Politico reports: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants half a billion dollars to protect his state from the ravages of “extreme weather events.” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott devoted $1.6 billion toward preparing communities for increasingly devastating hurricanes. But they still won’t say if they believe in climate change. Even if conservative politicians can’t stomach the words, they’re spending money to combat …

CNBC reports: U.S. stocks dropped sharply on Friday as a new Covid variant found in South Africa triggered a global shift away from risk assets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1000 points, or 2.8%, for its worst day of the year, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite slid 2.3% and 2.2%, respectively. Friday is a shortened trading day …

Axios reports: U.S. public health officials were set to speak Friday with their South Africa counterparts as they sought scientific details about a new COVID-19 variant already prompting European and Asian countries to enact new travel restrictions. Driving the news: Anthony Fauci, President Biden’s chief medical adviser, told CNN Friday “we’re rushing now to get that scientific data to try …

Florida Politics reports: In a nod to the ongoing tug-of-war over the COVID-19 pandemic, a Republican lawmaker wants to bar state regulators from going after doctors even if they tout medically questionable treatments or cures. Republican Rep. Brad Drake [photo] has filed so-called “free speech” legislation that would require the state or its licensing boards to prove by clear and …

The New York Times reports: A new favorite tactic of the Republican National Committee has been making it appear as if supporters have urgent and overdue bills. “WARNING: Payment Incomplete” has been the sender line of more than 15 party emails since August, including one just before Thanksgiving. (A warning this week was about membership status as “Trump Social Media …

Law & Crime reports: The first Capitol siege defendant to plead guilty to assaulting a police officer on Jan. 6 is appealing his case. Scott Fairlamb, the New Jersey gym owner and ex-MMA fighter who pleaded guilty in August, filed the appeal documents in federal court on Wednesday. Fairlamb, a supporter of Donald Trump and brother of a Secret Service …

The Washington Post reports: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that a group of Russian and Ukrainians is planning to stage a coup d’etat in Ukraine next month and that the plotters are trying to enlist the help of the country’s richest man, Rinat Akhmetov. Zelensky, speaking at a “press marathon” for local and international media, said that audio recordings, …

Euronews reports: Concerns over a new COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa have prompted fresh travel restrictions in Italy and Germany on Friday as Brussels mulls EU-wide flight restrictions. The European Commission will propose to suspend air travel from southern Africa amid concerns over the variant, EC President Ursula Von der Leyen [photo] said on Friday. The proposal could be …

The Huffington Post reports: Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) on Thursday called out Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) for sharing a “made up” exchange in which Boebert claimed to have made a vile, anti-Muslim joke while the two women shared an elevator at work. While campaigning in Colorado over the Thanksgiving break, Boebert boasted that she was recently in a Capitol elevator …

Variety reports: Disney’s “Encanto” topped the Wednesday box office, netting $7.5 million in its first full day of release. The family film has heavy competition over the Thanksgiving holiday. Also vying for a major slice of the pie are MGM’s star-studded crime drama “House of Gucci,” which brought in a solid $4.2 million on Wednesday. Sony’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” topped the …

The Associated Press reports: A new coronavirus variant has been detected in South Africa that scientists say is a concern because of its high number of mutations and rapid spread among young people in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province, Health Minister Joe Phaahla announced Thursday. The coronavirus evolves as it spreads and many new variants, including those with worrying …

“The other night on the House floor was not my first ‘jihad squad’ moment. So I was getting into an elevator with one of my staffers and he and I were leaving the Capitol, we’re going back to my office, and we get in the elevator and I see a Capitol officer running, hurriedly, to the elevator. “I see sweat …

Raw Story reports: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said on Thursday that he would introduce a “National Stand Your Ground Law” as a reaction to Kyle Rittenhouse’s prosecution. Gaetz made the announcement on his Firebrand podcast. “I do not believe in imposing on Americans a duty to retreat when someone else attempts to commit a felony against a victim,” the lawmaker …

Vice News reports: Roman Didulo, a Canadian woman who has convinced thousands of QAnon adherents that she’s the secret ruler of Canada, is targeting health care workers administering COVID-19 vaccines to children, politicians, journalists, and others who make up the cabal at the heart of the QAnon conspiracy. In a post on Sunday to her over 70,000 followers on Telegram, …

Mediaite reports: Fox News host Dagen McDowell “wouldn’t bang” Beto O’Rourke, the Democrat running for, governor of Texas. She can, however, explain the popularity of another slenderman with mysterious appeal: Pete Davidson. Greg Gutfeld asked McDowell for her “feeling” about the former El Paso mayor. “I wouldn’t bang him,” McDowell replied. “What about Davidson?” Dr. Marc Siegel asked. “I can …

Britain’s The National reports: A Conservative MP opened an International Men’s Day debate by appearing to suggest that replacing traditionally male characters with women drives men to commit crimes. The debate, held on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, saw Don Valley Tory MP Nick Fletcher argue the need for positive role models for men and …

The Today Show reports: After a year off as a scaled-down affair due to the pandemic, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade returned in full force this year, with one very special guest calling in. President Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden called TODAY’s Al Roker during the festivities. “Oh my gosh, look at who’s calling,” Al said, while pointing …

The Hill reports: Almost one-quarter of Texans are unwilling or unlikely to get the COVID-19 vaccine, a new poll from The Dallas Morning News and the University of Texas at Tyler found. The poll found 5 percent are unlikely and 18 percent unwilling to get the coronavirus vaccine as vaccine mandates are becoming more popular in the country. The percentage …

The Detroit Metro Times reports: A Trump-adoring Wayne County Republican who spread misinformation about COVID-19 and the vaccine has been hospitalized in intensive care after contracting the virus. William Hartmann, former vice-chairman of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers, has been on a ventilator since about Nov. 6, according to his sister Elizabeth Hartmann. Hartmann, who refused to certify the …

The Los Angeles Times reports: The Los Angeles Fire Department is investigating an incident in which a firefighter “responded inappropriately” after being handed a letter to comply with the city’s vaccine mandate, a department spokeswoman said Wednesday. The LAFD member reportedly responded to receiving the non-compliance letter by dropping his pants and wiping his buttocks with the letter, leaving fecal …