Dems have edge in midterms, poll shows. And, Paramount-Warner Bros. merger to close

Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. Today's top stories In four weeks, Election Day will be here, and a series of new polls show Democrats have a decided advantage in the midterms. They are favored to win the House with a narrow majority. Democrats need 218 seats for a majority, and the Cook Political Report forecasts a net gain of five to 15 seats, which would give them between 220 and 230 seats in January. The Senate has shifted more dramatically. Six seats have moved toward the Democrats' direction since June, according to Cook's ratings. Initially seen as a long shot for Democrats, the Senate is now within reach. These projections come as President Trump's approval rating is low. The U.S. Capitol stands on Sept. 23 in Washington, D.C. Finn Gomez/Getty Images hide caption Finn Gomez/Getty Images 🎧 Polls are just one factor to consider for the midterms, NPR's Domenico Montanaro tells Up First. He notes that people should consider the importance of history, the national environment, political structure and money as factors as well. And...