'Start Here': Bomb scares and health care. What you need to know to start your day.

ByDAVID RIND ABCNews logo
Thursday, October 25, 2018

It's Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018. Thanks for choosing to start here.

1. Manhunt for suspect after bombs sent to Clinton, Obama, CNN

Several explosives targeting Democratic political figures, including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, were intercepted by authorities on Wednesday. None of the bombs detonated and no one was injured, but investigators fear the intent of the sender was to maim or kill.

The devices, shipped in manila envelopes with six American flag stamps, contained a digital clock, explosive powder, a battery and wiring for detonation, according to sources.

"Given the fact that you have so many devices sent out already, you have to look at the possibility that there could be more," ABC News Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas tells us.

The FBI, Secret Service and ATF are involved in a sweeping national investigation as authorities search for a suspect and a motive. Former FBI agent and ABC News crime and terror analyst Brad Garrett profiles the bomber using the information we know so far: "He's pretty unsophisticated, and as a result he's probably ... left some trail for law enforcement to follow."

2. Health care, front and center

At his rallies and on Twitter, President Donald Trump has been vocal about health care, saying Democrats would not protect pre-existing conditions, while Republicans would.

Today, Trump will give remarks on health care in Washington to federal workers.

ABC News Agencies Coordinating Producer Anne Flaherty tells us that the president is stretching the truth.

3. Heitkamp angling to keep Senate seat in North Dakota

In North Dakota, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp has been fighting for her political life. She's one of several Democrats up for re-election in states dominated by Trump.

ABC News Senior Congressional correspondent Mary Bruce has been traveling the state and tells us Heitkamp is among several red-state Democrats doing everything they can to get re-elected.

4. Guilty verdicts in college basketball corruption trial

All three defendants in the NCAA basketball corruption trial were found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Adidas employee James Gatto, basketball consultant Merl Code and former sports agent Christian Dawkins were accused of paying money to families of players who signed with Adidas-sponsored schools, including Kansas, Louisville and N.C. State. The three defendants are expected to appeal the verdict.

Will Wednesday's ruling pressure the NCAA to take action against pay-for-play schemes?

"You've got a lot of NCAA naysayers out there and critics who have said from the beginning the NCAA is letting this stuff happen," ABC News legal analyst Ryan Smith tells us. "Despite a conviction, you might not see a whole lot of action from the NCAA."

The NCAA said in a statement the league "will continue to review any relevant information about potential NCAA violations."

Adidas told ABC News in a statement the company respects the jury's verdict: "We look forward to continuing to work with the NCAA and other stakeholders in a collaborative and constructive manner to improve the environment around college basketball. We have strengthened our internal processes and controls and remain committed to ethical and fair business practices."

In other news:

'Well, I was wrong, and I am sorry': Megyn Kelly, who once insisted that Jesus Christ and Santa Claus were white, apologized for her latest racially insensitive remarks.

'We're going to have to get into more details before I comment about it': Top Republicans, including Sen. Orrin Hatch, can't really elaborate on the president's promise of a new middle-class tax cut.

'Midterm election jitters have combined to cloud the economic and profit outlook': Major U.S. stock indices are now in the red for 2018.

'Archbishop Etienne apologizes to anyone who has been harmed by someone representing the Catholic Church': The Archdiocese of Anchorage is under investigation.

From our partners at FiveThirtyEight:

We're Back From The Future. Which Of These Wildly Different Midterm Outcomes Would You Believe?

Last 'Nightline':

What to know about the suspicious packages delivered to Clinton, Obama, CNN: ABC News' "Nightline" takes a look at how police handled the explosives and suspicious packages delivered and how the events unfolded.

Panning for gold in the Yukon with the men of 'Gold Rush': Ginger Zee joined the stars the hit Discovery show, now in its ninth season, to dig into what goes on behind the scenes of competing to get rich prospecting.

On this day in history:

Oct. 25, 1983 -- The U.S. invades Grenada.

Today's must-see photo:

Police officers stand in front of property owned by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton in Chappaqua, N.Y., Oct. 24, 2018. (photo credit: Seth Wenig/AP)

For more great photos from around the world click HERE.

What's hot on social:

A judge ditched his robe before stepping out from behind the bench to chase after two inmates who tried to make a run for it during a court appearance in Washington state.

All right, you're off and running. You can always get the latest news on ABCNews.com and on the ABC News app. Details on how to subscribe to the "Start Here" podcast are below. See you tomorrow!

"Start Here" is the flagship daily news podcast from ABC News -- a straightforward look at the day's top stories in 20 minutes. Listen for free every weekday on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, or the ABC News app. On Amazon Echo, ask Alexa to "Play 'Start Here'" or add the "Start Here" skill to your Flash Briefing. Follow @StartHereABC on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for exclusive content, show updates and more.

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