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They underscore the importance of educating Black voters on the significance of the Dec. 6 runoff between Warnock and Republican contender Herschel Walker. Yet voting rights organizations supporting Warnock say Black voters they’ve spoken with remain energized because expanding Democrats’ majority in the Senate even by a single seat would have a significant impact. Les Talusan / Courtesy MoveOnIn last week’s election, Warnock received 90% of the Black vote, compared to Walker’s 8%, according to an NBC News exit poll. “All the elements we’re talking about impact mostly Black voters,” Albright said. And tired or not, Black voters will come out for the runoff.”Follow NBCBLK on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

WASHINGTON — House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday easily defeated conservative Rep. Andy Biggs to win the GOP nomination for speaker of the House. The Arizona Republican and former leader of the far-right, Trump-aligned House Freedom Caucus did not announce that he would challenge McCarthy until Monday night. "Minority Leader McCarthy does not have the votes needed to become the next Speaker of the House and his speakership should not be a foregone conclusion," Biggs said in a statement. Former President Donald Trump, who is expected to announce a 2024 presidential bid later Tuesday, has endorsed his longtime ally, McCarthy, for speaker. So has Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a Freedom Caucus member who is enormously popular among grassroots conservatives.

“Personalities come and go,” said Dave Ball, the GOP chair in Pennsylvania’s Washington County, who has supported and defended Trump. Trump is preparing to do just that, with a Tuesday announcement expected at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. In Illinois, Republicans had threatened to take two state Supreme Court seats and flip state Senate and House seats. In Pennsylvania, GOP leaders had hoped to at least hold on to the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Pat Toomey. Trump lost the state by narrow margins in 2016 and 2020.

☆ Carl Nassib's Rayze app lands investment to connect volunteers with nonprofits
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Carl Nassib dreamed of a different kind of social media app for years — one that celebrates positivity and community. Details of the investment were not released, though Financial Finesse Ventures said their typical investment ranges from $500,0000 to $1.5 million for a minority stake. “These kids were in really, really desperate need and the most moving part about it was they were half a mile from where we went to work every day,” he added. Social media platforms are going through a rough patch, between Elon Musk’s struggles with Twitter and Facebook parent company Meta laying off 11,000 workers. So we’re combatting all those negatives of social media by getting people out of their houses and giving back.

☆ Top Republicans are slamming Trump and plotting to get rid of him after the GOP's disappointing midterm results
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Some Republicans have turned against Donald Trump after the midterm elections. They blame Trump and his candidates for the GOP's poor results last Tuesday. But in the wake on the party's disappointing showing in the midterm elections last Tuesday, his reputation as a political winner is badly damaged. An increasing number of party figures, The Post reported, were actively working to oppose Trump by directing their donations elsewhere. Some Republicans believe that Tuesday's results indicate that an even more crushing defeat could be in store for the GOP in 2024 if Trump is selected as the GOP's candidate.

☆ Oregon Measure 114 on gun control gives hope for curbing gun deaths
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( Ari Davis | Lisa Geller | Ari Davis Is A Policy Adviser At The Johns Hopkins Center For Gun Violence Solutions At The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School Of Public Health. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

A lot has changed since 2014, especially as it pertains to gun violence: The gun epidemic has gotten significantly worse. Despite heroic efforts by advocates and some lawmakers, the number of gun deaths set new records last year as many states weakened their gun laws through permitless carry and stand-your-ground legislation. Firearm purchaser licensing, as contained in the ballot measure, is one of the most effective policies at reducing gun deaths. Before the Oregon measure, only nine states, plus Washington, D.C., have had such a law. The intransigence of lawmakers in the face of record gun deaths has cost countless American lives, but it has not yet cost those lawmakers their careers.

After more than 35 years in prison, Mutulu Shakur, Tupac Shakur’s stepfather, will be released on parole on Dec. 16, when he'll spend what are expected to be his final days among family and friends. U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier in October approved a motion to release Shakur, an activist and holistic health care advocate, now 72, according to court documents obtained by NBC News. After being released on parole, Shakur will be monitored for up to four months. He was given medical parole, which means he could still be snatched back from us," Muhammad said. Now, Shakur's supporters and family feel the decision to release him represents a bittersweet victory.

☆ Far-right gun group says its members have switched allegiance from Trump to Ron DeSantis for the 2024 presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Nicole Gaudiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The American Firearms Association says its members favor Ron DeSantis over Donald Trump for president. Ron DeSantis for the 2024 presidential election. The American Firearms Association, citing a poll of its members, announced Friday nearly 69% favor DeSantis for president compared to nearly 29% for Trump. Their survey results in March were reversed, according to the group — nearly 67% for Trump and about 21% for DeSantis. The group posed the question to its 2,000-plus followers on Twitter Thursday: "Who do you support for President: Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, or someone else?"

☆ A record number of LGBTQ candidates claim victory in another 'rainbow wave'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Jo Yurcaba | Jo Yurcaba Is A Reporter For Nbc Out. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

A record number of LGBTQ candidates won their midterm races this year, creating what some advocates are calling yet another “rainbow wave.”Many races are still too close or too early to call, but as of Thursday afternoon, at least 400 out LGBTQ candidates had won their elections, according to the LGBTQ Victory Fund, which supports queer people running for office. “With so much at stake this election, from the future of marriage equality to abortion, LGBTQ candidates’ grit and exceptional grassroots support is paying off.”National firstsQueer candidates celebrated a number of notable victories and firsts across the country. Alaska is one of four states with zero out LGBTQ state lawmakers, according to the LGBTQ Victory Institute. Magni said the results prove that LGBTQ candidates can successfully compete in both blue and red states. “This is a powerful message, saying, ‘Hey, LGBTQ candidates can win elections and can win elections in many states and many districts across the country.’” he said.

☆ How a maverick Brazil lawmaker helped Lula beat Bolsonaro's propaganda machine
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Gabriel Stargardter | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov 10 (Reuters) - To bring down far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Andre Janones had to fight fire with fire. Janones also raised eyebrows among some in Lula's Workers Party (PT) for his vulgar attacks on Bolsonaro and his allies. One senior Lula aide defended the role of Janones, saying he could tread where the official campaign did not dare. He was the most prominent Lula ally to drop the gloves in a bruising run-off race that took even Bolsonaro's campaign by surprise. Despite his hell-raising, Janones has not lost sight of digital media as a public service.

Share this -Link copiedWisconsin Senate race too close to call Wisconsin's Senate race between GOP Sen. Ron Johnson and Democrat Mandela Barnes is too close to call, NBC News says. Vance wins Ohio Senate race, defeating Democrat Tim Ryan, NBC News projects COLUMBUS, Ohio — J.D. Ohio Republican Senate candidate J.D. Vance is leading The Senate race in Ohio is too early to call, NBC News says, but Republican candidate J.D. Share this -Link copiedGeorgia Senate race too close to call Georgia's Senate race is too close to call about three hours after polls closed at 7 p.m.

Democrat Josh Shapiro defeated far-right Republican Doug Mastriano in the Pennsylvania governor’s race on Tuesday, NBC News projected, providing Democrats with a significant victory in a contest where oversight of the 2024 election and abortion rights took center stage. ET, Shapiro held a lead of more than 13 points over Mastriano. Speaking to reporters on his campaign bus last week, Shapiro said Mastriano “is by far the most extreme and dangerous person to ever run for public office in Pennsylvania. Mastriano said his position on abortion was irrelevant because abortion laws are ultimately up to the state Legislature. Elected to the state Senate in 2019, Mastriano rose to prominence after the 2020 election when Trump sought allies in state Legislatures to help him reverse his loss.

☆ Trump's favorite candidates disappoint on Election Day, raising questions about his 2024 pitch
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Christina Wilkie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

At huge rallies over the weekend, Trump read off a list of Republican candidates while honing a speech that sounded like his own 2024 presidential campaign stump speech. The message was clear: Trump was the leader of the Republican Party, and the party would have Trump to thank for its expected victories on Election Day. But as returns began to come in Tuesday evening, the Republican rout driven by Trump's chosen candidates never materialized. Ohio Republican Senate hopeful J.D. In North Carolina, Trump-backed Republican Senate candidate Ted Budd defeated Democrat Cheri Beasley, NBC projected.

☆ This 22-year-old survives Lebanon with a bitcoin mining business that's been earning $20,000 a month
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Mackenzie Sigalos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +18 min

Against this backdrop, Abu Daher jumped into the crypto mining business a little over two years ago. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Ahmad Abu Daher repairing mining equipment in the basement of a home in Zaarouriyeh. Ahmad Abu DaherIt has been 26 months since Abu Daher first set up shop, and he says that business is thriving. watch nowBuilding a bitcoin mining businessAbu Daher had a few black swan events on his side soon after he broke into crypto mining. In January, police raided a small crypto mining farm in the hydro-powered town of Jezzine, seizing and dismantling mining rigs in the process.

☆ Arizona's GOP Senate candidate Blake Masters says he's going to 'grind' Biden's 'agenda to a halt' if elected: 'I'm not gonna vote for a single thing'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Arizona GOP Senate candidate Blake Masters said that he would "grind" President Joe Biden's "agenda to a halt." "I'm not going to vote for a single thing" if he wins the battleground state, Masters said Tuesday. The Republican Senate hopeful added, "I'm going to grind his agenda to a halt unless and until we get border security. That's the leverage that Mark Kelly has had for the last 20 months." "We're gonna' fire Mark Kelly.

☆ Some in White House worry abortion message bungled before midterms
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Nandita Bose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Some White House officials believe they should have linked abortion to economic concerns more, rather than fundamental rights and privacy, three sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. The White House faced a similar situation when trying to expand the child tax credit earlier this year, both sources noted. White House spokesman Kevin Munoz dismissed "any notion of over focus" on reproductive rights and said Biden has addressed multiple issues. The White House has asked the DNC to gather data for an election postmortem to identify what messages worked and what didn't, party sources said. The White House signed executive orders on the issue and met with state legislators, grassroots activists and coalitions to finetune abortion messaging.

☆ Factbox: Twitter alternatives that users are turning to
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 7 (Reuters) - After taking Twitter Inc private for $44 billion, Elon Musk has started making changes to the social media platform that have irked some users, making them look for alternatives. COHOSTCohost is an ad-free social media platform. The platform allows users to target an audience to enhance engagement on posts and says users can find experts on topics of discussion. TUMBLRTumblr is a social media website that was launched in 2007 which allows users to post long-form blog-style content with media elements such as photos and GIFs. It also allows users to chat with each other much like Twitter's direct messaging function.

☆ There have only been 2 Black elected governors in US history, but the 2022 midterm elections could usher in unparalleled change
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

There have only been two Black elected governors in US history, but that could change on Tuesday. With the victory, Wilder became the first Black elected governor in the United States, generations after P.B.S. He said people brag about him as the first Black governor elected in America. However, this year, Black gubernatorial candidates weren't overly reliant on the party leadership to help them land the nominations in their respective states. At the end of the day, if that's what I accomplished, that's not enough," Moore told Insider.

☆ Internal forums, major deals, and employee exits: Inside BlackRock's long road to embracing crypto
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Rebecca Ungarino | Morgan Chittum | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

A group of employees at the firm organized and started holding a forum to discuss crypto, five people familiar with the group told Insider. Eager, usually more junior, staff members huddled around to hear industry experts talk about crypto and blockchain. A junior employee touched off BlackRock's crypto effortsThe blockchain working group and the informal crypto-asset forum will end up being key footnotes in the firm's history. Leaving BlackRock for cryptoLader left BlackRock in June 2021 for Uniswap, the world's largest decentralized-exchange protocol, where she is now the chief operating officer. She was "very, very central" to the firm's crypto efforts," a former employee said.

☆ Tim Ryan doubles down on his go-it-alone strategy in Ohio's crucial Senate race as Democratic leaders campaign elsewhere: 'They don't need to rescue me. I need to rescue them'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Democratic Senate hopeful Tim Ryan is facing off against Trump-backed challenger JD Vance in Ohio. He added, somewhat defiantly, "They don't need to rescue me. Fans of Democratic Ohio Senate hopeful Rep. Tim Ryan chat in front of his campaign bus during a rally in Xenia, Ohio on November 4, 2022. "We don't need people from the outside coming in to sell us something, because his message is so strong," Saul added. Matheny said, adding that it "shows working-class people that you don't need all that extra money in your pocket."

WASHINGTON, Nov 4 (Reuters) - North Carolina officials have registered 14 instances of potential intimidation or interference with voters and election officials in the run-up to Tuesday's U.S. midterm elections, according to records provided to Reuters on Friday. Incident reports released to Reuters on Friday show that the North Carolina State Board of Elections is tracking eight instances of potential voter intimidation, one of potential voter interference and five of potential interference with election workers during early voting. Arizona late last month asked the Justice Department to investigate a case of possible voter intimidation, and officials there have since said they have observed several more possible instances of intimidation. Most of the North Carolina incidents, which were described in only general terms, involved photographing, videotaping or yelling at voters and officials, the reports show. North Carolina officials noted unusually aggressive observers during May's primary election in 16 counties.

☆ WTA launches program in bid to increase female coaches
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 4 (Reuters) - The WTA has launched a program to aid the progress of female coaches into professional tennis and promote "career pathways for women." None of the current top 10 players in the women's rankings employ the services of a female coach. The WTA's program, which was announced on Thursday, aims to promote professional and grassroots coaching as a viable career choice for athletes and coaches. "The Coach Inclusion Program is an important step towards diversifying and broadening our coaching pool," said Steve Simon, WTA Chairman and CEO. The WTA added that the coaching program is open to applicants based in the United States.

A Republican is going to win the Alaska Senate race, but that hasn’t stopped Mitch McConnell from plowing millions of dollars into the deep-red state. Herschel Walker, the Senate candidate in Georgia backed by both Trump and McConnell, also says he would back McConnell. Apart from Tshibaka, Senate Republican candidate Don Bolduc in New Hampshire has said he would vote against McConnell for leader. (The Republican senator who requested anonymity voiced surprise at McConnell’s prediction and thought it betrayed some nervousness on his part. Although he voted to acquit Trump, McConnell called him “practically and morally responsible” for the assault on the Capitol.

☆ Prayers, the pledge of allegiance and culture wars: Inside a Doug Mastriano rally in the final days of his long-shot bid for governor of Pennsylvania
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Oma Seddiq | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

A Doug Mastriano rally in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, featured praying and wading into culture wars. National and state Republican donors and groups have offered little support to his candidacy. "He's just been there the whole time," a Mastriano voter in Bucks County who only identified himself as Jeremy, told Insider. "You can't get your message out one-on-one to voters," Josh Novotney, a Pennsylvania GOP strategist, told Insider. "It's a different tactic and I pray it works," Joe Vichot, chairman of Lehigh County's GOP, told Insider.

☆ Over half of Americans believe that both Democrats and Republicans do such a poor job that a third major party is needed
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Nathaniel Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A study by the Pew Research center found that 61% of U.S. adults today find the Republican Party unfavorable, while 57% shared the same sentiment toward the Democratic Party. About a quarter of Americans say they have an unfavorable view of both major parties, a considerable jump from just 6% in 1994. Some experts suggest that the two-party system could be blamed for the political polarization we find in America. "It's a two-party system and you have to pick one side or the other," said Lee Drutman, a senior fellow at New America. More than half — 56% of Americans — believe the current parties do such a poor job that a third major party is needed, according to a survey by Gallup.

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