Hannah Jewell and Jamie Ross">

By Hannah Jewell and Jamie Ross  Email

Listen to this briefing

Good morning. It’s Monday, Oct. 21, and we’re happy to learn that travel’s most insufferable flex isn’t even a pleasant experience. Now let’s catch up from the weekend.

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are locked in a dead heat in a new poll.

• The details: The candidates are nearly even in seven swing states two weeks out from the election, a Post-Schar School survey found. Find our presidential poll tracker here.
• On the trail: Trump served fries during a stage-managed visit to McDonald’s this weekend. He also used profanity to insult Harris and keeps calling her “stupid.”
• What else to know: Trump supporter Elon Musk announced a daily $1 million lottery in swing states. Experts aren’t sure it’s legal.

Read this story

The Biden administration proposed free over-the-counter birth control.

• The plan: To improve access to contraceptives for people covered by private health insurance. It comes as Harris tries to make reproductive rights a key campaign issue.
• In related news: Harris has a huge cash advantage over Trump, new filings show. And her team is confident the election will be secure, despite concerns from outside experts.

Read this story

Israel continued to pummel northern Gaza this weekend.

• What’s happening? Israel’s military intensified operations, killing at least 73 people in an airstrike, authorities said. Major Israeli strikes also hit Lebanon overnight.
• Zooming out: The attacks came just days after President Joe Biden suggested the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar could lead to an end to the devastating war.

Read this story

Historic rainfall triggered deadly floods in New Mexico.

• This weekend: The deluge flooded homes and swept cars off roads in the city of Roswell. Two people died, at least 290 people were rescued, and 38 were taken to hospitals.
• More extreme weather: Hurricane Oscar formed in the Caribbean this weekend, surprising storm watchers. It made landfall in Cuba yesterday — track its path here.

Read this story

Housing costs are rising — especially in swing states.

Percentage of counties with house price increases since 2019 surpassing the national average. Source: Zillow. (Abha Bhattarai and Federica Cocco/The Washington Post)

• The numbers: Nationally, home prices have grown 48% since 2019. But prices have more than doubled in some counties in battleground states, a Post analysis shows.
• Why it matters: It could contribute to voter pessimism about the economy in key states. To see how average home prices have changed in your area, search here.

Read this story

The WNBA crowned a new champion last night.

• Who? The New York Liberty, who put 27 seasons of disappointment in the past with a 67-62 overtime victory over the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the finals.
• In baseball: The Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League pennant. It sets up a star-studded World Series with the New York Yankees. Game 1 is Friday.
• What else to know: A Post analysis shed light on the murky economy of college sports.

Read this story

A dog was spotted on top of an ancient Egyptian pyramid.

• What you’re looking at: A dog running and barking atop of one of the pyramids at Giza. It was spotted by a group of paragliders last week.
• What was it doing there? Many stray dogs hang out at the base of the site, but this dog clearly felt adventurous. Another video appeared to show it descending safely.

Read this story

Before you go … should you shampoo your hair every day? Here’s what dermatologists say. Plus: Actress Rita Moreno’s secrets to a long and mostly happy life.

One more good read: The CIA analyst who triggered Trump’s first impeachment asks: Was it worth it?

And finally … test your news knowledge with The Post’s daily quiz, On the Record. Click here to play. Or try our word game, Keyword.

You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow.

(Illustration by Katty Huertas/The Washington Post)

Do you know someone who would like this newsletter? Share it with them.

Prefer push notifications? Download The Post’s app to get one when The 7 publishes.