Alaska Governor Orders Probe Into Senate Race Tactic

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation into the state's U.S. Senate race on Thursday. The order follows a report by The New York Times alleging that Democratic campaign staff attempted to recruit a third-party candidate. Republicans argue the tactic could split the vote and hurt incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan.

The candidate in question shares the same name as the Republican senator. The Democratic Party is currently trying to unseat Sullivan. Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman, is the primary Democratic candidate in the race. She aims to flip the seat from Republican to Democratic control.

Election law experts told Alaska Public Media that no specific state law prohibits the recruitment of a candidate with a shared name. However, those experts noted that the conduct described in the report crosses moral and ethical lines. The investigation will determine if any rules were broken during the recruitment process.

The race is considered a toss-up heading into Tuesday's Election Day. Candidates are making final stops and delivering closing arguments. President Trump has been campaigning for at-risk Republicans but has recently shifted his strategy. He is now hosting 19 virtual rallies alongside in-person events to boost turnout.

NPR's Saige Miller reported that this shift in strategy, combined with polling data, suggests Republicans may face challenges in the House. Trump is viewed as a key motivator for his party. However, some analysts believe his virtual rallies could also energize Democratic voters in competitive districts.

In a separate development, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia. Sylvia oversaw planning at the Pentagon and served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His removal comes as the U.S. and Israel prepare for a potential new round of attacks against Iran. Sylvia was not directly involved in day-to-day operations for the conflict.

The Pentagon is currently investigating a leak but has not provided details. Hegseth has dismissed several other military leaders in recent months, often without explanation. NPR's Greg Myre said these firings have disrupted senior military operations. The U.S. currently has two aircraft carriers in the Arabian Sea. A third, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, is en route. Stationing three carriers in the Middle East was last seen during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Thousands of veterans with VA-backed mortgages have faced higher payments since last year. The Trump administration shut down the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase program. This program helped veterans who fell behind on payments by rolling missed payments into new, low-interest mortgages. An NPR investigation found that more than 15,000 veterans experienced monthly payment increases of at least $150. More than 700 veterans saw their payments rise by $1,000 or more.