America woke up three weeks before the midterms in full campaign mode, with early voting opening in Arizona, Washington, and other states, governors debating in New York and Arkansas, and tight polls in Texas, Minnesota and Vermont. Extreme weather dominated the map from a Category 2 hurricane emergency in Alabama and Florida to record October heat in Illinois and Ohio and PSPS wind warnings in California, while economic and legal stories drove state capitals, including a $412.5M manufacturing expansion in Virginia, $65M for transit in Michigan, rural grants in Iowa, and high-profile lawsuits against Temu in Missouri and age-verification in Utah.
State-by-State Top News – October 13, 2026:
- Alabama: Gov. Kay Ivey declared state of emergency in 40 counties as Hurricane Isaias made landfall as Category 2 near Destin.
- Alaska: Former President Trump headlined Wasilla rally at Menard Sports Center for Sen. Dan Sullivan; feds announced second Cook Inlet oil lease sale for March.
- Arizona: Early voting began statewide today with mail ballots and in-person voting for high-stakes midterms.
- Arkansas: Gubernatorial debate held today between Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Fredrick Love and Colt Shelby ahead of Nov. 3.
- California: PG&E warned 70,000 customers in 29 counties of PSPS power shutoffs Oct 14-17 due to offshore wind wildfire risk.
- Colorado: Coach Deion Sanders confirmed Utah transfer Isaac Wilson to start at QB vs Utah; Denver saw protests over federal policy.
- Connecticut: State officials opened early voting sites and announced heating assistance enrollment as cold front approaches.
- Delaware: Gov. Matt Meyer highlighted offshore wind jobs forum in Lewes and early voting preparations.
- Florida: Hurricane Isaias landfall prompted evacuations in Panhandle counties and school closures along Gulf Coast.
- Georgia: Six Flags Over Georgia fatal fall led to nationwide coaster safety reviews; early voting turnout surge reported.
- Hawaii: UH survey found 46% of residents considered leaving state last year; Maui man sentenced to 60 years for child sexual assault.
- Idaho: 2026 Idaho Liberty Bell Tour stopped in Star today, touring all 44 counties; Supreme Court announced Idaho Falls visit.
- Illinois: Central Illinois broke 86-degree record for Oct 13 in Champaign-Urbana; Six Flags Great America closed Raging Bull.
- Indiana: New Albany business evacuated after nitrogen dioxide leak, 7 hospitalized and 30 evacuated per Floyd County EMA.
- Iowa: Gov. Kim Reynolds announced $385,000 in Empower Rural Iowa grants to 15 rural communities for housing and childcare.
- Kansas: Trump campaign announced Wichita rally for Oct 19 for Sen. Roger Marshall; NWS Topeka issued flood watch for eastern Kansas.
- Kentucky: UK basketball hired Alfred Aboya as assistant; Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle resignation linked to NKY donor controversy.
- Louisiana: Coastal erosion projects and hurricane preparedness briefings held in Baton Rouge as Gulf storm moves east.
- Maine: Secretary of State reported record absentee requests and waterfront infrastructure funding debate in Portland.
- Maryland: Baltimore schools and transit agencies prepared for early voting and budget hearings on Blueprint education plan.
- Massachusetts: Gov. Maura Healey announced Car-Free Seniors Pilot offering free MBTA service for residents 75+ surrendering licenses.
- Michigan: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced $65M for transformational public transit projects and ordered flags lowered for former Sen. John Pappageorge.
- Minnesota: Star Tribune/KARE poll showed Amy Klobuchar leading Lisa Demuth 50% to 41% in governor race; Wild beat Knights 4-2.
- Mississippi: Dept. of Corrections expected to skip Oct 15 legislative hearing on prison healthcare after Oct 13 letter from lawmakers.
- Missouri: AG Catherine Hanaway filed suit against Temu Oct 13 alleging malicious data collection and deceptive practices.
- Montana: Montana Public Radio highlighted ballot measure challenging Citizens United on corporate campaign spending.
- Nebraska: Gov. Jim Pillen announced workforce and higher-ed partnerships to address skilled labor shortage.
- Nevada: Clark County opened early voting centers and gaming regulators reviewed sports betting integrity measures.
- New Hampshire: First-in-nation primary state saw heated 2nd District debates and leaf-peeper tourism surge.
- New Jersey: State Board of Public Utilities discussed grid resilience and NJ Transit prepared for midterm ridership.
- New Mexico: DHS waived some state water laws for border-wall well drilling in Hidalgo County, sparking groundwater concerns.
- New York: Gov. Kathy Hochul and Bruce Blakeman faced off at 7 p.m. on NY1 in lone gubernatorial debate.
- North Carolina: Gov. Josh Stein held Fayetteville roundtable warning H.R. 1 Medicaid cuts threaten 250,000+ residents.
- North Dakota: Boil order lifted for Noonan; one dead in Grand Forks apartment fire; legislature reviewed infrastructure cyber threats.
- Ohio: Columbus hit 87 degrees breaking 1969 record; Trump Ohio ad blitz faced roadblocks as he campaigns twice this week.
- Oklahoma: Interim study held on kratom limits after death reports; OKC Council approved $4M for landmark pedestrian bridge.
- Oregon: State wildfire crews monitored east wind event and Portland announced ballot drop box expansions.
- Pennsylvania: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh counties reported heavy early mail ballot returns and SEPTA funding debate.
- Rhode Island: Coastal resiliency funding and Providence mayoral early voting push dominated today.
- South Carolina: Charleston port expansion and early voting kickoff for competitive House races led news.
- South Dakota: Agriculture department warned of drought conditions impacting harvest and ballot measure ads intensified.
- Tennessee: Press Association announced Oct 27 gubernatorial forum at MTSU; Marsha Blackburn declined to confirm; early voting starts Oct 14.
- Texas: ReconMR/Siena poll showed Democrat James Talarico leading AG Ken Paxton 48% to 44% in U.S. Senate race.
- Utah: Federal judge paused Pornhub parent Aylo lawsuit over VPN age-verification law until 2027 legislative session.
- Vermont: Cook Political shifted governor race from solid to likely Republican as Gov. Phil Scott trails Democrat Amanda Janoo.
- Virginia: Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced M.C. Dean $412.5M expansion creating 1,950 jobs in Caroline County; AAA rating affirmed.
- Washington: Voters began receiving midterm ballots with legislative, congressional, five Supreme Court and three initiative races.
- West Virginia: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced $1.7M federal funding for two return-to-work programs for recovery employment.
- Wisconsin: Milwaukee and Madison clerks reported surge in absentee returns and dairy industry labor debate continued.
- Wyoming: Secretary of State certified ballot and energy officials discussed federal mineral lease revenue outlook.
