National News at a Glance

Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting: At Least 11 Dead and Gunman Identified

Armed with an assault rifle and at least three handguns, a man shouting anti-Semitic slurs opened fire in a Pittsburgh synagogue Saturday morning, killing at least 11 people and wounding six others, city officials said. The suspect, identified by law enforcement officials as Robert D. Bowers, 46, surrendered to police after barricading himself inside a third-floor office of the synagogue, the Tree of Life Congregation in eastern Pittsburgh. Four police officers were among the wounded, authorities said. Anti-Semitism appeared to run deep for Bowers. A social media account believed to belong to him was filled with anti-Jewish slurs and references to anti-Jewish conspiracy theories.

Gun Laws Had ‘Little to Do’ With Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting, Trump Says

President Donald Trump said Saturday that a mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue that left at least 11 people dead could have been prevented with the help of an armed guard, and later called for “the vile hate-filled poison of anti-Semitism” to be confronted. “This wicked act of mass murder is pure evil,” Trump said during the first of two stops in the Midwest on Saturday, adding that Americans should stand up to “any form of religious hatred or prejudice.” It was somewhat of an about-face for a president who hours earlier told reporters that the nation’s gun laws had “little to do” with the shooting.

A ‘No’ Vote on Kavanaugh Yields a Windfall for Heitkamp’s Campaign Coffers

After Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota announced that she would not vote to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, sympathetic voters went to work to show their support for the embattled red-state Democrat, writing letters of thanks and posting their appreciation on social media. Others found a more practical way to demonstrate their gratitude: cash. In 17 days, Heitkamp raised an astonishing $12.5 million, according to campaign finance filings. The senator is struggling in her fight for re-election against a Republican challenger, Rep. Kevin Cramer, who has opened a clear lead in recent polls.

Shopping for Insurance? Don’t Expect Much Help Navigating Plans

When the annual open enrollment period begins in a few days, consumers will have more choices under the Affordable Care Act, but fewer sources of unbiased advice and assistance to guide them. The Trump administration has opened the door to marketing of short-term insurance plans, which are not required to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Insurers are entering or returning to the Affordable Care Act marketplace, expanding service areas and offering new products. But the budget for the insurance counselors known as navigators has been cut more than 80 percent, and in nearly one-third of the 2,400 counties served by HealthCare.gov, no navigators have been funded.

Red-Hot Economy? Women Aren’t Convinced

A remarkable gender gap has opened up in Americans’ views of their own finances and the broader national economy. Nearly half of men — 47 percent — said their family’s finances had improved in the past year, according to a survey conducted for The New York Times in early October by SurveyMonkey. Just 30 percent of women said the same, despite an unemployment rate that is near a five-decade low and high economic growth. Asked how they expected the U.S. economy to fare over the next five years, nearly two-thirds of men said they anticipated “continuous good times economically.” Women were more likely to expect “periods of widespread unemployment or depression.”