McConnell will pay expenses in return for ‘enthusiasm’ at events  —  The Kentucky Republican Party is offering volunteers all-expenses-paid trips to join Sen. Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) campaign bus tour and “contribute to an enthusiastic atmosphere” at his events.

Statement by Secretary Johnson on Travel Restrictions and Protective Measures to Prevent the Spread of Ebola to the United States  —  Today, as part of the Department of Homeland Security's ongoing response to prevent the spread of Ebola to the United States, we are announcing travel restrictions …

Political Polarization & Media Habits  —  When it comes to getting news about politics and government, liberals and conservatives inhabit different worlds.  There is little overlap in the news sources they turn to and trust.  And whether discussing politics online or with friends …

Chicago man to Obama: 'Don't touch my girlfriend'  —  Washington (CNN) — Even the President of the United States has to deal with jealous boyfriends.  —  Casting his ballot in Chicago on Monday, Obama stood at a voting booth next to Aia Cooper, whose fiancé decided to crack wise with the president.

Obama: Dem candidates avoiding me ‘have supported my agenda’  —  President Obama delivered a blow to Democratic Senate candidates looking to distance themselves from his flagging approval ratings Monday, saying lawmakers avoiding him on the campaign trail were “strong allies and supporters” who have “supported my agenda in Congress.”

Oscar Pistorius should not be going to jail  —  Pistorius's life is ruined.  No one will be deterred by his sentence.  Imprisonment is a brutalist response that achieves nothing in such cases  —  Oscar Pistorius was guilty.  However gripped by anger, it's difficult to accept he didn't know whom he was likely to kill.

Surveillance Video Apparently Catches Guy Doing Something at the Ballot Box That Left Republican Monitor Stunned  —  An Arizona county party official said he saw a man stuffing “hundreds” of ballots into the ballot box and later told a local news outlet the entire incident was caught on surveillance video.

Anthony Weiner: Done with politics, not life  —  For Anthony Weiner, life these days consists of figuring out fatherhood and his future.  The first he's doing pretty well with; as for the second, he's got a long way to go.  —  Three years out from the 2011 sexting scandal that forced …

Immigration as biggest problem dips to 7%  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the quarantine period ends for people exposed to the first person in the U.S. to be diagnosed with Ebola, the virus for the first time ranks among the top 10 issues Americans consider to be the most important ones facing the country.

White House Deletes Obama's ‘Unpaid Bills’ Admission from Transcript  —  Last night at a Democratic fundraiser in Chicago, President Obama mentioned that there are some “unpaid bills” on his desk in Chicago—which he left when moved to the White House after winning the presidential election in 2008.

Kansas and Georgia Change the Equation on Senate-Majority Math  —  The prospects remain very tough for Democrats to hold onto their majority in the Senate, but there is a new scenario emerging—albeit still unlikely—that is turning the majority math a bit on its head.

Why House Republicans Alienate Hispanics: They Don't Need Them  —  Political analysts keep urging the Republican Party to do more to appeal to Hispanic voters.  Yet the party's congressional leaders show little sign of doing so, blocking an immigration overhaul and harshly criticizing President Obama …

Marriage Equality Comes To Wyoming  —  Wyoming's attorney general filed notice on Tuesday morning that he will not appeal last week's decision that the state cannot bar same-sex couples from marrying.  Wyoming becomes the 32nd state, plus Washington, D.C., with marriage equality.

GOPer Doubles Down On Gays: ‘These Creatures... Are So Destructive’  —  The Republican challenger to Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) has apparently decided to make the most of the attention he received for describing gays as “gremlins”.  —  In a video posted to Facebook on Monday …

Ukraine: Widespread Use of Cluster Munitions  —  Government Responsible for Cluster Attacks on Donetsk  —  (Berlin) - Ukrainian government forces used cluster munitions in populated areas in Donetsk city in early October 2014, Human Rights Watch said today.

The race in North Carolina for Senate is well on its way to being the most expensive Senate race in history, expected to top $100 million by the time it's over.  The contest between incumbent Democrat Kay Hagan and Republican challenger Thom Tillis is also turning incredibly ugly.

Republicans Trying to Woo, or at Least Suppress, Minority Vote  —  We're trying to keep you from voting, but if you do vote, please choose us.  —  This weekend, the Supreme Court, by its customary 5-4 partisan split, issued an emergency ruling upholding Republican-authored voter-identification laws in Texas.

Smashing pumpkins in Clayton leads to three arrests for littering, assault  —  • By Steve Giegerich sgiegerich@post-dispatch.com 314-725-6758  —  UPDATED at 5:25 p.m. with details on arrests.  —  CLAYTON  • Three people were arrested Monday afternoon during a protest …