Oct. 20, 2020, 3:05 PM UTCBy Patrick SmithConcerns are growing that an oil tanker carrying millions of gallons of oil could spill its load into the sea between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago, causing an .The Venezuelan-flagged Nabarima has lain in the Gulf of Paria since last January when for companies that operate in the U.S. to trade with the country's state-owned oil company.Trinidad and Tobago’s energy and foreign ministers both told to the Miami Herald newspaper that a team would visit vessel on Tuesday. Trinidadian officials were not immediately available for comment.The Nabarima...…Oct. 20, 2020, 3:05 PM UTCBy Patrick SmithConcerns are growing that an oil tanker carrying millions of gallons of oil could spill its load into the sea between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago, causing an .The Venezuelan-flagged Nabarima has lain in the Gulf of Paria since last January when for companies that operate in the U.S. to trade with the country's state-owned oil company.Trinidad and Tobago’s energy and foreign ministers both told to the Miami Herald newspaper that a team would visit vessel on Tuesday. Trinidadian officials were not immediately available for comment.The Nabarima...WW…

Oct. 20, 2020, 8:06 PM UTCUpdated Oct. 20, 2020, 10:16 PM UTCBy Denise ChowThat's one small scoop for humanity.NASA made history Tuesday after a spacecraft successfully collected samples from the surface of an asteroid during a carefully orchestrated, hourslong maneuver in orbit.After spending nearly two years circling the near-Earth asteroid Bennu, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft used its robotic arm to gather pieces of the space rock that will subsequently be sent to Earth for study. The event marks an important milestone for NASA: It’s the first time the agency has gathered samples from an...…Oct. 20, 2020, 8:06 PM UTCUpdated Oct. 20, 2020, 10:16 PM UTCBy Denise ChowThat's one small scoop for humanity.NASA made history Tuesday after a spacecraft successfully collected samples from the surface of an asteroid during a carefully orchestrated, hourslong maneuver in orbit.After spending nearly two years circling the near-Earth asteroid Bennu, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft used its robotic arm to gather pieces of the space rock that will subsequently be sent to Earth for study. The event marks an important milestone for NASA: It’s the first time the agency has gathered samples from an...WW…

Oct. 20, 2020, 10:22 PM UTCBy Julia Ainsley and Jacob SoboroffWASHINGTON — Lawyers appointed by a federal judge to identify migrant families who were separated by say they have yet to track down the parents of 545 children, and that approximately two-thirds of those parents were deported to Central America , according to a filing from the ACLU on Tuesday.The Trump administration that separated migrant children and parents at the southern U.S. border. The administration later confirmed that it had actually begun separating families in 2017 along some portions of the border under aThe ACLU...…Oct. 20, 2020, 10:22 PM UTCBy Julia Ainsley and Jacob SoboroffWASHINGTON — Lawyers appointed by a federal judge to identify migrant families who were separated by say they have yet to track down the parents of 545 children, and that approximately two-thirds of those parents were deported to Central America , according to a filing from the ACLU on Tuesday.The Trump administration that separated migrant children and parents at the southern U.S. border. The administration later confirmed that it had actually begun separating families in 2017 along some portions of the border under aThe ACLU...WW…

Oct. 19, 2020, 1:57 PM UTCUpdated Oct. 19, 2020, 4:23 PM UTCBy David K. LiA in Chicago for more than 13 hours, demanding an audience with the president, before he was safely taken into custody, authorities said Monday.The man, who appeared to be in his 20s, was first spotted at about 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, dangling from a 16th-floor landing of Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, police said.The "situation resolved peacefully by" negotiators and the "suspect in custody" with no injuries, Chicago . The 98-floor building has a prominent spot in the Windy City skyline at 401 N. Wabash...…Oct. 19, 2020, 1:57 PM UTCUpdated Oct. 19, 2020, 4:23 PM UTCBy David K. LiA in Chicago for more than 13 hours, demanding an audience with the president, before he was safely taken into custody, authorities said Monday.The man, who appeared to be in his 20s, was first spotted at about 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, dangling from a 16th-floor landing of Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, police said.The "situation resolved peacefully by" negotiators and the "suspect in custody" with no injuries, Chicago . The 98-floor building has a prominent spot in the Windy City skyline at 401 N. Wabash...WW…

Oct. 20, 2020, 5:44 PM UTCBy The Associated PressMatthew Davidson was beating his heroin addiction. The 31-year-old was attending group recovery meetings. He had a restaurant job he liked. He was a doting uncle to a baby nephew.Then the coronavirus pandemic hit. Davidson lost his job. He started staying home alone in his apartment near Georgetown, Kentucky — depressed and yearning for his recovery support group that had stopped gathering in person, said his cousin Melanie Wyatt.On May 25, his girlfriend came home to find him dead of a drug overdose.Davidson was part of a surge in that hit...…Oct. 20, 2020, 5:44 PM UTCBy The Associated PressMatthew Davidson was beating his heroin addiction. The 31-year-old was attending group recovery meetings. He had a restaurant job he liked. He was a doting uncle to a baby nephew.Then the coronavirus pandemic hit. Davidson lost his job. He started staying home alone in his apartment near Georgetown, Kentucky — depressed and yearning for his recovery support group that had stopped gathering in person, said his cousin Melanie Wyatt.On May 25, his girlfriend came home to find him dead of a drug overdose.Davidson was part of a surge in that hit...WW…

Oct. 19, 2020, 3:40 PM UTCBy Pete WilliamsThree justices took the highest court in Vermont to task Monday for ruling that game wardens had a legal right to wander around the land of a homeowner suspected of illegally hunting at night.Justice Neil Gorsuch, one of the court's conservatives, joined by liberals Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, said the Vermont Supreme Court missed the mark in applying the law that governs law enforcement intrusion on private property.The game wardens suspected Clyde Bovat of unlawfully hunting a deer at night, an offense Vermonters call "deer jacking." Without...…Oct. 19, 2020, 3:40 PM UTCBy Pete WilliamsThree justices took the highest court in Vermont to task Monday for ruling that game wardens had a legal right to wander around the land of a homeowner suspected of illegally hunting at night.Justice Neil Gorsuch, one of the court's conservatives, joined by liberals Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, said the Vermont Supreme Court missed the mark in applying the law that governs law enforcement intrusion on private property.The game wardens suspected Clyde Bovat of unlawfully hunting a deer at night, an offense Vermonters call "deer jacking." Without...WW…

Oct. 20, 2020, 5:29 AM UTCBy The Associated PressMEMPHIS, Tenn. — A poll worker in Memphis, Tennessee, has been fired after turning away early voters who were wearing “Black Lives Matter” and “I Can’t Breathe” shirts, an elections official said Monday.The worker was fired Friday after officials received a call from a witness at the Dave Wells Community Center in Memphis, Shelby County Election Commission spokeswoman Suzanne Thompson said.Tennessee law does not allow voters to wear items bearing the name of a candidate or a political party in a polling place. But state law does not prohibit...…Oct. 20, 2020, 5:29 AM UTCBy The Associated PressMEMPHIS, Tenn. — A poll worker in Memphis, Tennessee, has been fired after turning away early voters who were wearing “Black Lives Matter” and “I Can’t Breathe” shirts, an elections official said Monday.The worker was fired Friday after officials received a call from a witness at the Dave Wells Community Center in Memphis, Shelby County Election Commission spokeswoman Suzanne Thompson said.Tennessee law does not allow voters to wear items bearing the name of a candidate or a political party in a polling place. But state law does not prohibit...WW…

Oct. 11, 2020, 12:57 PM UTCBy Dante ChinniWASHINGTON — The 2020 campaign isn’t just about the White House or even the Congress. Across the country, seats in 86 legislative chambers in 44 states will be on the ballot as well. And those elections will have also consequences, in some cases, big consequences, as states will soon set about the task of redistricting.In recent weeks, the presidential polling data has begun to shift fairly uniformly in the Democrats' favor and that could have very big impacts down-ballot. If those trends and numbers hold, state capitals around the country could...…Oct. 11, 2020, 12:57 PM UTCBy Dante ChinniWASHINGTON — The 2020 campaign isn’t just about the White House or even the Congress. Across the country, seats in 86 legislative chambers in 44 states will be on the ballot as well. And those elections will have also consequences, in some cases, big consequences, as states will soon set about the task of redistricting.In recent weeks, the presidential polling data has begun to shift fairly uniformly in the Democrats' favor and that could have very big impacts down-ballot. If those trends and numbers hold, state capitals around the country could...WW…

Oct. 20, 2020, 12:51 AM UTCBy Daniel ArkinJeff Bridges, the Oscar-winning actor best known for playing a stoner bowler in "The Big Lebowski," announced Monday that he has been diagnosed with lymphoma."As the Dude would say," the actor tweeted, referring to his "Lebowski" character, "New S**T has come to light."As the Dude would say.. New S**T has come to light. I have been diagnosed with Lymphoma. Although it is a serious disease, I feel fortunate that I have a great team of doctors and the prognosis is good. I’m starting treatment and will keep you posted on my recovery.— Jeff Bridges...…Oct. 20, 2020, 12:51 AM UTCBy Daniel ArkinJeff Bridges, the Oscar-winning actor best known for playing a stoner bowler in "The Big Lebowski," announced Monday that he has been diagnosed with lymphoma."As the Dude would say," the actor tweeted, referring to his "Lebowski" character, "New S**T has come to light."As the Dude would say.. New S**T has come to light. I have been diagnosed with Lymphoma. Although it is a serious disease, I feel fortunate that I have a great team of doctors and the prognosis is good. I’m starting treatment and will keep you posted on my recovery.— Jeff Bridges...WW…

SectionsTVFeatured Follow NBC News More from NBC© 2020 NBCNEWS.COMOct. 19, 2020, 7:34 PM EDTBy The Associated PressWASHINGTON — The Supreme Court will allow Pennsylvania to count ballots received up to three days after the election, rejecting a Republican plea.The justices divided 4-4 Monday, an outcome that upholds a state Supreme Court ruling that allowed election officials to receive and count ballots until Nov. 6, even if they don't have a clear postmark.Republicans, including President Donald Trump’s campaign, , arguing that it violates federal law that sets Election Day as the first...…SectionsTVFeatured Follow NBC News More from NBC© 2020 NBCNEWS.COMOct. 19, 2020, 7:34 PM EDTBy The Associated PressWASHINGTON — The Supreme Court will allow Pennsylvania to count ballots received up to three days after the election, rejecting a Republican plea.The justices divided 4-4 Monday, an outcome that upholds a state Supreme Court ruling that allowed election officials to receive and count ballots until Nov. 6, even if they don't have a clear postmark.Republicans, including President Donald Trump’s campaign, , arguing that it violates federal law that sets Election Day as the first...WW…

Oct. 19, 2020, 4:52 PM UTCBy Monica Alba and Carol E. LeeWASHINGTON — While President Donald Trump returned to the last week with a and his family members have fanned out to events across the country, one of his key surrogates has been notably absent: first lady Melania Trump.On Tuesday, she will attend her first rally in more than a year, accompanying her husband to Erie, Pennsylvania, according to the White House.Since March, Melania Trump has played a very limited public role as the incumbent first lady, opting to stay away from the political events the president has dedicated most of...…Oct. 19, 2020, 4:52 PM UTCBy Monica Alba and Carol E. LeeWASHINGTON — While President Donald Trump returned to the last week with a and his family members have fanned out to events across the country, one of his key surrogates has been notably absent: first lady Melania Trump.On Tuesday, she will attend her first rally in more than a year, accompanying her husband to Erie, Pennsylvania, according to the White House.Since March, Melania Trump has played a very limited public role as the incumbent first lady, opting to stay away from the political events the president has dedicated most of...WW…

BREAKING: Debate commission institutes microphone muting for Trump-Biden debateOct. 19, 2020, 5:53 PM UTCBy Pete Williams and Kevin CollierWASHINGTON — The U.S. Justice Department on Monday accused six of power blackouts, financial losses of nearly $1 billion and targeting the 2018 Winter Olympics in China.Court documents said the six were officers in the Russian military's main directorate and used "some of the most destructive malware to date." Prosecutors said it caused blackouts in Ukraine, victimized the Olympics opening ceremony, and caused losses of nearly $1 billion to...…BREAKING: Debate commission institutes microphone muting for Trump-Biden debateOct. 19, 2020, 5:53 PM UTCBy Pete Williams and Kevin CollierWASHINGTON — The U.S. Justice Department on Monday accused six of power blackouts, financial losses of nearly $1 billion and targeting the 2018 Winter Olympics in China.Court documents said the six were officers in the Russian military's main directorate and used "some of the most destructive malware to date." Prosecutors said it caused blackouts in Ukraine, victimized the Olympics opening ceremony, and caused losses of nearly $1 billion to...WW…

Oct. 19, 2020, 7:24 PM UTCUpdated Oct. 19, 2020, 9:17 PM UTCBy Doha MadaniNew Yorker writer Jeffrey Toobin has been suspended pending an investigation after reportedly exposing himself during a video teleconference between magazine staffers and WNYC radio staffers.Toobin, also a legal analyst for CNN, described the incident as an accident in a statement to Vice Media, .The New Yorker confirmed Toobin’s suspension to NBC News in a statement that said it is investigating the incident.“I believed I was not visible on Zoom,” Toobin said in his Motherboard statement. “I thought no one on the...…Oct. 19, 2020, 7:24 PM UTCUpdated Oct. 19, 2020, 9:17 PM UTCBy Doha MadaniNew Yorker writer Jeffrey Toobin has been suspended pending an investigation after reportedly exposing himself during a video teleconference between magazine staffers and WNYC radio staffers.Toobin, also a legal analyst for CNN, described the incident as an accident in a statement to Vice Media, .The New Yorker confirmed Toobin’s suspension to NBC News in a statement that said it is investigating the incident.“I believed I was not visible on Zoom,” Toobin said in his Motherboard statement. “I thought no one on the...WW…

Oct. 19, 2020, 1:26 PM UTCUpdated Oct. 19, 2020, 2:08 PM UTCBy Tim FitzsimonsA federal judge struck down a Trump administration rule that would have reduced food stamp benefits to nearly 700,000 people.In her Sunday ruling, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Beryl Howell wrote that implementing the change "radically and abruptly alters decades of regulatory practice, leaving States scrambling and exponentially increasing food insecurity for tens of thousands of Americans."In December, the Department of Agriculture , formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, that...…Oct. 19, 2020, 1:26 PM UTCUpdated Oct. 19, 2020, 2:08 PM UTCBy Tim FitzsimonsA federal judge struck down a Trump administration rule that would have reduced food stamp benefits to nearly 700,000 people.In her Sunday ruling, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Beryl Howell wrote that implementing the change "radically and abruptly alters decades of regulatory practice, leaving States scrambling and exponentially increasing food insecurity for tens of thousands of Americans."In December, the Department of Agriculture , formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, that...WW…

Oct. 18, 2020, 3:38 PM UTCBy Alicia Victoria LozanoThe Western United States is enduring yet another devastating fire year, with alone, at least 31 people dead and hundreds of others forced to flee their homes.Wildland fires are increasingly following a now-familiar pattern: bigger, hotter and more destructive. A recent Los Angeles Times headline declaring 2020 to be illustrated some of the frustration residents feel over the state’s fire strategy.For decades, federal, state and local agencies have prioritized fire suppression over prevention, pouring billions of dollars into hiring and...…Oct. 18, 2020, 3:38 PM UTCBy Alicia Victoria LozanoThe Western United States is enduring yet another devastating fire year, with alone, at least 31 people dead and hundreds of others forced to flee their homes.Wildland fires are increasingly following a now-familiar pattern: bigger, hotter and more destructive. A recent Los Angeles Times headline declaring 2020 to be illustrated some of the frustration residents feel over the state’s fire strategy.For decades, federal, state and local agencies have prioritized fire suppression over prevention, pouring billions of dollars into hiring and...WW…

Oct. 16, 2020, 10:00 PM UTCBy Stefan SykesThe number of Americans living in poverty grew by 8 million since May, according to a Columbia University , which found an increase in poverty rates after early relief ended without more to follow.Although the federal Cares Act, which gave Americans a one-time stimulus check of $1,200 and unemployed workers an extra $600 each week, was successful at offsetting growing poverty rates in the spring, the effects were short-lived, researchers found in the study published Thursday.After aid diminished toward the end of summer, poverty rates, especially...…Oct. 16, 2020, 10:00 PM UTCBy Stefan SykesThe number of Americans living in poverty grew by 8 million since May, according to a Columbia University , which found an increase in poverty rates after early relief ended without more to follow.Although the federal Cares Act, which gave Americans a one-time stimulus check of $1,200 and unemployed workers an extra $600 each week, was successful at offsetting growing poverty rates in the spring, the effects were short-lived, researchers found in the study published Thursday.After aid diminished toward the end of summer, poverty rates, especially...WW…

Oct. 18, 2020, 11:48 AM UTCUpdated Oct. 18, 2020, 12:11 PM UTCBy Alex Seitz-WaldWASHINGTON — It's the of Republicans and the of Democrats: that the 2020 election will be a rerun of 2016's, with an upset victory for Donald Trump even though and show Joe Biden on his way to the White House.Four years ago this month, Trump's campaign was essentially left for dead as Hillary Clinton expanded her lead, Republicans fled the apparently sinking ship and Lin-Manuel Miranda taunted Trump with of "Never going to be president now" to the delight of "Saturday Night Live" fans.But, of course, Trump ended...…Oct. 18, 2020, 11:48 AM UTCUpdated Oct. 18, 2020, 12:11 PM UTCBy Alex Seitz-WaldWASHINGTON — It's the of Republicans and the of Democrats: that the 2020 election will be a rerun of 2016's, with an upset victory for Donald Trump even though and show Joe Biden on his way to the White House.Four years ago this month, Trump's campaign was essentially left for dead as Hillary Clinton expanded her lead, Republicans fled the apparently sinking ship and Lin-Manuel Miranda taunted Trump with of "Never going to be president now" to the delight of "Saturday Night Live" fans.But, of course, Trump ended...WW…

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Oct. 18, 2020, 2:33 PM UTCBy Ben KamisarWASHINGTON — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Sunday accused President Donald Trump of inciting “domestic terrorism” against public officials working on containing the coronavirus, pointing to comments he made just days after law enforcement .Whitmer has been for Trump during the pandemic — he’s previously criticized her state’s coronavirus-related restrictions as too strict and called on people to “Liberate Michigan.”The day after Trump encouraged his supporters at a rally in the state who were chanting “lock her up” as an attack on Whitmer, the...…Oct. 18, 2020, 2:33 PM UTCBy Ben KamisarWASHINGTON — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Sunday accused President Donald Trump of inciting “domestic terrorism” against public officials working on containing the coronavirus, pointing to comments he made just days after law enforcement .Whitmer has been for Trump during the pandemic — he’s previously criticized her state’s coronavirus-related restrictions as too strict and called on people to “Liberate Michigan.”The day after Trump encouraged his supporters at a rally in the state who were chanting “lock her up” as an attack on Whitmer, the...WW…

Oct. 17, 2020, 8:30 AM UTCUpdated Oct. 17, 2020, 2:28 PM UTCBy Jon SchuppeThe movement to eradicate bail from America’s justice system will face a crucial test Nov. 3, when California voters will decide whether to end the centuries-old practice of trading money for freedom and replace it with algorithms that try to predict whether defendants deserve to be released before trial.If the ballot measure known as Proposition 25 passes, California will follow , that have adopted “risk assessment tools” . Traditionally, that system has relied on the payment of cash or bonds to guarantee defendants...…Oct. 17, 2020, 8:30 AM UTCUpdated Oct. 17, 2020, 2:28 PM UTCBy Jon SchuppeThe movement to eradicate bail from America’s justice system will face a crucial test Nov. 3, when California voters will decide whether to end the centuries-old practice of trading money for freedom and replace it with algorithms that try to predict whether defendants deserve to be released before trial.If the ballot measure known as Proposition 25 passes, California will follow , that have adopted “risk assessment tools” . Traditionally, that system has relied on the payment of cash or bonds to guarantee defendants...WW…

Oct. 18, 2020, 2:28 PM UTCBy Allan SmithTwitter on Sunday removed a tweet from one of President Donald Trump's top Covid-19 advisers falsely claiming masks don't work to prevent the spread of coronavirus.The on the site as of Sunday morning, replaced with a note saying "This Tweet is no longer available" and a link to explaining why the company removes or limits certain posts.The tweet in question, posted on Saturday by Dr. Scott Atlas, read, "Masks work? NO: LA, Miami, Hawaii, Alabama, France, Phlippnes, UK, Spain, Israel. WHO:"widesprd use not supported" + many harms; Heneghan/Oxf...…Oct. 18, 2020, 2:28 PM UTCBy Allan SmithTwitter on Sunday removed a tweet from one of President Donald Trump's top Covid-19 advisers falsely claiming masks don't work to prevent the spread of coronavirus.The on the site as of Sunday morning, replaced with a note saying "This Tweet is no longer available" and a link to explaining why the company removes or limits certain posts.The tweet in question, posted on Saturday by Dr. Scott Atlas, read, "Masks work? NO: LA, Miami, Hawaii, Alabama, France, Phlippnes, UK, Spain, Israel. WHO:"widesprd use not supported" + many harms; Heneghan/Oxf...WW…

Director, Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, Michael Osterholm tells Chuck Todd that covid infections have to reach 5- to 75 percent to achieve herd immunity, during an interview with Meet the Press.Read More…Director, Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, Michael Osterholm tells Chuck Todd that covid infections have to reach 5- to 75 percent to achieve herd immunity, during an interview with Meet the Press.Read MoreWW…

Oct. 18, 2020, 10:43 AM UTCBy Halie Soifer, executive director, Jewish Democratic Council of AmericaFor the second time in less than three weeks, President Donald Trump refused to condemn right-wing extremism when asked and instead legitimized its dangerous vitriol and hate.This time, when if he would disavow the QAnon group and its false conspiracy theory that “Democrats are a satanic pedophile ring and that [he is] a savior of that,” Trump with the implausible assertion that he knew nothing about the movement and then immediately undercut his own claim by vacuously stating QAnon’s...…Oct. 18, 2020, 10:43 AM UTCBy Halie Soifer, executive director, Jewish Democratic Council of AmericaFor the second time in less than three weeks, President Donald Trump refused to condemn right-wing extremism when asked and instead legitimized its dangerous vitriol and hate.This time, when if he would disavow the QAnon group and its false conspiracy theory that “Democrats are a satanic pedophile ring and that [he is] a savior of that,” Trump with the implausible assertion that he knew nothing about the movement and then immediately undercut his own claim by vacuously stating QAnon’s...WW…