat  —  RICHMOND — Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe's chief of staff left a voice-mail message for a Democrat who was on the verge of quitting the General Assembly in June, saying that the senator's daughter might …

5th Circuit decision to close most of Texas abortion clinics  —  The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday allowed Texas to begin enforcing tough new abortion restrictions that will effectively close all but eight abortion facilities in the nation's second-largest state.

Sources: Charleston cop suspended over videos  —  Charleston Police Lt. Shawn Williams talks to the media on the West Side in April.  Williams has been suspended from the force and is under investigation.  —  CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Charleston police lieutenant on paid administrative leave …

Despite voter-registration snafu Mitt Romney not shunning GOP  —  Mix-up » Errant form also lists old address next to warning that false information could be a misdemeanor.  —  | The Salt Lake Tribune  —  Washington  • Mitt Romney, whose name keeps popping up as a possible three …

Could Rand Paul support gay marriage?  —  Charleston, South Carolina (CNN) — Campus politics aren't always a clear winner for Rand Paul, as he discovered here this week during an appearance at the College of Charleston.  —  The Kentucky Republican and potential 2016 contender opened …

Jobless Rate in U.S. Falls Below 6% as Hiring Picks Up  —  American companies are hiring again at a healthy pace, adding 248,000 jobs in September, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.  —  The unemployment rate fell to 5.9 percent, the first time it had been below 6 percent since July 2008 …

Remarks by the President on the Economy — Northwestern University  —  THE PRESIDENT: Hello, Evanston!  (Applause.)  Hello, Northwestern!  (Applause.)  Thank you so much.  Everybody, have a seat.  Have a seat.  It is so good to be here.  Go 'Cats!  (Applause.)