Graham Platner, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine, insists voters will support him despite controversies about his past. Speaking Friday, he addressed reports of sending explicit messages to women while married and allegations of volatile behavior. Platner denies some claims and says he's a changed man. Despite concerns, many Democrats back him, seeing him as their best chance to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Platner's campaign has faced scrutiny over past controversies, including a tattoo recognized as a Nazi symbol and offensive online comments. Supporters argue his personal growth makes him worthy of public life.

A new Gallup poll finds support for same-sex marriage and relationships in the U.S. has stopped rising after two decades. About two-thirds of U.S. adults believe same-sex marriage should be legal, according to the poll, down slightly from 71% in 2022 and 2023. Most of the change is driven by Republicans. The views of Democrats and independents on the topic have remained mostly stable. A 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision led to nationwide recognition of same-sex marriage. Conservative lawmakers in some states have called for that ruling to be overturned, something the court has so far rejected considering. The poll also found a shift in views of transgender issues.

Graham Platner’s wife has responded to news reports about his alleged sexually explicit texts with several women. This controversy adds to Platner's campaign challenges as he seeks the Democratic nomination in Maine to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins. On Saturday night, Platner posted a video of his wife, Amy Gertner, on X. In it, she called the coverage “gossip” and said that “no marriage is perfect.” The Wall Street Journal first reported the texts, noting Gertner informed the campaign in August. Campaign staff at the time decided the texts were private and being managed by the couple.

A family of four from Massachusetts who were killed when a bus crashed into multiple vehicles in Virginia were traveling to a wedding at the time. The family wedding will go forward Sunday in South Carolina. But a relative says it also will be a time to mourn the loss of Dmitri and Ecaterina Doncev and their two children, Emily and Mark. A fifth person died in Friday's crash as well: 25-year-old Priscilla Mafalda of Massachusetts. The bus driver is in custody and has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. Police and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.