The battle for Congress

WFAE’s Steve Harrison explains how North Carolina is readying itself for Election Day after Hurricane Helene. And CNN’s Sara Murray says other states have their own issues, too. This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Victoria Chamberlin, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Competing political signs outside a polling location in Asheville, NC, which was hard hit by Hurricane Helene. Photo by Patrick Boyd. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new documentary and a Ryan Murphy drama have Lyle and Erik Menendez back in the news. Vox's Aja Romano explains how new evidence and new attitudes about abuse survivors might help free the brothers. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members A1992 photo of Erik and Lyle Menendez during a court appearance in Los Angeles. Photo by MIKE NELSON/AFP via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump talked over the weekend about deploying the military against an "enemy from within." The Washington Post's Isaac Arnsdorf explains how Trump's comments fit into a broader pattern of alarming campaign promises, and New York Times reporter Shawn McCreesh explains whether Republican voters even take this sort of talk seriously. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin with help from Eliza Dennis, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Rob Byers, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Former President Donald Trump dances during a recent town hall. Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vox's Andrew Prokop and Zack Beauchamp explain the right-wing thinkers whose ideas could dominate Trump's next term. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Stephen Miller, senior advisor to Donald Trump, speaks at a rally in Colorado. Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wisconsin wasn’t always a battleground state, but following Trump’s victory there in 2016, Democrats are trying to regain their footing among rural voters. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Rob Byers and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members A supporter at the Gov. Tim Walz "Driving Forward" Blue Wall Bus Tour in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices