Top Twitter executives fired as Elon Musk takeover begins  —  Musk's $44 billion deal to acquire the social media company closed on Thursday night.  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Elon Musk took control of Twitter late Thursday as his $44 billion deal to takeover the company closed.

James Bennet was right  —  Controversy over an op-ed by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) consumed the New York Times in June 2020 and claimed the job of then-editorial page editor James Bennet.  Two-and-a-half years later, Bennet has shared some thoughts about the episode — and, in particular, the role of Times Publisher A.G. Sulzberger.

Putin Rails Against ‘Western Elites’ in Speech Aimed at U.S. Conservatives … Putin's remarks seem to be aimed at conservatives in the U.S. and Europe.  —  President Vladimir V. Putin, in a speech seemingly aimed more at winning over political conservatives abroad than his own citizens …

The 2022 Race for the House, in Four Districts, and Four Polls  —  Swing-district polls by The New York Times and Siena College show how the midterm races are being shaped by larger, surprising forces, beyond the traditional red and blue divide.  —  President Biden is unpopular everywhere.

Appeals court clears way for IRS to turn over Trump tax returns to House committee  —  ‘Extraordinary appearance’: Trump's legal team and DOJ hold secret meeting  —  Haberman reveals what info he could give prosecutors  —  Police investigate break-in at office of candidate for Arizona governor Hear …

Scoop: John Kerry preparing to leave Biden administration  —  Special climate envoy John Kerry is actively considering leaving the Biden administration after next month's COP27 summit, soliciting advice from friends and colleagues on how to stay involved in climate efforts from the private sector …

As Governor's Race Tightens, a Frantic Call to Action Among Democrats  —  Democrats and their allies are pouring millions of dollars into late-stage ads and get-out-the-vote efforts to help Gov. Kathy Hochul as she fends off her Republican challenger, Lee Zeldin.

Hawaii's Big Island gets warning as huge volcano rumbles  —  Hawaii officials are warning residents of the Big Island that the world's largest active volcano, Mauna Loa, is sending signals that it may erupt.  Scientists say an eruption isn't imminent, but they are on alert because of a recent spike …

First on CNN: January 6 committee moves forward with Secret Service interviews  —  The House Select Committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol is wrapping up its review of more than a million pages of Secret Service documents and plans to bring in top agents …

Why I Keep Getting Mistaken for a Conservative  —  The Left no longer tolerates dissent  —  One of my longtime survival strategies as a career freelance writer is a policy of saying yes to everything.  This includes paid work, of course, but it also includes lunch invitations, since the only thing I love more than writing is eating.

Topline Results for October 2022 Times/Siena Polls in Four Congressional Districts … Survey conducted Oct. 19-24 among 431 likely voters.  —  Thinking ahead to the November general election, are you almost certain that you will vote, very likely to vote, somewhat likely to vote, not very likely to vote, or not at all likely to vote?

Trump '24 Foreplay  —  Who's in?  Who's out?  Where's Javanka, and whether to expect cameos from Hope, Bannon, Miller, Stepien, and more?  Plus, a special bonus edition of midterm fears on the right and left.  —  There's a bit of denialism swirling around D.C., and around …

Kanye West has a disturbing history of admiring Hitler, sources tell CNN  —  Several people who were once close to the artist formerly known as Kanye West told CNN that he has long been fascinated by Adolf Hitler — and once wanted to name an album after the Nazi leader.

Climate Protester Glues His Head to ‘Girl With a Pearl Earring’ Painting  —  The artwork by Johannes Vermeer, exhibited in The Hague, was the latest artwork to be targeted by protesters concerned about climate change.  One person glued his head to the painting and another glued his hand to the wall.

Central VPA shooter bought gun in private sale after background check blocked previous attempt, police say  —  Police said an FBI background check successfully blocked him from buying the gun from the dealer on Oct. 8.  He then bought a gun in a private sale.

Citing drugs at Rikers, NYC to ban incarcerated people from getting letters in the mail  —  Overdose deaths are skyrocketing in New York City jails, and the correction commissioner says banning physical letters is a way to stop it.  —  Commissioner Louis Molina said at a city council hearing Tuesday …

N. Korea fires ballistic missile toward sea, Seoul says  —  North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the sea on Friday, Seoul officials said, as its rival South Korea was wrapping up an annual military drill that the North views as an invasion rehearsal.

HUEXCLUSIVE: Families Are Wondering How To Get Their Tuition Back After Donda Academy Closes For The Remainder Of The School Year  —  Parents are concerned about tuition refunds after Donda Academy issued out an email, letting them know that “effective immediately” the school will be closed!

Georgia prosecutor urges Supreme Court to clear way for Lindsey Graham testimony  —  The Georgia prosecutor leading an investigation into efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 election urged the Supreme Court on Thursday to clear the way for the testimony of Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Russia continues funding media in the U.S.  —  RUSSIAN STATE MEDIA MONEY CONTINUES TO FLOW: Months after Russia invaded Ukraine and media companies dropped the country's state programming, Russian government funding continues to flow into U.S. media.  —  Between April and the end of September …

Pentagon PSYOP Scandal Demands an Urgent Debate on Propaganda Ethics  —  It's time for a public debate about clandestine PSYOPs, argues Dr. Emma L. Briant, a political communication scholar who researches contemporary propaganda and information warfare, and its governance and ethics in an age of mass-surveillance.

How Do Drag Shows Advance U.S. National Security?  —  The Biden administration pushes woke ideology on the world at the expense of American values.  —  1x  —  The exportation of American culture has long been one of our nation's greatest soft-power assets.

State pays millions to company employing undocumented workers linked to deputy's death  —  Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration has paid more than $8 million to a construction contractor since authorities found it had hired several undocumented workers — including two men who have been charged …

Trump lawyers and DOJ met in sealed court hearing related to Mar-a-Lago investigation Thursday  —  Watch members of Trump's legal team enter closed-door hearing  —  Haberman reveals what info he could give prosecutors  —  Police investigate break-in at office of candidate for Arizona governor Hear …

Dozens of subpoenas issued in investigation involving Sen. Bob Menendez  —  Dozens of federal grand jury subpoenas have been issued in the past several months as part of the ongoing federal criminal investigation involving several individuals in New Jersey and the powerful Democratic chairman …

Roger Stone Warns Ron DeSantis It Would Be ‘Treachery’ To Run Against Trump  —  Stone again attacks DeSantis with ugly bid to help clear out a potential field of rivals to make a Trump run for the presidency easier.  —  Former President Donald Trump's longtime ally and “dirty trickster” …