Metropolitan area

New York voters head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in a midterm election that could shift control of Congress, alongside a closely watched governor's race between incumbent Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive. Weather is expected to be dry and mild across downstate New York, with highs in the upper 60s to mid-70s in the New York City area and no significant rain forecast. Central and western New York will see cloudier skies with isolated morning showers, while the Adirondacks could see periods of rain. Generally favorable conditions are expected statewide for turnout.

Box Elder County Sheriff Kevin Potter is on voluntary administrative leave after Ogden police confirmed he was driving a vehicle involved in a Tuesday crash that critically injured a 22-year-old motorcyclist near the mouth of Ogden Canyon. The Ogden Police Department and Weber Metro CRASH team are investigating; Potter remained at the scene and cooperated. Separately, a censure letter from Box Elder County commissioners last May revealed Potter had been disciplined over a January incident involving a confrontation with a private citizen and policy violations tied to storing and transporting alcohol in his county vehicle, though investigators found insufficient evidence of criminal conduct or DUI. Potter lost his Republican primary reelection bid earlier this year, though the sheriff's seat remains on this cycle's ballot.

The St. Paul school district and its teachers' union have proposed early retirements and leaving vacancies unfilled instead of cutting up to 18 English learner teacher positions to close a budget gap. The school board, which postponed a vote on the original cuts after backlash and a lengthy meeting, is set to consider the revised plan Friday. The new proposal would leave more than 10 vacant positions open and offer early retirement to seven to 12 English learner teachers, saving an estimated $2.3 million, with total budget adjustments topping $5.3 million.

The district says it is losing more than 500 English learner students this year, partly tied to a federal immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities, worsening an already $51.5 million deficit.

Minnesota's midterm ballot features competitive races for three constitutional offices. Incumbent Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) faces attorney Ron Schutz (R) in a contest seen as a potential GOP breakthrough, as Republicans haven't won that office in 60 years. Secretary of State Steve Simon (D) faces former state Rep. Tad Jude (R), plus Green and Libertarian candidates, over election oversight and voter ID. For state auditor, Zack Filipovich (D) faces Scott Jensen (R) and a Forward Independence candidate to replace retiring incumbent Julie Blaha, who won in 2022 by the narrowest margin of any statewide race that year.

All three offices also serve as checks on the governor and oversee state retirement investments, raising their stakes beyond their core duties.

Nashville officials are weighing an expansion of downtown public safety services as a 29-member community task force prepares recommendations expected this fall. Mayor Freddie O'Connell noted the Metro Police Department's Central Precinct is small relative to its call volume, and the city may add police, fire or emergency management resources. Metro Council member Jordan Huffman pointed out Nashville hasn't opened a new fire station in over 20 years despite major growth downtown. More than 300 officers have joined the force since O'Connell took office, and the mayor's office cites declines in citywide crime, violent crime and robberies. Some projects await state coordination on Tourism Development Zone rules.

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson has proposed a 2027 budget that includes a major jail overhaul funded by a property tax increase. The roughly $660 million plan would expand the Metro Jail by more than 800 beds, allow closure of the Oxbow Jail, and add a new intake and screening hub, for a net gain of 252 beds. A lease revenue bond of about $575 million would be repaid over 25 years, raising property taxes by about 13.53%, or roughly $70 a year for the average homeowner. The budget also creates a diversion program for nonviolent offenders with mental health needs, directing them to supervised treatment instead of jail. A public hearing is set for December 8, followed by a county council vote.

An investigation commissioned by New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill found that Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell engaged in conduct constituting sexual harassment and violated state ethics rules. The 61-page report, released Thursday, concluded Caldwell told a female staffer that "you young women are looking for young sperm" after she said a younger friend was not interested in him — a remark investigators deemed harassment and found his denial not credible. The staffer said she later tried to distance herself from him at work. The report also substantiated ethics violations: Caldwell twice sought a promotion for his girlfriend without disclosing the relationship, continuing even after being notified of the investigation, and brought nonpaying guests to seven official events despite repeated warnings and training.

The inquiry began in May after an anonymous complaint to the state's ethics officer. Attorney Christopher Porrino and former prosecutor Shontae Gray led the investigation, interviewing at least 17 people. Caldwell has denied wrongdoing, calling the allegations false and politically motivated. Sherrill gave him until Friday to resign, calling the findings "extremely troubling" and citing a pattern of behavior. Caldwell oversees the Department of State and elections, including the upcoming November midterms.