SCOOP: Manchin Tells Associates He's Considering Leaving the Democratic Party and Has an Exit Plan  —  In recent days, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) has told associates that he is considering leaving the Democratic Party if President Joe Biden and Democrats on Capitol Hill do not agree to his demand …

When M.I.T. Asked Dorian Abbot to Speak, It Invited Criticism  —  Dorian Abbot is a scientist who has opposed aspects of affirmative action.  He is now at the center of an argument over free speech and acceptable discourse.  —  CHICAGO — The Massachusetts Institute of Technology invited …

Rep. Jim Jordan tells House panel he can't recall how many times he spoke with Trump on Jan. 6  —  Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) on Wednesday struggled to answer questions about his communications with then-President Donald Trump during the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, telling a House panel …

Biden abruptly accelerates his involvement in agenda talks  —  For weeks, President Biden has met repeatedly with Democratic lawmakers as part of the tortuous negotiations over his agenda — but to the frustration of many, he has revealed few opinions of his own on what should remain in the plan and what should be jettisoned.

Why Facebook is rebranding  —  Fresh details from the search for a new name.  PLUS: Five former employees weigh in  —  Programming note: Platformer will be off on Thursday to work on some ... stuff.  See you Monday!  —  Facebook is changing its name.  Perhaps you heard.

GOP Gains in Governor's Race  —  Enthusiasm gap and shift in voter priorities boost Youngkin  —  West Long Branch, NJ - With two weeks to go before Election Day, Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin are locked in a close battle for governor of Virginia.

Moderna and J&J Covid-19 Boosters, Mixing and Matching Authorized by the FDA  —  The extra doses are expected to become available in coming days, once the CDC offers guidance on usage  —  U.S. health regulators significantly widened the nation's Covid-19 booster campaign …

Leaked Oath Keepers Data Shows At Least 28 Elected Officials Have Ties To The Group  —  Over the past dozen years, at least 28 people who currently hold elected office joined or financially supported the Oath Keepers, the extremist group that figured prominently in the violent Jan. 6 storming …

LIVE: Partial human remains found during search for Brian Laundrie, reports say  —  You have been added to Daily News Newsletter … TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Law enforcement officials searching for Brian Laundrie found partial human remains in the Carlton Reserve on Wednesday, according to NBC News.

The Trump Organization faces a new criminal inquiry tied to a New York golf club  —  A New York prosecutor has opened up a previously unreported criminal probe of Trump Organization finances, NPR has confirmed.  —  The investigation by Westchester District Attorney Miriam E.

The accused spy knew stealth was crucial from his work on submarines.  He surfaced anyway.  —  For years, the aspiring spy had gone to remarkable lengths to protect his identity and evade detection.  —  With a cash-bought burner phone, he created an anonymous email account …

The $100 Million Plan to Completely Fix Washington  —  In 2017, a Wisconsin dairy scion wrote a Harvard Business School case study applying “industry competitive analysis” to party politics.  The result is a $100 million plan to transform election rules.  Reid Hoffman and one of the Bay …

Netflix Employee Walkout Grows Tense as Trans Rights Protesters Clash With Dave Chappelle Supporters  —  Hundreds of Netflix employees and supporters gathered in the shadow of the streaming giant's Los Angeles headquarters on Wednesday to protest Dave Chappelle's standup special “The Closer.”

China conducted two hypersonic weapon tests this summer  —  Nuclear-capable ‘glide vehicle’ raises US fears that Beijing is developing new generation of arms  —  The Chinese military conducted two hypersonic weapons tests over the summer, raising US concerns that Beijing is gaining ground …

Stymied Before, Trump Finds Backing for His Own Media Venture  —  A merger could give the former president access to nearly $300 million in cash — and perhaps a new platform.  —  Former President Donald J. Trump said on Wednesday that he had lined up the investment money to create …

A worker in Florida applied to 60 entry-level jobs in September and got one interview  — Businesses across the US say they are struggling to find employees, especially for hourly work.  — Joey Holz decided to test their claims, submitting two applications a day in September.

Youngkin Supporter Punches Reporter At Campaign Rally In Burke  —  BURKE, VA — A supporter of Virginia gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin struck a reporter outside a campaign rally in Burke Tuesday night, leading the journalist to report the incident to a Fairfax County police officer.

Billionaire investor Nelson Peltz says he talks every week to Sen. Joe Manchin, who is pushing to cut Biden agenda  — Billionaire Nelson Peltz told CNBC on Wednesday that he talks every week to Sen. Joe Manchin, a centrist Democrat who is pushing to shrink President Biden's agenda.

COP26: Document leak reveals nations lobbying to change key climate report  —  A huge leak of documents seen by BBC News shows how countries are trying to change a crucial scientific report on how to tackle climate change.  —  The leak reveals Saudi Arabia, Japan and Australia …