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What to know about Affordable Care Act open enrollment and its rising costs. Zohran Mamdani shares his thoughts on Trump, Schumer and democratic socialism. And, Zach Bryan's preview of a new song divides his hometown over immigration. Here's what to know today. ACA costs set to rise with no movement on shutdown Affordable Care Act open enrollment begins Saturday, and this year's enrollment period is expected to see the largest increase in costs since the law went into effect more than a decade ago. More than 24 million Americans get their health insurance through the ACA, also known as Obamacare. In 2026, a perfect storm of rising premiums and the expiration of enhanced subsidies that previously kept costs lower for middle-class families means many people will face higher bills or be forced to shop around for cheaper plans. Some plan to go uninsured as a result. This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. Sign up here to get it in your inbox. The enhanced subsidies — put in place in 2021 — have helped millions of middle-class Americans pay less for their monthly premiums. The issue is at the heart of the government shutdown, with Democrats saying they won't vote to reopen the government unless the tax credits are extended. At the same time, insurers are raising rates for next year to keep up with the growing costs of hospital care and prescription drugs and an increased demand for medical services. A KFF analysis found that insurers are raising premiums by an average of 30% in states that use HealthCare.gov, and by 17%, on average, in states that run their own marketplaces. Here’s everything you need to know about open enrollment. Mamdani readies himself for national spotlight and scrutiny Ahead of election day, New York mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani paints himself in an interview with NBC News as the city's bulwark against President Donald Trump, even as the president has threatened his hometown over the prospect of a Mamdani victory. In the interview, Mamdani laid out his strategy for handling Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in New York City and projected confidence about running the city at age 34. He has sought to position himself as the candidate who will take the hardest line against Trump, to which rivals like former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa have argued that he is either too inexperienced to be an effective counterweight or that fighting Trump would be a risky move for New Yorkers. But Mamdani's candidacy also represents a challenge to parts of the Democratic Party, too. He declined to voice confidence in fellow New Yorker Chuck Schumer's leadership of the Senate Democratic caucus. And Mamdani expressed openness to hiring members of the Democratic Socialists of America, the left-wing group that incubated him during his political rise, to serve in his administration. Read the full story. More politics news: Lawmakers from both parties criticized the Trump administration after Democrats were not invited to a briefing on U.S. military strikes on alleged drug-carrying boats. A judge appointed by Trump praised two federal prosecutors who were placed on administrative leave for describing those who stormed the Capitol in 2021 as "a mob of rioters." The FBI objected to a proposal by House lawmakers to strip the bureau of its authority over counterintelligence efforts and hand it over to Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard. The Senate confirmation hearing for Trump's pick for surgeon general, Dr. Casey Means, was postponed after she went into labor. Noem denies request to halt ICE raids on Halloween Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem rejected a request by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to suspend immigration enforcement in the Chicago area until after Halloween. Pritzker cited children's safety and an incident from last week in which Customs and Border Protection agents deployed tear gas in a neighborhood where kids were preparing for a Halloween parade. A federal judge earlier this week cited the tear gas incident in Old Irving Park as she admonished Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino that his agents must abide by a court order restricting the use of chemical agents. Residents say immigration agents, contending with neighbors upset over their activity, used aggressive tactics including deploying tear gas — which the judge pointed to as the kind of activity she sought to curb in residential areas. Read the full story. Read All About It King Charles has stripped his brother Andrew of his 'prince' title and will eject him from the Royal Lodge as the monarchy faces growing pressure over his ties to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Sean "Diddy" Combs is being transferred from a Brooklyn, New York, jail to a federal prison. A high school in Indiana has canceled a production of a Jodi Picoult play in an act she calls "censorship." Mark Walter is the majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers after the NBA Board of Governors approved his purchase of a controlling stake. For the first time since King Tut’s tomb was discovered in 1922, all of the pharaoh’s treasures will be stored in one place. A mother who sued Character.AI over her son’s suicide said the platform’s new policy that will ban minors came "too late." Staff Pick: Country divided Zach Bryan struck a nerve when the country star released a snippet of a new song this month that included a lyric that seemed to condemn immigration enforcement raids. Many wondered, given that he is a Navy veteran from a rural part of deep red Oklahoma, if it was a signal that conservatives were turning against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. So I went to his hometown to ask people at bars, diners, shops and schools what they thought about Bryan's lyrics and immigration. I found a community that favors law and order, but is divided on Bryan, and how the government goes about deportations. – Tyler Kingkade, reporter NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified Dealing with dandruff? Dermatologists recommend looking for a few key ingredients to keep hair flake free. Plus, the best space heaters for every kind of space. Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.
