Good morning. In today’s edition:

• 🗳️ You voted in the 2024 election. What happens next?
• 📝 Inside NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ indictment
• 🤔 How to live a life with less regrets

… and more.

🚀⏰ Ready, Set, Go: Today’s news should be a ~4.96-minute read (1,322 words).

P.S. Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe here for free.

“[There] can be no greater gift than that of giving one's time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.”

–Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)

The 2024 election officially kicked off earlier this month, with a handful of states now offering early in-person voting and accepting mail-in ballots.

But the real work begins after polls close, when election officials in all 50 states start canvassing, aka counting up the votes.

A deeper dive: Most Americans vote in person on Election Day, though 47 out of 50 states allow for early in-person voting or absentee voting through mail-in ballots.

Canvassing begins at the local level on election night, with some jurisdictions using electronic devices to tally votes, and others opting for paper ballots.

• Once canvassing is complete, officials are tasked with carrying out a recount of ballots if necessary, with rules varying by state. Some recounts are automatically triggered in the event of a close result (often 0.5%), while other states allow candidates the option to request a recount.
• Finally, a state election board certifies each local result after all canvassing and recounts have concluded. Many states have experienced delays in this area in recent elections, due to a surge of absentee and mail-in ballots.

Check, then verify

Different safeguards are in place across all 50 states to ensure the accuracy of vote counts, including signature matching, frequent audits, and the existence of paper ballots for hand recounts (if necessary).

States also work to ensure election security through voter roll clean-ups, a routine process through which officials remove voters for various reasons like criminal conviction, death, or change of residence (note: lawmakers involved in some of the recent voter roll overhaul efforts have expressed concern over non-citizens voting, despite cases being exceedingly rare).

Looking ahead… Voting ends on November 5. However, many states’ vote counting and certification procedures are expected to extend beyond Election Day, due to laws surrounding the counting of absentee and mail-in ballots.

📊 Flash poll: In general, how confident are you in the security and accuracy of US federal elections?

• Very confident
• Somewhat confident
• Neutral
• Somewhat unsure
• Very unsure

The officially licensed HISTORY Channel Trivia Game turns history class into laugh-out-loud fun. It’s much more relevant than older history games – AKA not just obscure trivia only your grandparents know.

• ❓ 2,410+ questions spanning the entirety of human knowledge
• 🗿 Six diverse categories – Arts & Culture, Sports & Rec, Science & Tech, Geography & Landmarks, People & Events + the all-new 80s & 90s category
• ♟️ Gripping strategy – block your opponents’ strongest categories to pave your way to victory

The game has a fast pace, easy-to-learn rules, and fun twists to keep things exciting.

Get the HISTORY Channel Trivia Game here.

🌕 European space agencies are talking about practice. This week, an official practice facility for Moon-bound astronauts was opened near Cologne, Germany. It contains ~900 tons of ground-up volcanic rock – similar to the Moon’s surface – spread over an area slightly larger than a basketball court. The Moon’s low-gravity environment is simulated via movable, ceiling-mounted trolleys that follow a suspended astronaut or rover’s movements. The facility is aimed at preparing European Space Agency astronauts for future lunar exploration, with the ESA holding rights to three spots on Moon missions under NASA’s Artemis program by 2030.

🇯🇵 The world’s longest-serving death row inmate was acquitted by a Japanese court. The 88-year-old former boxer was found not guilty yesterday following a retrial for a 1966 quadruple murder, reversing a decision that had placed him on death row for 45+ years. According to the acquitted man’s lawyer, the Japanese court found evidence was fabricated and planted by investigators at the time. The man is the fifth Japanese death row inmate since 1945 to later be found not guilty in a retrial.

🇨🇳 China’s newest nuclear-powered attack submarine sank earlier this year, per a new report. The Wall Street Journal cited multiple US officials who said Chinese authorities scrambled to cover-up the incident near Wuhan, which occurred this spring and hasn’t previously been disclosed. The news comes as China is pushing to expand its navy and narrow America’s current advantage when it comes to undersea technology.

Francis Ford Coppola, film- and- wine- maker extraordinaire, has an important weekend ahead: his self-financed film, Megalopolis, is hitting US theaters.

Quick reminder: Coppola sold part of his wine estate and shelled out $120 million to make the film, which is set in a futuristic America and follows an architect (Adam Driver) who clashes with the corrupt mayor (Giancarlo Esposito) in determining how to rebuild the metropolis of New Rome after a disaster.

Reviews are divisive: The film currently holds a ~50% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics’ reactions ranging from adoration to hate to indifference.

Box office outlook = not so good. According to surveys that track audience interest, the film is projected to bring in $5 million–$7 million across its opening weekend. However, Lionsgate, who’s handling marketing and distribution for the film, staged a preview earlier this week at IMAX theaters across the country, selling out locations in New York, California, Massachusetts, Utah, and Florida, the NY Times reports.

In the know: Coppola, who’s responsible for classics like The Godfather, is no stranger to self-financing films. When he couldn’t find a studio willing to fund Apocalypse Now, he scraped the money together himself. The film, after adjusting for inflation, ended up generating $500 million at the box office vs. a $145 million budget, and still makes bank on home video.

👀 Looking ahead… We’ll soon find out if Megalopolis has more in common with Apocalypse Now – or J Lo’s This is Me Now.

If you’re among the 150M+ people locked out of mainstream credit, Arro can get you moving in the right direction. They outline actionable steps to quickly build credit and become financially fluent all in one platform…

• 💳 Start with up to a $200 limit and grow credit immediately in the app
• 🎓 Level up daily with bite-size lessons that empower your financial future
• 🎁 Get rewarded for staying on track – earn better interest rates
• 🙌 No security deposit, hard credit check, or credit history required to apply

Future-you will thank you – apply for Arro here.*

"These are bright red lines, and we allege that the mayor crossed them again and again for years."

The 57-page federal indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams was unsealed yesterday, with prosecutors accusing him of letting Turkish officials and businesspeople buy his influence with lavish overseas trips and illegal campaign contributions.

The specifics: Among other things, prosecutors allege Turkish nationals provided Adams with flight upgrades valued at $100,000+, free stays in luxury hotel suites, and illegal campaign contributions from straw donors (some of which helped Adams qualify for $10+ million in matching public funds).

In exchange, Adams allegedly took actions appearing to benefit Turkey, including expediting the fire safety inspection at a consulate building and not releasing a public statement on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.

The NYC mayor is facing a total of five federal charges:

• Wire fraud
• Conspiracy
• Bribery
• Solicitation of a contribution from a foreign national (x2)

Adams’ response: In a press conference shortly after the indictment was unsealed, Adams maintained his innocence and vowed to fight the charges. He also said he has no plans to step down as mayor, and doesn’t anticipate any immediate changes to his day-to-day duties.

👀 Looking ahead… Adams could be arraigned in court as soon as Friday. He faces up to 45 years in prison if convicted on all counts and given the maximum sentence, per the DOJ.

• ☝️ You’re looking at some of the winners from the 2024 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year award, with first place (top left) taking home a $6,800 cash prize.

BUSINESS & MARKETS

in partnership with Beam

• 💰 US markets rose across the board (S&P: +0.4%; Dow: +0.6%; Nasdaq: +0.6%). | 📈 US GDP rose 3% in Q2, according to a final gov't estimate. | 🏡 Mortgage refinance applications rose 20% last week.
• ✈️ Southwest Airlines held its investor day; the company raised its Q3 revenue forecast and unveiled a host of business model changes.
• 📝 Super Micro Computer is being probed by the DOJ following a critical report by an activist short-selling firm; shares fell 12% on the day.

*From our partners: ☕📈 Improve daily productivity with Beam Super Latte… A jitter-free coffee alternative, crafted with adaptogens, mushrooms, and nootropics. Just 1/3 the caffeine of a cup of coffee. Save 40% with code DONUT.

SPORTS, MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT

• 🏀 Derrick Rose, the high-flying guard and former NBA MVP whose career was marred by injuries, announced his retirement after 16 seasons with six teams. | 🏟️⚾ The Oakland A’s yesterday hosted their final game at the Coliseum, a stadium where they’ve played since 1968, ahead of a planned move to Sacramento (and later, Las Vegas).
• 🏎️ F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo – a regular on Netflix’s Drive to Survive – was dismissed by the Red Bull Racing junior team yesterday. | 🥊⚖️ The UFC agreed to pay $375 million to settle a class-action antitrust lawsuit brought by a group of former fighters.
• 💰📰 CNN will introduce a “metered” paywall for online readers early next month that kicks in after a set number of articles, per the NY Times.

SCIENCE, SPACE & EMERGING TECH

in partnership with Cornbread Hemp

• 👓 One-third of all children and teens worldwide are nearsighted, a figure more than 3x higher compared to 1990, per a new study; the rate is projected to hit 40% by 2050.
• 🐟🦵 Some types of sea robins, a species of bottom-dwelling ocean fish, use legs covered with taste buds to sense and dig up prey along the seafloor, per a new study.
• 🐋 Wild orca whales were recently spotted hunting and eating dusky dolphins off the coast of Chile for the first time.

*From our partners: ​​😊 Enjoy a carefree sensation the healthy way… Cornbread THC Gummies are accurately dosed, USDA organic, and 3rd party tested – no unexpected trips. 1:1 THC to CBD ratio provides a pleasant, calm experience. Legal in almost every state. Shop Cornbread Hemp here.

MISCELLANEOUS

• 🌀 🌀 Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida last night as a Category 4 storm, the strongest to ever hit the state’s Big Bend; as of 5 am ET, the storm has weakened to a Category 1 as it’s moved to Georgia; ~2.5 million customers are without power across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. | 🎓🗽 Nashville-based Vanderbilt University has signed a 99-year lease for a new campus site in New York City, per the WSJ; Vandy is also reportedly considering another new campus site in West Palm Beach, Florida.
• 📬📈 The US Post Office announced plans to hike stamp prices five times through 2027, with the next increase coming in July 2025. | 🦠🥩 A 10th death has been linked to a listeria outbreak connected to recalled Boar’s Head deli meat, per the CDC; congressional lawmakers have asked federal regulators to determine whether Boar’s Head should face criminal charges.
• 🏛️ Congress overwhelmingly approved a short-term bill to fund the government at current levels through December 20 in bid to avoid next week's shutdown deadline; President Biden signed the measure into law yesterday afternoon.

CLICKBAIT

• ✈️🌍 How to Fly to Europe for Under $100 One-Way.

🧓💬 Stat(s) of the Day: If you want to live your life with no ragrets (not even a single letter), then listen up. After years of caring for ill hospital patients, Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider recently shared the top-five regrets she observed among people near the end of their lives:

1. I didn’t spend enough time with the people I love.
2. I worked too much and missed out on life.
3. I let fear control my decisions and didn’t take risks.
4. I wish I’d been braver in the face of uncertainty or opportunity.
5. I focused too much on the future and lost touch with the present.

🤔 Did You Know? In August 2010, China experienced a massive traffic jam stretching 62 miles and lasting a record 12 days; drivers with the worst luck were stuck in the jam for nearly a week straight, averaging 0.6 miles of movement per day.

📰 Worth a Read: They Bought Homes With Their Friends – and Now They Want Out → (Wall Street Journal)

We bring you the most unusual, off-the-wall and occasionally laugh-out-loud headlines from this week.

• Passengers have ‘new fear unlocked’ after plane flies for nine hours but lands back at same airport it took off from → (Unilad)
• Family told to change son's 'Skywalker' name or seek Disney's permission → (The National Desk)
• ​​New York City Council passes bill to use birth control on rats → (WPIX)
• Pennsylvania student spent years building world's tallest hat → (UPI)
• Grand prize winner removed 20 Burmese pythons from the wild in Florida challenge → (Associated Press)

In 1944, Joan Eccles' stepfather, who was serving in New Guinea during World War II, sent her and her mother matching heart charms for Valentine's Day. 

When Joan's mother passed away in the 1960s, her charm was lost while clearing out the home. Six decades later, however, Joan finally discovered the customized charm necklace – in an eBay listing. Joan immediately knew it was the same one that belonged to her mom. 

• "It's a story of hearts coming back together, where both physically and literally she has a memory back, and we have this to continue on in our family for decades, years to come," Joan's daughter, Vikki, told WFMZ.

+Editors Note: This story first appeared in the Daily DONUT in May 2024.

👀 Watch: What Derrick Henry must’ve looked like playing Pop Warner football.

🎃 Spooky season things: Check out the top-15 pumpkin patches in the US.

🖊️ Marvel: As ballpoint pens create a stunning work of art.

🏀 Explore: Aerial photos of every outdoor basketball court in the US.

📈 Improve: The Assist, one of our newsletter friends, is always showcasing actionable ways to improve at work, and does it in a very DONUT-y way.*

💌🎉 You're invited: To TheFutureParty, a free daily newsletter that breaks down the business of entertainment & culture and analyzes what it all means for the future. Want in on trends that influence the decisions of tomorrow? Subscribe for free.*

*A message from our partners.

In just two minutes or less, find out how your news superpowers stack up against the team.

Below are three lists of ingredients. Your job is give us the completed dish they make.

☝️ Recipe #1:

• Coconut oil
• Carrot
• Onion
• Celery
• Grated ginger
• Garlic
• Bay leaves
• Pumpkin puree
• Coconut milk
• Vegetable broth
• Salt
• Hot chili powder
• Cilantro

✌️ Recipe #2:

• Zest of lemons
• Sugar
• Flour
• Baking powder & soda
• Salt
• Butter
• Egg
• Buttermilk
• Powdered sugar
• Lemon juice

3️⃣ Recipe #3:

• Olive oil
• Salt
• Potatoes
• Green peppers
• Onions
• Italian seasoning
• Beef hot dogs
• Sandwich buns
• Mustard

☝️ Recipe #1: Pumpkin soup

✌️ Recipe #2: Lemon scones

3️⃣ Recipe #3: New Jersey Italian hot dogs

*The Arro Card is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank, member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International. Here is our Privacy Policy.