These 10 States Are the Midterm Battlegrounds That Will Decide the Senate

With midterms right around the corner, 2018 is shaping up to be a year filled with political change. From transgender candidates to more women running than ever before, November’s election could bring historic changes to Washington.

The Republican-held senate could see a shakeup, too. The GOP currently holds 51 seats to the Democrats’ 49, and with dropping approval ratings for the party’s policies, some political pundits believe that the entirety of Congress will swing away from the GOP and into Democratic control. Nothing is certain, though.

Democrats will have to not only win every single seat they already have, but also gain enough new ones to take the senate, and there are 10 battlegrounds across the country that are heating up to be the biggest to watch come election night.

West Virginia: Democrats may face an upset

In a state where now-President Trump took nearly 70 percent of the popular vote, Democratic incumbent Joe Manchin could be frozen out of his re-election bid. While his opponent, Patrick Morrissey, has GOP support, it could really swing either way in this race. Manchin — notable for breaking ranks with his party to vote in favor of confirming Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual assault, to the Supreme Court — had a nearly 10 percent lead over his opponent prior to the SCOTUS vote, but that gap could shrink considerably between now and November.

Nevada: A Republican incumbent will likely get pushed out

Although Nevada is generally a Democrat-leaning state, current GOP senator Dean Heller was appointed to his seat in 2011 and very narrowly won against a Democratic challenger in 2012. His challenger this time around is Representative Jacky Rosen, who was first elected in the same 2012 race. Worst of all for the incumbent is that Heller’s approval rating is sitting at only 37 percent after he flip-flopped on his stance on the Affordable Care Act, first promising to protect it, then deciding to vote in favor of gutting it.

Tennessee: GOP stronghold could swing either way

Current GOP senator Bob Corker announced his retirement earlier this year, and in the primary, anti-abortion Representative Marsha Blackburn won the Republican ballot. Although Tennessee is decidedly pro-Trump these days, the Democratic challenger is former Governor Phil Bredesen — a man so well liked that even Corker believes he could appeal to many Republican voters in the state.

Montana: An Anti-Trump Democrat being raked through the coals

Montana’s incumbent Democratic senator Jon Tester has been in his seat since 2006. He’s well liked, has a fairly high approval rating, and keeps winning. But Senator Tester has been locking horns with the president for some time, and Trump has upped his attacks against the Democrat, calling him “dishonest and sick” in a tweet. The two have been in an escalating battle over Tester’s role in Dr. Ronny Jackson withdrawing his nomination for head of the VA — something Trump took very personally since Jackson has been cited as one of the president’s personal doctors.

Depending on how much or how little the president continues to say, Tester could either lose his seat or, as is more likely, Trump’s attacks could push Montana to re-elect the 12-year senate veteran.

Texas: The NRA advocate vs. the rock ‘n’ roller could be anyone’s race to win

Ted Cruz’s star seems to be waning somewhat on the national stage. He’s pro-gun and anti-immigration, and although he’s well-liked by his home state of Texas, that could change thanks to a number of GOP missteps on social media — and his opponent’s charm offensive.

His challenger is Robert “Beto” O’Rourke, whose growing fanbase has tightened Cruz’s previous double-digit lead into a less-than-five-percent one. While Cruz’s team has attacked O’Rourke, accusing him of making his name “sound more Spanish,” and mocked his “slacker” days in a punk band, O’Rourke has responded by asking Cruz (birth name Rafael) to debate in Spanish, and explaining that his DIY punk days actually help inform his campaign.

Indiana: Mike Pence’s home state might flip

Although the GOP took Indiana handily during the 2016 election (thanks, in part, to now-VP Mike Pence being from there), the senator up for re-election is not only well-liked, but a Democrat.

While there’s a chance incumbent Joe Donnelly could lose, he’s been serving the senate since 2012 by rarely mentioning his political affiliation and priding himself on bipartisanship. And it’s worked, so far. His one downfall, however, could be his strong support of the ACA clause protecting people with pre-existing conditions — one of the many issues anti-Obamacare Republicans want to scrub.

North Dakota: A race too close to call

Republican Representative Kevin Cramer took some time before deciding whether he’d run against Democrat incumbent Heidi Heitkamp. While the GOP nominee is well-liked both within his party and with state’s voters, Heitkamp has been a powerful voice in ND, pushing to keep the ACA pre-existing conditions clause safe for those who need it. (Cramer voted against it in the House.)

As of right now, this race is too close to call, with less than two percentage points between the candidates.

Arizona: The Republican seat that might flip

Arizona senator Jeff Flake announced his retirement before this race, paving the way for a primary featuring two very pro-Trump Republicans (Breitbart adjacent Kelly Ward and disgraced-but-pardoned sheriff Joe Arpaio), and the moderate Republican who wound up winning, Martha McSally.

She has her work cut out for her, however, with Democratic Representative Kyrsten Sinema: While the state loved Flake’s anti-Trump rhetoric, generally speaking, the voters may want to shake things up with a Democrat who will actually vote against the administration, not someone who toes the party line regardless of disagreements.

Florida: The governor vs. the astronaut

Current Florida governor Rick Scott has fans in both political parties, particularly due to his standing up against the NRA after the Parkland shooting that killed 17 people in February of this year. His opponent, however, is Bill Nelson — the Democratic senator who also happens to be an astronaut.

And while Scott has outspent Nelson on an average of four dollars for every one, Nelson has started to surge ahead for the first time in the campaign, which could mean another loss for the GOP.

Missouri: A Democratic seat that could get flipped

Although incumbent Democrat senator Claire McCaskill’s approval rating has dropped in recent months, Missouri’s Republicans haven’t been faring very well in 2018: The state’s former Republican governor Eric Greitens was embroiled in a number of high-profile and damning scandals before resigning earlier this year.

McCaskill’s Republican opponent, state’s attorney Josh Hawley, hopes that voters don’t take out their dislike of the former governor on him, and the polls suggest the race is a toss-up. Winning Missouri from the Democrats could be a boon for Washington Republicans who are so keen on keeping control of congress.

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(Photos by Justin Sullivan, Chris Covata + Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images)

Any Hunger Games fan will agree that one of the best parts about Catching Fire is that it offers a whole new look at Haymitch Abernathy's character. The mentor (played by Woody Harrelson in the film franchise) won the 2nd Quarter Quell, and the brief mention of his Games totally captured fans' attention, leading to fan art, fanfiction, and even some viral short films. Well, we're finally getting the full story thanks to a brand new Haymitch Hunger Games book, just in time for spring 2025!

Here's everything we know about Sunrise On The Reaping, coming March 2025.

Who's narrating the audiobook?

Cam McLeod/Paramount

It was confirmed on February 3 that Yellowstone actor Jefferson White will narrate the Sunrise on the Reaping audiobook.

“It's an honor to be a small part of a world I’ve loved for so long — Suzanne Collins is a genius and it's equal parts exhilarating and terrifying to be back in Panem," he told People.

See The Official 'Sunrise On The Reaping' Cover

Amazon

The Sunrise on the Reaping cover was unveiled the morning of October 16 and it's just as beautiful as we hoped! It continues the tradition from the other books of a bold background color with gold and white accents, and I'll admit I was surprised when I first saw the snake and the mockingjay. The snake is obviously a nod to President Snow, and we know that both Lucy Gray Baird and Katniss Everdeen are two songbirds the President was never able to shake. Will Haymitch Abernathy become one as well?

In the original books, Haymitch starts out as an angry man with no friends or family who always has a drink in his hand, but by the end of Mockingjay, he's a wise, caring father figure for Katniss — and I'm betting Sunrise on the Reaping will show us plenty of those character traits as he has to make his way through the Hunger Games.

One detail on the cover that concerns me is the fact the snake and the songbird are connected, and that a sun sits between them. David Levithan, Scholastic's vice president, publisher, and editorial director told TODAY that just like the other covers, this one features "one of the central themes of the series: how conflicting forces can be connected by their common nature, the songbird and the snake springing from the same source."

When is Sunrise on the Reaping coming out?

Lionsgate

Sunrise on the Reaping will hit stores on March 18, 2025.

What is the Sunrise on the Reaping going to be about?

Scholastic/Instagram

The new Hunger Games book is called Sunrise on the Reaping. According to the official announcement, the story will take place 24 years before The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the 50th Games' reaping. While fans had hoped the story would chronicle Haymitch's victory, it wasn't confirmed until October 16. Read the full synopsis below:

"As the day dawns on the 50th annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes. Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves. When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight ... and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena."

Can you preorder Sunrise on the Reaping?

Murray Close/Lionsgate

Yes, you can pre-order the book now!

What happened in Haymitch's Hunger Games?

Lionsgate

As a Quarter Quell, the 50th Hunger Games had a twist. Just like the 75th Hunger Games pulled the tributes from the existing victors, the 50th required double the tributes, meaning Haymitch (who was 16 years old at the time) was one of 48 tributes, not 24.

The arena was a breathtaking landscape with a forest, snow-capped mountains, and beautiful flowers. But Haymitch quickly realized the beauty was a trap, and that everything in the arena was poisonous. He was able to outsmart the rest of the competitors, but after he used the forcefield against the other remaining tribute to secure his victory (a move that offended the Capitol), President Snow retaliated by killing his family and his girlfriend.

Is Sunrise on the Reaping about Haymitch?

Murray Close/Lionsgate

Yes, Sunrise on the Reaping is about Haymitch Abernathy and his win during the 50th Hunger Games.

Check out The 27 Most-Anticipated New Books Debuting In 2024 for more titles coming soon!

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This post has been updated.

Denim is so very choose-your-own-adventure these days. From big, baggy shapes to skinny silhouettes (throwback!), the latest and greatest denim trend that’s buzzing around is none other than bootcut jeans.

Contrary to my previously-held opinion that I should absolutely leave bootcut jeans in my middle school days, my mind changed quite quickly after a slew of social media influence (hello, ‘fit pics), and of course, Kendrick Lamar’s fashionable Super Bowl 2025 halftime performance.

In fact, Google searches for “bootcut jeans” surged not even 24 hours after Kendrick took center stage. His Celine jeans boasted some dramatically wide ankles, obviously hinting toward bootcut or even full-on flare jeans.

Like ‘em or not, bootcut jeans are coming back. They look oh-so stylish worn with boots and ballet flats alike – forget the wacky outfits of your youth.

There’s a pair of bootcut jeans out there for everyone. Here are the 10 chicest pairs to inspire your 2025 outfits!

Free People

Levi's Wedgie Boot Jeans

Levi's is a staple brand when it comes to any kind of jean, but these bootcut jeans with a bit of a hiked-up ankle are – dare I say? – perfect. The extra space allows you to show off your favorite shoes, from kitten heels to cowgirl boots.

Madewell

Madewell Relaxed Bootcut Jeans

You truly cannot go wrong with a medium wash. Plus, this pair comes with a relaxed feel: per Madewell, they're "rigid with a touch of stretch."

J.Crew

J.Crew High-Rise Bootcut Jeans

As much of a medium wash girly I am, I'm also a huge fan of a good ol' dark wash. It gives your pair a subtle vintage vibe, which will always be easy to wear with other garments. This J.Crew number also features an ultra-stretchy material that comfortably forms to your figure!

Quince

Quince Stretch High Rise Wide Leg Jeans

Bootcut + high rise = the most flattering pair of jeans you'll ever own.

Free People

We The Free Flora Low-Rise Bootcut Jeans

With a cozy low rise and some playful seaming along the legs, the magic of these bootcut jeans lies in all the details. You can shop 'em in 3 more washes, which range from light blue to worn-in black.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch We The Free Flora Low-Rise Bootcut Jeans

I love the idea of pairing this super light pair of bootcut jeans with black boots, a black top, and a black leather jacket. It's a simple outfit formula with a very stylish (and not to mention comfy!) payoff.

Anthropologie

Rag & Bone Peyton Mid-Rise Bootcut Jeans

If a mid-rise is where your heart lies, you'll swiftly fall in love with this bootcut number from Rag & Bone.

Free People

We The Free Holly Bootcut Jeans

With more of a loose fit, these Free People jeans are ideal for days off and lazy weekends. The non-stretch denim screams vintage influence, so they'd look stunning with some other thrifted items, from graphic tees to bags!

Nordstrom

1822 Denim Butter Tall High Waist Slim Bootcut Jeans

Fashioned for those with taller frames, these bootcut jeans fit just right and land a little below the ankles.

Anthropologie

Paige Petite Laurel Canyon High-Rise Bootcut Jeans

If you're more on the petite side, these bootcut jeans are specially designed to flatter and fit you to a tee with a slightly-stretchy material and a nice high-rise waistline.

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Babe wake up, Knives Out 3 is officially on its way! It's been almost two years since we saw Benoit Blanc solve his second case in Netflix's Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. The film (which stars Janelle Monae, Madelyn Cline, and Kathryn Hahn) followed a case of secret identities, intrigue, and also received an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay, NBD. On May 24, 2024 Netflix confirmed that Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is coming, and on June 10, they confirmed filming began outside London!

Here's everything you need to know about Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, including a first look at the characters.

Your first official look at Josh O'Connor in 'Knives Out 3'

John Wilson/Netflix

All I've been able to think about since the first set pictures leaked (see below) is "move over Fleabag Hot Priest!" Our first official look at Josh O'Connor (whose character name we still don't know) and Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc features the duo inside a cathedral with a seriously gloomy atmosphere. I'm willing to bet this is the middle of Benoit's investigation — and I'm hoping Josh is there every step of the way. Who knows; maybe that black jacket will be the new Chris Evans white sweater.

www.tiktok.com

TikTok · joshurro🥨

Our first look at Josh O'Connor on the set of Knives Out 3 totally confirmed my personal hope and theory the movie would be set around a graveyard, and it's also the second time Josh has played a priest. He starred in 2020's Emma as Mr. Elton!

Your first look at Benoit Blanc in 'Knives Out 3'

Netflix

Benoit Blanc is debuting a brand new look in the new Knives Out movie. The black and white filter goes perfectly with the Wake Up Dead Man title, and is also reminding me a bit of Frankenstein.

What is the movie Wake Up Dead Man about?

Lionsgate

Daniel Craig narrates the official Instagram announcement, saying, "In the beginning, the knives came out. Then, behold, the glass was shattered. But my most dangerous case yet is about to be revealed." The title Wake Up Dead Man definitely sounds scary, so I wouldn't be surprised if the story took place around a graveyard.

I'm expecting it to be extra spooky after actor Josh Brolin (who you'll recognize from Dune and as the voice of Thanos) told New York City Comic Con that the story "scared" him.

"I read it and I was just like, 'God, this is so well written. We just don't read things like this anymore,'" he said during the panel (via People). "It turned out that it was a cast, a lot of people who I had worked with, a lot of people who I loved and hadn't met yet, like Andrew Scott and Josh O'Connor, and people like that...Then doing it turned out, I mean, still one of my favorite jobs that I've ever had."

"I can't say what I played," he continued. "It scared me, which I wanted to be scared."

Is there going to be a Knives Out 3?

Image via Netflix

Yes, we're getting a Knives Out 3! Netflix bought the rights to at least two more Knives Out movies following the success of the first film in the fall of 2019. And on May 24, the official Instagram account confirmed the third movie, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, will be hitting our screens soon. The movie will feature Benoit Blanc's "most dangerous case yet."

When is Knives Out 3 coming out?

Netflix

Knives Out 3 is coming in 2025. While we don't have a specific release date yet, the title and graphics for Wake Up Dead Man is definitely giving spooky Halloween vibes. Hopefully we can add it to our list of our Favorite Halloween Movies!

Will Wake Up Dead Man be on Netflix?

Yes, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will be available to stream on Netflix.

Who's in the cast of Knives Out 3?

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Our first Knives Out 3 cast members are here! In addition to Daniel Craig, we'll see Challengers' Josh O’Connor and Priscilla's Cailee Spaeny. Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church are also in the cast of Wake Up Dead Man.

Considering the franchise has Madelyn Cline, Chris Evans, Janelle Monae, and Ana de Armas, I knew Netflix wouldn't disappoint!

Is Knives Out 1 connected to Knives Out 2?

Lionsgate

Knives Out 2 is a standalone sequel to the first Knives Out movie. So Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc helps with each case, even if the rest of the characters don't know each other. I'm expecting Knives Out 3 to follow that same format.

What do you want to see in Knives Out 3? Let us know in the comments!

This post has been updated.

The Fantastic Four trailer is finally here! And it's just as creative and exciting as I hoped. The retro futuristic edge feels brand new and familiar at the same time (and is totally giving Captain America: The First Avenger...but more on that later), and yeah, I'll say it: Pedro Pascal looks good. Let's get into the trailer for this new movie because I've already watched it multiple times.

Here's every detail you missed in the new TheFantastic Four trailer.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps confirms the movie's not in our world.

First things first, The Fantastic 4 trailer lets us know we're not on Earth-616 (our world) with the first frame because even though the Baxter Building is in New York City, the cityscape is full of buildings our real Manhattan doesn't have. Plus, Sue Storm and Reed Richards' kitchen is full of gadgets and gizmos aplenty.

One of my favorite moments comes when Ben (played by The Bear star Ebon Moss-Bachrach) is cooking with H.E.R.B.I.E. and winds up improving upon the robot's sauce with some garlic, which is TOTALLY something Richie would do behind Carmy's back.

We also learn that The Fantastic Four: First Steps will take place after the team has gotten their powers, and that Reed specifically is struggling with the fact they've all changed: Sue turns invisible, Ben became a literal rock, and Johnny can turn into flames. But as Sue reminds him, "Ben has always been a rock, Johnny is Johnny, and I am right here."

"Whatever life throws at us, we'll face it together," she continues, "as a family."

According to Deadline, the trailer, which broke 202 million views in its first 24 hours, became Marvel's most-viewed, non-sequel trailer ever.

"I love how much they made the thing’s face look like Jack Kirby’s illustrations," one YouTube user said of the original comic book artist, while another added, "There are only a few things that truly make me happy, and one of them is you, Marvel."

However, the Instagram crowd was a bit tougher, with users sayingthe trailer "was a bit rubbish though. Didn’t make me want to watch it," and that it was a "massive disappointment."

'The Fantastic Four' trailer recaptures the magic of Marvel's Phase 1.

And the most impactful part of The Fantastic Four trailer for me is that it really emphasizes how Phase 5 of the MCU is a refresh. The fact we're getting introduced to a new family, as well as the retro element and the tech, calls back to Iron Man and Captain America: The First Avenger for me. Just like those movies provided us with a foundational understanding of the MCU, I really believe F4 will set the tone for Marvel moving forward. Plus, I won't say no to Pedro Pascal becoming one of the new Avengers' leaders!

Whether the movie leads directly into Avengers: Doomsday, or it ends with Sue, Reed, Johnny, and Ben coming to our timeline like Steve does at the end of Captain America, we'll have to wait for July 25, 2025 to see what kind of adventures await these fantastic four.

What do you think of the new TheFantastic Four trailer? Let us know on Facebook and check out Everything Marvel Announced At San Diego Comic Con 2024, From Avengers 5 To Robert Downey Jr.'s Return To The MCU.

This post has been updated.

Netflix has announced that a Little House on the Prairie reboot is coming to the streamer, so grab your sundresses because Cottagecore 3.0 is absolutely on its way. And showrunner and executive producer Rebecca Sonnenshine (who worked on The Vampire Diaries) can't wait for you to see the new adaptation.

"I fell deeply in love with these books when I was 5 years old,” she told Tudum. “They inspired me to become a writer and a filmmaker, and I am honored and thrilled to be adapting these stories for a new audience.”

Here's everything we know about the Little House On The Prairie reboot, coming to Netflix soon!

Netflix's 'Little House on the Prairie' will bring "hope and optimism" to viewers.

The Little House on the Prairie reboot will serve as a "reimagining" of the books, according to Tudum, which immediately makes me think of the differences between Netflix's Anne With an E, which was a grittier approach to L.M. Montgomery's novel than CBC's Anne of Green Gables from the 1980s.

Little House on the Prairie has captured the hearts and imaginations of so many fans around the world, and we’re excited to share its enduring themes of hope and optimism with a fresh take on this iconic story,” Netflix's Drama Series vice president Jinny Howe says in an interview with Tudum. “Rebecca’s vision threads the needle with an emotional depth that will delight both new and existing fans of this beloved classic.”

But fans of the original series have mixed feelings.

Deadline first announced news of the Little House reboot on January 29, which was met with QUITE a stir on social media.

"Get out!!! Best news today!" one Instagram user commented on Deadline's post, while another said, "This does not need a reboot. It was an AMAZING show!!"

And fans aren't the only ones with opinions. Dean Butler, who played Laura's (Melissa Gilbert) onscreen husband Almonzo, told ReMIND that while “there have been so many different announcements about reboots or re-imaginings," the new Little House on the Prairie "had a different feel to it. This felt like this was really real.”

“One of the first feelings, in all honesty, is probably, well, ‘If this works, are they going to forget about what we did all those years ago?'" he continues. “And then the next thought is, ‘It’s going to be very difficult to create something that touches people’s hearts in the way that the original did.'"

He continues that Michael Landon, who was both actor and creator Michael Landon had a “certain specific kind of touching, personal, intimate storytelling about the human condition.” And while times have changed, "if this adaptation of Little House can meet the expectation of this more current audience and bring along a few of those who have loved it, it’s going to be very successful.”

Actress Alison Arngrim (who played Nellie Oleson) promises the new show will stay closer to the books than the original series. “So concerns that they’re going to run amok away from the books and make it into something weird, not happening,” she told Remind.

And after former Fox News host Megyn Kelly tweeted, "Netflix, if you woke-ify ‘Little House on the Prairie’ I will make it my singular mission to absolutely ruin your project,” Melissa Gilbert recommended Megyn watch the show again.

"TV doesn’t get too much more ‘woke’ than we did," Melissa Gilbert said a statement. "We tackled: racism, addiction, nativism, antisemitism, misogyny, rape, spousal abuse and every other ‘woke ‘ topic you can think of. Thank you very much.”

What do you think about the Netflix Little House on the Prairie reboot? I don't think anything can get grittier than that "Sylvia" episode...IYKYK. Here are The Best New TV Shows On Netflix In February to hold you over!