WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s employers added just 12,000 jobs in October, a total that economists say was held down by the effects of strikes and hurricanes that left many workers temporarily off payrolls. The report provided a somewhat blurry view of the job market at the end of a presidential race that has pivoted heavily on voters’ feelings about the economy.

Democrat Kamala Harris says recent comments by her opponent, Republican Donald Trump, are “offensive” and that it’s clear he doesn’t understand women. Trump is traveling to New Mexico and Virginia in the campaign’s final days.

White House press officials altered the official transcript of a call in which President Joe Biden appeared to take a swipe at supporters of Donald Trump, drawing objections from the federal workers who document such remarks for posterity, according to two U.S. government officials and an internal email obtained Thursday by The Associated Press.

MOSCOW (AP) — A court in Russia’s far-eastern city of Vladivostok has convicted a former U.S. Consulate worker charged with cooperating with a foreign state and sentenced him to four years and 10 months in prison. Robert Shonov, a Russian citizen and former employee of the U.S. Consulate in Vladivostok, was arrested in May 2023.

In other news:

• Trump won't vote early, though he said he would.
• 'Obamacare' enrollment opens, as Republicans threaten the health insurance program used by millions.
• Republicans ask Pennsylvania court to put on hold decision on mail ballot envelope rules.
• Arizona enlists county employees to help tackle a surge of 2-page early ballots.
• Texas hospitals must now ask patients whether they're in the US legally. Here's how it works.
• Inflation gauge closely watched by the Fed falls to lowest level in 3 1/2 years.
• Boeing workers will vote on a new contract offer to end 7-week-old strike.
• ‘Dances with Wolves’ actor is again indicted on sexual abuse charges in Nevada.
• Rapper Young Thug will be released from jail after he pleaded guilty to gang, drug and gun charges.
• 'Saturday Night Live' taps comedian-actor Bill Burr and Charli XCX as hosts for after the election.
• Aaron Rodgers leads the Jets to their first win since Week 3, the NFL’s reigning MVP misses another day of practice, baseball’s first trade of the offseason comes one day after a highly-viewed World Series, the Bucks struggles continue while Alex Ovechkin inches closer to Wayne Gretzky and more.
• Americans helping Ukraine's war efforts say the US hasn't done enough.
• Britain has banned protests outside abortion clinics, but silent prayer is a gray area.
• About 8,000 North Korean troops now at Ukraine's border are expected in combat soon, US says.

—The Associated Press

About this program

Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate.

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