Summary

Early in-person voting for the 2024 U.S. presidential election began in Minnesota, Virginia, and South Dakota, with more states to follow by mid-October. Vice President Kamala Harris accepted an invitation for a second presidential debate, calling on former President Donald Trump to participate, though Trump has expressed reluctance. Meanwhile, Republican candidate for North Carolina governor, Mark Robinson, faced accusations of making offensive comments, which he denies. Congress passed a temporary deal to prevent a government shutdown, and President Biden emphasized efforts to prevent a broader Middle East conflict amid rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

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For those who read...

Hello everyone and happy Monday! Today is September 23rd, my name is Cinthya, and you’re listening to Current2 Politics! Today we will be rounding up the need-to-know politics news you might have missed over the weekend.

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IN POLITICAL NEWS

1. On Friday, the first in-person early voting officially began for the 2024 election, marking the beginning of what is sure to be a close race for the presidency. In Minnesota, Virginia and South Dakota, the first early voters cast their ballots. About a dozen more states will also begin early voting by mid-October.
2. Vice President Kamala Harris accepted an invitation from CNN for a second presidential debate on Saturday. Harris said on X that she hopes former President Donald Trump will “join her” for this second public debate only weeks before the November 5th election. Trump has said publicly that he thinks it is “too late” for another debate, because early voting has already begun in several states.
3. Following a slew of shocking allegations against Mark Robinson, Republican candidate for North Carolina’s governor, J.D Vance, Republican candidate for vice president, told reporters he thinks these allegations “aren’t necessarily reality.” This comes after a CNN report released late last week accused Robinson of making racist and sexually explicit comments online. Robinson has since denied the allegations and vowed to stay in the race for governor.
4. Congress has reached a temporary deal to avert a federal shutdown, extending government funding through December. This short-term measure delays major budget related decisions, setting the stage for future negotiations.
5. President Biden stated that the US is doing ‘everything we can’  to prevent a broader conflict in the Middle East, expressing concern over escalating tensions. His remarks come amid rising hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, after the recent Israeli airstrikes on Beirut.

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Sources

In-person voting begins for the US presidential contest (AP)

Harris accepts CNN debate invitation for October 23rd (CNN)

Vance says allegations against Mark Robinson “aren’t necessarily reality” (NBC)

Spending deal averts a possible federal shutdown and funds the government into December (AP)

Biden says US is doing ‘everything we can’ to prevent wider war in the Middle East (Hill)