Almost 1-in-3 American evangelicals are not white , according to a 2017 study by the Public Religion Research Institute. And though many evangelicals of color embrace a conservative theology, their political beliefs are more varied than is commonly portrayed in the media. Their votes could be crucial in the midterms .

ON THIS DAY IN AMERICAN HISTORY On October 31, 1926, vaunted magician Harry Houdini dies in a Detroit hospital. He was 52. The cause of death was peritonitis, and just 12 days before, the escape artist was telling a group of students about the strength of his stomach muscles. One student suddenly punched him before he had time to brace himself. The punch ruptured his appendix, which led to the peritonitis. Houdini was born in Hungary and later immigrated to Wisconsin. His specialty was being able to escape from seemingly any trap.

VIDEO: By the end of the week , more than 5,200 soldiers will be deployed to the U.S.-Mexican border in anticipation of a caravan of migrants from Central America heading northward. The military presence is drawing reaction from those who live and work in border communities on both sides of the fence .

VIDEO: Traditionally, the U.S. turns to all things pumpkin as Halloween approaches at the end of October. Coffee shops sell pumpkin spiced lattes, grocery stores offer pumpkin-scented paper towels, and markets, porches, even the White House is all decorated with carved pumpkins. One California city decided to celebrate the spookiest night of the year with its own pumpkin craze: pumpkin nights.

VIDEO: This week, VOA contributor Greta Van Susteren examines the mood and political divisions in the United States less than a week before a crucial election that could shift the balance of power in Washington. Guests include Chairman of American Conservative Union Matt Schlapp and Texas congressman Martin Frost .

With less than one week to go before a crucial U.S. midterm congressional election, Americans are on edge in the aftermath of a massacre at a Jewish synagogue in Pittsburgh and the arrest of a man who allegedly sent pipe bombs to prominent Democrats.