Some St. Louis-area hospitals postponing elective procedures

O’FALLON, Mo. (AP) — The number of coronavirus patients in Missouri hospitals has reached another record. One of the state’s largest health care providers is calling off some elective procedures amid fears that hospitals are nearing their capacity. The state health department reported 2,599 additional COVID-19 cases Wednesday, bringing the total to 193,023 since the…

The Latest: Pelosi says election about ‘the soul of America’

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the presidential campaign (all times local): 12:20 p.m. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she’s “absolutely certain” that Democrats will “solidly hold” onto their House majority. On an Election Day conference call with reporters, the California Democrat said “this election is about nothing less than taking back the soul of America, whether…

Judge rejects GOP effort to throw out 127,000 Houston votes

HOUSTON (AP) — A federal judge has rejected a last-ditch Republican effort to invalidate nearly 127,000 votes in Houston. U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen’s ruling Monday concerned ballots cast at drive-thru polling centers that were established during the pandemic. The lawsuit was brought by conservative Texas activists who have railed against expanded voting access in…