Final Michigan Senate debate takeaways and rural America’s data center boom: Morning Rundown

The economy and the war in Iran emerged as dominant debate topics in critical races in Michigan, Kansas and Wisconsin. Data centers are popping up in rural America, but not all communities are on board. And Trump is using flattery to get Putin to the negotiating table. Here’s what to know today. Candidates clash in debates in Michigan, Kansas and Wisconsin Across the country, candidates in tight races met for their final debates of the season in a bid to secure voters’ support with less than two weeks until Election Day: The second and final Michigan Senate debate between Republican Rep. Mike Rogers and Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed was far more tame than their first meeting earlier this month.

Polls show a neck-and-neck contest to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters. This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. Sign up here to get it in your inbox. El-Sayed sought to tie Rogers to President Donald Trump at every turn while also painting his opponent as a corporate sellout. Rogers has tried to put distance between himself and Trump by calling for an end to the Iran war and for a halt to the trade war with Canada, both of which he initially said he supported. Rogers aimed to tie El-Sayed to Islamist fundamentalist groups, and questioned his