Debate night in America: A state of the race

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Good morning,

Today’s the big debate day— which means Mo News BINGO! We have a real one, and as always, a fun “Wish List” edition card. You can download both BINGO cards here.

Check out yesterday’s newsletter for how the two candidates got ready for the big night and the rules for tonight’s debate.

A reminder to watch the debate with us on Instagram Live at 9pmET. Mosheh is on the ground in Philadelphia and will have exclusive interviews and post-debate analysis on the Mo News Premium Instagram Account (Free Trial).

Have a good one!

Mosheh, Jill, & Lauren

PS: Don’t forget to refer friends & family to subscribe to the Mo Newsletter… you could get free Mo News merch — DETAILS at the bottom of this newsletter!

📌 TRUMP VS HARRIS: A LOOK AT THE RACE

Vice President Harris and former President Donald Trump will meet face to face for the first time tonight and debate the country’s most pressing issues. [OUR DEBATE PREVIEW]

The playing field has dramatically shifted from two months ago when President Biden’s disastrous debate performance pushed him out of the race. Battleground states where Trump was favored to win are now toss-ups, and the two candidates are neck-in-neck in national polls.

Harris has gained about six or seven percentage points compared to Biden in key states and nationwide polls, but it is still anyone’s race.

THE STATES OF PLAY
All eyes are on Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Nevada. They are the likeliest states to decide the Electoral College and are all up for grabs.

The shortest presidential election in modern American history is turning out to be the closest in modern polling.
A New York Times analysis found that polls are the closest ever recorded in modern presidential races with Harris two-points ahead of Trump, 49% to 47%.
- To win, Trump or Harris will need to win at least three of the seven states.

Harris’ largest lead is in Wisconsin (2.7 points in the FiveThirtyEight average), while Trump’s biggest advantage is in Arizona (2.1 points in the Silver Bulletin average).

CBS News took a closer look at voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, finding that slightly more voters think Harris would look out for the interests of the middle class. Trump, however, leads with voters who don't think they're better off financially since the pandemic.

Regarding voter enthusiasm, Democrats appear more excited about Harris, than Republicans are about the Trump campaign.

Bottom line: Over the next eight weeks the two candidates will devote almost all of their remaining time and resources to just seven states.

📲 THE NEW WAVE OF APPLE TECH WITH AI

Apple’s first-ever iPhone, built around artificial intelligence or “Apple Intelligence,” was introduced on Monday. With the iPhone 16, Siri can do more tasks, editing text is easier, and there are endless possibilities for emojis.

You need an iPhone 15 Pro or one of the new models in the iPhone 16 line to access the AI capacities. Apple is hoping users are ready to spend for access to AI.
- iPhone sales, which make up half of the company’s revenue, have been sluggish. About 300 million iPhones around the world have not been upgraded in more than four years.

THE AI IPHONE
The system, called Apple Intelligence, will sort messages, offer writing suggestions and create a more capable Siri powered by generative artificial intelligence (see video above). Apple demonstrated these examples on Monday, but showcased its first AI preview in June.

Inside the iPhone 16, a new A18 chip increases battery life, water and dust resistance. Plus, a physical Camera Control button will allow users to record moments faster. But, the company is leaning into AI, rather than these hardware features, to boost sales.
- Data shows users might not care about AI right now. Research firm Canalys found that only 7% of consumers had a very high inclination to buy a smartphone based on AI features.
Preorders for the new iPhones begin Friday and the phone officially launches on Sept. 20. It starts at $799.
The tech giant separately announced that iOS 18 would be available Monday, Sept. 16. But again, those AI features won’t be available on models older than the iPhone 15 Pro.

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS

Apple Watch: The Apple Watch Series 10 was also announced Monday, with a potential sleep apnea detection feature. It is thinner than previous versions, but has a bigger display.
- It starts at $399 and will be available on Sept. 20.
AirPods: AirPods Pro 2 can act as an over-the-counter hearing aid. It can also test people’s hearing in five minutes. Apple said the features will receive clearance from the FDA and other regulators soon.
- The AirPods Pro 2 will cost $249.

⏳ SPEED READ

🚨NATION

📌 Republicans threaten a government shutdown unless Congress makes it harder to vote (VOX)

📌 On-the-run Kentucky I-75 shooting suspect vowed over text to ‘kill a lot of people,’ arrest warrant says (CNN)

📌 Harvey Weinstein rushed from prison to hospital for emergency heart surgery (FOX NEWS)

📌 NYPD commissioner expected to step down amid federal probe (POLITICO)

📌 Tropical Storm Francine forms in Gulf of Mexico, to hit Louisiana as a hurricane (AXIOS)

🌎 AROUND THE WORLD

📌 Princess Kate says she has finished cancer chemo treatment (GUARDIAN)

📌 US urges Israel to swiftly investigate killing of American woman in West Bank (NPR)

📌 Flooding sweeps away a bus and a bridge collapses in Vietnam as storm deaths rise to 59 (NBC NEWS)

📌 Germany expands border controls to curb irregular migration and extremism risks (AP)

📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH

📌 Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp succession plan challenged by hedge fund (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)

📌 Women will soon be notified about their breast density after a mammogram. Here’s what that means (CNN)

📌 Google tries to reality-check Biden’s lawyers in court (POLITICO)

📌 Big Lots declares bankruptcy and agrees to be bought by private equity firm (CBS NEWS)

🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

📌 A Miami-Dade officer is put on leave after Dolphins star Tyreek Hill is detained (NPR)

📌 Selena Gomez says she can't carry her own children amid health journey (E!)

📌 CMA Awards 2024 nominations led by Morgan Wallen, but no Beyoncé (CNN)

📌 James Earl Jones, acclaimed 'Field of Dreams' actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93 (USA TODAY)

🗓 ON THIS DAY: SEPTEMBER 10

1941: M&M’s candies were first introduced by Forrest E. Mars, Sr. in Newark, New Jersey.
1953: Swanson introduced the first 'TV Dinner.'
1977: France uses the guillotine on a prisoner for the last time.
1991: Nirvana released its breakout single, “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”