U.S. Department of Justice

The US Justice Department has amended its federal lawsuit over Alaska's Senate race, citing a New York Times report that Democratic operatives working with Mary Peltola's campaign sought to recruit spoiler candidates to draw votes from Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. One recruit, Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from Petersburg, entered the race in May. The suit asks to block certification of any result affected by voter confusion. Governor Mike Dunleavy has ordered a state probe into whether laws were broken. Peltola's campaign denies involvement with either Sullivan campaign. Polls close in Alaska on 3 Nov, and Peltola leads narrowly.

A US federal judge in Manhattan sentenced brothers Tal, Oren and Alon Alexander to 30 years in prison each on Tuesday, 27 Oct, for sex trafficking and rape. Prosecutors had sought life sentences. The brothers, former luxury real-estate brokers, were convicted in March after a trial of several weeks. Prosecutors said more than 70 women reported being assaulted over at least 14 years. Twelve victims addressed the court before sentencing. Each brother must also pay at least $300,000 in fines, and Oren must pay a further $50,000 for producing child sexual abuse material.

A U.S. federal judge, Ana Reyes, has temporarily barred the Trump administration from cutting, pruning or damaging trees at the East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., after more than 500 trees had already been felled. Reyes ordered the government to give ten business days' written notice before any irreversible change to the park. She described the removed trees as healthy and non-hazardous. The ruling followed a lawsuit by the DC Preservation League and two golfers. President Donald Trump has said he will appeal and that renovation will still begin in November, with the course closing on 15 Nov.