>> Sreenivasan: ON THIS EDITION FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11: PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS HE'S CLEAR TO HIT THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

A LOOK AHEAD TO CONFIRMATION HEARINGS FOR SUPREME COURT NOMINEE AMY CONEY BARRETT.

AND MOBILE OUTREACH: A VALUABLE LIFELINE DURING COVID-19.

NEXT ON "PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND."

>> PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY: SUE AND EDGAR WACHENHEIM III.

THE ANDERSON FAMILY FUND.

BERNARD AND DENISE SCHWARTZ.

THE CHERYL AND PHILIP MILSTEIN FAMILY.

BARBARA HOPE ZUCKERBERG.

THE LEONARD AND NORMA KLORFINE FOUNDATION.

CHARLES ROSENBLUM.

WE TRY TO LIVE IN THE MOMENT, TO NOT MISS WHAT'S RIGHT IN FRONT OF US.

AT MUTUAL OF AMERICA, WE BELIEVE TAKING CARE OF TOMORROW CAN HELP YOU MAKE THE MOST OF TODAY.

MUTUAL OF AMERICA FINANCIAL GROUP, RETIREMENT SERVICES AND INVESTMENTS.

>> FOR 25 YEARS, CONSUMER CELLULAR HAS BEEN OFFERING NO-CONTRACT WIRELESS PLANS, DESIGNED TO HELP PEOPLE DO MORE OF WHAT THEY LIKE.

OUR U.S.-BASED CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM CAN HELP FIND A PLAN THAT FITS YOU.

TO LEARN MORE, VISIT www.consumercellular.tv.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY: AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING, A PRIVATE CORPORATION FUNDED BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> Sreenivasan: GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

PRESIDENT TRUMP CLAIMED WITH NO MEDICAL EVIDENCE THAT HE IS NOW IMMUNE TO COVID-19 AS HE PREPARES TO HEAD OUT ONTO THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AGAIN STARTING TOMORROW.

LAST NIGHT, THE WHITE HOUSE PHYSICIAN DR. SEAN CONLEY RELEASED A MEMO WITH "THE PERMISSION OF PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP" THAT WAS SHORT ON DETAILS, WRITING THAT AFTER TEN DAYS "FROM SYMPTOM ONSET" THE PRESIDENT WAS "NO LONGER CONSIDERED A TRANSMISSION RISK TO OTHERS."

DR. CONLEY WROTE THAT WITH AN ASSORTMENT OF ADVANCED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING "THERE IS NO LONGER EVIDENCE OF ACTIVELY REPLICATING VIRUS."

THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION RECOMMENDS THAT PATIENTS WITH SEVERE FORMS OF COVID-19 MAY NEED TO ISOLATE FOR UP TO 20 DAYS, BUT DR. CONLEY'S LATEST UPDATE CAME ONLY NINE DAYS AFTER THE PRESIDENT PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED HE HAD TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE CORONAVIRUS, AND JUST FIVE DAYS AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL.

THIS MORNING, PRESIDENT TRUMP SPOKE BY PHONE WITH FOX NEWS.

>> I PASSED THE HIGHEST TEST, THE HIGHEST STANDARDS, AND I'M IN GREAT SHAPE.

>> Sreenivasan: ABOUT AN HOUR LATER MR. TRUMP TWEETED "A TOTAL AND COMPLETE SIGN OFF FROM WHITE HOUSE DOCTORS YESTERDAY.

THAT MEANS I CAN'T GET IT, IMMUNE, AND CAN'T GIVE IT."

THERE IS STILL NO EVIDENCE THE PRESIDENT HAS TESTED NEGATIVE FOR THE VIRUS AND NO SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH TO BACK UP HIS IMMUNITY CLAIM.

MR. TRUMP IS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN-PERSON AT MULTIPLE CAMPAIGN RALLIES IN FLORIDA, PENNSYLVANIA AND IOWA THIS WEEK.

HIS RALLIES COME AS QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS FINANCES AND TAX PAYMENTS CONTINUE FOLLOWING "NEW YORK TIMES" REPORTING BASED ON MR. TRUMP'S TAX RETURNS FROM RECENT YEARS.

YESTERDAY THE "TIMES" REPORTED THAT "OVER 200 COMPANIES, SPECIAL-INTEREST GROUPS AND FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS" HAVE PATRONIZED TRUMP PROPERTIES WHILE "REAPING BENEFITS FROM HIM AND HIS ADMINISTRATION."

IN TEXAS, THE LEGAL BATTLE OVER VOTER ACCESS TO DROP-OFF BALLOT BOXES CONTINUED TODAY.

AN APPEALS COURT ISSUED A STAY LAST NIGHT, STOPPING A JUDGEMENT MADE LATE FRIDAY THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED MORE THAN ONE BALLOT DROP OFF BOX PER COUNTY.

ON OCTOBER 1, GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT ORDERED THAT EACH COUNTY IN TEXAS WOULD HAVE ONLY ONE BALLOT DROP OFF BOX.

THE FRIDAY RULING AGAINST THAT ORDER SAID SINGLE DROP OFF BOXES WOULD CREATE VOTER CONFUSION.

TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL KEN PAXTON THEN FILED AN EMERGENCY MOTION WHICH WAS GRANTED.

APPEALS ARE EXPECTED, BUT THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER WILL STAY IN PLACE UNTIL A HIGHER COURT CAN RULE ON THE MATTER.

A PRIVATE SECURITY GUARD IS BEING HELD AS A SUSPECT IN A FATAL SHOOTING DURING PROTESTS YESTERDAY IN DENVER.

THE GUARD WAS WORKING FOR A LOCAL TELEVISION STATION AS ITS CREWS COVERED A SO-CALLED "PATRIOT RALLY" ORGANIZED BY RIGHT-WING PROTESTERS AND A COUNTER-PROTEST EVENT CALLED "BLACK LIVES MATTER ANTIFA SOUP DRIVE."

THE SHOOTING REPORTEDLY OCCURRED AS THE EVENTS WERE ENDING AND A PATRIOT RALLY DEMONSTRATOR SPRAYED MACE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE GUARD, WHO THEN FIRED HIS HANDGUN.

THE PROTESTER DIED SHORTLY AFTER BEING TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL.

AS OF THIS AFTERNOON, NO CHARGES HAD BEEN FILED AGAINST THE SECURITY GUARD, WHO WAS NOT AFFILIATED WITH EITHER PROTEST.

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC CONTINUES TO WORSEN IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES TODAY, AND IN THE UNITED STATES OUTBREAKS ARE GROWING IN THE UPPER MIDWEST AND IN THE NORTHEAST, WHERE THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT A RESURGENCE OF CORONAVIRUS CASES.

THE U.S. NOW HAS MORE THAN 7.7- MILLION CONFIRMED INFECTIONS AND MORE THAN 214,000 PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM THE DISEASE ACCORDING TO JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY.

GLOBALLY, THERE ARE MORE THAN 37-MILLION CASES AND MORE THAN ONE MILLION DEATHS.

TODAY INDIA RECORDED MORE THAN SEVEN MILLION CASES, MAKING IT THE SECOND HIGHEST AFTER THE U.S.

DESPITE THE NUMBERS, INDIA'S GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO PUSH FOR REOPENING OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, MARKETS AND PUBLIC SPACES IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE ITS ECONOMY AFTER RECENT LOCKDOWNS.

IN ISRAEL PROTESTS AGAINST CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS AND AGAINST THE PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU CONTINUED YESTERDAY DESPITE A NEW LAW BANNING DEMONSTRATIONS MORE THAN HALF A MILE FROM PROTESTERS' HOMES.

THE GOVERNMENT SAYS THE LAW IS AIMED AT CURBING COVID-19 INFECTIONS, BUT CRITICS SAY IT LIMITS FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN ARE BLAMING EACH OTHER FOR VIOLATING A TEMPORARY CEASE-FIRE THAT WENT INTO EFFECT YESTERDAY WITH RENEWED FIGHTING OVERNIGHT OVER THE ETHNIC-ARMENIAN ENCLAVE OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH.

A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING WAS DESTROYED AND OFFICIALS IN AZERBAIJAN SAID AT LEAST NINE CIVILIANS WERE KILLED AND DOZENS WERE WOUNDED.

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT SIMON OSTROVSKY HAS BEEN REPORTING IN THE REGION WITH SUPPORT FROM THE PULITZER CENTER AND HAS THE LATEST ON THE RESUMPTION OF HOSTILITIES THERE.

>> Reporter: IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE THE CEASE-FIRE THAT CAME INTO EFFECT AT NOON YESTERDAY, HAD BEEN BROKEN.

THESE ARE THE SCENES IN THE SELF-DECLARED NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC WHERE ETHNIC-ARMENIAN FORCES, BACKED BY TROOPS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA, SAY MISSILES SENT BY THE CENTRAL AUTHORITIES OF AZERBAIJAN LANDED IN A BREACH OF THE CEASE-FIRE.

THANKFULLY NOBODY WAS HURT IN THE ATTACK HERE, BUT IN THE AZERBAIJANI CITY OF GANJA A NUMBER OF BODIES WERE PULLED FROM THE RUBBLE OF A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING.

AND THE AZERBAIJANI AUTHORITIES ARE BLAMING THE ARMENIANS FOR VIOLATING THE CEASE-FIRE IT WAS REPORTED IN INTERNATIONAL MEDIA.

IT'S A WORRYING DEVELOPMENT IN A CONFLICT THAT HAS ALREADY CLAIMED HUNDREDS OF LIVES AND BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 27 WITH AN AZERBAIJANI OFFENSIVE ON AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN CONTROLLED BY ETHNIC ARMENIAN FORCES SINCE 1994.

WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CONSUMED BY GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND A BITTER U.S. ELECTION CAMPAIGN, THE WORLD SEEMS TO HAVE TURNED ITS GAZE AWAY FROM THE FIGHTING HERE AND PUT LITTLE REAL PRESSURE ON THE TWO SIDES TO BRING A HALT TO THE WAR.

RUSSIA HAS SO FAR DONE THE MOST TO BRING THE TWO SIDES TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE, BUT EFFORTS TO SECURE AN END TO FIGHTING HAVE SO FAR FAILED.

>> Sreenivasan: FOR THE LATEST NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS VISIT pbs.org/newshour.

>> Sreenivasan: TOMORROW THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WILL BEGIN HEARINGS ON PRESIDENT TRUMP'S NOMINEE-- JUDGE AMY CONEY BARRETT-- TO REPLACE THE LATE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG.

SENATORS WILL SPEAK FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE JUDGE BARRETT MAKES HER OPENING STATEMENT.

HER REMARKS WERE RELEASED TODAY AND INCLUDE HER BELIEF THAT GOVERNMENT AND NOT THE COURTS SHOULD MAKE POLICY AND THAT THE COURTS ARE "NOT DESIGNED TO SOLVE EVERY PROBLEM OR RIGHT EVERY WRONG IN OUR PUBLIC LIFE."

FOR MORE ABOUT THE NOMINEE AND WHAT'S AHEAD IN THE HEARINGS I SPOKE WITH AMY HOWE, CO-FOUNDER OF "THE SCOTUS BLOG" WHO JOINED US FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. AMY, IN ANY OTHER WORLD, THE SUPREME COURT NOMINATION WOULD BE FRONT PAGE ABOVE THE FOLD EVERY DAY.

BUT SINCE WE SPOKE LAST AT THE PASSING OF R.B.G.

'S DEATH, THIS STORY HAS GOTTEN ECLIPSED BY SO MANY OTHER THINGS.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TOMORROW?

>> SO, THEY'RE GOING TO KICK IT OFF WITH STATEMENTS, INTRODUCTIONS FROM INDIANA SENATORS AND FROM PATRICIA O'HARA, WHO IS A FORMER DEAN OF NOTRE DAME LAW SCHOOL.

AND THEN WE'LL HEAR STATEMENTS FROM JUDGE BARRETT HERSELF AND FROM THE SENATORS ON THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

AFTER THAT, THEY WILL MOVE ON TO QUESTIONS FOR JUDGE BARRETT FROM THE SENATORS ON THE COMMITTEE, WHICH IS REALLY WHERE THE MEAT OF THE HEARINGS WILL BE.

AND THEN WE'LL HEAR TESTIMONY FROM LEGAL EXPERTS AND PEOPLE FROM JUDGE BARRETT'S LIFE SUPPORTING HER NOMINATION AND PROBABLY SOME OPPOSING HER NOMINATION.

>> Sreenivasan: AT THIS POINT, IF ANYBODY'S WATCHED ANY OF THE PREVIOUS TWO NOMINATION HEARINGS, YOU HAVE THE TEAM THAT SUPPORTS THE JUSTICE.

THAT PARTY ASKS EASY QUESTIONS.

AND THE TEAM THAT OPPOSES THE NOMINEE ASKS VERY DIFFICULT ONES.

GIVEN THE COMPOSITION OF THE SENATE, IT'S SORT OF A FOREGONE CONCLUSION AT THIS POINT.

>> IT CERTAINLY DOES SEEM THAT WAY.

THE REPUBLICANS WOULD NEED SEVERAL SENATORS TO DEFECT, AND THERE'S NO SIGN OF THAT AT THIS POINT.

THERE ARE TWO SENATORS, SENATOR LISA MURKOWSKI OF ALASKA AND SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS OF MAINE, WHO HAD SAID THAT THEY WANTED REPUBLICANS TO WAIT AND NOT VOTE ON A NOMINEE BEFORE THE ELECTION, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT EITHER ONE OF THEM HAS COMMITTED TO NOT VOTING FOR JUDGE BARRETT.

SO IT DOES SEEM LIKE SHE HAS THE VOTES AT THIS POINT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE DISCUSSIONS.

IT'S SORT OF AN OPPORTUNITY.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A CIVICS LESSON, YOU KNOW, IN WHICH THE PARTY THAT IS OPPOSING THE NOMINEE IN PARTICULAR CAN USE THE SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARINGS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO, SORT OF, EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE NOMINEE.

BECAUSE, REMEMBER, UNLIKE THE SENATE, THE SUPREME COURT PROCEEDINGS ARE NOT TELEVISED.

AND RIGHT NOW, WE'RE ACTUALLY HEARING THEM BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC LIVE AUDIO, BUT WE DON'T SEE THE SUPREME COURT IN ACTION, SORT OF.

SO WE LEARN A LOT MORE ABOUT THIS PERSON.

>> Sreenivasan: IF THE SENATE AND THE PRESIDENT HAVE THEIR WAY, THIS NOMINATION WRAPS UP RIGHT BEFORE THE ELECTION.

WHAT ARE THE BIG CASES THAT SHE'S GOING TO FACE?

>> THERE ARE TWO VERY BIG ONES THAT SHE WOULD FACE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.

THE DAY AFTER ELECTION DAY, THE SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR ORAL ARGUMENTS IN A CASE CALLED "FULTON VERSUS CITY OF PHILADELPHIA."

AND THIS IS A CASE ABOUT THE BALANCE BETWEEN RELIGIOUS BELIEFS ON THE ONE HAND, AND ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS, PARTICULARLY ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS AGAINST L.G.B.T.Q.

PEOPLE, ON THE OTHER HAND.

AND IT'S A, SORT OF A SECOND ROUND OF CASES.

MANY OF YOUR VIEWERS MAY REMEMBER FROM A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO A CASE INVOLVING A COLORADO BAKER WHO REFUSED TO MAKE CAKES FOR A SAME SEX WEDDING.

AND THE SUPREME COURT IN THAT CASE RULED FOR THE BAKER, BUT IN A VERY NARROW WAY THAT DIDN'T RESOLVE THE BROADER QUESTION OF HOW DO YOU BALANCE SOMEONE'S RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AGAINST ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS?

AND SO, THE QUESTION IS BACK IN A CASE BROUGHT BY CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES IN PHILADELPHIA AGAINST THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, WHICH WON'T NOW GIVE CONTRACTS TO CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES BECAUSE CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES WON'T WORK WITH FOSTER CARE PARENTS WHO ARE SAME SEX COUPLES.

>> Sreenivasan: HMM.

>> AND THE SECOND ONE IS A WEEK AFTER ELECTION DAY, AND THAT IS THE CHALLENGE TO THE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

AND THAT IS A CASE THAT BACK IN 2012, AGAIN, MANY OF YOUR VIEWERS MAY REMEMBER, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, JOHN ROBERTS, JOINED THE COURT'S THEN FOUR MORE LIBERAL JUSTICES IN UPHOLDING THE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE.

A COUPLE OF YEARS LATER, THE CONGRESS CHANGED THE MANDATE.

THEY REDUCED THE PENALTY FOR NOT GETTING HEALTH INSURANCE TO ZERO.

AND SO, TEXAS AND SOME OTHER SO-CALLED RED STATES WENT TO COURT, SAID, WELL, IF THERE'S NO LONGER A PENALTY FOR NOT GETTING HEALTH INSURANCE, IT CAN'T BE A TAX.

AND THEY SAID IF THE MANDATE'S NOT CONSTITUTIONAL, THE WHOLE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT HAS TO GO WITH IT.

AND SO, THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY CONSEQUENTIAL CASE THAT IS GOING TO BE ARGUED ON NOVEMBER 10 AT THE SUPREME COURT.

>> Sreenivasan: ONE THING A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CURIOUS ABOUT IS WHAT IF THE ELECTION, SIMILAR TO 2000, ENDS UP IN FRONT OF THE SUPREME COURT?

WOULD SHE PLAY A ROLE IN THAT?

>> I THINK THAT IS DEFINITELY A QUESTION THAT WE ARE GOING TO HEAR ASKED AT THE HEARINGS IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT FORMULATIONS, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT HER ANSWER WILL BE.

I THINK THAT SHE IS LIKELY TO PLAY A ROLE.

AND I THINK THE PRESIDENT AND SOME REPUBLICANS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT THAT IS, IN FACT, A REASON WHY WE NEED A NINTH JUSTICE ON THE SUPREME COURT IN ADVANCE OF THE ELECTIONS.

CERTAINLY ANY LITIGATION ARISING OUT OF THE ELECTIONS ISN'T GOING TO ARRIVE ON THE SUPREME COURT ON, YOU KNOW, NOVEMBER 4, RIGHT.

IT WOULD TAKE A WHILE TO BUBBLE UP TO THE SUPREME COURT.

BUT, SORT OF THE BROADER QUESTION I THINK SHE IS LIKELY TO PLAY A ROLE.

>> Sreenivasan: AMY HOWE, "THE SCOTUS BLOG."

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Sreenivasan: YESTERDAY, WE BROUGHT YOU A STORY ABOUT THE PRESSURES SMALL AND INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES IN MAINE ARE UNDER DUE TO THE ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY CAUSED BY THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

THAT UNCERTAINTY HAS INCREASED THE NEED FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, ESPECIALLY FOR THE HOMELESS, WHO, DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, DON'T HAVE THE SAME ACCESS TO RESOURCES AS THEY DID BEFORE.

NEWSHOUR WEEKEND'S CHRISTOPHER BOOKER REPORTS ON WHAT IS BEING DONE TO HELP FILL IN THE GAPS.

>> Reporter: MEAL PREPARATION FOR THE PREBLE STREET RESOURCE CENTER IN PORTLAND, MAINE, IS A BIG PRODUCTION-- CHOPPING VEGETABLES, COOKING NOODLES, ASSEMBLING SANDWICHES BY THE HUNDREDS.

>> WE'RE GOING TO DO OVER A MILLION MEALS IN 2020, WHICH IS MIND BLOWING TO US.

>> Reporter: A MILLION MEALS IN 2020?

>> YEAH, A MILLION MEALS >> Reporter: IN THEIR 35 YEARS, THE HOMELESS AND LOW-INCOME SUPPORT CENTER HAS NEVER HAD TO MAKE THIS MANY MEALS.

MARK SWANN IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

>> I MEAN, WE FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT KEEPING PEOPLE FROM STARVING, BUT WE ARE ALSO SOCIAL WORKERS.

SO, WE'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE, GET THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SLEEPING OUTSIDE INTO SHELTERS, INTO ACCESSIBLE SHELTERS ANY WAY WE CAN.

WE ARE TRYING TO FIND HOUSING.

WE'RE TRYING TO OFFER TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.

WE'RE TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE RECONNECT WITH FAMILIES.

BUT MAINE WINTERS ARE HARSH, AND WE GOT TO DO SOMETHING RIGHT NOW TO BE READY.

>> Reporter: LIKE EVERY OTHER ORGANIZATION DURING THE PANDEMIC, PREBBLE STREET HAS HAD TO MAKE BIG CHANGES.

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS MEANS THE SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCY CAN NO LONGER OFFER INDOOR MEALS IN ITS SOUP KITCHEN, THE SOCIAL WORKERS CAN NO LONGER MEET WITH CLIENTS IN THEIR OFFICES, AND SHELTERS HAVE TO DECREASE CAPACITY.

FOR THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS, THE SOLUTION HAS COME WITH THIS TRUCK.

AT FIRST PASS, IT'S A FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE, BUT IT'S ALSO PROVIDING A LIFELINE BETWEEN PREBLE STREET AND ITS CLIENTS.

>> WE'VE ALWAYS MET PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT IN A RELATIONSHIP PERSPECTIVE.

AND NOW WE'RE MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT PHYSICALLY IN THE COMMUNITY, WHEREVER THEY'RE AT.

>> Reporter: ALI LOVEJOY IS A SOCIAL WORKER WITH PREBLE STREET.

>> WE'RE ADDRESSING PEOPLE'S FOOD INSECURITY, BUT WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT ALL OF THE OTHER NEEDS THAT, THAT WE HAVE.

WE HAVE SOMEBODY WHO COMES UP AND SAYS, "I DON'T HAVE ANY-- I DON'T HAVE ANY CLOTHES FOR THIS WEATHER.

IT'S STARTING TO GET COLD.

CAN YOU HELP ME FIND A COAT?

CAN YOU HELP ME FIND DRY SOCKS?"

>> Reporter: WITH ITS MOBILE OUTREACH, PREBLE STREET PROVIDES CLIENTS WITH TWO MEALS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

IN THE SPRING, PREBLE STREET OPENED TWO NEW SHELTERS, AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY TRYING TO PURCHASE ANOTHER BUILDING, BUT SWANN EXPECTS THEY WILL NEED EVEN MORE SPACE-- AS EVIDENT IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE VISITING PREBLE STREET'S FOOD PANTRY.

>> WHEN FOOD PANTRY NUMBERS GO UP, IT'S USUALLY FOLLOWED PRETTY SOON AFTER BY SHELTER NUMBERS GOING UP AS WELL, AS PEOPLE WILL DO ANYTHING TO PAY THE RENT, INCLUDING SCRIMP ON FOOD A LITTLE BIT OR GO TO A FOOD PANTRY TO HELP GET A FEW DAYS WORTH OF FOOD.

BUT THE RENT IS THE LAST THING TO GO.

AND SO, SHELTERS NEED TO BE READY.

>> Reporter: AND HAS THAT COME TO PASS?

>> IT'S STARTING TO.

>> Reporter: IN APRIL, MAINE'S STATE HOUSING AUTHORITY STARTED A PROGRAM TO HELP MAINERS PAY THEIR RENT.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DANIEL BRENNAN SAYS THE NEARLY $20-MILLION PROVIDED BY THE STATE IS ALREADY GONE.

>> WE RECEIVED THE LAST ALLOCATION OF CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUNDS JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND WE'VE HAD TO STOP THE PROGRAM AS WE HEAD INTO OCTOBER.

WE'RE HOPING THAT THERE'LL BE MORE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE COMING FROM CONGRESS.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM PROVIDED RENTAL RELIEF TO MORE THAN 14,000 HOUSEHOLDS IN MAINE.

>> THE NEED IS BIG.

WE'VE HAD 125 APPLICATIONS A DAY ON AVERAGE COMING IN.

>> Reporter: OBVIOUSLY, THESE ARE 125 APPLICATIONS.

THIS COULD BE HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD PEOPLE.

THIS ISN'T-- THIS ISN'T REPRESENTATIVE OF 125 PEOPLE, THIS COULD BE 125 FAMILIES.

>> AND USUALLY, WHAT, 2.5 PEOPLE PER FAMILY?

>> Reporter: BRENNAN SAYS THE PANDEMIC EXPOSED ALREADY EXISTING PROBLEMS.

THERE AREN'T ENOUGH HOUSES IN MAINE, AND THE HOUSES THAT ARE AVAILABLE ARE OLD-- WHICH IRONICALLY ARE CURRENTLY IN HIGH DEMAND AS EAGER BUYERS FROM OUT OF STATE SCOOP THEM UP, PUTTING AN EXTRA LEVEL OF PRESSURE ON MAINE'S LOW WAGE EARNERS.

THERE'S A STRANGE DUALITY AT PLAY.

ON ONE HAND, YOU HAVE INCREASED HOUSING INSECURITY, BUT THERE HAS BEEN A BIT OF A HOUSING BOOM WITH PEOPLE MOVING FROM OUT OF STATE.

NOW THAT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE CAN WORK REMOTELY, THEY'RE LOOKING AT PLACES LIKE MAINE AND THE PORTLAND AREA.

BECAUSE THESE ARE REALLY ATTRACTIVE PLACES.

>> EXACTLY.

IT WAS, IT WAS A VERY STRONG HOUSING MARKET AT THE BEGINNING.

YOU'VE GOT A RECORD LOW INTEREST RATE ENVIRONMENT.

SO, ON THAT HAND, YOU'VE GOT MORE AFFORDABILITY, RIGHT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, YOU'VE GOT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF DEMAND COMING IN.

>> Reporter: THIS ALL HAPPENING AS WINTER APPROACHES, THE MORATORIUM ON EVICTION ENDS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT HAS ENDED.

>> YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT WE'RE IN TOUCH WITH WHO ARE RENTING APARTMENTS ARE PEOPLE THAT USED TO BE HOMELESS, PEOPLE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE USED TO WORK WITH, OR MAYBE WE STILL DO, BUT THEY'VE BEEN IN HOUSING FOR MONTHS OR YEARS.

AND NOW, BECAUSE OF CIRCUMSTANCES, WE EXPECT TO SEE SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE COMING BACK THROUGH OUR DOORS.

>> Reporter: ABSENT ANOTHER RELIEF BILL FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THERE IS LITTLE PORTLAND, OR THE STATE OF MAINE, WILL BE ABLE TO OFFER IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

>> I UNDERSTAND THE PRESSURES ON MUNICIPAL AND STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, BUT THIS IS A TIME TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOTHING ELSE.

YOU KNOW, THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Sreenivasan: CONTINUING OUR "ROADS TO ELECTION 2020" SERIES, WE TURN NOW TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, WHERE A CLOSELY WATCHED CONGRESSIONAL RACE IS HEATING UP IN A DISTRICT THAT HAS BEEN REPRESENTED FOR 15 TERMS BY A DEMOCRAT, BUT VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY FOR DONALD TRUMP IN 2016.

TWIN CITIES PBS REPORTER KAOMI GOETZ HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: CONGRESSMAN COLLIN PETERSON ANGLES HIS SINGLE ENGINE BEECHCRAFT BONANZA PLANE ABOVE HIS HOME IN DETROIT LAKES, MINNESOTA.

>> SEE IF THERE'S ANY DUCKS AROUND HERE.

>> Reporter: THOSE PILOT SKILLS COME IN HANDY.

THE 15-TERM HOUSE DEMOCRAT AND CHAIR OF THE AG COMMITTEE HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST RURAL DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTRY.

IT'S ALSO SOLIDLY RED.

>> WELL, IT'S GOT MORE TRUMP STICKERS THAN YOU COULD, >> Reporter: OH, I SEE.

I SEE.

FOUR YEARS AGO, TRUMP WON THE DISTRICT WITH 62% OF THE VOTE.

PETERSON WON TOO.

BUT IT WAS NO FLUKE- THERE'S A REASON THIS HUBERT HUMPHREY MENTEE AND CONSERVATIVE HAS STAYED IN OFFICE HERE FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS.

AND HE'S THE ONLY CURRENT HOUSE DEMOCRAT WHO VOTED AGAINST BOTH ARTICLES TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> I DON'T RUN WITH ANYBODY, I DIDN'T RUN WITH OBAMA, I DIDN'T RUN WITH ANYBODY.

I TRY TO DO MY OWN CAMPAIGN, KEEP INDEPENDENT.

IT'S THE WAY I'VE ALWAYS DONE IT.

I'M STILL PRO-LIFE, STILL PRO- GUN, AND PEOPLE KNOW THAT >> Reporter: VALUES HIS RURAL CONSTITUENTS SUPPORT.

BUT HE'S FACED CHALLENGES.

AND THIS ELECTION, THE LONGTIME INCUMBENT IS BEING TARGETED BY NATIONAL REPUBLICANS.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO HOLD ON TO THEIR MAJORITY.

>> WELL, THERE'S NO QUESTION, SINCE TRUMP GOT INTO POLITICS, RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, HE HAS CUT MY MARGIN, HE'S CUT INTO THE PEOPLE WHO SPLIT THEIR BALLOT.

>> Reporter: CHALLENGER MICHELLE FISCHBACH HAS STATE NAME RECOGNITION.

MOST RECENTLY SHE SERVED AS THE FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT OF THE MINNESOTA SENATE, AND AS THE STATE'S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

>> AFTER MY TERM AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ENDED, I WAS AT HOME AND I STARTED GETTING CALLS FROM FOLKS AROUND THE SEVENTH DISTRICT ASKING ME TO RUN FOR THE SEAT AND SAYING WE NEED A STRONG CANDIDATE AGAINST COLLIN PETERSON WHO WILL BE A CONSERVATIVE VOICE FOR US IN WASHINGTON, D.C. >> Reporter: FISCHBACH SAYS SHE'S CAMPAIGNING TO GET THE ECONOMY MOVING AND TO STRENGTHEN LAW AND ORDER.

>> THEY WANT TO SEE THOSE TAX BREAKS THAT WERE PUT INTO PLACE IN 2017 MADE PERMANENT AND EVEN EXPAND ON THOSE, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE DID HAVE SHUTDOWNS IN MINNESOTA.

AND THE PRESIDENT HAD THE ECONOMY MOVING.

>> Reporter: BUT CLEARLY A MAIN CAMPAIGN STRATEGY IS TO LINK PETERSON WITH THE MORE PROGRESSIVE-LEANING MEMBERS OF HIS PARTY.

>> COLLIN PETERSON IS VULNERABLE IN THAT HE'S VULNERABLE BECAUSE OF HIS CONNECTION TO NANCY PELOSI AND THE SOCIALIST AGENDA THEY'RE PUSHING.

>> Reporter: ONLINE NEWS SITE 538 SHOWS THAT PETERSON HAS VOTED WITH TRUMP ABOUT HALF OF THE TIME, THOUGH IN THE LAST YEAR THAT PERCENTAGE DIPPED TO 25%.

WHEAT AND SOYBEAN FARMER DON LOESLIE HAS BEEN DRIVING COMBINES FOR 74 YEARS.

THE REPUBLICAN FROM WARREN SAYS HE'S STICKING BY PETERSON.

OUT HERE, HE SAYS EVERYONE IS CONNECTED TO FARMING, AND HE SAYS THEY KNOW PETERSON HAS THEIR BACKS.

>> WELL, THERE'S THAT OLD POLITICAL AXIOM THAT YOU'RE EITHER AT THE TABLE OR YOU'RE ON THE MENU.

AND NOTHING CAN HAPPEN IN ANY COMMITTEE UNLESS IT GOES THROUGH THE CHAIRMAN.

WE HAVE THE CHAIRMAN, AND WE DO NOT WANT TO HAVE THAT CHAIRMANSHIP TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER STATE.

>> Reporter: LOESLIE, A PAST PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL WHEAT GROWER'S ASSOCIATION, SAYS HE TRUSTS THE CONGRESSMAN TO DELIVER FROM SMART TRADE TO FARM BILLS.

AND HE'S TURNED OFF BY THE NEGATIVE POLITICAL ADS ATTACKING PETERSON.

>> PELOSI AND OMAR ARE NOT IN THIS DISTRICT AND WILL NEVER BE IN THIS DISTRICT AND THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT THEM, BUT THAT SEEMS TO BE WHO THEY'RE RUNNING AGAINST.

>> Reporter: FISCHBACH SAYS PETERSON IS ALSO RUNNING NEGATIVE ADS.

HER SUPPORTERS SEE HER ELECTION AS A CHANCE FOR NEW IDEAS.

>> I THINK THE DEMOCRAT PARTY HAS CHANGED FROM WHEN COLLIN FIRST TOOK OFFICE, WHAT, 30 YEARS AGO OR SO?

AND NOW HE'S GOT TO DEAL WITH KEEPING THIS GROUP ON THE FAR LEFT EXTREME, THE SOCIALIST LEFT, HE'S GOT TO DEAL WITH THEM.

>> Reporter: PETER BALEGA LIVES IN PETERSON'S HOMETOWN AND HAS BEEN ACTIVE WITH THE LOCAL REPUBLICAN PARTY.

HE SAYS THE CONGRESSMAN'S INFLUENCE ON AG ISSUES IS NOT A GIVEN.

>> HIS CHAIRMANSHIP DEPENDS ON HOLDING THE HOUSE.

SO, WE'RE KIND OF ASSUMING THAT THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, AND FRANKLY, I THINK THAT IF MICHELLE IS ELECTED I THINK SHE'LL END UP ON THE AG COMMITTEE TOO.

AND I THINK THAT WILL BE A FUNCTION OF HOW HARD SHE WORKS.

>> Reporter: THOUGH TRUMP IS EXPECTED TO AGAIN WIN IN MINNESOTA'S SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, PUNDITS SAY THE HOUSE SEAT IS A TOSS-UP.

>> I DON'T NEED A JOB, YOU KNOW, I'VE DONE THIS FOR A LOT OF YEARS, AND I THINK I'M GOOD AT IT, I THINK I'VE DONE A GOOD JOB FOR MY DISTRICT AND THE FARMERS OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE I'M CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, THEY WANT ME TO CONTINUE.

>> IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME TO GO TO WASHINGTON AND FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE SEVENTH DISTRICT BECAUSE WE NEED TO TAKE THIS SEVENTH DISTRICT INTO THE NEXT 30 YEARS AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE RURAL MINNESOTA IS GROWING.

>> Sreenivasan: NEWSHOUR WILL HAVE LIVE COVERAGE OF THIS WEEK'S HEARINGS ON THE NOMINATION OF AMY CONEY BARRETT TO THE SUPREME COURT ON AIR AND ONLINE BEGINNING AT 9:00 A.M.

TOMORROW.

THAT'S ALL FOR THIS EDITION OF "PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND."

FOR THE LATEST NEWS UPDATES VISIT pbs.org/newshour.

I'M HARI SREENIVASAN.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.