As Budget Bill Hangs in Limbo, Kyrsten Sinema Heads to Europe  —  With the Senate out of session, Ms. Sinema, the Democratic senator from Arizona, has been in Europe on a fund-raising trip.  —  Senator Kyrsten Sinema, the moderate Arizona Democrat who has objected to the size and scope …

Trump calls in to rally hosted by Bannon for Virginia GOP candidates  —  RICHMOND — Virginia gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin steered clear Wednesday night as former president Donald Trump phoned into a rally for the state's GOP ticket, headlined by onetime Trump adviser Stephen K. Bannon.

January 6 panel prepares to immediately pursue criminal charges as Bannon faces subpoena deadline  —  (CNN)Trump ally Steve Bannon's game of chicken with the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol Hill riot is on the cusp of entering a new and critical phase Thursday as he faces …

A Secretive Hedge Fund Is Gutting Newsrooms  —  The Tribune Tower rises above the streets of downtown Chicago in a majestic snarl of Gothic spires and flying buttresses that were designed to exude power and prestige.  When plans for the building were announced in 1922, Colonel Robert R. McCormick …

Justice Alito complains, but the evidence is clear: This Supreme Court was built by dark money  —  And so it is — for big Republican donors  —  Justice Samuel Alito wants desperately for us to believe that everything is just fine at the Supreme Court.  Indeed, in his view the court is a victim.

This scrupulous biography of Robert E. Lee is exactly what the country needs  —  In 1935, the year before Margaret Mitchell's magnolia-scented novel “Gone with the Wind” began 21 months on bestseller lists, Douglas Southall Freeman, the son of a veteran of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's legions …

How a $2 Million Condo in Brooklyn Ends Up With a $157 Tax Bill  —  Opaque methods, hypothetical numbers and ‘bonkers’ adjustments shift the property-tax burden toward middle- and working-class New Yorkers  —  A condo in Brooklyn's fashionable Williamsburg neighborhood sells for $2.15 million.

Biden to meet with Pope Francis to discuss coronavirus, climate change, caring for poor  —  President Biden will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Oct. 29 during his trip to Europe, the White House announced Thursday.  —  The two will discuss “working together on efforts grounded …

Nicholas Kristof Leaves New York Times as He Considers a Political Run  —  Mr. Kristof, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, is weighing a run for governor of Oregon, the state where he grew up.  —  After 37 years at The New York Times as a reporter, high-level editor and opinion columnist …

Global energy crisis could dim climate hopes  —  An energy crisis around the world is hitting households and manufacturers that were already struggling to recover from the global pandemic.  —  Why it matters: This is a perfect storm of crises.  It features supply shortages, especially from China …

Calls intensify to end Wisconsin's election review amid blunders by ex-judge in charge  —  The glaring errors became clear soon after a former Wisconsin judge issued subpoenas earlier this month in a Republican review of the state's 2020 presidential election.  Some of the requests referred to the wrong city.

Amazon Puts Its Own “Brands” First … Above Better-Rated Products  —  The online giant gives a leg up to hundreds of house brand and exclusive products that most people don't know are connected to Amazon  —  It took Robert Gomez about five months to get his Kaffe coffee grinder …

GOP lawmaker, banned from flying Alaska Airlines over mask mandate, tests positive for coronavirus  —  An Alaska GOP lawmaker banned from flying on the state's leading airline for refusing to wear a mask, and therefore unable to travel to and from the state capital, has now tested positive for the coronavirus, she said.

Progressives urge Pelosi to keep all the social and climate programs in Biden's economic plan intact  — House progressives urged Speaker Nancy Pelosi to keep all proposed policies in President Joe Biden's economic plan, but keep them in place for fewer years to reduce costs.

The media's doomsday talk about Biden is greatly exaggerated  —  Many in the media are drumming up the narrative that President Biden is in deep political trouble. … Some in the White House press corps are asking questions along the lines of “Isn't the president worried he's failing?”

Loudoun County student accused in sexual assaults at two county schools, sparking outrage from parents  —  A teen accused of sexually assaulting a fellow student at a Loudoun County high school in May is also accused in a second sexual assault less than five months later at another county high school …

Jim Jordan Makes His Move to Be the Most Batshit Anti-Vaxxer of All  —  RACE TO THE BOTTOM … He's got stiff competition from the likes of Republican trolls Greg Abbott and Kristi Noem, but the former wrestling coach is rolling up his sleeves and going for it.

The Heritage Foundation Names Dr. Kevin Roberts Next President  —  Nation's premier conservative think tank welcomes head of the Texas Public Policy Foundation. … WASHINGTON—The Heritage Foundation today announced Dr. Kevin Roberts will become the seventh president in the think tank's 48-year history.

Top Democrats unveil bill to rein in tech companies' ‘malicious algorithms’  —  Happy Thursday!  It's a huge day for tech policy on Capitol Hill.  Key lawmakers are dropping major bills aimed at addressing concerns about competition online and algorithmic recommendations.  Keep scrolling for all the details.

Jobless Claims Fall to Lowest Level Since Start of Covid-19 Pandemic  —  Unemployment applications decreased to 293,000 last week from 329,000 a week earlier, the Labor Department said  —  Jobless claims fell below 300,000 last week for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020 …

Scheller, Marine who criticized Afghanistan withdrawal, pleads guilty to all charges in court-martial hearing  —  Scheller was freed from the brig last week where he was being held for violating an agreement to stop posting criticism on social media  —  Lt Col Stu Scheller faces hearing for blasting chaotic Afghan exit

Late Gov. Edwin Edwards' wife had his remains exhumed and cremated; his children are angry  —  About 10 weeks after former Gov. Edwin W. Edwards died, his widow had him dug up from a Baton Rouge cemetery so she could have him cremated.  —  For now, Trina Edwards is keeping his remains …

Summers Slams Woke Fed for Risking Losing Control of Inflation  — Former Treasury chief has warned about price risks for months  — Summers says Fed not preparing public for potential action  —  Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers castigated monetary policy makers in the U.S …

L.A. Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas and ex-USC dean indicted on bribery charges  —  Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas was indicted Wednesday on federal charges of taking bribes from a former USC dean in exchange for supporting millions of dollars in L.A. County contracts …

Ted Sarandos Doubles Down on Dave Chappelle Defense: 'Content Doesn't Directly Translate to Real-World Harm' (EXCLUSIVE) … Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos sent a lengthy missive to the entire company following the mounting controversy around a new original special from comic Dave Chappelle.

Winter heating bills set to jump as inflation hits home  —  With prices surging worldwide for heating oil, natural gas and other fuels, the U.S. government said Wednesday it expects households to see their heating bills jump as much as 54% compared to last winter  —  Supply chain issues threaten holiday goods