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 …

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Takes Additional Actions on the Use of a Booster Dose for COVID-19 Vaccines  —  For Immediate Release:  —  Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration took action to expand the use of a booster dose for COVID-19 vaccines in eligible populations.

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 …

Report: Sinema Bent on Destroying Biden Presidency to Keep Taxes on the Wealthy Low This sounds extremely bad.  —  News reports this week have portrayed Democrats in Congress as slowly converging on a deal to pass a shrunken version of President Biden's Build Back Better agenda.

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 …

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.

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.

Brian Laundrie's personal items found in Florida nature reserve, medical examiner called to scene  —  Personal belongings of Brian Laundrie — the fiancé of Gabby Petito who has been missing for over a month — have been found in a Florida nature preserve and a local medical examiner …

Trump Organization, Already Under Indictment, Faces New Criminal Inquiry  —  The investigation, by the Westchester County district attorney's office, increases the legal scrutiny of the former president and his family business.  —  Former President Donald J. Trump's family business …

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

Environmental group quits democracy rally because ‘Zionist’ groups are present  —  WASHINGTON (JTA) — The Washington D.C. branch of a national climate action group turned down a role at a voting rights rally because a “number of Zionist organizations” will be taking part.

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.”

‘Down the rabbit hole’: Arizona GOP goes full fringe  —  Just when it seemed Arizona Republicans couldn't make more of a spectacle, they found another way.  —  As the party hardens around its fealty to former President Donald Trump, the GOP is filling up its midterm ballot with a roster …

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.

Is Trump's influence waning in Texas?  Election audit bill ignored during special session  —  The third special session of the Texas Legislature ended Tuesday night.  A bill promoted by former President Trump was not added to the special session's agenda by Governor Abbott and the Texas House …