>> hi, tony, dana miller. >> reporter: dana and jeff miller are among the large majority of livingston that voted blue four years ago. and judging by the lawn decorations -- >> what is the defining difference between a person who puts up a sign and a person who doesn't. >> passion. >> reporter: many here are now throwing their support behind harris. >> donald trump is an narcissist and autocrat waiting. >> reporter: what the issues for you? >> the issues for me are democracy. democracy. >> reporter: feelings about what's at stake are just as fine strong on the other side of the river. >> if she did god forbid win, it's over for us, america. it's over. done. >> reporter: how could it be that americans could see things so differently? >> i don't know. i get my bagels in east hanover. >> exactly. >> i'm hanging out with these people. we're watching games. we're doing all this, but when it comes to politics, there is a

clear divide. >> reporter: a divide that's noticeable here and everywhere else, with polls showing four out of every five adults believe americans are greatly divided on our most important values. >> you can't say what you want to say. and the other side says what they want to say. but if you say it, you're racist, you're homophobic. why? i just have an opinion. >> reporter: but the way in which those opinions are formed. >> i think it has to do with where you're getting your information from. >> reporter: is where we found at least some agreement. how much do you think people's different opinions are based on just different sources of information? >> i know the people i talk to, i know the chances they're channels they're watching. i know what they're watching because they're so brainwashed, they have no clue what's going on. >> reporter: so they asked lou and karen to join us at jeff and dana's. >> hello. >> reporter: they'd never met before, but agreed to sit down and hear each other out. >> we're living in an uncivilized nation. >> when before did we ever think like that? >> nope.

>> it's getting worse. >> so what caused it? >> the division? >> she's not going to like my answer. obama. >> you say alabama. obama unleashed something, represented something? >> you know what unleashed me? trump. >> reporter: they couldn't agree on even basic facts on issues like the economy -- >> inflation is way down. >> inflation is down? >> yeah. jobs are up. >> reporter: the border wall. >> he put up five miles. >> where did you hear that? >> on the news. >> 500 miles of wall. >> reporter: or foreign relations. >> putin's supporting kamala. >> i don't see that. >> he is. >> where did you hear this? >> all over the news. >> reporter: so we watched one of lou and karen's regular sources of news. jesse watters on fox. >> kamala thinks voters are too ignorant to get her message through their thick skulls. >> reporter: it became apparent much of the information that show lays out -- >> kamala wants to win the black vote with free money and drugs. >> reporter: seemed to dana -- >> i never heard this before.

>> reporter: like it was presented out of context. >> they take sound bites of what they want to promote. >> does it help you understand why they feel the way they do? >> yes, absolutely. because if this is what you're watching, then this is what you're believing. >> reporter: when we flipped over to msnbc -- >> this is my truth. >> reporter: it was lou who flipped out over lawrence o'donnell. >> the trump campaign staff, all of whom disgrace themselves every day by lying every day. >> get out of here. >> reporter: he too saw distortions in the way his candidate was covered. >> critics say your tariffs will end up being like a national sales tax. >> nope, nope. >> the countries will pay. >> did you see what he just did there? >> what did he do. >> chopped it. i saw that whole interview. >> it's a sound bite for what he is propagating. >> say one word and nay them. that's why they call this fake news. >> in the end, you said this is my truth. you said this is fake news.

>> i'm going pray for you guys tonight. and i mean that. i mean that. >> same. >> reporter: no one's vote was changed because of our little get together. >> i think the point is to watch a lot of different news outlets and form your own opinion. >> absolutely. >> yes. >> reporter: and yet the couples did find at least something to agree on. >> reporter: do you think these opinion shows are part of the problem? >> yes. >> 100%. >> sometimes i think that both sides show things skewing to their audience. >> yeah. >> i wish we could stop this crap. even the stuff that fox says sometimes. that's got to stop. i don't know what it's going to take. >> if we all acknowledge thou we how we got into the silos and the problem with the diet, the media diet that we have, why do we keep eating it? >> pastime? >> habit. >> yes. 100%. >> that was tony dokoupil reporting. some voters say the election season has gotten so intense, they just can't wait for it to be over. jason rantala has some ideas on

how to overcome election anxiety. >> reporter: it's a sea of blue here in southwest minneapolis, as harris/walz signs dominate the landscape. but neighbors like tess olson. >> i think it gives me a little bit of a false sense of hope the anything. >> reporter: know their tangletown neighborhood is uniquely aligned. >> initially i was totally sure, kamala will have this in the bag, no problem. and we creeped closer, my anxiety levels are also definitely creeping. >> reporter: experts say one way to reduce election stress is by staying off social media. avoid the so-called doom scroll and set time limits each day. >> being exposed to so many news that are not always positive or happy or encouraging leads to more sense of distress. >> reporter: experts also say exercise, doing things you enjoy while avoiding stressful political topics with friends will also help. >> self-care routines that we

all have or should have that include physical activation, engaging in activities that are pleasurable, making sure that discussions that we have with friends or family members are not necessarily around the topics that are currently stressful. >> reporter: down the road and on the other side of the aisle -- >> both trump supporters, yep. >> reporter: roommates gavin owens and bryce bone. >> i wouldn't say i'm worried. kind of just let the process play out. >> reporter: say they're not letting election stress keep them up at night. >> i don't think it would be anything that is going to shatter the country or anything. it's just kind of the election happens. move forward and we just keep going. >> reporter: in minneapolis, jason rantala, wcco news. >> and come tuesday, cbs news will have team coverage of the election with realtime results, analysis, and exclusive polling as the ballots roll in. our coverage begins at 4:00 p.m. eastern on our streaming channel and at 7:00 p.m. eastern right here on cbs. stay with "cbs news roundup." we'll be right back.

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- thank you. - thank you. - thank you for giving. - because at shriners hospitals for children, going to the hospital is like going to see family! it really is the best part of my day. please call or go online right now to give. if operators are busy, please wait patiently, or go to loveshriners.org right away. your gift will help kids just like me have the best part of our day. this week, more than a billion south asians around the world are celebrating diwali, the indian festival of life. it marks the hindu new year, and has become mainstream here in the u.s. pennsylvania recently passed a bill making diwali a state holiday.

and school districts in at least 26 state news recognize it as a school holiday. a new generation of south asian americans is spotlighting the holiday that is all about new beginnings. >> okay. >> reporter: all it takes is a small spark to see the spirit of diwali. >> you guys excited to light up the house? >> yeah. >> reporter: the boehners, a jewish-indian american family are creating new cross cultural diwali traditions in their new york home. >> we are family that does our best to celebrate and integrate both faiths and traditions into our day-to-day life. >> the culture is beautiful and rich, and they got to know where they come from. we want to incorporate it. it's all part of our children's heritage and like growing up. >> reporter: more than five million americans take part in the five-day festival that celebrates light over darkness. but diwali only recently gained national recognition from hollywood to the white house, even new york's times square,

one of the biggest celebrations in the country. how did you experience diwali as a child? >> there was a stigma i feel that i carried as i was growing up when there was less exposure to our culture. you were only seen as taxi cabdrivers or at 7-eleven. and then i almost wished that as a greater collective, it was celebrated more openly or people could see how cool and gorgeous it was. there is such pride in the culture now. it's seen as such a cool thing. >> one, two, three, four -- >> reporter: at dodge elementary school in buffalo, it's that cultural pride that akrithi babaria hopes to ignite in kids. >> i moved to america more than two decades ago. the immigrants at this time, they were looking to just assimilate. and then came the generational shift of them having children, and now the generation wants to integrate. >> reporter: and she believes that integration -- >> what do we say when someone is celebrating diwali?

>> happy diwali! >> reporter: starts at school. >> why is it important to teach kids about diwali young? >> when they're young, they haven't really made up their mind. they don't have an opinion yet. >> you see it lit up. >> so when we teach and we educate them in a really fun way, we have an opportunity to change an entire generation. >> reporter: so what do you think the message of diwali is? >> goodness. >> reporter: goodness? in 2020, babaria created a first of its kind suite of resources. focused on indian holidays. since then her sales have grown sixfold. retail giants even sell diwali products and this year mattel released a diwali barbie that quickly sold out. how do you feel about diwali becoming essentially mainstream in america? >> about time. because i -- this is the way i look at it. i'm an indian american. my son, who is a born american, is an indian american. we are americans, and we're

celebrating it. diwali is an american holiday. >> reporter: the nationwide shift in inclusivity is inspiring a new generation of americans to celebrate the universality of diwali. >> i pray my diwali light shines all year long. >> being able to connect over bringing light and celebration of light is absolutely magical, and we could all use that reminder. >> and there has also been an effort to make diwali a federal holiday. new york democratic representative grace monk introduced legislation into congress congress last year, and that is a huge step forward for th southeast asian co

there is more evidence that climate change is having a devastating impact on the world's oceans. environmental researchers say

rising sea temperatures have now led to the worst coral reef bleaching ever recorded. and it's not just the great barrier reef in australia. wendy gillette has the view from the maldives, which is now dealing with more than a warmer ocean. >> reporter: the serene, sandy shores of the maldives don't reveal what's happening beneath the surface. >> oh, baby sharks here. >> reporter: sertia macklin is a marine biologist at her resort where she educates guests and conducts research on coral bleaching. >> having very, very warm waters. so a lot of our corals can become quite stressed as a result of this. >> reporter: the stressed corals expel algae, causing them to turn white and can eventually die. the resort attaches coral fragments to structures in the seabed to foster reef restoration, including outside its underwater restaurant. >> the coral makes up about 1% of our ocean sea floor environment. it's actually home to 25% of all known marine species. so some really important environment for a lot of our

marine life. >> reporter: macklin first noticed major bleaching this spring, now part of the most extensive bleaching on record. >> for me as a marine biologist, it's very, very sad to see. it's also a little bit scary. >> reporter: there is another threat to sea life in the maldives, fishing nets that drift from other countries that entangle and injure turtles. one and only reefy raw hosts a rehabilitation center to help them. fida is a patientment she lost both flippers on her right side, likely after getting entangled in a discarded net. >> it's quite a big problem here. >> reporter: turtle biologist abdullah hamid cares for fida, who has trouble with buoyancy and is entice with food to dive to the bottom of her tank. the resort where we also stayed for a special rate partners with the nonprofit olive ridley project on a mission to protect sea turtles. even without a trip to the maldives, simple steps can help, including eating less fish, limiting plastic use, and choosing local foods. >> if we are not going to

protect the place that we live in, then who will? >> reporter: biologists see fida making project and hope to release her back into the wild. wendy gillette, the maldives. >> that poor turtle. that's "cbs news roundup." for some of you, the news continues. to others, tune in later for "cbs mornings," and follow us online any time at cbsnews.com. reporting from cbs news broadcast center in new york city, i'm shanelle kaul, and happy diwali. ♪ ♪

hello and thanks so much for staying up with us. i'm shanelle kaul in new york, and here are the top stories on "cbs news roundup." donald trump holds a garbage truck in wisconsin to protest remarks made by joe biden, while kamala harris stresses unity and common ground. the former president is making unfounded claims of election fraud in battleground pennsylvania. and celebrations in los angeles. there is a new championship team in major league baseball. the race for the white house remains neck and neck, according to the latest polling data, and both candidates are making their final appeals to voters in key battleground states, hoping to turn the tide by the end of election day. cbs' natalie brand has more on this from the campaign trail in one of those battlegrounds, pennsylvania, a state that could

determine the final outcome. >> reporter: as he arrived in green bay, wisconsin, former president donald trump, dressed in an orange vest, walked over to a garbage truck waiting on the carmack. >> 250 million people are not garbage. i can tell you the who the real garbage is, but we won't say that. >> reporter: the former president seize odd president biden's speech seeming to call supporters garbage. at his rally in the city he stayed on that theme. >> crooked joe biden finally said what he and kamala really think of our supporters. he called them garbage. >> reporter: the white house says president biden was referring to the comedian who made a racist joke about puerto rico at trump's madison square garden rally. during a north carolina rally on wednesday, vice president kamala harris worked to turn the focus back to trump. >> unlike donald trump, i don't believe people who disagree with me are the enemy. >> reporter: as both candidates crisscross battleground states, harris earlier made a stop in

harrisburg, pennsylvania. >> because we have just six days left in one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime. >> reporter: polling shows a virtual tie in the keystone state, which could hand victory to either candidate. here in bucks county, a key swing area outside philadelphia, voters are divided. >> her issues, her platform, her personal intelligence, she is vice president of the united states now. >> i've always been a republican, and i like what he stands for. i like the fact that when he was president, he stood behind the stuff he promised to do. >> reporter: wednesday, a pennsylvania judge ruled to extend the deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot until friday after the trump campaign sued bucks county, alleging voters were turned away early. natalie brand, cbs news, bucks county, pennsylvania. former president donald trump is already sowing doubt about voting results in pennsylvania less than one week before election day. offering no evidence to back up his claims, trump posted on

social media accusing the hotly contested battleground state of cheating. cbs' skyler henry reports that election officials across the country are now working to debunk false claims intended to sow doubts about the validity of this year's election. >> reporter: as we inch closer to election day, officials and lawmakers are working to ensure the integrity of the voting process. >> more confidence leads to greater participation, which is a good thing for our country. >> reporter: in dozens of previous case, courts have found no evidence of widespread voter fraud. that includes claims about improper registration, noncitizens' participation, and the voting systems themselves. >> how is this process i guess safe, for lack of a better word? >> every election jurisdiction, every county in the country has very clear rules about how ballots are handled. >> reporter: chris mann, with the election center and research says voting spans across the

country, poll workers are able to focus on other issues. >> it does a lot to help them, give them more time to deal with any problems, whether that's the power outage of a polling place, misinformation about voting procedures. >> reporter: and that misinformation is in part leading to an uptick in threats and abuse to more than 10,000 local election official nati nationwide, according to the brennan center for justice. >> it really has come as a shock to a lot of local election officials, especially in nonbattleground states, these areas that they've become the focus of this kind of attention. >> reporter: officials are stressing that people with questions about the process should go to vote.gov and get information about voting in their jurisdictions from legitimate sources before casting their ballot. skyler henry, cbs news, washington. officials in oregon and washington state have ordered around-the-clock surveillance of ballot drop boxes after someone set fires inside two of them late monday night. based on examination of those

incendiary devices, investigators believe the suspect is an experienced metal worker and may fear he may be planning more attacks. cbs news homeland security and justice reporter nicole sganga has more. >> reporter: clark county election officials are now scouring burnt ballots and reaching out to more than 400 voter, this after a suspected arsonist lit up a ballot drop box in vancouver, washington. police have found markings reading "free gaza" on the casings of incendiary devices used to ignite that ballot box and another one in portland, oregon. but a law enforcement source tells cbs news investigators here still searching for a motive. they don't know if the suspect was a sympathizer or just looking to stir up controversy. the fbi have transported both incendiary devices to their high-tech laboratory in huntsville, alabama for forensic analysis. they're still searching for suspect here, the owner of a

dark gray or black volvo sedan that's been seen in surveillance images. complicating this investigation, portland police says the license plate number of the vehicle is unknown. in portland, only three ballots were damaged, and officials have already contacted those voters. but in vancouver, washington, clark county auditor greg kimzie tells us 494 ballots were damaged on top of the ballots that were destroyed there. but officials have already identified voters on 488 of those ballots. they're reaching out to them now. and anyone who thinks they were impacted can reach out to the clark county elections office. they can also request a new ballot online at vote wa.gov. in clark county, ballot box observers will now be stationed 24/7 outside of drop box locations countywide up until election day. >> nicole sganga, thank you. deadly flash flooding is

creating havoc in spain, where at least 95 people so far have died. most of those killed were in the eastern region of valencia, which is slammed with a year's worth of rain in just eight hours. and the los angeles dodgers are the new major league baseball world champions. the dodgers defeated the new york yankees 7-6 in a nail biting game five. it's the eighth world series win for the dodgers, who came roaring back late wednesday night after an early five-run deficit to grab the title. straight ahead on "cbs news roundup," we take you to georgia, where the campaigns are working hard to win the support of rural voters. more on this coming up. stay with us. [male narrator] teachers are dynamic leaders, shaping a new generation, innovating to prepare students for our fast-changing world. they're skilled experts, discovering a universe of solutions:

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this is "cbs news roundup." i'm shanelle kaul in new york. the presidential election is now in the home stretch, with just days to go until the final votes are cast and the ballots are counted. polls show vice president kamala harris and former president donald trump both tied nationally and in battleground states. one of those states is georgia, and both campaigns are working to win over rural voters. major garrett has more on this from the peach state. >> reporter: there is a staying, "it's better in metter." after hurricane helene, the saying might be for a while, it's battered in metter. >> it was the worst. >> reporter: brad jones is an electrician, and he told us he is concerned about what feels like the next storm, the election. >> from the economy standpoint, from the border standpoint to cost of groceries, there is a lot riding on this election. >> reporter: jones has long been a member of the county board and

supports former president trump, as do most of his neighbors. metter is in candler county, which trump carried 70-30 in 2020. but stirring in this part of rural georgia, quiet support for vice president harris. >> i don't line up with either party. i'm more of that person who i'm absolutely going to go towards the candidate themselves. >> come on, princess. >> reporter: tiffany lee and her husband shawn raise quarter horses and own a clothing store nearby. do you think there is a shy harris voter? >> absolutely. it's something that's whispered about. there are a lot of harris voters here, a lot. >> reporter: do you find yourself in that position? >> absolutely. >> reporter: for brandon bird, metter born and raised, this is the season of voter engagement. >> hey, how you doing? >> reporter: not for a specific candidate, but for rural america. his project, georgia ignite tries to activate and register voters across the state. >> okay, so do you know if you're registered to vote?

>> yeah. >> reporter: on average, 80% of georgians they register are black, 50% under the age of 25. >> how does it all feel to you right now, the level of civic engagement, the level of interest in this election? >> i feel like people are tired, but people are tired of not being heard. >> reporter: trump and harris value the rural vote, but for different reasons. among them, trump wants to run up the score. harris wants to lose red counties like candler by less than biden. each barnstormed in savannah, an hour for metter. brad and tiffany have landed on different choices for this election, but do agree on a woman's right to choose. >> i don't want to be suppressed by other people's laws, meaning i don't want someone to tell me what to do with my body. >> i still believe that a woman should have the right to do with her body what she wants to do. >> reporter: we also met tiffany's 92-year-old neighbor shirley, whose front yard displays this sign, one of a handful in all of metter.

have you ever put a sign in your yard before, shirley? >> this is probably the first time that i stand up for what i believe. and i hope americans will stand up for what they know is the right thing. >> reporter: for brandon, his small-town roots and extended family mingle as motivation and memory. this tattoo marks a turning point. >> on february 4th, 1956. so this is a day on record that my great-grandmother got registered to vote. that's why i'm anchored in this work. it's a right that i have to remind her, and i keep doing my part to do good for other people as well. >> reporter: in a town where everyone knows everyone and rural often equals red, this part of america would like a word and another look. for "eye on america," i'm major garrett, in metter, georgia. >> and cbs news will have team coverage of the election. join us for realtime results, analysis, and exclusive polling as the ballots roll in. on tuesday, our coverage begins

at 4:00 p.m. eastern on our streaming channel, and at 7:00 p.m. eastern right here on cbs. stay with us. advil liqui-gels are faster and stronger than tylenol rapid release gels. ♪♪ also from advil, advil targeted relief, the only topical with 4 powerful pain fighting ingredients that start working on contact and lasts up to 8 hours. do you believe in punishment for abortion? yes or no? there has to be some form of punishment. for the woman? yeah. and the punishment is real. women denied care, unable to get pregnant again.

traumatized. scarred for life. young women who didn't need to die. now, 1 in 3 women live under a trump abortion ban. and if he's elected, everyone will. there has to be some form of punishment. i'm kamala harris, and i approve this message. when a tough cough finds you on the go, a syrup would be... silly! woo! hey! try new robitussin soft chews. packed with the power of robitussin... in every bite. easy to take cough relief, anywhere. chew on relief, chew on a ♪ robitussin ♪ we all need fiber for our digestive health, but less than 10% of us get enough each day. good thing metamucil gummies are an easy way to get prebiotic, plant-based fiber. with the same amount of fiber as 2 cups of broccoli. metamucil gummies the easy way to get your daily fiber. ♪♪ vicks vapostick provides soothing non-medicated vicks vapors. easy to apply for the whole family.

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devastated gaza strip and occupied west bank. meanwhile, the israeli military says its deadliest air strike of the year-long war in gaza was actually targeted at a single person. the military said it saw what it described as a spotter on the roof of a building and destroyed it. but the apartment building was full of people inside. about 100 were killed, including nearly two dozen children. cbs' holly williams has more from tel aviv. >> reporter: an israeli strike shattered this multistory building, and according to gaza's hamas-run health ministry, many of those killed were women and children. more small bodies shrouded, piled up, and carried away on a cot. death is commonplace in gaza, but that doesn't blunt the pain. tens of displaced people were living in the house, said this man. as you can see, body parts are hanging on the walls.

the u.s. says it's deeply concerned and has asked israel for an explanation. >> this is a horrifying incident with a horrifying result. i can't speak to the total death toll, but there are reports of two dozen children killed in this incident. it is another reminder of why we need to see an end to this war. >> reporter: israel says its ongoing offensive in northern gaza is targeting militants who have regrouped there. the result, according to the united nations, is, quote, harrowing levels of death and destruction. israel's parliament voted on monday to bar the united nations agency that helps palestinians from operating in this country. now israel alleges that the agency has been infiltrated by hamas in gaza, and earlier this year, the u.n. dismissed several staff members accused of taking part in the october 7th attacks. but the u.s. says it is deeply

troubled by the israeli legislation. >> that was cbs' holly williams in tel aviv. stay with us. stay with us. this [clears throat] sounds like you need to vaporize that sore throat. vapocool drops? it's sore throat relief with a rush of vicks vapors. ♪ vapocooooool ♪ whoa. vaporize sore throat pain with vicks vapocool drops. if you're frustrated... ...with occasional bloating or gas... ...your body's giving you signs, it's time to try align. align probiotic was specifically designed by gastroenterologists to help relieve your occasional bloating and gas. when you feel the signs, it's time to try align.

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>> i say companionship is a level beyond friendship. it's a deep relationship that makes you feel stronger and safer. >> reporter: safer emotionally, right? who do you guys have like that? >> lucy. >> your friend lucy? >> yeah. >> reporter: what makes her more of a companion? >> well, we've just always had each other, and we've always been friends for as long as i can remember. >> reporter: yeah. we all need someone like that. in fact, it's such a crucial part of life. even some animals need it. as you'll see in this story, pulled from our library about love and loss and that saving grace called companionship. >> reporter: to me, some of the saddest tombstones are the incompletes, the couples where one has passed but the other is still present, buried above under a mound of loneliness. such as the case of blossom the

goose. blossom lost her mate, bud. they'd lived on the pond here at riverside cemetery in marshalltown, iowa. and according to cemetery staff, after bud died, blossom's grief was as evident as any human's. >> her behavior was just -- it was quite a change. >> reporter: general manager dori thoman said blossom started hanging out near the front office, always staring at herself in the glass or the model tombstones. >> she wanted company. >> reporter: even if it's just a reflection? >> yeah. >> reporter: and that's when dori got a crazy idea, a hysterically lovely crazy idea. she posted a personal ad that read in part, "lonely widowed domestic goose seeks life partner for companionship and occasional shenanigans. i'm youthful, adventurous and

lively." what are the odds you're going to find some goose, a male goose -- >> oh, in iowa? [ laughter ] >> reporter: apparently, this state is lousy with bachelor geese. and sure enough, she got a call from deb and randy hoyt, owners of a widower goose named frankie. >> he needed a mate. >> yeah, and plus he is so lonely. >> i thought well, that will be great, you know. >> reporter: and so they set up a blind date, where blossom welcomed frankie with open wings. >> they started walking off together, and they haven't really left each other's side since. >> reporter: a loving reminder that until your last day is etched in stone, don't ever give up on finding goose bumps. >> goose matchmaker dori toman joins us now. hello. >> good morning. >> are blossom and frankie still together? >> oh, yes. i just live three blocks from

the cemetery, so i drive through and check on them now and then. >> do they recognize you? >> oh, yeah, i think so. i call them like "goose goose goose", only louder. >> so blossom isn't staring at her reflection anymore? >> no, i haven't seen her do that at all. >> what do you think they get from their relationship? >> having the company of another creature. i think in a lot of ways, animal aren't a whole lot different from human beings. >> dori, thanks so much for talking with us. appreciate you. >> you're welcome. >> companionship makes life better. and finding a companion doesn't have to be a wild goose chase. as long as you're kind and accepting, more often than not, companions will flock to you.

it's thursday, october 31st, 2024. this is "cbs news mornings."