10 things you need to know today: October 28, 2019

1. Longtime former Detroit Congressman John Conyers dies at 90

Former Congressman John Conyers, who was the longest-serving African-American representative ever in the House, died Sunday at his Detroit home. He was 90. Conyers, a liberal Democrat, was a co-founder of the Congressional Black Congress. During a congressional career that spanned 10 presidencies, he built a reputation as a champion of civil and human rights. "He's touched so many lives across the country around the world when you talk about human rights and civil rights," said Jonathan Kinloch, Democratic Party chairman of the 13th Congressional District. "He was a giant then, he's a giant now, and he will remain a giant into history." Conyers' legacy was marred by complaints of sexual harassment that led to his 2017 resignation. Conyers denied the allegations.

The Detroit News The Washington Post

2. California governor declares statewide emergency over fires

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) declared a statewide emergency on Sunday as hurricane-force winds fueled several dangerous wildfires. Newsom said state authorities were tapping "every resource available" to respond to the blazes, which forced officials to order nearly 200,000 people to evacuate their homes. A massive fire in Northern California wine country destroyed at least 31 homes, and prompted most of the evacuations as wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour fueled the flames. In the southern part of the state, a wildfire destroyed 18 structures near Los Angeles. The state's largest utility, Pacific Gas & Electric, has cut power to 2.3 million people to keep electrical equipment from igniting new fires.

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The Associated Press San Francisco Chronicle

3. Tip from interrogation of Baghdadi wife, courier led to raid

The tip that led to the commando raid against Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's compound in Syria came from the arrest and interrogation of a courier and one of Baghdadi's wives during the summer, The New York Times reported on Sunday, citing two American officials. The information allowed the CIA, working with Iraqi and Kurdish intelligence officials, to pinpoint Baghdadi's location and monitor his movements, resulting in the Saturday commando raid that President Trump said killed the ISIS leader. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) praised the special forces fighters who participated in the operation, but criticized Trump for notifying Russia about the operation before telling leaders in Congress. ISIS spokesman Abu Hassan al-Muhajir, considered a possible Baghdadi successor, reportedly was killed in separate attack.

The New York Times The Washington Post

4. Alberto Fernandez reportedly beats President Mauricio Macri in Argentina election

Argentine media on Sunday reported that challenger Alberto Fernandez had beaten President Mauricio Macri in the South American nation's presidential election. Fernandez took a strong polling lead into the vote, thanks to the popularity of his left-leaning opposition's "social contract" among a population weary of Macri's tough-love austerity program. One news outlet declared that Fernandez had won the vote outright, with no need for a second-round of voting. "I voted for Fernandez because I see people just very unhappy in the street and I want a country with a better economy and more social support," one voter, 71-year-old Carlos Berenguer, said outside a polling station in Buenos Aires.

Reuters

5. Unpiloted Air Force spaceplane completes record 780-day mission

An unpiloted Air Force X-37B spaceplane ended a record 780-day mission in orbit with a surprise landing at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday. It was the fifth flight for the Orbital Test Vehicle program, which has been conducted in secret. "This program continues to push the envelope as the (Air Force's) only reusable space vehicle," Randy Walden, director of the Air Force's Rapid Capabilities Office, said in a statement. "With a successful landing today, the X-37B completed its longest flight to date and successfully completed all mission objectives." The Air Force release little information about the missions, but Walden said this time the reusable spaceplane "successfully hosted Air Force Research Laboratory experiments, among others, as well as providing a ride for small satellites."

CBS News

6. Rep. Katie Hill announces her resignation after start of ethics inquiry

Rep. Katie Hill (D-Calif.) announced Sunday that she would step down in the face of a congressional ethics investigation into allegations that she had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a member of her office staff. "It is with a broken heart that today I announce my resignation from Congress," Hill, 31, said in a statement. "This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but I believe it is the best thing for my constituents, my community, and our country." Hill's spokeswoman said Hill had not decided when she would leave office, but Politico reported she would resign by the end of the week. Hill, who is bisexual, had acknowledged being involved in a three-person relationship involving a woman on her campaign team, but had denied being in a romantic relationship with her legislative director, calling the accusation part of a "smear campaign" coordinated by her husband in a bitter divorce.

The Washington Post

7. Joker reclaims top spot at domestic box office

Warner Bros.' Joker reclaimed the top spot at the domestic box office over the weekend, narrowly beating out Maleficent: Mistress of Evil a week after the Disney film bumped it out of first place. Joker made $18.9 million in ticket sales, just ahead of Maleficent's $18.5 million, according to Sunday studio estimates. Joker is only the third movie this year to claim three weekends at No. 1, after Universal's Glass and Disney's Avengers: Endgame. The Maleficent follow-up, starring Angelina Jolie, debuted at No. 1 with $36 million in its first weekend, then slowed down. It has now made $65 million in North America. MGM's animated comedy The Addams Family took the No. 3 spot this weekend with $11.7 million, followed by Sony's Zombieland: Double Tap with $11.6 million.

Variety

8. EU diplomats meet to formally approve Brexit delay

Diplomats from European Union member nations met Monday to make a formal decision on Britain's request to delay its exit from the trading bloc, which was scheduled for Oct. 31. The EU agreed to the Brexit delay in principle at the end of last week, but didn't set a new date. EU diplomats on Monday granted an extension to Jan. 31, or earlier if British lawmakers ratify a deal earlier. In London, British lawmakers are due to vote on whether to schedule an early election on Dec. 12 as requested by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who reluctantly gave up on his vow to lead the country out of the EU on schedule and proposed an early vote to break Parliament's deadlock over Brexit.

The Associated Press The Guardian

9. Trump met with boos and chants of 'Lock him up' at World Series

President Trump attended Game 5 of the World Series between the Astros and Nationals in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, and was booed by fans when his presence was announced and his image appeared on the Jumbotron at the top of the fourth inning. Trump was watching the game from a luxury suite with first lady Melania Trump and some of the president's big Republican supporters in Congress, including Reps. Steve Scalise (R-La.), Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), and Matt Gaetz (R-Fla), and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). After the booing faded, some fans chanted, "Impeach Trump!" and "Lock him up!" The trip to the ballpark was Trump's first to see a Washington sporting event since taking office.

NBC Sports The Washington Post

10. Astros beat Nationals to take 3-2 World Series lead

The Houston Astros beat the Washington Nationals 7-1 on Sunday night during Game 5 of the World Series. The Astros came back from losing the first two games of the best-of-seven series at home to take a 3-2 lead, outscoring the Nationals 19-3 in three straight wins in Washington. They can earn their second World Series title in three seasons if they win Game 6 on Tuesday. The Astros had two-run home runs from Yordan Alvarez, Carlos Correa, and George Springer, while in the seventh inning, Juan Soto gave the Nationals their only run of the game. Historically, when the series has been tied at 2-2, the winner of Game 5 has gone on to win the title 67 percent of the time, CBS Sports reports.

CBS Sports Yahoo Sports