Russia freed an American imprisoned for the last four years. Stephen Hubbard was captured in Eastern Ukraine and convicted of fighting against Russia. The 74-year-old retired teacher was reportedly freed without a swap. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff greeted Hubbard in St. Petersburg. He also met with the Russian president and praised Putin in unusually glowing terms. Nick Schifrin reports.

According to reports, Elon Musk ordered the slowdown of Ukraine's Starshield defense systems. Nick Schifrin reports, and Amna Nawaz discusses how the world's richest man gained such power over U.S. security interests with Charles Galbreath, a retired Air Force colonel who focused on space operations during his 30-year military career and is now at the Air Force Association's Mitchell Institute.

A national polling organization revealed on Tuesday that the vast majority of its data had been fabricated, saying it was an "experimental project to demonstrate the vulnerabilities" of the modern political polling industry.

In our news wrap Wednesday, a major cybersecurity threat prompted a scramble to protect websites around the world, 1,000 people were ordered to evacuate their homes in Toledo, Ohio, following a chemical tank explosion and the Supreme Court is blocking the Trump administration from enforcing new restrictions on gender-affirming care for transgender prisoners.

The campaign is in its final stretch and the attacks are getting increasingly personal. In Ohio, Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign is behind an ad featuring the estranged mother of his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton, disputing Acton's account of her childhood. For analysis, Geoff Bennett spoke with Democratic strategist Faiz Shakir and Republican strategist Whit Ayres.

This November, voters in Virginia, Nevada, Missouri and Idaho will decide on the future of reproductive rights. In deeply red Idaho, a citizen-led initiative faces an uphill battle to restore some abortion rights. Special correspondent Sarah Varney reports on whether the fallout from the overturning of Roe v. Wade and frustration over the current law will be enough to sway conservative Idahoans.

Voters will weigh in on more than 140 ballot measures next month in 40 states. From abortion to voter ID to debates over transgender rights, the measures touch nearly every corner of the political debate. Republicans are counting on some of them to energize their base in a tough midterm environment. Liz Landers discussed the issues with Reid Wilson of Pluribus News.

California officials are calling for an investigation into the actions of federal immigration officers after they allegedly injured and detained a U.S. citizen. Ricardo Gonzalez's detainment comes as an investigation by ProPublica found that more than 500 citizens have been caught up in the administration's immigration operations. William Brangham discussed more with ProPublica's Nicole Foy.

David Beasley spent more than three decades as a Republican, serving as South Carolina's governor before leading Nobel Peace Prize-winning efforts at the U.N. World Food Programme. Recently, he announced that he's walking away from his party as he laments a rise in toxic vitriol emanating from the GOP's standard-bearer. Beasley joined Amna Nawaz to discuss more.

The NFL welcomes an investigation into the Philadelphia Eagles' handling of Jalen Hurts' blood clots after the players' union asked for one, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday.

President Donald Trump's political groups have spent more than one-quarter of a billion dollars to bolster Republicans in the final stretch of this year's midterm elections, an unprecedented amount for a sitting president that underscores the stakes on Nov. 3.

President Donald Trump will visit South Carolina on Wednesday to boost Graham, whose stumbles in her first campaign since replacing her late brother have Democratic voters hopeful — but not necessarily optimistic — that their candidate can break Republicans' grip on the state.

Pope Leo XIV needs no further treatment for lung cancer after follow-up tests confirmed the disease was localized, the Vatican said in a statement Wednesday.

Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott and Democratic challenger Amanda Janoo face off in a debate produced by Vermont Public.

The verdict should be seen as a warning for tech companies that New Mexico will hold them accountable, state Attorney General Raúl Torrez said at a news conference.

The lawsuit seeks to stop attorney Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn from accepting any payments from Epstein's estate, estimated at more than $100 million.

Questions about the video will likely shadow Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech billionaire who previously ran for president but has never before held public office, in the final two weeks of the contest.

In Cincinnati, the vice president said it was "not really my concern" whether the controversial 60-second spot was appropriate, and said he was focused on supporting Republican candidates in their midterm races.

The vice president called Steve Witkoff "a diplomat" and said he was in Russia to get a job done.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to allow the Trump administration to immediately enforce new medical restrictions for transgender people in prison. The decision leaves in place a lower-court block on the policy.