IN KENTUCKY, CHANGE VERSUS EXPERIENCE: In the sole debate Monday night of their tightly-fought Senate race, Alison Lundergan Grimes and Mitch McConnell both gave sharp, effective presentations of familiar campaign themes. Viewers may not have heard much new information, but the visual contrast will inform their votes next month just the same. Read more
CALIFORNIA DROUGHT’S NEXT VICTIM: As the Golden State continues to get hammered by drought, a new crop faces problems: great pumpkins. California is the second biggest producer of pumpkins in the U.S. and farmers say if they don’t get rain this winter, the great pumpkin patches there will be a thing of the past. Read more
GENDER BLEND AT CORPORATIONS: In light of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s recent incendiary remarks about why women shouldn’t ask for raises, a new study from MIT finds workplaces with more equal numbers of men and women are more productive and actually make more money. But is this easier said than done — especially in male-dominant industries like tech? If so, what can be done to achieve more gender diversity? Read more
S&P 500, NASDAQ COMPOSITE HALT THREE-DAY DRUBBING: Read more
MS NOW staff