FBI director: Multiple people have been arrested in Mich. in a Halloween weekend attack plot

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Multiple people who had been allegedly plotting a violent attack over the Halloween weekend were arrested Friday in Michigan, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a social media post. The law enforcement effort was focused on suburban Detroit. Patel said more information would be released later. Investigators believe the plot was inspired by Islamic State extremism and are investigating whether those in custody were potentially radicalized online, according to two people briefed on the investigation who could not publicly discuss details. They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Republican leaders reject Trump’s demands to scrap the Senate filibuster to end the shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — Back from a week abroad, President Donald Trump threw himself into the shutdown debate, calling on the Senate to scrap the filibuster and reopen the government, an idea swiftly rejected Friday by Republican leaders who have long opposed such a move. Trump pushed his Republican Party to get rid of the Senate rule that requires 60 votes to overcome objections and gives the minority Democrats a check on GOP power. In the chamber that’s currently split, 53-47, Democrats have had enough votes to keep the government closed while they demand an extension of health care subsidies. Neither party has seriously wanted to nuke the rule. “THE CHOICE IS CLEAR — INITIATE THE ‘NUCLEAR OPTION,’ GET RID OF THE FILIBUSTER,” Trump said in a late night social media post Thursday. Trump’s sudden decision to assert himself into the shutdown now in its 31st day — bringing the highly charged demand to end the filibuster — is certain to set the Senate on edge.

Ohio panel and Virginia lawmakers move forward with congressional redistricting plans

A Republican-led panel in Ohio has adopted new U.S. House districts, potentially boosting the GOP’s chances of gaining two seats in next year’s elections. The new map approved Friday comes as President Trump pushes for Republican states to reshape districts for electoral advantage. Ohio’s redistricting was mandated by the state constitution because the current districts were enacted without bipartisan support. Meanwhile, Virginia’s Democratic-led General Assembly on Friday advanced a constitutional amendment to allow redistricting ahead of the midterm elections. Democrats need to gain three seats to control the House and counter Trump’s agenda.

Alabama man charged with threatening rabbis, imam and others in multiple Southern states

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Federals prosecutors have charged an Alabama man with making threatening calls and texts to multiple rabbis, an imam and others in the South, including telling one that “I want you to die.”Jeremy Wayne Shoemaker of Needham, Alabama, was charged with making an Interstate Communications Threat. He was arrested earlier on related state charges of resisting arrest and possession of a pistol by a person forbidden to legally have a handgun. An FBI agent wrote in court documents that the man made a series of menacing calls and texts to rabbis in Alabama and Louisiana, an imam in Georgia, a church in North Carolina and others. Weapons were later found in the man’s home.