JD Vance talks 2028 and how a Cornell student responded to a rape accusation: Morning Rundown

JD Vance discusses his approach to the midterm elections as he eyes a 2028 presidential bid. Archives detail a Cornell fraternity brother’s account of the night a woman claims she was raped. And what long-term unemployment says about the economy.

Here’s what you need to know today.

Vance talks 2028, Ted Cruz and a tough midterm climate

Vice President JD Vance acknowledged Republicans face an “uphill climb” in the midterms – telling NBC News the results could influence his 2028 presidential bid.

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“Regardless of what happens over the next 35 days, there will be new information, new things that you will have to make a decision on,” he said.

He said he is cautiously optimistic that the Republican Party’s numbers will improve, even if concerns about the war in Iran and gas prices take a toll. He reiterated that Republicans can’t claim things are perfect, but they can claim the next wave of Democrats would be worse.

He also addressed a potential rival, Ted Cruz.

“It’s really obvious to me that right now, Ted Cruz is running for president,” Vance said. “Right now, that’s not the case. I’m trying to help get Republicans elected.”

Here’s what Vance said about data centers during the exclusive interview.

More political news:

• Analysis: The Democrats succeeded in Regain ground on voter registration in key states after sharp declines.

• A look at Trump’s victories – and defeats – the new term of the Supreme Court begins.

Archives provide insight into how Cornell student responded to rape accusation

A Cornell fraternity brother named in the lawsuit said he did not see the woman in distress, despite her claims that she had been assaulted, according to court records.

Scott Kretzschmar, now 22, said that after seeing a Snapchat message advertising “free pussy upstairs,” he entered the room already filled with several fraternity brothers, but never saw the woman naked, did not touch her and did not use ketamine.

A photo of Jane Doe was shared among active Chi Phi members in a Snapchat group, documents revealed.

Text messages obtained by NBC News between Jane Doe and another fraternity member whom she later accused of assault also provide context on the aftermath of the incident. “My reputation is destroyed and I am completely ashamed,” she wrote.

Here’s what else was mentioned.

Learn more about Cornell:

• Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York replaced the DA who was handling the caseappointing AG Letitia James for the backlash to grow. It is not the first time Prosecutor Matthew Van Houten was placed under surveillance.

• A Cornell survey showed a increase in reports female undergraduates having nonconsensual sexual contact.

It has rarely been more difficult for people to find a new job

At 4.1%, the official unemployment rate is below its historical average of more than 5%, a sign of a seemingly stable labor market. Long-term unemployment tells a different story.

The share of workers who have been unemployed for 27 weeks or more now stands at 27%, the highest since 2015 outside of the Covid pandemic. The median spell of unemployment lasts about 11 weeks, and the average is more than six months, suggesting an increase in long spells of unemployment.

Overall, fewer people are being hired and those who have jobs are not leaving them.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is set to announce the September jobs report today. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones estimate that the United States added 84,000 jobs last month, while the unemployment rate held steady.

Find out what’s behind the trends.

Shingles cases decline in people vaccinated against chickenpox, data shows

The chickenpox vaccine appears to protect against shingles, an in-depth new analysis shows.

Anyone who was infected with chickenpox as a child is at risk of developing shingles later. But new data suggests that people aged 34 and younger may be less likely to develop shingles than previous generations because they are more likely to have been vaccinated against chickenpox.

It’s a promising development, but because shingles is generally rare in people younger than 50, the data can’t prove whether protection will last with age, one researcher said.

Read the full story here.

Staff Pick: Harmful Kratom-Like Substances Hidden in Cat’s Claw Products Across the Country

My interest in kratom began in the summer of 2025. I had just come across a TikTok video of a man warning of its addictive potential and wanted to learn more. I had never heard of kratom, a supplement that causes opioid-like effects, but I quickly came across stories from people who said the substance almost cost them their lives. Since then, kratom has continued to make headlines. Most recently, two University of Mississippi students were found dead and authorities said the supplement was found at the scene.

While many states are taking steps to ban kratom, manufacturers are trying to get around this problem. by selling it under different labels, like cat’s claw — a substance used for inflammation. This is a growing problem as poison centers are receiving an increase in calls regarding exposure to “cat’s claw.” Health officials are sounding the alarm to prevent the risk of overdose and death. People deserve to know what they are buying, and this situation is a case of false advertising. As one doctor said, these products are kratom in disguise.

— Claretta Bellamy, researcher

Read all about it

• ‘I couldn’t let them all die’: pilot attacked on board Flydubai plane speaks for the first time.

• An American passenger describes write farewell texts to your family as the Flydubai plane she was on collapsed.

• Sean “Diddy” Combs was placed in solitary confinement following an NBC News report on his VIP lifestyle in prison, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.

• An alleged Hamas media representative was accused of funneling approximately $1.7 million to the terrorist organization from donors who thought they were providing aid to Gaza.

• Mike Tomlin is a Super Bowl winning coach. He now reveals a masterpiece he spent over a decade building: in “Minecraft”.

NBC Selected: online shopping made easy

Gen Z doesn’t carry wallets — so we spoke to our editors to find out what they wear instead. In addition, new Prime Day deals in early October just dropped, and we’ve hand-picked the ones that are definitely worth buying, including up to 50% Off Top-Rated Vacuums.

Subscribe to La Sélection newsletter for practical product reviews, expert buying advice, and insight into the best deals and sales every week.

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