The Ledes

Thursday, September 19, 2024

New York Times: “A body believed to be of the suspect in a Kentucky highway shooting that left five people seriously injured this month was found on Wednesday, the authorities said, ending a manhunt that stretched into a second week and set the local community on edge. The Kentucky State Police commissioner, Phillip Burnett Jr., said in a Wednesday night news conference that at approximately 3:30 p.m., two troopers and two civilians found an unidentified body in the brush behind the highway exit where the shooting occurred.... The police have identified the suspect of the shooting as Joseph A. Couch, 32. They said that on Sept. 7, Mr. Couch perched on a cliff overlooking Interstate 75 about eight miles north of London, Ky., and opened fire. One of the wounded was shot in the face, and another was shot in the chest. A dozen vehicles were riddled with gunfire.”

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The New York Times lists Emmy winners. The AP has an overview story here.

New York Times: “Hvaldimir, a beluga whale who had captured the public’s imagination since 2019 after he was spotted wearing a harness seemingly designed for a camera, was found dead on Saturday in Norway, according to a nonprofit that worked to protect the whale.... [Hvaldimir] was wearing a harness that identified it as “equipment” from St. Petersburg. There also appeared to be a camera mount. Some wondered if the whale was on a Russian reconnaissance mission. Russia has never claimed ownership of the whale. If Hvaldimir was a spy, he was an exceptionally friendly one. The whale showed signs of domestication, and was comfortable around people. He remained in busier waters than are typical for belugas....” ~~~

     ~~~ Marie: Oh, Lord, do not let Bobby Kennedy, Jr., near that carcass. ~~~

     ~~~ AP Update: “There’s no evidence that a well-known beluga whale that lived off Norway’s coast and whose harness ignited speculation it was a Russian spy was shot to death last month as claimed by animal rights groups, Norwegian police said Monday.... Police said that the Norwegian Veterinary Institute conducted a preliminary autopsy on the animal, which was become known as 'Hvaldimir,' combining the Norwegian word for whale — hval — and the first name of Russian President Vladimir Putin. 'There are no findings from the autopsy that indicate that Hvaldimir has been shot,' police said in a statement.”

New York Times: Botswana's “President Mokgweetsi Masisi grinned as he lifted the diamond, a 2,492-carat stone that is the biggest diamond unearthed in more than a century and the second-largest ever found, according to the Vancouver-based mining operator Lucara, which owns the mine where it was found. This exceptional discovery could bring back the luster of the natural diamond mining industry, mining companies and experts say. The diamond was discovered in the same relatively small mine in northeastern Botswana that has produced several of the largest such stones in living memory. Such gemstones typically surface as a result of volcanic activity.... The diamond will likely sell in the range of tens of millions of dollars....”

Click on photo to enlarge.

~~~ Guardian: "On a distant reef 16,000km from Paris, surfer Gabriel Medina has given Olympic viewers one of the most memorable images of the Games yet, with an airborne celebration so well poised it looked too good to be true. The Brazilian took off a thundering wave at Teahupo’o in Tahiti on Monday, emerging from a barrelling section before soaring into the air and appearing to settle on a Pacific cloud, pointing to the sky with biblical serenity, his movements mirrored precisely by his surfboard. The shot was taken by Agence France-Presse photographer Jérôme Brouillet, who said “the conditions were perfect, the waves were taller than we expected”. He took the photo while aboard a boat nearby, capturing the surreal image with such accuracy that at first some suspected Photoshop or AI." 

Washington Post: “'Mary Cassatt at Work' is a large and mostly satisfying exhibition devoted to the career of the great American artist beloved for her sensitive and often sentimental views of family life. The 'at work' in the title of the Philadelphia Museum of Art show references the curators’ interest in Cassatt’s pioneering effort to establish herself as a professional artist within a male-dominated field. Throughout the show, which includes some 130 paintings, pastels, prints and drawings, the wall text and the art on view stresses Cassatt’s fixation on art as a career rather than a pastime.... Mary Cassatt at Work is on view at the Philadelphia Museum of Art through Sept. 8. philamuseum.org”

New York Times: “Bob Newhart, who died on Thursday at the age of 94, has been such a beloved giant of popular culture for so long that it’s easy to forget how unlikely it was that he became one of the founding fathers of stand-up comedy. Before basically inventing the hit stand-up special, with the 1960 Grammy-winning album 'The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart' — that doesn’t even count his pay-per-view event broadcast on Canadian television that some cite as the first filmed special — he was a soft-spoken accountant who had never done a set in a nightclub. That he made a classic with so little preparation is one of the great miracles in the history of comedy.... Bob Newhart holds up. In fact, it’s hard to think of a stand-up from that era who is a better argument against the commonplace idea that comedy does not age well.”

Washington Post: “An early Titian masterpiece — once looted by Napolean’s troops and a part of royal collections for centuries — caused a stir when it was stolen from the home of a British marquess in 1995. Seven years later, it was found inside an unassuming white and blue plastic bag at a bus stop in southwest London by an art detective, and returned. This week, the oil painting 'The Rest on the Flight into Egypt' sold for more than $22 million at Christie’s. It was a record for the Renaissance artist, whom museums describe as the greatest painter of 16th-century Venice. Ahead of the sale in April, the auction house billed it as 'the most important work by Titian to come to the auction market in more than a generation.'”

Washington Post: The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., which houses the world's largest collection of Shakespeare material, has undergone a major renovation. "The change to the building is pervasive, both subtle and transformational."

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Page Links
Tuesday
Nov022010

Election Returns

MSNBC's "Decision 2010" page.

Politico's "2010" page.  

The Washington Post has two 2010 pages: here and here.

Starting at about 6:00 pm ET, the New York Times will have mapped results & related live video on its front page. Michael Shear is liveblogging the results. Nate Silver is liveblogging the numbers. Plus, Tobin Harshaw's Opinionator blog, which he's updating, adds some perspective from around the blogosphere.

This loon won.It's Worse than You Think. With the notable exception of California, Republicans won the major races nearly everywhere they fielded credible candidates. Democrats should take no solace in winning races against the likes of Sharron Angle, Christine O'Donnell, Linda McMahon & Carl Paladino. -- Constant Weader

See the Alaska page here or under Campaign 2010/Alaska on the navigation bar for developments in the vote count for the Alaska Senate race.

ABC News, November 5: "Unofficial results from Tuesday's gubernatorial race between Democrat and former Sen. Mark Dayton and Republican businessman Tom Emmer give Dayton a 8,781-vote lead, or less than one half of one percent of the vote. If the slim margin holds after election officials finalize the tally and no candidate concedes..., it would trigger an automatic statewide recount of all ballots."

Hartford Courant: "Official numbers released by the Secretary of the State Friday evening show that Democrat Dannel Malloy will be Connecticut's next governor. But Republican Tom Foley still wouldn't concede defeat in the state's closest gubernatorial election in half a century, and didn't rule out the possibility of a lawsuit to force a statewide recount."

Chicago Tribune: "Republican challenger Bill Brady this afternoon conceded defeat to Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn...."

Chicago Sun-Times: "Gov. Quinn said Thursday he had built up an 'insurmountable' lead of 'way more than 19,000 votes' in his bid for governor. Hours later, the Associated Press reported that its analysis showed that Quinn was the winner."

The Seattle Times projects that Democratic Sen. Patty Murray has won re-election to a 4th term. "Sen. Patty Murray has won a fourth term, riding a wave of strong Democratic support in King County to defeat Republican challenger Dino Rossi. As of Thursday evening, Murray was leading Rossi by more than 45,000 votes, taking 51 percent to Rossi's 49 percent. That's up from a 14,000-vote lead on Election Day. According to a Seattle Times analysis, Rossi would need to get about 54 percent of the estimated 591,000 uncounted ballots statewide to overcome Murray's lead."

New York Times: in Connecticut, both the Democratic & Republican gubernatorial candidates are mobilizing their transition team, because they both think they won.

Somebody in Connecticut can't count, so the outcome of the governor's race remains up in the air.

Really Stupid Voters. Bill Rigby of Reuters: "Washington [state] voters knocked down plans for a state income tax on the wealthy intended to fund education and health spending, ending a fight pitting Bill Gates against other Seattle tech billionaires...."

The Oregonian: "Democrat John Kitzhaber has taken the lead in the race against Republican Chris Dudley and will become Oregon's next governor."

Epoch Times: "Ben Quayle, the son of former Vice President Dan Quayle, won in Arizona’s 3rd congressional district on Tuesday."

The Illinois governor's race still has not been decided, but on Wednesday, the Chicago Tribune reports, "Leading Republicans this afternoon are privately expressing doubts that Bill Brady can overcome Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn's narrow lead following Tuesday's election, and a Tribune survey of election officials likewise indicates there may not be enough ballots left uncounted to make a difference."

Politico: "Republican Brian Dubie concedes the Vermont governor's race to Democrat Peter Shumlin."

Firedoglake: "The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) won a hard-fought victory in Iowa today, getting three of the judges who ruled for marriage equality in Iowa booted from that state’s Supreme Court.

Miami Herald: "... with thousands of votes in Democrat-heavy South Florida uncounted, [Republican Rick] Scott couldn't declare an outright win late Tuesday over Democrat Alex Sink, Florida's chief financial officer. Sink held out hope that she could close the gap and at least trigger a recount as votes slowly broke her way." ...

     ... St. Pete Times Update: Sink concedes. CW: we now have a governor-elect who defrauded the taxpayers of at least $1.7 billion. He should be in jail, not in the statehouse.

Democratic Rep. Bill Owens, who won a special election in New York's 23rd, will pull off another win in this traditionally red district, thanks again to Conservative spoiler Doug Hoffman. Kate Pickert of Time has the story.

The Washington State Senate race remains too close to call. Seattle Times: "Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray held a lead Tuesday night over challenger Dino Rossi, raising hopes among her supporters that she would survive the national GOP wave." The count Wednesday at 10:00 am ET was Murray 722,396, Rossi 708,391 -- don't know what % of votes counted that is.

Hartford Courant: "The hotly contested governor's race was still too close to call Wednesday morning after results were delayed when a judge ordered a two-hour extension of voting at some sites in Bridgeport. As of 5:44 a.m. Wednesday, Republican Tom Foley was leading Democrat Dannel Malloy in unofficial results by 50 percent to 49 percent, with 90% of precincts reporting. The difference amounts to 11,083 votes."

Denver Post: "Incumbent Democrat Michael Bennet and Republican challenger Ken Buck remained locked in the country's closest U.S. Senate race as the vote tally stretched into the early morning." ...

     ... Update: "Appointed U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet will be elected to the U.S. Senate after pulling ahead of challenger Ken Buck this morning.... Returns from Denver and Boulder moved Bennet past Buck and into the lead, 47.5 percent to 47.1 percent."

** NBC News projects the Republicans will take control of the House of Representatives. New York Times story here. ...

     ... Firedoglake Update: the districts where there was a change of parties, with losers & winners. As of noon Wednesday, it looks like a 67-seat pick-up for House Republicans.

... Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's statement.

** NBC News projects that Nevada Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will win re-election. Las Vegas Sun story here.

In Alaska the write in candidate(s), whoever that may be, is ahead, but the state will not even open the write-in ballots for two weeks. Here's an early Anchorage Daily News story.

Anchorage Daily News: "With just over half of the vote counted, Republican incumbent Sean Parnell held a commanding lead over Democratic challenger Ethan Berkowitz in the contest for governor."

Unfuckingbelievable. Salon: "A ban on U.S. courts considering Sharia law passed overwhelmingly in Oklahoma today."

AP: "For the second time, Colorado voters have overwhelmingly rejected an anti-abortion proposal that would have given unborn fetuses human rights in the state constitution."

Boston Globe: "Barney Frank, the irascible powerbroker who has survived scandal, repeated redistricting, and the ups and downs of the Democratic Party, yesterday easily beat back his strongest challenge in years."

NBC News projects that Arizona Republican Gov. Jan Brewer will retain her governorship.

NBC News projects that South Carolina Republican Nikki Haley will win the gubernatorial race. The State story here.

NBC News projects that Rhode Island Independent Lincoln Chafee, a former Senator, will win the governorship.

The Los Angeles Times projects that California Democrat AG Jerry Brown, the former governor, will win the governorship.

NBC News projects that Pennsylvania Republican Pat Toomey will win the Senate seat.

NBC News projects that Republican John Kasich will win the Ohio gubernatorial race.

** NBC News projects that Republican Mark Kirk will win the Illinois Senate seat, the seat held by President Obama.

NBC News: it appears Democratic Sen. Daniel Inouye will retain his Senate seat, denying Republicans a Senate majority. No link.

Los Angeles Times: "California voters appear to have rejected Prop. 19, an effort to legalize marijuana and allow local governments to tax the sale of the drug."

NBC News projects that Nevada Republican Brian Sandoval defeated Harry Reid's son Rory Reid for the governorship. Las Vegas Sun story here.

NBC News projects that California Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer will retain her Senate seat.

NBC News projects that Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden will retain his Senate seat.

NBC News projects that Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo will retain his Senate seat.

NBC News projects that South Dakota Republican Dennis Daugaard will win the gubernatorial race.

NBC News projects that Wisconsin Repubican Scott Walker will win the gubernatorial race. Wisconsin State Journal story here.

** NBC News projects that Wisconsin Republican Ron Johnson will defeat Sen. Russ Feingold. AP story here. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story here.

NBC News projects that Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley will retain his Senate seat.

NBC News projects that Colorado Democrat John Hickenlooper will win the governorship. Denver Post story here.

NBC News projects that Utah Republican Gary Herbert will win the governorship.

NBC News projects that New Mexico Republican Susana Martinez will win the governorship.

NBC News projects that Wyoming Republican Matt Mead will win the governorship.

NBC News projects that Nebraska Republican Dave Heineman will win the governorship.

NBC News projects that Kansas Republican Sam Brownback will win the governorship.

NBC News projects that Pennsylvania Republican Tom Corbett will win the governorship.

NBC News projects that Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick will retain the governorship. Boston Globe story here.

NBC News projects that Maryland Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley will retain the governorship. Baltimore Sun story here.

NBC News projects that Oklahoma Republican Mary Fallin will win the governorship.

NBC News projects that Alabama Republican Robert Bentley will win the gubernatorial race.

CBS News projects that Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain will retain his Senate seat.

NBC News projects that Michigan Republican Rick Snyder will win the race for governor. Detroit Free Press story here.

NBC News projects that Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry will retain the governorship.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "Republican Nathan Deal claimed victory Tuesday night in Buckhead. He said he had spoken with Democrat Roy Barnes on the phone before making his speech at about 11:45 p.m."

NY1 projects that New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand will retain the seat to which she was appointed in 2009 when Sen. Hillary Clinton became Secretary of State.

NBC News projects that New York AG Andrew Cuomo will win the gubernatorial race. New York Times story here.

NBC News projects that New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer will retain his seat.

NBC News projects that Missouri Republican Roy Blunt will win the Senate race.

NBC News projects that Louisiana Republican Sen. David Vitter will retain his seat.

CBS News projects that Robert Hurt will defeat Rep. Tom Perriello in Virginia's 5th District.

NBC News projects that Kansas Republican Rep. Jerry Moran will will the Senate race.

NBC News projects that South Dakoda Republican Sen. John Thune will retain his Senate seat.

NBC News projects North Dakoka Republican John Hoeven will win the Senate race.

NBC News projects Florida 8th District Republican Daniel Webster will win the House Seat held by Alan Grayson. Orlando Sentinel story here.

NBC News projects that Democratic Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe will retain his seat.

NBC News projects that Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin will win the Senate seat in West Virginia. Charleston Gazette story here.

NBC News projects that Republican Rep. John Boozman has defeated incumbent Democrat Sen. Blanche Lincoln in Arkansas. Arkansas Democrat Gazette story here.

NBC News projects that Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal will win the Senate seat in Connecticut. Hartford-Courant: "A judge has extended voting in Bridgeport by two hours [till 10:00 pm ET] after a lack of ballots created major problems as citizens were trying to vote in the hotly contested race between U.S. Rep. Jim Himes and Republican challenger Dan Debicella - as well as all other races on the ballot."

NBC News projects that North Carolina Republican Sen. Richard Burr will win re-election.

NBC News projects Democrat Chris Coons will win the Senate seat in Delaware. 8:08 pm ET.

AP: "Former lieutenant governor John Carney has claimed Delaware's lone U.S. House seat for the Democrat." The seat is currently held by Republican Mike Castle who lost his primary bid to Christine O'Donnell, the loser in tonight's Delaware Senate race.

NBC News projects that New Hampshire Democratic Gov. John Lynch will retain his seat.

NBC News projects that Tennessee Republican Bill Haslam will win the gubernatorial race.

NBC News projects Demcratic Sen. Barbara Mikulski will win re-election to the Senate in Maryland. 8:08 pm ET.

NBC News projects Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson will win re-election to the Senate seat in Georgia. 8:08 pm ET.

NBC News projects Republican Marco Rubio will win the Senate seat in Florida. 8:01 pm ET. Miami Herald report here.

NBC News projects Republican Sen. Tom Coburn will win re-election to the Senate in Oklahoma. 8:01 pm ET.

NBC News projects Republican Kelly Ayotte will win the Senate seat in New Hampshire. 8:01 pm ET. Manchester Union Leader story here.

NBC News projects Republican Sen. Richard Shelby will win re-election to the Alabama Senate seat. 8:02 pm ET.

NBC News projects Republican Rob Portman will win the Senate seat in Ohio. 7:31 pm ET. Cleveland Plain Dealer story here.

NBC News projects Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy will win re-election to the Vermont Senate seat. 7:07 pm ET. AP report here.

NBC News projects Republican Rand Paul will win the Kentucky Senate seat. 7:02 pm ET. Lexington Herald-Leader report here.

NBC News projects Republican Dan Coats will win the Indiana Senate seat. 7:06 pm ET. Indianapolis Star report here.

NBC News projects Republican Sen. Jim DeMint will win re-election to the South Carolina Senate seat. 7:02 pm ET. The State report here.

CNN Exit Poll Results:

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