10 things you need to know today: October 30, 2019

1. Administration official provides first-hand testimony on Trump phone call

Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a White House national security official and decorated Iraq war veteran, testified to House impeachment investigators on Tuesday, providing a first-hand account of the phone call in which President Trump pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Democrats, including political rival Joe Biden. Vindman listened to the call with other National Security Council officials, and said he was so "concerned" that he reported it to NSC lawyers. He said he thought Trump's request for the "favor" — in a conversation touching on military aid to Ukraine — could be seen as "a partisan play" and "undermine U.S. national security." Vindman also reportedly said a transcript released by the White House omitted key phrases, including a Trump reference to Biden.

The Washington Post The New York Times

2. Democrats unveil proposal for public impeachment hearings

House Democrats on Tuesday unveiled their proposed rules for making their impeachment proceedings public. The plan calls for the House Intelligence Committee to hold open hearings, and share its findings in a report on President Trump's pressure on Ukraine to investigate Democrats. The House leadership is preparing to hold a vote on the rules Thursday. The Intelligence Committee's report is to be passed along to the Judiciary Committee, which would then consider the evidence and produce articles of impeachment to submit to the full House. The draft spells out due process rights for Trump, which Republicans have said Trump has been denied in the current private depositions the House committees are holding.

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The New York Times

3. U.K. lawmakers approve snap election to break Brexit impasse

British lawmakers voted 438-20 on Tuesday to hold a general election on Dec. 12. The House of Commons decision came on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's fourth attempt to win approval for an early election to break the impasse over Brexit. The measure now goes to the House of Lords. The last national vote resulted in a "hung Parliament" in 2017, producing a government lacking the power to pass its agenda. Johnson's ruling Conservatives are hoping they will pick up seats and win a clear majority so they will be able to get a deal approved so that Britain can exit the European Union as planned. The leader of the main opposition Labour party, Jeremy Corbyn, said he and his allies would campaign aggressively, "giving a message of real hope where this government offers nothing."

CNBC

4. Judge blocks Alabama law banning nearly all abortions

Judge Myron Thompson of the U.S. District Court in Middle Alabama on Tuesday temporarily blocked Alabama's strict new abortion law, which would have prohibited nearly all abortions in the state. The law, signed by Gov. Kay Ivey (R) in May, would make it a felony to perform an abortion unless a woman's health is at risk, with no exception for rape or incest. The law was to take effect on Nov. 15. Ivey had said the law would provide the Supreme Court an "opportunity" to "revisit" Roe v. Wade. In his decision, Thompson said the Alabama law "contravenes clear Supreme Court precedent" and denies women the right "to make 'choices central to personal dignity and autonomy.'"

The New York Times

5. Record winds threaten to fuel growing L.A. wildfire

The National Weather Service on Tuesday issued a rare "extreme red flag warning" for Southern California, which could face its strongest winds in a decade through Thursday. Authorities said the winds, which could hit 80 miles per hour in some places, could whip up the Getty fire, which has burned 658 acres and several homes in recent days, and remained just 15 percent contained on Tuesday. The blaze has forced thousands of people to evacuate some luxury neighborhoods in Los Angeles, and the high winds threatened to help the wildfire spread. In Northern California, high winds continued to stoke the Kincade fire in Sonoma County wine country, where more than 76,000 acres have burned. That fire has destroyed 189 structures, including 86 houses.

Los Angeles Times The Mercury News

6. Coal company Murray Energy files for bankruptcy protection

Coal giant Murray Energy filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday despite regulatory breaks from the Trump administration. President Trump has long vowed to bring back coal jobs and end what he called the "war on coal" being waged by Democrats. But Murray, based in Ohio, continued to struggle as utilities switched from coal to cheaper and cleaner alternatives, such as natural gas and renewable energy sources. Murray Energy CEO Robert Murray said the company now will be able to access cash and restructure. Cecil Roberts, president of United Mine Workers of America, said Murray couldn't withstand the combined effect of government preference for gas power generation, and falling coal exports. "Now comes the part where workers and their families pay the price for corporate decision-making and governmental actions," Roberts said in a prepared statement.

The Associated Press

7. NCAA votes to consider letting athletes profit off their likeness

The NCAA Board of Governors voted unanimously Tuesday to let college athletes profit from their name, image, and likeness, subject to certain guidelines. Student-athletes largely will have to be treated similarly to non-athlete students, education must remain a priority, rules should be "transparent, focused, and enforceable" while facilitating "fair and balanced competition," and there must be no compensation for athlete performance. "We must embrace change to provide the best possible experience for college athletes," board chair Michael Drake said. The vote was likely set in motion by California passing a law prohibiting state schools from punishing athletes for accepting endorsement money starting in 2023. It now falls on the three separate divisions of the NCAA to implement the rule changes.

ESPN USA Today

8. Papadopoulos files paperwork to run for Rep. Katie Hill's seat

Former Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in its Russia investigation, filed paperwork to run for the House seat vacated by Rep. Katie Hill (D-Calif.). Hill announced her resignation this week as she faced an ethics investigation over an alleged affair with a staffer. Papadopoulos did not immediately comment, but he tweeted on Sunday: "I love my state too much to see it run down by candidates like Hill. All talk, no action." Papadopoulos became an early focus of the investigation into Russia's 2016 election meddling. He learned from a Maltese professor that Moscow had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton from hacked emails, and tried to arrange a meeting between then-candidate Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Associated Press

9. Lebanon's prime minister to resign after protests

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced Tuesday that he would submit his resignation after nearly two weeks of massive anti-government protests that have paralyzed the country. "I have reached a dead end, and we need a big shock to counter this crisis," Hariri said in a televised address. "My call to all the Lebanese is to prioritize the interest of Lebanon, the safety of Lebanon, the protection of civil peace, and the prevention of economic collapse before everything else." The protests over corruption and the country's economic crisis erupted Oct. 17 over a proposed tax on WhatsApp calls. Demonstrators, which have prompted school and bank closings, have set up tents and occupied streets and public squares. Supporters of Hezbollah attacked protesters Tuesday, setting fire to tents.

The Washington Post The New York Times

10. Nationals beat Astros to force World Series Game 7

The Washington Nationals beat the Houston Astros 7-2 in Game 6 of the World Series on Tuesday. The Nationals' win evened the series at 3-3 and forced a decisive Game 7. Adam Eaton and Juan Soto hit solo homeruns off the Astros' Justin Verlander in the fifth to help the Nationals take the lead after trailing 2-1. Stephen Strasburg pitched nearly the whole game for the Nationals, bringing his post-season record to 5-0. This is the first series in which the visiting team has won the first six games. "Maybe they enjoy our park and maybe we enjoy their park," said Anthony Rendon, who homered and drove in five runs for the Nationals. "We're not going to ask questions." Game 7 is Wednesday in Houston.

The Associated Press ESPN