'I am Jane Doe,' Payments for Seniors & Tom Cruise Flops - Monday, October 05, 2026

Lacey Evans (0:00)

Today is Monday, October 5th. We'll tell you about the major fights landing before the US. Supreme Court in the term that starts today, and why President Trump is now asking his supporters to vote by mail. Also, who's standing up for the woman at the center of the Cornell sexual assault case as she faces new threats over the allegations? Plus, why 20 million seniors are about to get an unexpected payment, what to know about a recall involving frozen fruit, and how it's beginning to sound like Christmas already. Those stories and even more news to know, next.

Welcome to The NewsWorthy, all the day's news in less than 15 minutes. I'm Lacey Evans, filling in for Erica Mandy today. Thanks so much for being here. Let's do this.

Some of the biggest political and legal fights in the country are now heading to the US. Supreme Court. The High Court officially starts a new term today, and the justices have a lot on their plate. The docket includes major legal battles involving President Trump's immigration policies, gun rights and religious freedom. First up today, justices will hear arguments in a big climate change case. Boulder, Colorado is trying to sue ExxonMobil and Suncor, accusing them of deceiving the public about the damaging effects of fossil fuels. But the companies are asking the Supreme Court to stop that lawsuit, saying Boulder is trying to use a state law to hold them liable for a global problem. Whatever justices decide, the ruling could affect dozens of similar cases around the country. And there are already more cases waiting in the wings, including fights over voting rules and election law that may come up after the midterms. By the way, the term could also be shaped by possible retirements, with some justices expected to face questions about whether they'll stay on the court beyond next year. To be continued.

The President of Cornell has made his first personal statement about allegations of rape at a campus fraternity house. Michael Kotlikov released an eight-minute video address Saturday, saying the university must do better as students and others question how the case was handled. Of course, he's talking about the case involving the former Cornell student, who says she was drugged and raped by seven men at a fraternity house in 2024

As we told you, she reported the alleged assault to campus police, but no criminal charges were filed. The criminal case has now been reopened, and Kotlikov says Cornell will have an outside law firm review have the university responded at the time. He acknowledged students' anger and frustration, saying Cornell needs to do more to make sure sexual assault survivors feel safe coming forward, knowing their allegations will be investigated rigorously and fairly. Kotlikov also says the school needs to take a serious look at the role of fraternity and sororities on campus. Meanwhile, the woman at the center of the Cornell rape allegations is now being targeted with threats. The woman, who has identified in court documents as Jane Doe, has remained anonymous, but her identity has become a major part of the online conversation around the case. Now her lawyer says she's received multiple threats from people demanding she drop her lawsuit. Though she's also getting a lot of support. Women around the world are posting, I am Jane Doe on social media to show solidarity with her. They're pushing back against efforts to reveal her identity, and some are sharing their own experiences with sexual assault.

A US. Marine is now accused of killing a woman on Japan's southern island of Okinawa. That's where he's stationed, along with about 50,000 other American troops. The case has quickly sparked outrage. Security camera footage shows a man believed to be 20-year-old Lance Corporal Jacob Ballard entering a hotel with a woman on Saturday, and later leaving alone with her belongings. Police say the woman had been strangled, so Ballard was arrested hours later. He says he's not guilty, but Japanese officials are calling the case unforgivable. Okinawa's governor says it's adding to fears for people who live near US bases. Japan's prime minister also called the US government to express her angers over the case. Already, Japan has a long history of tensions over the US military presence, including complaints about crime, noise and pollution. The US. Marine Corps says it's now fully cooperating with Japanese authorities.

The US. Air Force has moved its bomber planes from a military base in the UK because of a suspected terror plot there. The Pentagon confirmed yesterday they've all returned to the US. But that America's bomber force is still ready to carry out long-range strikes from here. The UK base had been used to launch American strikes against Iran. But remember, five men were arrested last week on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack nearby. British authorities later arrested a British Iranian man in connection with the investigation. All six were later released on bail, despite them not actually being cleared in the investigation. The Trump administration says a lot of people were disturbed by the decision to let them go. And British Prime Minister Andy Burnham says there are strong indications Iran was involved, though Iran denies any connection to the suspected plot.