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.