NOR'EASTER BLOWS INTO SANDY-STRUCK NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY: A nor'easter bringing strong winds, wet snow and rain barreled into the New York-New Jersey region Wednesday (November 7th) that's still dealing with effects of Hurricane Sandy, which struck just nine days earlier. Tens of thousands of customers who'd gotten power restored after Sandy lost it again, and many of the people most devastated by the superstorm faced the prospect of weathering the nor'easter in damaged homes without heat. Low-lying neighborhoods already devastated by Sandy were again urged to evacuate and new shelters were opened. Some stayed behind though, many of them because they feared looting of what they had left. In one slightly positive sign, storm surges of just about three feet were possible, far below the Sandy surge that devastated the coast.

OBAMA, BOEHNER PLEDGE TO SEEK COMPROMISE TO AVOID 'FISCAL CLIFF': On the day after President Obama's re-election, he and Republican House Speaker John Boehner both pledged yesterday (November 6th) to seek a compromise to avoid the looming "fiscal cliff" of automatic spending cuts and tax increases that could send the nation back into recession. Boehner stressed that Republicans would be willing to accept higher tax revenue under the right conditions as part of a broader effort to reduce the deficit, but said that means tax reform and economic growth rather than raising tax rates. The White House said Obama spoke yesterday to both Boehner and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and that he's committed to finding bipartisan solutions, quote, "to reduce our deficit in a balanced way, cut taxes for middle class families and small businesses and create jobs."

FLORIDA ELECTION RESULTS MAY NOT BE FINAL UNTIL SATURDAY: The presidential race in Florida is still officially listed as too close too call, with President Obama holding on to about a half a percentage point lead, and election officials said Wednesday (November 7th) that the results might not be known until the weekend. When that state's results are final, it will either boost Obama up to a final total of 332 electoral votes from his current 303 or Mitt Romney to 235 from his current 206. In the popular vote, Obama has 50 percent to Romney's 48 percent.

In other results:

Two Senate races whose result was still up in the air were finalized yesterday, with Democratic seats held in Montana and North Dakota. That means the makeup of the next Senate will be 53 Democrats, 45 Republicans and two independents, one of whom caucuses with the Democrats and the other who's expected to. That is a two seat pick-up for the Democrats from the current Congress. The Senate will also have 20 women, from both parties, the most ever.

In the House, there are still eight races in which results haven't been finalized. Although the Republicans retain control by a comfortable margin, with the current count at 233 Republican seats and 194 Democratic, the Dems picked up at least four seats from the current Congress.

In the governor's races, the Republicans picked up one state, and now hold 30 of the 50 governorships. One race, in Washington state, is still undecided.

In ballot measures whose results were finalized Wednesday:

  • Washington state voted to allow gay marriage, joining Maine and Maryland in doing so Tuesday.
  • Minnesota voted against a state constitutional ban on gay marriage. It is still illegal, however, under state law.
  • California voters defeated a measure to repeal the death penalty, in which the objections were based on matters of cost instead of morality.
  • A Massachusetts measure that would allow doctors help terminally-ill people die was defeated.

MAN BEHIND ANTI-ISLAM FILM SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR PROBATION VIOLATIONS: The California man behind an amateurish anti-Muslim film that led to violent demonstrations in many parts of the Middle East, including against the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, was sentenced Wednesday (November 7th) to a year in federal prison for probation violations in an unrelated matter. Mark Bassely Youssef admitted in a plea deal that he'd used several false names in violation of his probation order for a bank fraud case, and got a driver's license under a false name. All the parties agreed that none of the violations had to do with the content of the film. However, in an unusual twist, Youssef asked his attorney, Steven Seiden, to tell reporters a message. Seiden said, "The one thing he wanted me to tell all of you is President Obama may have gotten Osama bin Laden, but he didn't kill the ideology." When asked what that meant, Seiden said, "I didn't ask him, and I don't know." Seiden said his client admits to being the film's scriptwriter, but claims to have had no other involvement except as a, quote, "cultural adviser."

OBAMA WON EIGHT OF 10 WEALTHIEST U.S. COUNTIES: For all the talk of class warfare during the presidential campaign and the reported anger at President Obama by the wealthiest Americans, CNBC reports that eight of the nation's 10 wealthiest countries were won by the president in Tuesday's (November 6th) election over multi-millionaire Mitt Romney. Additionally, Obama's margin of victory in those eight counties was greater than that of the national vote, which the president won 50 percent to 48 percent. The two counties where Romney won were both in New Jersey, Hunterdon and Morris, in the northern part of the state. The 10 counties make up some 1.1 percent of the national popular vote, and are located in New Jersey (3), Virginia (2), New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Colorado and California.

PUERTO RICO VOTES FOR STATEHOOD: People in Puerto Rico also went to the polls on Tuesday (November 6th), and a slim majority voted for the first time in favor of becoming the 51st U.S. state. The process is more complicated than that, however, since the vote was a non-binding referendum and, more importantly, the U.S. Congress would have to approve Puerto Rico becoming a state. The two-part referendum first asked voters whether they wanted to change the island's 114-year-old relationship with the U.S., and nearly 54 percent said yes. The second question asked voters to choose from three options in changing the relationship: statehood, which got the largest number of votes by far at 61 percent; sovereign free association, which would give Puerto Rico more autonomy, at 33 percent; or independence, which drew just five percent of the vote. Although President Obama has said he'd respect the outcome of the referendum, it's unclear whether Congress will act on the resolution. Puerto Rico is currently a U.S. territory whose residents are American citizens, but are banned from voting in presidential elections.

 

MSNBC'S CHRIS MATTHEWS APOLOGIZES FOR ELECTION NIGHT SANDY COMMENT: MSNBC's Chris Matthews apologized on his Hardball show Wednesday (November 7th) for comments he'd made during election coverage the night before about Hurricane Sandy that had drawn criticism. While speaking Tuesday night about President Obama's victory, Matthews said he was glad Sandy happened, because it showed undecided voters Obama could come together to work with Republican leaders like New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. He stated, "I'm so glad we had that storm last week," then tried to clarify, saying, "No, politically I should say. Not in terms of hurting people. The storm brought in possibilities for good politics." As he opened Hardball yesterday, Matthews said in a lengthy, apparently heart-felt apology, "I said something terrible. I said something not just stupid but wrong." He also stated, in part, "I was too deeply enmeshed in political thinking, deep in a world of numbers and issues and people and stakes and focused on who would win and who would lose. But I left out the number one job of anyone on air: To think about the lives, the real lives of people, their losses, their relatives and friends who died in this disaster, their dreams that have been hurt and even destroyed." As he concluded, Matthews said, "I intend to take serious steps to show that I am sincere on this. Please believe me, I am determined to do what I can to help the people who have already been hurt enough, who are suffering and have suffered enough hardship without hearing stupid stuff from me."

AFTER ELECTION VINDICATION, NATE SILVER'S BOOK SOARS ON AMAZON.COM: After all the criticism he came under before the election, accused of both bias and incompetence for his forecasts consistently showing President Obama had a high percentage likelihood of being re-elected, the election results vindicated New York Times political statistician Nate Silver, who correctly called all 50 states, and it's now paying tangible dividends for him. CNNMoney reported Wednesday (November 7th) that sales of Silver's recent book, The Signal and the Noise, on Amazon.com had soared 850 percent in the previous 24 hours. The report said it had become the second-best-selling book on the site, behind only the children's book, The Third Wheel, Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 7. In the days and hours before the election, some 20 percent of visitors to the New York Times website visited Silver's blog, FiveThirtyEight.

ABC NEWS: GIFFORDS TO APPEAR AT LOUGHNER SENTENCING TODAY: ABC News is reporting that former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly, will be at today's (November 8th) sentencing of Jared Loughner, the psychotic gunman who shot Giffords in the head when he opened fire at one of her congressional events in January 2011. Six people were killed in the attack and 13 wounded, including Giffords. ABC said that it's expected Kelly will make a statement in court on behalf of the couple with Giffords, who still has difficulty speaking, standing at his side. Loughner pleaded guilty to the mass shooting three months ago under a plea deal that will see him spend the rest of his life in prison. Because of his schizophrenia, he will most likely remain in a federal prison psychiatric ward. Giffords resigned her House seat in January because of her injuries.

HURRICANE SANDY'S NAME LIKELY TO BE RETIRED: Because of the death and destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy, LiveScience.com reports that the name "Sandy" will likely be retired, even though the storm had turned into a hybrid of a hurricane and a nor'easter when it severely battered the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. The decision on whether or not to retire the name "Sandy" will be decided in April, when the World Meteorological Organization's regional committee holds its annual meeting. Six lists are used in rotation for the names of Atlantic tropical storms, meaning the 2012 list will be used again in 2018. The only time there is a change in the list, with a name removed and another added in its alphabetical place, is if a storm is so deadly or costly in terms of damage that the use of its name again for a future storm would be inappropriate. There have been 76 names retired from the list since 1954, a year after the naming was begun, most recently last year's Hurricane Irene.

NHL LABOR TALKS CONTINUING: The NHL and the players' association will meet today (November 8th) for a third day in a row of talks in an effort to reach deal to end the lockout that has wiped out all the scheduled games so far this season through the end of the month, as well as the New Year's Day Winter Classic. The NHL has already said that a full 82-game season won't be played. Face-to-face talks resumed over the weekend after not being held for nearly three weeks.

PADRES CATCHER GETS 50-GAME DRUG BAN: Major League Baseball announced Wednesday (November 7th) that San Diego Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal has been suspended for 50 games because of a positive test for testosterone. The ban will take effect at the start of next season. Grandal made his big league debut this year, hitting .297 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs in 60 games. He said in a statement, "I apologize to the fans, my teammates and to the San Diego Padres. I was disappointed to learn of my positive test and under the joint drug program, I am responsible for what I put into my body. I must accept responsibility for my actions and serve my suspension."

REPORT: ONE FAN KILLED, OTHERS INJURED AT LINKIN PARK SHOW One fan was killed and 20 others injured when scaffolding bearing advertising collapsed outside a Linkin Park concert in Cape Town, South Africa on Wednesday night (November 7th). According to Loudwire, the scaffolding outside Cape Town Stadium was brought down by heavy winds, killing one woman and injuring others who were either on their way into the venue for the show or doing promotional work outside. The indoor concert went on as scheduled, although Linkin Park apparently did not learn about the tragedy until after the show.

The band issued a statement which read, "Following our performance tonight at Cape Town Stadium, we were advised that several people were injured as a result of the collapse of an advertising tower erected by Lucozade in the parking area outside the venue. We wish to express our deep sadness and concern for those injured and our heartfelt condolences to the family of the fan who died as a result of her injuries."

  • The statement added, "Though we have had no relationship with the sponsor or the entity responsible for erecting the structure, we take the safety of our fans very seriously and our thoughts are with all of those who were affected by this tragedy."
  • Linkin Park was playing in South Africa for the first time. The show was part of its International Linkin Park Underground Summit, a special event where the group interacts with fans.

 

SHINEDOWN ALREADY HAS NEW ALBUM RECORDED, SAYS SINGER: Shinedown only just released its fourth album, Amaryllis, earlier this year, but frontman Brent Smith told NME in a new interview that he has a surprise for fans. Smith revealed, "I've thought about new material. It's funny because -- and you're actually the very first person I'll tell this too -- we've actually, we have another record of material. It's actually recorded."

While not giving any details on what the album is called or when it might surface, Smith said about the music, "It's still very massive. It has a very epic feel to it, but the tempos are a little slower and the subject matter is a little different. I would say it's actually a bit darker -- a little bit more mischievous."

  • Smith also did not indicate whether the new disc was recorded at the same time as Amaryllis -- which is quite possible since that set took 14 months to complete.

NINE INCH NAILS: NEW MUSIC, POSSIBLE TOUR IN THE WORKS: With all the other projects on his plate -- scoring movies and video games, plus launching a new band -- it may come as a surprise that Trent Reznor absolutely intends to revive Nine Inch Nails. Reznor told Rolling Stone that "all signs point to yes," adding, "Yeah, there will be new music. There are some things in the works." Reznor has also not ruled out live shows, saying, "If it feels right, it's a possibility. I never said that that wasn't going to happen, just that it couldn't go on as it was."

It was 2009 when Reznor took out Nine Inch Nails on what was then billed as a 20th anniversary farewell tour, although he never definitively ruled out either new music or more live shows from the band, of which he has been the only constant member.

  • During the break, he and Atticus Ross scored the films The Social Network -- for which they won an Oscar -- and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, while also starting a new band called How To Destroy Angels. Reznor has also composed music for the upcoming Call Of Duty: Black Ops II video game.
  • But now he says, "Having a few years doing other things, I've enjoyed (them) and I'm enjoying doing How To Destroy Angels, and there will be a place for stuff that falls in the Nine Inch Nails column of things."
  • Reznor has not given any timetable on when we might hear new music from Nine Inch Nails or see the band on the road again.
  • Meanwhile, How To Destroy Angels, which also features Reznor's wife Mariqueen Maandig, will release an EP titled An Omen next Tuesday (November 13th), with a full-length album and tour planned for 2013.

NBC NEWS WINS ELECTION COVERAGE WAR: According to preliminary reports, NBC's coverage averaged a 4.6 rating/10 share in adults 18-49 and 12.6 million viewers overall. ABC was second with a 3.8 rating/8 share in adults 18-49 and 11.1 million viewers overall. CBS came in third with 2.7 rating/6 in 18-49 and 8.4 million viewers overall. On the cable side, CNN and Fox News drew the largest audiences

SHAUN WHITE AVOIDS JAIL TIME: Snowboarding champ Shaun White dodges jail time for September 16th arrest. As part of his deal, White seek alcohol treatment, perform 24 hours of community service and pay restitution in exchange for having charges of public intoxication and misdemeanor vandalism against him dismissed.

ALESSANDRA AMBROSIO INTRODUCES HER DAUGHTER: Victoria Secrets' model Alessandra Ambrosio recently shot a new London Fog campaign with her four year-old daughter, Anja.

CARRIE FISHER WANTS ROLE IN NEW 'STAR WARS': George Lucas sold Lucasfilm to Disney and a new Star Wars movie is in the works. Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia in three of the movies, was asked if she wants a role in the new movie. She told TMZ.com, "Yes. Sure. Wouldn't you?"

KRISTEN STEWART DODGES THE QUESTION: While on the Today Show, Savannah Guthrie asked Kristen Stewart is she was back with Robert Pattinson. She said, "Funny you mention that . . . I'm going to just let people watch whatever little movie they think our lives are . . . Keep 'em guessing, I always say."

'MODERN FAMILY' STAR WANTS OUT OF HER FAMILY: On Wednesday, November 7th, Modern Family star Ariel Winter filed legal papers to have her older sister, Shanelle Gray, become her legal guardian. The 14 year-old is accusing her mother, Chrisoula Workman, of being physically and emotionally abusive. She alleges that her mother slapped and pushed her, used vile name calling, and personal insults over an extended period of time. The family is due in court on November 20th.

DAVID ARQUETTE GETS BUFF FOR NEW ROLE: David Arquette is currently in Detroit shooting the post apocalyptic sic-if film, Orion. He recently tweeted a photo and thanked his personal trainer on Twitter. He said, "Thanks for helping me get in shape for my film Orion."

 

16,000 NEW CARS LOST TO SUPERSTORM SANDY: Superstorm Sandy took lives, took homes, tore apart families. She also destroyed 16,000 new cars from manufacturers awaiting retrieval. Among the newly manufactured cars destroyed were 300 $100,000 Karma plug-in hybrids made by Fisker Automotive.

SKYFALL OPENS : Many cities in North America will see the opening of the new James Bond film Skyfall today or tonight.

TOP GUN 2 PROBABLY NOT HAPPENING:  It looks like a planned sequel to Top Gun is off the table. After legendary action director Tony Scott died a few months ago plans began to crumble. And a planned 3D re-release of the original is now up in the air.

SCIENCE EXPLAINS INSTANT ATTRACTION: Researchers say we make snap judgments about physical attraction and personality compatibility within milliseconds of seeing a new face. Researchers in Ireland had a group of people look at photos of people they would meet at a speed dating event and rate, within a few seconds, how much they would like to date that person. Those people then met with the people in the photos at the speed dating event. Researchers say 63-percent of the time the photographed-based interest in dating a person was backed up by their real decision after their five-minute speed date. Researchers say two parts of the brain work in this snap-judgment process: the medial prefrontal cortex, which evaluates physical attractiveness, and the rostromedial prefrontal cortex which evaluates if the person is right for you. (Fox News)

BREAKTHROUGH IN TREATING PEANUT ALLERGIES: Researchers at National Jewish Health in Denver have found that peanut-allergic-mice had higher levels of the enzyme called "Pim 1 kinase" in their small intestines if they ingested peanuts. They found that blocking the activity of "Pim 1" reduced the allergic response to peanuts. Researchers say they hope this knowledge will offer new therapeutic treatments for food-induce allergic reactions. (Huffington Post)

FIVE WAYS TO COPE WITH ANY POST-ELECTION WORRIES AND STRESS: (Huffington Post)

1) Read a book. Sometimes we need to consciously assign a new topic to our minds to focus on, and reading is the best escape there is! While reading, your mind is taken off everything going on around you, and you are transported into a whole new realm. For obvious reasons, do not choose a politically-charged book at this time, or you will defeat the purpose of redirecting your thoughts.

2) Focus. Focus on the positive. When we focus on why someone is wrong, or when we vilify another person for their beliefs, we provide a stronger charge to the negative, which only brings us more negative things to dwell upon. Always focus on what is positive.

3) Unplug. Make a conscious choice to unplug yourself from the topic. You do not have to read, watch, or discuss anything that fuels your anxiety. Set limits, get updates if necessary, but ultimately you may want to remove yourself completely.

4) Breathe. When you find yourself under stress and you need an immediate intervention, breathe! Deep breathing will calm your mind and bring you back to center. Close your eyes and take slow deep breaths; focus on your breathing. After a few minutes, you will have gained the upper hand over your stress.

5) Exercise. Exercise is nature's antidepressant. Studies have shown that exercise increases the synthesis of new neurons in the brain, which is the same effect reported through the use of antidepressant medication. Burn off some steam; make some time for yourself and go on a brisk walk!

28 THINGS THAT ARE WORSE THAN TALKING ABOUT POLITICS ON FACEBOOK: http://tinyurl.com/b8wsffx

APPLE PATENTS REMOTE SMARTPHONE DISABLING TECHNOLOGY: Apple has patented technology that would act as a "kill switch" for smartphones by disabling their cameras and cutting off their connection to mobile networks. The technology would send an encoded signal through mobile networks, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or GPS to disable select smartphone features. Apple says the function would likely be used to prevent copyright left, or stop inappropriate use of phone cameras, but could also be used in "covert police or government operations." (Daily Mail)

EDIBLE DEODORANT FOR SALE: Want to smell like e a rose? U.S. company Beneo has developed an edible deodorant with Bulgarian confectioner, Alpi. One serving of the candy is claimed to "fragrance" a 140-pound adult for up to six-hours. Alpi claims the candy is safe, and contains the naturally occurring compound called geraniol, which cannot be broken down in the body which causes it to leak through the pores. You can find the "Deo Perfume Candy" online. (The Guardian)

SMELLING FRESH-BAKED BREAD COULD MAKE YOU KINDER: One study suggests the smell of baking bread brings out the kindest behavior in people. In the study, people standing outside a bakery with the smell of bread baking wafting through the air helped 77-percent of the time when a passerby dropped an item such as a glove. When the same experiment was repeated outside a clothing store, only 52-percent of people helped. (Huffington Post)

20 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW WERE ILLEGAL: http://tinyurl.com/awpuacm

BUDWEISER TO RELEASE STRONGER BEER: Anheuser Busch InBev says it will release a beer in early 2013 that will be six-percent alcohol by volume. The product will be called "Black Crown." Regular Budweiser is only five-percent alcohol by volume. Advertising Age suggests that the company may launch Black Crown through a series of expensive Super Bowl ads, as it's how they released "Bud Light Platinum" in January 2012. (Fox News)