Newsom: California taking precautions for 'whatever may occur’ after polls close

Newsom: California taking precautions for 'whatever may occur’ after polls close-politico:  Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday that California is taking precautions in case of civil unrest on election night amid an emotional and partisan presidential campaign, in a state where voters overwhelmingly oppose Trump.

Schools weigh plans for rapid COVID-19 tests

Schools weigh plans for rapid COVID-19 tests-rollcall:  White House officials hoped that sending states rapid COVID-19 tests would encourage their use in reopening schools, and while that’s one way states are using the shipments, they say they need more resources and better data about how to best deploy testing.

The next vaccine challenge: Nationalism

The next vaccine challenge: Nationalism-politico:  As scientists edge closer to a vaccine for Covid-19, a more vexing exercise may be ahead: overcoming the mounting forces of nationalism to get all those doses around the world.

Senate confirms Amy Coney Barrett but controversy follows her to the Supreme Court

Senate confirms Amy Coney Barrett but controversy follows her to the Supreme Court-rollcall:  Senate Republicans finished their race Monday to confirm Amy Coney Barrett and boost the long-running conservative advantage on the Supreme Court, where her actions on consequential cases in the coming days and months could amplify calls to revamp the high court and change Senate rules to do so.

'A mass exodus': HHS staffers jumping ship amid pandemic

'A mass exodus': HHS staffers jumping ship amid pandemic, fears of Trump loss-politico:  At least 27 political appointees have exited the embattled Health and Human Services department since the start of the Covid-19 crisis in February, according to a POLITICO review, and senior leaders are bracing for dozens more officials to depart swiftly if Trump loses re-election.

Five takeaways from the final Trump-Biden debate

Five takeaways from the final Trump-Biden debate-thehill:  Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden squared off in a combative but restrained debate Thursday night that gave voters their final chance to size the candidates up before heading to the polls Nov. 3.

An angry Azar floats plans to oust FDA’s Hahn

An angry Azar floats plans to oust FDA’s Hahn-politico:  Infuriated by the FDA’s defiance in a showdown over the Trump administration’s standards for authorizing a coronavirus vaccine, health secretary Alex Azar has spent recent weeks openly plotting the ouster of FDA chief Stephen Hahn.

Coronavirus relief talks bleed past deadline amid lingering doubts

Coronavirus relief talks bleed past deadline amid lingering doubts-rollcall: Top negotiators didn't reach a bipartisan deal on COVID-19 aid by a self-imposed deadline Tuesday, as doubts grew that any new relief bill could become law before the November 3 elections.  Both sides pledged to continue their talks Wednesday, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi said some progress was made in a call Tuesday with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Senate Republicans cringe at Trump's stimulus negotiations

Senate Republicans cringe at Trump's stimulus negotiations-politico:  The coronavirus stimulus talks between Nancy Pelosi and Steven Mnuchin have been excruciating. But they’ll fuel an even more painful firefight within the GOP if the speaker and Treasury secretary can somehow get a deal.

Pelosi: Covid-19 relief bill hinges on next 48 hours

Pelosi: Covid-19 relief bill hinges on next 48 hours-politico:  The months of back-and-forth talks between Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to deliver a coronavirus relief bill before the Nov. 3 election may have come down to the final 48 hours.

California Republicans spark national feud over 'harvesting' ballot boxes

California Republicans spark national feud over 'harvesting' ballot boxes-politico:  After assailing Democrats’ ballot-collecting efforts for years, California Republicans have pivoted to a new strategy: If you can’t stop ‘em, join ‘em.  The state GOP has installed private ballot boxes in sympathetic venues — including gun shops and churches — with the idea of boosting Republican turnout.

Coronavirus relief bill talks snagged over testing, liability, other issues

Coronavirus relief bill talks snagged over testing, liability, other issues-rollcall:  Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin expressed doubts Wednesday about a COVID-19 aid package becoming law before the Nov. 3 elections.  After a morning phone call with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Mnuchin said the myriad disputes over funding and policy questions that have yet to be resolved make an imminent agreement on a long-stalled relief package unlikely.

Which states had the best pandemic response?

Which states had the best pandemic response?-politico:  Vermont locked itself down early and reopened gradually. Washington state paid workers who couldn't do their jobs while quarantined. And Louisiana zeroed in on students who were most at-risk of falling behind and prioritized help for them first.

California officials tell state GOP to stop collecting ballots with unofficial drop boxes

California officials tell state GOP to stop collecting ballots with unofficial drop boxes-politico:  California officials on Monday sent the state Republican Party a cease-and-desist notice to remove unofficial ballot drop boxes, while Gov. Gavin Newsom slammed the party as "willing to lie, cheat, and threaten our democracy all for the sake of gaining power."

Senate kicks off fight over Trump's Supreme Court pick

Senate kicks off fight over Trump's Supreme Court pick-thehill:  The Senate is teeing off an explosive fight over the future of the Supreme Court just three weeks before Election Day.  Judge Amy Coney Barrett will step into the national spotlight Monday morning when the Senate Judiciary Committee begins a four-day hearing for her nomination to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

McConnell avoids visiting White House over its handling of coronavirus

McConnell avoids visiting White House over its handling of coronavirus-politico:  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell drew a stark contrast Thursday between his handling of the coronavirus in the Senate and the approach taken by the White House, which has experienced an outbreak among senior officials and Trump.

Key moments from Harris and Pence’s primetime showdown

Key moments from Harris and Pence’s primetime showdown-politico:  Coronavirus is ripping through the ranks of the White House. More than 200,000 Americans have died from the disease. And questions are still swirling around Trump’s own health after he contracted Covid.

Trump calls off coronavirus relief package talks until after elections

Trump calls off coronavirus relief package talks until after elections-rollcall:  Republicans will stop negotiating a new COVID-19 aid bill with Speaker Nancy Pelosi amid a long-standing disagreement over funding for state and local governments, Trump announced on Twitter on Tuesday.

The logistics of a pandemic vice presidential debate

The logistics of a pandemic vice presidential debate-politico:  Pence and Democratic vice presidential candidate Senator Kamala Harris are set to face off Wednesday in their first and only debate.  But as coronavirus cases balloon inside Trump's circles, debate planners are on extra alert to prevent the spread of the disease.

Trump team under fire for confusion about Trump’s condition

Trump team under fire for confusion about Trump’s condition-politico:  The White House took flak throughout the weekend over its mixed messaging on Trump’s health. That blowback continued into Sunday evening because of a lack of any messaging or information before Trump briefly departed Walter Reed Medical Center in a motorcade.

Trump tests positive for coronavirus

Trump tests positive for coronavirus-politico:  Trump announced early Friday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus, upending his presidency and the 2020 race just 32 days before Election Day.

Trump signs stopgap spending measure to avert a shutdown

Trump signs stopgap spending measure to avert a shutdown-politico:  Trump signed a stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown early Thursday morning after briefly missing the midnight deadline for his signature, averting an unlikely but potentially disastrous scenario that would kneecap federal agencies in the weeks before the presidential election.