President Trump’s approval ratings have hit a new second-term low, based on the latest polling from the NBC News Decision Desk, and 71% of Americans say they think the country is on the wrong track. But how much will this negative public sentiment hurt Republicans in the midterms? NBC News chief data analyst Steve Kornacki explains what pollsters might be missing as we approach the midterms.

In France, violent protests erupted in cities across the country this weekend. NBC News foreign correspondent Raf Sanchez explains how student-led protests over school conditions grew into nationwide demonstrations, and how the turmoil is already playing a role in the country’s upcoming presidential elections.

Then, the 21st book in the beloved “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series is hitting bookshelves on Oct. 20. Author Jeff Kinney explains why he’s taking on bullying and why his main character Greg’s frown on the front cover has helped the series become a global success in the past two decades.

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Iowa overwhelmingly voted for Donald Trump in 2024 — and Republicans hold all of the state’s congressional seats. But rising fuel costs, tariffs and growing voter frustration over the war with Iran have made the Hawkeye State one of the most closely watched battlegrounds of the midterms. This week, “Here’s the Scoop Election Edition” host Garrett Haake sits down with Iowa state representative and Democratic Senate nominee Josh Turek, a Paralympic gold medalist and former Republican who's betting that his brand of "common-sense prairie populism" can win over independents, farmers and working-class voters. Then, longtime Republican strategist and Iowa insider David Kochel explains how GOP candidates are trying to establish independence from the White House and what he'll be watching for on election night.

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Families in Bend, Oregon, are reeling after a 16-year old gunman killed three children and a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School on Thursday, and critically injured two others. NBC News correspondent Liz Kreutz explains why the shooting has sparked a debate about Oregon’s gun laws. Plus, a new documentary about Elon Musk, including interviews with Musk’s family members, colleagues and some of the women he’s been involved with, opens on Friday. Former right-wing influencer Ashley St. Clair discusses why she didn’t sign an NDA worth millions after she had Musk’s son, and what her time with him revealed about how Musk wields power. Then, the WNBA Finals start this weekend, with the Atlanta Dream taking on the Golden State Valkyries in San Francisco. LaChina Robinson, host of “WNBA Showtime” on NBC and Peacock, previews the matchup and how the growing league is capitalizing on this season’s growth.

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