STICK TO THE STAGE: KISS legend Gene Simmons says fame doesn’t qualify musicians, actors or comedians to lecture Americans about politics and world affairs.

The father of Michigan Democrat U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed serves on the board of an Islamic charity that previously paid $780,000 to settle allegations that it violated U.S. sanctions by transferring money into Saddam Hussein's Iraq. MORE: https://bit.ly/4zmnVy8

TUNE IN: Watch LIVE coverage as Vice President JD Vance takes the stage in Weatherford, Texas, for a high-stakes campaign rally ahead of the midterm elections — TODAY at 2:50 PM ET on NEWSMAX. WATCH: nws.mx/tv

PROUD TO BE AMERICAN: WNBA star Sophie Cunningham weighed in on the controversy surrounding teams skipping the national anthem during the Finals, making it clear where she stands.

MINAJ BACKS BLAKEMAN: Rapper Nicki Minaj called New York Gov. Kathy Hochul “evil” over past remarks suggesting Black children in the Bronx were unfamiliar with computers and threw her support behind Republican Bruce Blakeman ahead of Tuesday’s gubernatorial election.

BARKLEY CALLS OUT LEBRON: NBA legend Charles Barkley criticized LeBron James for practicing his golf swing during the national anthem ahead of his Philadelphia 76ers debut, agreeing with President Trump's criticism of James, whom the president called a “total disgrace.”

TALARICO TAKEDOWN: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton blasted Democrat Senate opponent James Talarico during a Wednesday interview on NEWSMAX's "Finnerty," accusing him of misleading Texas voters about his political positions.

"The only way he gets elected in Texas is if he lies, and he knows that he cannot tell the truth about what he actually believes," Paxton declared.

JUST IN: Patrick Stewart, who rose from poverty in England to become an accomplished Shakespearean stage actor and then achieved global stardom as the erudite Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in TV's "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and the telepathic Professor Charles Xavier in the "X-Men" movies, has died at the age of 86. Read more: https://bit.ly/48lHz1h

PET FOOD WAKE-UP: You know what the ingredients say. But what about the contaminants that aren’t listed in your pet's meals? Sean Callen of the Clean Label Project tells Greta what his organization has found while testing pet food, and why price is no guarantee of safety, on today's "Greta Wire" podcast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4t71C-uINU

PENTAGON LEAK REVELATIONS: Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, a senior Pentagon military strategist, admitted to sharing classified information about Iran and Ukraine with journalists, according to a report. https://bit.ly/4yObWs0

PATRICK BLASTS DEMOCRATS: Racing legend Danica Patrick accused Democrats of using the Alaska Senate ballot controversy to confuse voters rather than win them over on the issues. https://bit.ly/4sFttRW

OPERATION STORK SPEED: The Trump administration announced a proposed rule to revise nutrient requirements for infant formula, marking what officials said would be the first major changes to the standards in nearly three decades. https://bit.ly/4knIJ3w

BRAZIL ELECTION FALLOUT: The ‌Trump administration does not plan to back Flavio Bolsonaro's claim to be Brazil's rightful leader, despite helping the defeated candidate reach the U.S. after years of supporting him and his father, according to a report. https://bit.ly/3UowLvW

The Trump administration has acknowledged that East Potomac Golf Links, a public golf course in Washington, D.C., will close on Nov. 15. https://bit.ly/4zjSV1S

WHAT DID AGENTS FIND?: "The Right Squad" breaks down a report about the 2016 federal investigation into allegations surrounding Ilhan Omar’s marriage. The panel examines the reported evidence, the expired deadline for possible marriage-fraud charges and other legal questions.

https://youtu.be/ichL0pLUAyo

DERSHOWITZ PREDICTS EXIT: Alan Dershowitz told NEWSMAX that Rep. Ilhan Omar could still face criminal prosecution over a past marriage examined by federal investigators in 2016, predicting she would ultimately be forced to resign or be barred from serving in the House. https://bit.ly/4zZRK7o

PELTOLA DENIES INVOLVEMENT: Alaska Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola denied knowing about an alleged effort to place another Dan Sullivan on the ballot to confuse voters, declaring, “I am not interested in tricking voters,” as the Justice Department reportedly escalated its investigation with new grand jury subpoenas. https://bit.ly/4Buh3QF

A FRAGILE PATH TO PEACE: A humanitarian ceasefire brokered by the Office of First Lady Melania Trump is opening the door to aid deliveries and civilian evacuations in Oleshky. But could this breakthrough pave the way for a broader peace deal? Dr. James Robbins and retired Col. Wes Martin break down Russia’s leverage, Ukraine’s territorial dilemma and the major obstacles standing in the way of an armistice on "National Report." https://youtu.be/c-NOd_72D8M

GUN RIGHTS SHOWDOWN: President Donald Trump vowed to protect Second Amendment rights while backing Sen. Darline Graham, who earned an A rating and endorsement from the NRA, in South Carolina’s Senate race. https://bit.ly/4A0bKXJ

POLICE WATCHDOG ACCUSED: Philadelphia Citizens Police Oversight Commission Chairman Hassan Bennett is accused of accessing sensitive records tied to an attempted murder case and taking part in an alleged effort to intimidate a witness. NEWSMAX Crime Correspondent Jason Mattera has the details on "Wake Up America."

https://youtu.be/ilxxy-xruEQ