In the news today: Republicans win 218 U.S. House seats; the impact of hurricanes on people leaving Florida; and U.S. overdose deaths are down this year. Also, Amazon is launching an online discount storefront to compete with Shein and Temu. |
The U.S. Capitol is seen on a sunrise on Capitol Hill, in Washington, Wednesday. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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Republicans win the House and control of Congress
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Republicans have won enough seats to control the U.S. House, completing the party’s sweep into power and securing their hold on the government alongside president-elect Donald Trump. Read more. |
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The incoming president has promised to carry out the largest-ever deportation operation, extend tax breaks, punish his political enemies, seize control of the federal government’s most powerful tools and reshape the U.S. economy. The GOP election victories ensure that Congress will be onboard for that agenda, and Democrats will be almost powerless to check it.
When Trump was elected president in 2016, Republicans also swept Congress, but he still encountered Republican leaders resistant to his policy ideas, as well as a Supreme Court with a liberal majority. Not this time. When he returns to the White House, Trump will be working with a Republican Party that has been completely transformed by his “Make America Great Again” movement and a Supreme Court dominated by conservative justices.
- Still, with a few races still uncalled the Republicans may hold the majority by just a few seats as the new Congress begins. Trump’s decision to pull from the House for posts in his administration — Reps. Matt Gaetz, Mike Waltz and Elise Stefanik so far — could complicate Speaker Mike Johnson’s ability to maintain a majority in the early days of the new Congress.
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Will people leave Florida after devastating hurricanes? History suggests not
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Along Florida’s storm-battered Gulf Coast residents are making calculations about whether they should stay or go. Can they afford to rebuild? What will insurance cover? Those considering moving to Florida are contemplating whether it’s worth the risk to live in a hurricane-prone state. Read more. |
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If moves into the state offer any answer, then hurricanes offer little deterrent. Florida’s population has grown by one-third to 23 million in the two decades since Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Jeanne and Ivan ravaged the state. Last year, Florida added more than 365,000 residents, second only to Texas among states.
On the other hand, there are signs that Florida’s white-hot real estate market has cooled. Sales of single-family homes were down 12% in September, compared with the year-earlier period. But interest rates, rising home prices and skyrocketing insurance costs likely had a bigger impact than weather systems.
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Studies of hurricanes along the Gulf Coast have shown that any outbound migration tends to be short-lived, and if people do leave, it’s usually a short-distance move. Older people with more financial resources are more likely to return to devastated communities. Other factors that determine how quickly communities bounce back include whether homes were insured, the speed of insurance reimbursements and whether there are enough construction workers.
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Deaths by overdose are down, giving experts hope for an enduring decline
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The decline in U.S. drug overdose deaths appears to have continued this year, giving experts hope the nation is seeing sustained improvement in the persistent epidemic. In the latest CDC data, overdose death reports are down in 45 states, though increases occurred in Alaska, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Read more.
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There were about 97,000 overdose deaths in the year-ending June 30, according to provisional data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday. That’s down 14% from the estimated 113,000 for the previous 12-month period.
Experts aren’t certain about the reasons for the decline, but they cite a combination of possible factors. One is COVID-19. In the worst days of the pandemic, addiction treatment was hard to get and people were socially isolated — with no one around to help if they overdosed.
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The recent numbers could represent the fruition of years of efforts to increase the availability of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone, and addiction treatments such as buprenorphine, said Erin Winstanley, a University of Pittsburgh professor who researches drug overdose trends.
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A recipe for hot-oil Brussels sprouts with ginger and sesame. (Milk Street via AP)
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Massage your Brussels sprouts for a better, more flavorful salad
Earthy and subtly sweet with pleasant hints of bitterness, shredded Brussels sprouts make excellent slaw-style salads and balance the rich saltiness of holiday fare. Raw sprouts can be tough and slightly pungent, but a quick massage ensures the best flavor and texture. |
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AP Buyline: Find 2024's best early Black Friday deals |
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Discover incredible deals long before Turkey Day, with discounts on top products from your favorite brands, from beauty and style must-haves to top-of-the-line laptops and phones. Find all the best bargains here.
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This content is created by AP Buyline in accordance with AP’s editorial guidelines and is supervised and edited by AP staff. |
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Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Sarah
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