Debbie Elliott

In a hard-fought contest, Republican Ron DeSantis won Florida's race for governor. Rick Scott has declared victory in the tight Senate race over three-term incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson.

Louisiana is one of only two states in the country that allow non-unanimous juries to convict defendants. A ballot measure will be voted on Tuesday that would amend the state's constitution.

The speculation surrounding a string of mail bombs harks back to another era in American history, when bombs were a tool of political intimidation and when bombings were blamed on the victims.

Residents in the Florida panhandle are still reeling from the destruction caused by Hurricane Michael. The recovery effort continues to be marred by fractured communication systems.

More than a week after Hurricane Michael made landfall as a Category 4 storm, cities and towns are facing the daunting task of trying to rebuild.

According to one website, at least 300 people are still unaccounted for on the Florida panhandle in the wake of Hurricane Michael.

Mechanic Ryan Smith of Lynn Haven, Fla., thought his house would hold during Hurricane Michael — until the roof blew off. Once he made it through, he helped his neighbors survive.

Hurricane Michael left behind massive destruction on the Florida Panhandle. Panama City was one of the places hardest hit by the storm.

Hurricane Michael made landfall on the Florida panhandle Wednesday afternoon.

The Carolinas' recovery from Hurricane Florence is already raising difficult questions about repeated flooding.

William Donelson came back to New Bern, N.C., to find his one-story brick apartment condemned. The town was hit by a nearly 10-foot storm surge from Hurricane Florence.

Hundreds of thousands of people are without power in North Carolina as Florence comes ashore. The storm is moving slowly dumping lots of rain and causing flooding in many areas along the coast.

Forecasters and residents are keeping a close eye on Hurricane Florence, which threatens the coast and inland areas with fierce winds, a big storm surge and plenty of rain.

Residents along the northern Gulf of Mexico are preparing for a strong tropical system. Tropical storm Gordon is expected to bring heavy rain, flooding and possible tornadoes from the Florida panhandle to Louisiana.

Thousands are expected at Friday's funeral for the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Family and invited guests celebrated her life inside the church while the community continued its tribute outside.

In Detroit, Aretha Franklin gets her final sendoff — in the vintage, white Cadillac hearse that once carried civil rights icon Rosa Parks. Her fans have been celebrating the Queen of Soul all week.

The Justice Department has backed a lawsuit alleging that Harvard University illegally discriminates against Asian-Americans. And mourners are paying tribute to John McCain and Aretha Franklin.

Detroit says goodbye to Aretha Franklin at her funeral today. Services will be live-streamed, in the culmination of a week-long tribute to the singer whose voice and soul touched millions.

Fans are paying tribute to Aretha Franklin by dressing the part. The Queen of Soul is lying in repose Wednesday in Detroit where there are many hats with bows and fancy dresses on display by fans.

Fans gather in Detroit to remember how Franklin's music marked milestones in the nation's history and in their own lives.