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 …

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 …

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 …

Making kids wear masks in school is torture, not safety  —  How long will we continue to torture kids?  —  And let's be clear: Forcing them to wear masks all day in school, sometimes at recess, is torture.  Saying that even vaccinated kids must continue to wear masks in school …

I Was Wrong About Donald Trump  —  Mr. Brock led one of the largest Democratic super PACs dedicated to defeating Donald Trump in the 2020 election.  Before he became a Democrat, he worked for The Washington Times and the Heritage Foundation.  —  Like most Democrats, I initially underestimated Donald Trump.

Sunrise Movement's DC chapter boycotts event due to ‘participation of Zionist organizations’  —  None of the members of Congress endorsed by the Sunrise Movement responded to questions regarding the decision by the group's Washington arm to pull out of a voting rights rally because of the involvement of progressive Jewish groups

Biden's support fading fast, as CNBC survey finds concerns on the economy, Covid and inflation  — Just 41% of the public approve of President Joe Biden's job performance, compared to 52% who disapprove, according to the CNBC All-America Economic Survey.  — Fifty percent now approve …

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.”

ASU police: 4 should get misdemeanor charges after activists confront Sinema in bathroom  —  The Arizona State University Police Department is asking the Maricopa County Attorney's Office to charge four people with misdemeanors after they recorded themselves protesting against Sen. Kyrsten Sinema …

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 …

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has paid his first voter fraud bounty.  It went to an unexpected recipient  —  Patrick, a Republican, promised to pay $25,000 to any tipster who came forward with evidence of real voter fraud.  He cut his first check this week.  —  AUSTIN — Nearly a year …

Amazon Warehouse Workers in New York City to File For Union Election  —  More than 2,000 workers at New York City's largest Amazon warehouse have signed union authorization cards to join Amazon Labor Union.  —  Lauren Kaori Gurley  —  Amazon warehouse workers at New York City's largest Amazon warehouse …

With “Havana Syndrome,” Washington Is Repeating Colin Powell's Worst Mistake … The passing of former Secretary of State Colin Powell has provided the occasion for reflection on the man's most consequential act, which also happened to be his most shameful one: his February 2003 speech at the United Nations …

Unmasked NYPD Officers Remove Subway Rider After He Confronts Them  —  Andrew Gilbert said he repeatedly asked two officers to wear masks in accordance with M.T.A. and Police Department policy.  He was eventually pushed out of the station.  —  A New York City police officer grabs a male commuter …

Jobless claims fall again as enhanced pandemic benefits fade away  — First-time filings for jobless claims totaled 290,000 for the week ended Oct. 16.  — That was down 6,000 from the previous week and below the 300,000 Dow Jones estimate.  — Continuing claims also dropped to a new pandemic low, falling to 2.48 million.

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 …

Matt Gaetz's Fundraising Craters as He Finally Shuns Spotlight  —  Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has finally started to keep his mouth shut.  Turns out, that strategy has consequences.  —  As Rep. Matt Gaetz gears up for potential charges to drop, the Florida Republican has gotten much quieter …

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.

China wipes Boston Celtics from NBA broadcasts after Enes Kanter slams Tibet abuses  —  The Boston Celtics are facing blowback in China after center Enes Kanter posted a video voicing his support for Tibetan independence.  —  The reaction was swift.  Chinese video-streaming giant Tencent cut …

Jen Psaki Hates You  —  The White House press secretary is a perfect representative of our spiteful ruling class.  —  Let us now praise Jennifer Rene Psaki—English major, sorority girl, mother of two.  Let us praise her seemingly endless supply of monochrome crew-neck blouses and pencil skirts …

Woman arrested on allegations she threatened judge in Georgia ballot case  —  Police have arrested a Kentucky woman who allegedly threatened a Georgia judge and his family after he dismissed a lawsuit that sought to inspect absentee ballots for signs of fraud in last year's presidential election.Erin Northup …