Fredricka Whitfield talks to attorneys Avery Friedman and Richard Herman about whether the bystanders can be charged with anything after watching last weekend's attack on a 15-year-old girl in Richmond, California.

It seems the Republican candidate in New York's 23rd District congressional race is too moderate for her party.

Dede Scozzafava has dropped out of the race, citing a slip in the polls as a factor contributing to her decision.

That leaves Conservative Party candidate Doug Hofffman in a close battle with Democrat Bill Owens.

Several national Republican figures, including Sarah Palin, endorsed Hoffman over Scozzafava, saying she'd had abandoned
core GOP values because of her support for abortion rights and gay marriage.

So what does this all mean?

CNN's Fredricka Whitfield asked our Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser to weigh in.

Our legal guys, Avery Friedman and Richard Herman, pulled out a little trick, or shall we say treat, while analyzing some of the week's top legal matters with Fredricka Whitfield.

Afterall, what's Halloween without having a little fun?

Parents across the country are keeping a close eye on the neighborhoods where their children will go trick-or-treating tonight. One concern: avoiding homes of sex offenders. Here are some Web sites we're showing you in the Newsroom that let you search any area.
Have these worked for you? Are there other sites that worked better for you?
http://www.familysafetyreport.com/

http://www.familywatchdog.us

http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/registry.htm

http://www.nsopw.gov/Core/Conditions.aspx

And here’s a story about an iPhone App: http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/08/10/popular-sex-predator-iphone-app-is-back-in-business/

Halloween has become the 2nd most popular holiday in America after Christmas. How do you and your family celebrate? Any special traditions, costumes or parties? Are you a master pumpkin carver? Leave your comments below. We may use some of them this morning in the CNN Newsroom.

Michael Jackson's concert film made a strong box office showing this week - and there's already Academy Award buzz. Have you seen the movie? Is it that great? Is it a good documentary or just fandemonium?
Leave your comments below. We may use some of them this morning in the CNN Newsroom.

Leave them below. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius will join us this morning at 8am ET. See if she answers your question live on the air.

Somali pirates are demanding $7 million for the release of a British couple taken hostage last week.

H1N1 - Fact vs. Fiction: We're talking with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

It's been almost a year since the McCain-Palin ticket was defeated in Washington. What do Americans think of Sarah Palin now?

There was a matchup on Capitol Hill this week between lawmakers and the NFL over studies suggesting a link between devastating head injuries and an elevated risk of dementia in pro ball players. We're talking with one of the physicians who testified.

The alumni of three segregated schools in Macon, Georgia hold their 50th class reunion - together.

And Reynolds Wolf will have your Trick-or-Treat forecast.

Join Betty Nguyen and TJ Holmes in the CNN Newsroom, beginning 6am ET/ 3am PT.

coachcarter.com

In the late 90s, Coach Ken Carter put Richmond High School on the national map; well, the Bay Area school's back in the headlines this week. No feel-good story this time - but the callous gang-rape of a 15-year-old girl.

The educator/activist joined Kyra to talk about what's going on at his old school. Also part of the conversation: Gina Saechao, Richmond's senior class president.