Top 5 US stories, October 20, 2026: the midterm push in North Carolina and more

Two weeks before the midterms, Tuesday, October 20, 2026, brought a Trump rally and a large Democratic donation, a new federal reward for fraud tips, Ukraine talks in Norway, SpaceX's quarterly report and an execution in Florida.

Trump rallies for Whatley in North Carolina as Bloomberg funds Democrats

President Trump held an evening rally in Greenville, North Carolina, for Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley, who trails Democrat Roy Cooper, NBC News reported. A WRAL/WSOC poll had Cooper at 54% and Whatley at 40%. Trump again promised $5,000 to every American if Republicans keep Congress, and said Camp Lejeune water claims would be settled if the GOP wins both chambers. Whatley said he would work with Trump on tax cuts and lower health costs. Separately, Michael Bloomberg, the former New York mayor, has committed $80 million to Democratic candidates.

Voters choose who controls Congress on Nov. 3, and an Elon University poll found the economy and cost of living top their concerns. Outside experts put the cost of the $5,000 plan at $1.2 trillion; Trump says tariffs would pay for it, while experts say tariff money would fall short. Bloomberg's gifts include $24 million to Everytown for Gun Safety and $16 million to House Majority PAC.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said the money "will once again help Democrats flip the House." Trump said he will be back in North Carolina next week and is doing about 18 rallies in the final 15 days.

Justice Department offers cash rewards for fraud tips

The Justice Department launched the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program, which pays $10,000 to $30,000 for tips that lead to criminal charges, its release says. The Treasury is putting $25 million behind it. At the Oval Office launch, Trump called the payouts a 1 percent commission and said there is "no limit" on awards, though the program's website lists up to $30,000.

The program covers health care fraud and fraud in benefits run by several federal departments, with priority on hospice, home health, day care and special services cases. The first award, reported at $10,000, apparently went to conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley, whose video alleged fake child care centers in Minnesota; inspectors said those centers were operating as expected, the AP reported via MPR News.

Awards are paid at the department's discretion once charges are filed. Trump said he will settle disputed claims himself: "I will be the arbitrator." Vice President JD Vance, who leads the fraud task force, said fraud "is stopping."

Zelenskyy meets Witkoff in Oslo as Trump presses Ukraine for a deal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo, joined by the leaders of Norway and Finland, with Jared Kushner on a video link. Afterward, Zelenskyy thanked the United States and said U.S. early warning of Russian missile strikes "works now," RFE/RL reported. In the Oval Office, Trump said Ukraine should settle with Russia, telling reporters "it's time."

Russian attacks killed at least three people in Ukraine on Tuesday. Kyiv says Washington is using aid and technology access to push it to stop striking Russian oil refineries. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said nothing is being "deliberately denied to Ukraine." Trump said the U.S. has gotten "absolutely nothing back" for its support.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the talks made "genuine progress." Norway's prime minister said Witkoff would go to Russia on October 21 to share the meeting's ideas with Russian leaders.

SpaceX reports $14.58 billion in quarterly revenue

SpaceX reported third-quarter revenue of $14.58 billion, up 161% from a year earlier and above the $12.72 billion analysts expected, CNBC reported. Net income was $4.4 billion, against a net loss of $1.05 billion a year before. CNBC says the AI unit, called Super Intelligence, is now its largest business; its revenue rose to $7.56 billion from $813 million.

Shares rose about 8% after hours. Before the report they traded near $147.50, below the $150 opening price at the June 12 debut. Starlink subscribers grew to 13.6 million from 12 million. Of $19.6 billion in capital spending, more than $16.4 billion went to AI.

Finance chief Bret Johnsen forecast first-quarter 2027 revenue of $33 billion to $37 billion. Elon Musk said SpaceX and Tesla board committees are studying a merger, which he called a "good idea." Tesla reports results Wednesday.

Florida carries out its 18th execution of the year

Florida put William Reaves, 77, to death by injection Tuesday evening at the state prison near Starke; his time of death was 6:12 p.m. He was convicted of fatally shooting Richard Raczkoski, an Indian River County sheriff's deputy, in September 1986. The U.S. Supreme Court denied a stay without comment, Fox News reported.

His lawyers argued jurors never learned that Veterans Affairs rated the Vietnam veteran 100% disabled from post-traumatic stress disorder, and more than 100 veterans asked Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday to stop it. The deputy's brother, Marc Raczkoski, said "Richard finally has justice." Reaves was the 32nd person executed in the U.S. this year, UPI reported.

Florida plans to execute Jesse Guardado, 64, on Nov. 5, which would be its 19th execution this year and tie last year's record. DeSantis leaves office in January after two terms.

Quick answers

How much does the new federal fraud tip program pay?

The Justice Department says tips that lead to criminal charges can earn $10,000 to $30,000, and the Treasury is committing $25 million to the program.

What happened at the Ukraine talks in Oslo?

Zelenskyy met U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff with the leaders of Norway and Finland, and Witkoff was due in Russia on October 21.

Who is ahead in North Carolina's Senate race?

A WRAL/WSOC poll had Democrat Roy Cooper at 54% and Republican Michael Whatley at 40%. Voters decide on Nov. 3.