Top 3 Stories:
1) Virginia Turns Red:
“Virginia voters chose Republican Glenn Youngkin as their next governor, dramatic reversal for a state that had appeared solidly Democratic in recent years and a significant loss for President Biden and the party’s establishment. Former Democratic governor Terry McAuliffe came up short in his bid to become only the second Virginia governor since the Civil War to win a second term, with key suburban districts joining rural parts of the state in favoring Youngkin by a narrow margin. Republicans appeared to sweep the other statewide races, with Winsome Sears projected to win lieutenant governor and Del. Jason Miyares (Virginia Beach) declaring a win for attorney general. Sears is the first Black woman elected statewide in Virginia and Miyares would be the first Latino. A red wave also washed through the House of Delegates, turning a 55-45 Democratic majority into what could become a 51-49 Republican majority. The victories, projected by the Associated Press and Edison Research, come only a year after Biden carried Virginia over Donald Trump by 10 points, a wild swing that casts doubt on Democrats’ agenda in Richmond and Washington alike.” (WASHINGTON POST)
2) New Jersey Gubernatorial Election Still Close:
“The race for governor in New Jersey remained too close to call early Wednesday as Gov. Phil Murphy’s Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli clings on to a slight lead. The two waged tense campaigns and Murphy presented himself as a solid progressive. Ciattarelli tried to paint Murphy as out of touch with the average voter and was critical of his leadership during the COVID-19 epidemic. The campaigns ended their Election Night parties without either claiming victory. Both struck optimistic tones with their supporters. "We’ve sent a message to the entire nation. This is what I love about this state: Every single time it's gone too far off track, the people of this state have pushed, pulled and prodded it right back to where it needs to be," Ciattarelli said. Murphy has been leading in the polls, has a 1 million-voter registration advantage and had more cash in his campaign coffers than Ciattarelli in the final days of the race.” (FOX NEWS)
3) 2/110 N.Y.C. Elects their Second Black Mayor:
“Eric Leroy Adams, a former New York City police captain whose attention-grabbing persona and keen focus on racial justice fueled a decades-long career in public life, was elected on Tuesday as the 110th mayor of New York and the second Black mayor in the city’s history. Mr. Adams, who will take office on Jan. 1, faces a staggering set of challenges as the nation’s largest city grapples with the enduring consequences of the pandemic, including a precarious and unequal economic recovery and continuing concerns about crime and the quality of city life, all shaped by stark political divisions over how New York should move forward. His victory signals the start of a more center-left Democratic leadership that, he has promised, will reflect the needs of the working- and middle-class voters of color who delivered him the party’s nomination and were vital to his general election coalition. The results in New York unfolded as Democrats across the country monitored the emerging outcomes in two other closely watched races with concern: the contests for governor in Virginia and New Jersey, two states that President Biden won comfortably last year.” (NEW YORK TIMES)
Daily Verse:
Psalm 119:2 NIV Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.
The President’s Schedule:
The President has no public events scheduled.
This Day in History
“One World Trade Center officially opens in Manhattan on November 3, 2014. The new tower, along with the rest of the World Trade Center complex, replaced the Twin Towers and surrounding complex, which were destroyed by terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.” (HISTORY)
Daily Quote:
"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing." - George Bernard Shaw
Daily Joke:
When the cannibal was late for dinner, He got the cold shoulder.
Environment:
CHINA CUTS COAL CONSUMPTION ABROAD: “Coal, the most carbon intensive fossil fuel, has come under increasing pressure from climate campaigners and communities affected by pollution from the industry. In recent years, at least 100 major banks – including the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, the European Investment Bank and many others – have divested from coal mining or coal-fired power plants. But as many financial institutions have taken a step away from coal, some countries moved in to fill the void, such as China, South Korea and Japan. China has played a particularly big role – the country provided half of overseas public finance to coal-fired power plants between 2013 and 2018. China's massive foreign investments in coal have given it the reputation as a lender of last resort for many African and Asian countries eager to boost power capacity to fuel economic growth. But developing countries reliant on China could now find their energy policies turned on their heads. At the UN General Assembly in September, Chinese president Xi Jinping announced plans to abandon building new coal power plants abroad.” (BBC NEWS)
Culture:
THE KYLE RITTENHOUSE TRIAL: “A jury heard two wildly different scenarios of how two men were killed and another was wounded allegedly by teenager Kyle Rittenhouse during a chaotic 2020 protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin. In opening statements presented Tuesday morning to the Kenosha County Circuit Court panel, a prosecutor said the evidence will show Rittenhouse, 18, was an "active shooter" whose reckless behavior led to the deadly incident. But a defense attorney countered that the same evidence indicates that it was "reasonable" for the teenager to use deadly force to defend himself from what he claims was a mob attacking him. Rittenhouse has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of first-degree reckless homicide, first-degree intentional homicide and attempted first-degree intentional homicide. He has also pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of possession of a firearm by an individual under the age of 18, and an infraction of violating a curfew that was imposed on the city at the time.” ‘The only person who killed anyone was the defendant’” (ABC NEWS)
Sports:
THE BRAVES DID NOT CHEAT AND STILL BEAT THE ASTROS: “The Atlanta Braves have won their first World Series title since 1995 after defeating the Houston Astros 7-0 in Game 6 on Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park. The Braves took the Series four games to two behind strong pitching and three big home runs. And although Atlanta couldn't close out the Astros at home in Game 5, thousands of fans flocked to the Braves' stadium, Truist Park, on Tuesday to watch the game on a nippy but starry night. "I'm still numb. I don't really have emotions. I'm kind of trying to tell you guys things of how I feel because I don't really feel anything yet," Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman said. "It's going to hit hard soon. I don't know when. Maybe it's when we get to see everybody in Atlanta."The Braves once again homered their way to an early lead. In the top of the third, Braves Jorge Soler hammered the eighth pitch from Astros starter Luis Garcia for a three-run home run after Ozzie Albies singled and Eddie Rosario walked around two flyouts. Soler's third homer of the Series traveled an estimated 446 feet, and it was the last pitch Garcia, starting on short rest, threw. Soler, who was born in Cuba, was named Series MVP.” (CNN)
Health:
IS THE END OF THE PANDEMIC IN SIGHT? “Americans should be asking ourselves what else needs to happen before we can declare an end to the crisis phase of the pandemic. Although the coronavirus’s course remains unpredictable—and bad surprises are still possible—the Delta-variant surge that started in early July ushered in what may have been the final major wave of disease in the United States. The 1918 influenza pandemic ended only when enough Americans obtained immunity through infection to bring the pathogen under control. The U.S. may soon reach a similar point of controlling the coronavirus as well, both because of widespread vaccination and because of the immunity generated by the sheer volume of Delta infections. Moreover, the country is also reaching one of the last major thresholds before a return to greater normalcy becomes possible. The FDA authorized COVID vaccines for 5-to-11-year-old American children last week; yesterday, a CDC advisory panel voted to recommend shots for this age group. These children are already at low risk of severe disease from COVID-19, but the risk is not zero, and the availability of vaccines for younger children will significantly ease parents’ anxieties. Immunity for elementary-school children will prevent severe disease later in life, and a vaccine for young children also impedes transmission to the more vulnerable. In another pivotal development, a soon-to-be-authorized oral antiviral treatment called molnupiravir will give doctors a major new treatment option. The drug inhibits viral replication, which should also limit transmission.” (THE ATLANTIC)