What to watch Monday, Oct. 26: midterms, World Series, MNF

Where does the midterm race stand with eight days to go?

Voting is well underway. NBC News' early-vote tracker, checked at 5:40 a.m. ET Monday, counted 28,942,282 ballots cast nationally, about 14.7 million by mail and about 14.2 million in person, with roughly 57.8 million mail ballots requested or sent. For state-by-state detail, see our early voting explainer.

Monday is also a registration deadline in two states. Colorado's secretary of state says residents can register at GoVoteColorado.gov through Oct. 26 to be mailed a ballot; after that, they can still register and vote in person at a voting center until 7 p.m. local time on Election Day. In Washington, online and mailed registrations must be received by Monday, and eligible voters can register in person at a county elections office or voting center until 8 p.m. local time on Election Day, the secretary of state's office said.

What is Trump doing today?

The president's day is mostly behind closed doors. The White House guidance released Sunday night lists closed-press policy meetings in the late morning and early afternoon and a 1:30 p.m. ET meeting with the U.S. ambassador to France and Monaco. Trump then flies to Corinth, Mississippi, where he is scheduled to speak at Crossroads Arena at 6 p.m. Central (7 p.m. ET).

The rally backs Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, who faces Democrat Scott Colom, a 43-year-old district attorney. WTVA reported that as many as 7,500 people could attend at the arena and the surrounding area, and that it is the first presidential visit to Alcorn County since Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration. CNN noted that Trump won Mississippi by 23 points two years ago and that Democrats have still sent Kamala Harris, Barack Obama's endorsement and outside money into the race; the outlet called the trip "the latest sign that the contest is growing more competitive." Hyde-Smith's campaign told CNN that voters "know her record" on infrastructure, judges, taxes and the border.

Iran is also hanging over the week. Anadolu Agency reported that Trump told Fox News on Sunday, "Do I make a deal with them, or do I finish them off? That's the only question," and later told reporters, "There will not be a strike," when asked about military action that day.

Is Congress or the Supreme Court doing anything?

Not much on the floor. The Senate's schedule shows only a brief pro forma session at 5:30 p.m. Monday; most lawmakers are away campaigning before Election Day. The Supreme Court has no arguments this week, according to its calendar, and its next sitting opens Nov. 2. SCOTUSblog reported that the justices on Thursday let New Hampshire enforce its ban on using student IDs to vote, with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissenting. Responses to the administration's emergency request over border-wall construction in Texas' Big Bend area are due Thursday, Oct. 29, at 4 p.m. ET, per SCOTUSblog.

Can the Rays get back into the World Series?

Game 3 starts at 8 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field on FOX, FOX Deportes and FOX One, according to MLB.com. Milwaukee leads 2-0 after rallying to win Game 2, 5-4 (our recap).

Tampa Bay starts Freddy Peralta, the ALCS MVP and a longtime Brewers ace, against his old club. MLB.com noted he is 7-0 with a 0.89 ERA in his last 10 games since Aug. 26. Our Game 3 preview has more on the matchup. Milwaukee counters with left-hander Robert Gasser, who is 2-0 with a 1.51 ERA in eight appearances since Aug. 26, MLB.com noted; he started the clinching Game 4 of the NLDS and Game 3 of the NLCS.

Who wins the Cowboys-Eagles matchup?

Two 2-4 division rivals meet at 8:15 p.m. ET in Philadelphia. The Eagles' official schedule lists the game on ESPN, ABC and NFL Network. Philadelphia is without quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is on injured reserve; Tanner McKee makes his second straight start, DallasCowboys.com reported. A statement from the Eagles and Hurts' agent on Oct. 19 said he had been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and blood clots in both lungs, that he cannot take part in contact activities, including football, while on blood thinners, and that he is expected to make a full recovery. The winner moves to 3-4.

When is the Ballon d'Or?

The 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony begins at 8 p.m. in London, which is 4 p.m. ET. Britain left summer time on Sunday, while U.S. clocks don't change until Nov. 1, so the gap is temporarily four hours. The organizer's website lists 3 p.m. for New York, which appears to assume standard time; we use 4 p.m. ET. Our Ballon d'Or preview has the nominees and how to watch.

What's coming Tuesday?

The Federal Reserve's policymakers meet Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 27–28, according to the Fed's calendar, with the rate decision due Wednesday.

Israelis also vote Tuesday in the country's first national election since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. Polls open at 7 a.m. local time (1 a.m. ET), Ynet reported. The BBC said Friday's polls showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition and the opposition nearly tied, with about half a million first-time voters. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot told Ynet, "Netanyahu wants a tie, but Israel needs a knockout."

What else happened overnight?

In Venezuela, opposition leader María Corina Machado is back in the country (our story). In Serbia, President Aleksandar Vučić conceded his party's defeat to a student-backed list.

What we know

- Early and mail voting passed 28.9 million ballots nationally as of 5:40 a.m. ET Monday, per NBC News. - Trump speaks in Corinth at 7 p.m. ET; World Series Game 3 is at 8 p.m. ET; MNF kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET. - The Fed meets Tuesday and Wednesday; Israel votes Tuesday.

What we don't know yet

- Whether Monday's early-vote totals shift the partisan picture in key Senate states. - Which way Trump goes on Iran, after saying he is weighing both a deal and military action.

What happens next

- Game 4 is Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET in St. Petersburg. - Israeli exit polls are expected after polls close Tuesday. - The Fed announces its decision Wednesday; Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

*NewsCubby articles are produced with the help of artificial intelligence and reviewed by people.*