Pentagon removes key Army general

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia from his role at the Pentagon on Wednesday. Sylvia had overseen planning and strategy for the department and served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The dismissal comes while the United States and Israel prepare for a possible new round of attacks against Iran. Sylvia was not directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the conflict. His removal is the latest in a series of firings of senior military officers by the administration.

NPR correspondent Greg Myre reported that these frequent dismissals have disrupted senior military operations. The Pentagon is currently investigating a leak but has not released specific details about what information was shared.

U.S. military presence in the region is expanding in anticipation of further conflict. Two aircraft carriers are currently stationed in the Arabian Sea. A third carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, is en route.

Myre noted that it is unusual for the United States to position multiple carriers in one area. The last time the U.S. stationed three carriers in the Middle East was during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Election Day is set for Tuesday. Candidates are making final stops and delivering closing arguments as the race enters its final stretch. President Trump has been campaigning to boost turnout for at-risk Republicans.

Trump has shifted his strategy to include 19 virtual rallies alongside in-person events. This approach aims to energize his base but may also motivate Democratic voters. Polling data suggests Republicans could face challenges in the House race.

In Alaska, the state governor ordered an investigation into the state's competitive U.S. Senate race. The probe follows a New York Times report that Democratic operatives were recruiting a candidate named Dan Sullivan. Republicans argue this candidate could confuse voters and pull support from incumbent Dan Sullivan.

Democratic candidate Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman, is running to flip the seat. Election law experts told Alaska Public Media that no specific laws were broken. However, they noted the conduct described crosses moral and ethical lines.

The Department of Justice subpoenaed election workers in Los Angeles. This action occurs amid rising tensions with California officials over the Trump administration's efforts to identify noncitizens on voter rolls. Democrats also appear more likely to gain Senate seats this cycle due to the ongoing war in Iran.