Axios

Christa Pike's survival after two lethal injection doses has put state execution protocols nationwide under new scrutiny.

The big picture: How prisoners are executed varies by state, with lethal injection, electrocution, lethal gas and firing squads among the methods authorized.

With one month until Election Day, some big GOP spenders are giving up on North Carolina and prioritizing other states.

Why it matters: It's a sign that Republicans believe Michael Whatley can't win and that the seat will flip to Democrats, who need four pickups to regain control of the Senate.

The Senate is well on its way to claiming the congressional attendance trophy this year, spending 32 more weekdays in session so far than the House.

Why it matters: Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) have been torched by members for all the time off — not to mention Democrats, who taunt them for their truancy.