less than two weeks before the midterms, the national story is election administration itself, with the Department of Justice sending monitors to counties in Indiana and Michigan and fighting in court over 20,000 ballots in Los Angeles County, while early voting surges, including a 74% jump in Texas compared to 2022, state-worker labor action in California, industrial and weather hazards in Ohio and Arizona, and high-profile court decisions on executions and campaign tactics dominate state headlines.
Top News by State – October 22, 2026:
- Alabama: college basketball preseason coverage identified in today’s available sources.
- Arizona: Severe storms reported as part of national roundup today, with midterm elections heating up and early voting surging nationally.
- Arkansas: Morning headlines include newly approved nutrition grants to help schools serve healthy meals.
- California: Thousands of state employees staged a one-day statewide strike over pay, healthcare and remote work, marking the first such walkout for California’s largest public employees union in its 44-year history; separately, DOJ list of more than 20,000 people believed to be noncitizens who received ballots led to court fight in Los Angeles County.
- Colorado: Trader Joe’s announced expansion includes Colorado among 16 states getting new stores.
- Connecticut: recycling industry noted Connecticut’s record mattress collections.
- Florida: Tampa International Airport ranked top small airport by USA TODAY readers in today’s rankings; Florida is also on Trader Joe’s expansion list.
- Georgia: Former President Obama scheduled to campaign in Georgia next week as part of final midterm push.
- Illinois: Gas prices rose overnight, with Illinois seeing a rise as part of five-state jump after Exxon refinery trouble; Cook County commissioner condemned racist comments at Evanston-New Trier game.
- Indiana: Department of Justice is sending election monitors to Marion and Lake counties on Election Day; Indiana Supreme Court unanimously rejected death row inmate Jeffrey Weisheit’s request to postpone execution for brain scans.
- Iowa: President Donald Trump heads to Iowa on Thursday to shore up Republicans in a state he won by 13 points two years ago, where voter anxiety has complicated GOP prospects.
- Kentucky: Gas prices rose 6 cents as part of Midwest refinery-driven increase.
- Maryland: Trader Joe’s expansion includes Maryland.
- Michigan: U.S. Department of Justice sent notices to seven Michigan municipalities that DOJ monitors will be present at polling places on Election Day; gas prices rose approximately 17 cents a gallon, fastest in region due to Wolverine Pipeline pricing.
- Mississippi: Senate Republicans’ top PAC dropping $1 million into deep-red Mississippi race noted in today’s political coverage.
- Nebraska: Trader Joe’s expansion includes Nebraska .
- New Jersey: $1 million Powerball ticket sold in New Jersey as jackpot soars to $674 million; state lottery had not announced location as of Oct 22 .
- New Mexico: No distinct statewide breaking news identified in today’s available sources.
- New York: Long Island MacArthur Airport ranked among nation’s best small airports ; New York also on Trader Joe’s expansion list.
- Ohio: Dozens treated for symptoms after Toledo tank began leaking toxic chemical, with some residents allowed to return Oct 22 as conditions improved ; former President Obama to campaign in Ohio this week .
- Oregon: Trader Joe’s expansion includes Oregon .
- Pennsylvania: Two $2 million Powerball tickets sold in Ohio and Pennsylvania, with Pennsylvania ticket at Dandy Mini Mart in Wyalusing Borough; state health department warned of rare congenital measles cases.
- Texas: Early voting in Texas is up 74% compared with same point in 2022 midterms; Texas Commission on Environmental Quality report claims review of data center development continued despite governor directive.
- Utah: Trader Joe’s expansion includes Utah, with West Jordan location set to open Oct 22 period.
- Washington: Trader Joe’s expansion includes Washington.
