Evening Brief: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026

Featured: Election

Nation · Election Johnson Won't Seek GOP Leader Post as Jeffries Launches Bid to Become Speaker
Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan are running to lead House Republicans in the minority. Jeffries asked Democrats to back him for speaker, and AP still has 51 House races to call.

Election · Special report Election 2026 Results: Florida and National (AP projected, updated 6:13 PM ET)
Live map, ticker, every Florida race and the House and Senate balance of power, using AP's projected counts and calls, with the state's own unofficial count shown separately. Results aren't final; Florida certifies Nov. 16.

Local (Pinellas) · Election Charlie Crist Beats Ken Welch to Become St. Petersburg's Next Mayor
The former governor won about 62% to 38%. He inherits decisions on the Tropicana Field site, housing and a proposed property tax cut.

Image: FL Division of Emergency Management (@FLSERT) on XState · Weather DeSantis Expands Flood Emergency to 14 Counties as the St. Johns River Rises; Palm Bay Names 2 Who Died
Lake, Seminole, Volusia, Palm Beach, Okeechobee, Glades and Hendry are added. The St. Johns near Cocoa is forecast to reach major flood stage.
State · Crime & War NTSB Finds Part of the Learjet's Tail Miles From the Greenacres Crash Site as Crews Reach the Crater
Most of the left elevator turned up 1.3 to 3.8 miles away. About 600 neighbors still can't go home.
State · Tourism Coast Guard Detains MSC Poesia at PortMiami, and an 11-Night Caribbean Cruise Is Canceled
The Coast Guard cites deficiencies with systems on board. MSC is refunding fares and adding a future cruise credit.

Image: College Football PlayoffSports Miami Is No. 1 in the College Football Playoff Rankings for the First Time Ever; Florida Checks In at No. 24
The 8-0 Hurricanes top the committee's first rankings and play at No. 11 Notre Dame on Saturday.

State · Election Five Florida U.S. House Races Still Too Close to Call; Democrats Win Seats in Tampa, Broward and Palm Beach
Update: As of 6:12 p.m., AP still hadn't called Districts 7, 9, 13, 26 or 27. Updated 6:50 PM.

Nation · Election Democrats Win Control of Both the U.S. House and Senate, AP Projects
Update: AP's 6:13 p.m. tally has Democrats at 237 House seats to Republicans' 147, with 51 races still to be called. Updated 6:50 PM.

State · Election · Money DeSantis Says a Special Session Will Put Amendment 3's Property Tax Cut in Place by Jan. 1
Recap: The governor says lawmakers will pick the dates for the session.
State · Election Florida Election Results: Donalds Wins Governor, Moody Keeps Senate Seat, Republicans Sweep the Cabinet
Recap: AP projects Byron Donalds as governor and Ashley Moody keeping her Senate seat.

Crime & War · Election Oklahoma Man Charged in Hundreds of White-Powder Letters Sent to Election Officials, Congress and the FBI
Recap: Prosecutors say more than 700 mailings tied to the same sender went out; tests so far found flour or yeast.

Money · Election Dow Jumps 1,500 Points and Oil Drops 8% After Democrats Win Congress
Recap: Investors cheered divided government and pressure to end the Iran war.

We'll keep watching the last House calls, the St. Johns River and the race to lead both parties in the House. Next up: Thursday's Morning Brief.