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 …

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.

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.

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 …

Labor Participation Rate Drops To 36 Year Low; Record 92.6 Million Americans Not In Labor Force  —  While by now everyone should know the answer, for those curious why the US unemployment rate just slid once more to a meager 5.9%, the lowest print since the summer of 2008 …

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 …

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 …

EXCLUSIVE: GOPer Ernst Backed Arresting Feds Over Obamacare In 2012 Survey  —  State Sen. Joni Ernst, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Iowa, once said she would support legislation that would allow “local law enforcement to arrest federal officials attempting to implement” Obamacare.

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.)