News Wrap: Labor Department releases final jobs report before election

Geoff Bennett:

Authorities have rescued more than 4,500 people trapped by the flood so far. More rain is expected in the coming days.

India’s capital was shrouded by a thick layer of toxic smog today. New Delhi’s air quality index plummeted to a reading of severe as smoke from firecrackers used to celebrate Diwali polluted the air. In many areas, levels of deadly particulate matter were seven times the WHO’s safety limit.

Diwali is the Hindu Festival of Lights and one of India’s most popular holidays. Authorities have banned the use and sale of traditional firecrackers in New Delhi since 2017, but people often ignore the rule.

A U.S. district judge has rejected Elon Musk’s bid to move a Pennsylvania lawsuit over his million-dollar election giveaways to a federal court. The decision comes a day after a Philadelphia judge put the state challenge on hold. City prosecutors sued the billionaire and his pro-Trump super PAC earlier this week, saying the sweepstakes may violate election law.

Musk’s super PAC launched the prizes in October. To qualify, voters must be registered in one of seven swing states and they must sign a petition supporting free speech and gun rights. It’s unclear whether today’s ruling will stop the giveaways before Tuesday’s election.

On Wall Street today, stocks ended higher as investors shook off the news of that weak unemployment data. The Dow Jones industrial average added nearly 300 points on the day. The Nasdaq gained more than 140 points after steep losses earlier in the week. The S&P 500 also ended in positive territory.