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 …

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.

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 asks prosecutors to charge 4 people for Sinema bathroom protest  —  The Arizona State University Police Department has asked county prosecutors to charge four people with misdemeanors after a protest against U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema interrupted a class she was teaching and ended with an activist following her into a bathroom.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Oath Keepers in the State House: How a Militia Movement Took Root in the Republican Mainstream  —  A membership roster for the Oath Keepers, a violent extremist group whose followers have been charged in the Jan. 6 insurrection, includes state lawmakers, congressional candidates, and local government and GOP officials.

China conducted two hypersonic weapons 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 …

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 …

Activist dad of school shooting victim joins anti-gun group  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The father of a 14-year-old girl killed in the 2018 Florida high school shooting massacre announced Thursday that he's joining the top ranks of a progressive anti-gun group to promote like-minded political candidates around …

Suspected human remains and items belonging to Brian Laundrie found in Florida park, FBI says  —  (CNN)What appears to be human remains and items belonging to Brian Laundrie, including a backpack, have been found in the Carlton Reserve in North Port, Florida, according to FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael McPherson.