Down to Georgia

Plus: A look at Biden's first state dinner

View this email online We take our roles of truth teller, bridge builder and accountability holder seriously. So seriously that we launched a Disinformation Reporting team this year to make sure you know what's really happening with this election, COVID and more.  Every one of us plays a vital role in strengthening our communities. Here's something you can do today: help ensure that trustworthy information and programming continue to be available to everyone. How? Donate today.   Dec. 3, 2022 This week, we looked at Tuesday's Georgia Senate runoff, a verdict in the Oath Keepers trial and student loan forgiveness. Plus, the Biden administration's first state dinner. The Big Picture: Down to Georgia AP After the scandals and controversies, millions of votes cast and millions more to come, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars spent on television advertising, the Georgia Senate race will finally be decided by Tuesday's runoff. Democrats already control the Senate, but the outcome of this election is important to interests on all sides. A win here for incumbent Raphael Warnock would give Democrats a bit of a cushion to help pass legislation, and to approve Biden administration and judicial nominees. A win for challenger Herschel Walker would give Republicans a great shot at taking back the Senate in 2024, when the Senate map tilts heavily in their favor but against several formidable Democratic incumbents.  Those consequences are only a few of the reasons why $335 million has been spent on TV ads, including $79 million for just the runoff, to win this seat, according to data from the ad-tracking firm AdImpact and analyzed by NPR. And the majority is coming from outside groups. — Domenico Montanaro, NPR’s senior political editor/correspondent Read More Newsletter continues after sponsor message ICYMI: Top Stories Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Oath Keepers verdict: Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right Oath Keepers group, was found guilty of seditious conspiracy and other offenses in connection with the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. All five defendants on trial in the case were charged with seditious conspiracy but only one in addition to Rhodes, Kelly Meggs, was found guilty. All of the defendants, however, were found guilty of obstructing an official proceeding and a mix of other charges. Rail strike: Both chambers of Congress this week passed legislation to force through a tentative agreement between rail unions and railroads and make a possible strike illegal. The legislation, which President Biden signed into law Friday, did not include any paid sick days — a key demand of rail workers.  Jan. 6 committee latest: The House select committee investigating the January 6 insurrection is working furiously before a deadline this month to issue a comprehensive report on its findings. This week, Chairman Bennie Thompson said the panel's staff is close to "pens down” on the report and said it could be released before the Christmas holiday. Student loan forgiveness: The Supreme Court agreed this week to hear arguments about President Biden's student debt relief program in February. The court's action means the rollout of debt relief will remain blocked until then. Democratic primary shakeup: Members of the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee approved a plan backed by President Biden to shake up the order of the party's presidential primaries. The plan, which still requires approval from the full DNC, will see South Carolina become the first state to hold a primary,  followed in the early window by New Hampshire and Nevada, then Georgia and Michigan. — Brandon Carter, NPR Politics social media producer The Shot: Biden-Macron state dinner Andrew Harnik/AP Over three hundred guests joined President Biden and first lady Jill Biden in honoring French President Emmanuel Macron at Biden’s first White House state dinner as commander in chief. Among the notable guests Thursday night were John Legend, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Garner and Stephen Colbert, as well as assorted governors, senators, representatives and other government leaders.  Grammy- and Emmy-award winning singer and songwriter Jon Batiste performed after the dinner concluded. This was the first White House state dinner to take place since the COVID-19 pandemic began almost three years ago. — Dustin Jones, NPR Politics reporter Listen to your local NPR station. 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