Is that something sweet a trick or a treat? Halloween is just a few days away, and children are about to be running door to door in search of candies and chocolates — the annual sugar marathon where pillowcases turn into bank vaults and parents suddenly rediscover their “inspection tax.” But while the kids are getting ready to collect their loot, one scientist is warning parents about the dangers of allowing their kids to indulge in certain treats this spooky, candy-driven holiday. Meanwhile, in Washington, the grown-ups aren’t doing much better. Twenty-eight days into the government shutdown, Congress continues to prove that you can’t spell “trick” without “politic.” Federal workers are missing paychecks, federal agencies are running on fumes, and the only thing getting handed out in D.C. are excuses.

In the headlines on #TheUpdate this Tuesday, we continue our coverage of The Road To City Hall. With 7 days to go until the general election, New York City’s mayoral race is turning from a blowout into a competitive race – with ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo cutting front-runner Zohran Mamdani’s lead in half from a month ago, a new poll found. Meanwhile, in early voting, voters 50 and up accounted for nearly 60% of ballots cast during the first two days of early voting in the city’s mayoral election, data shows.

A lawsuit that was filed seeks to redraw the boundaries of the only congressional district in New York City represented by a Republican, arguing that its current configuration unconstitutionally dilutes the power of Black and Latino voters.

And in the American West, the 22-year-old Utah man charged with killing Charlie Kirk can appear in court wearing street clothes but must be physically restrained due to security concerns, a judge ruled.