COURIER Newsroom bills itself as a pro-democracy news network that builds a more informed, engaged, and representative America by reaching audiences where they are online with factual, values-driven news and analysis. It concentrates on social media. It turns out that it’s fake news for Facebook and other platforms. It’s run by leftist operative Tara McGowan’s […] The post Beware Courier Newsroom’s Fake News in Swing States appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Former President Donald Trump aired a minute-long special message on NBC airwaves during the NFL’s coverage of Sunday Night Football, likely reaching far more viewers than Vice President Kamala Harris, who made a last-minute appearance on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, the previous day. Per the Federal Communications Commission’s Equal Time rule, NBC was not allowed to host Harris in this way while excluding Trump. In fact, as highlighted by The Daily Wire, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr blasted both NBC and Harris for the “clear and blatant” move to evade rules designed to stop networks from tilting the political scales ahead of an election. Following the SNL stunt, Trump’s team was allowed time on NBC, per the Equal Time rule. “NBC has told the FCC that VP Harris appeared on Saturday Night Live for one minute and 30 seconds ‘without charge,’ triggering an opportunity for other campaigns to request time,” Alex Weprin reported.  NBC has filed a notice with the FCC, disclosing that Kamala Harris appeared on SNL for under two minutes without charge. Under federal law, if Donald Trump requests equal time, NBC would be required to provide it before the election. pic.twitter.com/aMvHJjpwC2 — Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) November 4, 2024 In a major backfire, Trump was likely able to reach far more viewers than Harris since his message played toward the end of the NBC broadcast of NASCAR’s Xfinity 500 and the network’s coverage of the Minnesota Vikings-Indianapolis Colts NFL game. MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ NOW STREAMING ON DAILYWIRE+ Sunday Night Football routinely garners more than 20 million viewers. SNL, by contrast, typically gets a fraction of that, with the show’s four-year-high ratings sitting at just 5 million viewers. “The worst economic numbers in generations were just announced two days ago,” Trump said in his video message, referring to the latest dismal jobs report. “We’re losing jobs. We’re losing everything, including viability. We’re going to end up in a depression based on what’s been happening.” “We’ve never seen anything like it, at least for the last 40 years,” the former president continued. “We have to straighten out our country, we have to close our borders, we have to lower our taxes, we have to get rid of inflation, and we’re going to do it.” WATCH: A Special Message from President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/B9Lcxaucud — Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) November 3, 2024 Related: FCC Commissioner: Kamala’s SNL Appearance A ‘Blatant Effort To Evade’ Equal Time Rule

Federal and local authorities in Washington, D.C., installed security fences around two locations on Sunday, preparing for potential protests and riots following the November 5 election. Fences were erected around the White House and Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence at the Naval Observatory, Fox News reported. Washington, D.C., Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser said the enhanced security measures would continue through Inauguration Day in January. A statement from the Secret Service explained that the security fences “are not in response to any specific issue but are part of wide-ranging public safety preparations for Tuesday’s election.” Last week, stores and restaurants in the nation’s capital boarded up windows in preparation for potential threats following the election results. NewsNation reported that D.C. Police Chief Pamela A. Smith said the city is deploying 3,300 officers across the district. The officers will work 12-hour shifts and closely watch business districts and polling places. “We will not tolerate any violence of any kind,” Smith said. “We will not tolerate the destruction of property. We will not tolerate any unlawful behavior. Offenders will be arrested and will be held accountable.” In Florida, fencing is also going up around the Palm Beach County Convention Center, which is hosting former President Donald Trump’s election night watch party. West Palm Beach authorities also said there would be a designated area for protesters outside the convention center, but they are “expecting a smooth evening,” according to Mayor Keith James, WPBF ABC 25 reported. Trump is expected to appear at the watch party late Tuesday night. “We expect hundreds, if not thousands, of media members and visitors to descend on the city because of election night,” said James. “I want the public to know that our West Palm Beach Police Department is ready, able and willing to perform the mission. Our goal is to keep everyone safe. Our team is well trained, prepared and ready.” MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ NOW STREAMING ON DAILYWIRE+ Similar to D.C., authorities in West Palm Beach said there is no specific threat to Trump’s watch party. James added, “I just want to let everyone know that if you are thinking about or planning on coming to our great city to cause problems, don’t do it. It won’t end well for you.” Immediately Following Trump’s 2016 victory over Hillary Clinton, protests and riots broke out across the country, including in D.C., and after Trump’s loss to Joe Biden in 2020, hundreds of people stormed the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021. Portland, Oregon, which was hit by riots after Trump’s 2016 win, is also taking precautions this year with businesses boarding up windows ahead of Election Day.

Former President Donald Trump highlighted the 20 promises that he has made to the American people if he beats Vice President Kamala Harris this week. The ad from the Trump campaign comes during the final day and a half of the 2024 presidential election with polls pointing toward another close race. MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ NOW STREAMING ON DAILYWIRE+ The promises are: SEAL THE BORDER AND STOP THE MIGRANT INVASION CARRY OUT THE LARGEST DEPORTATION OPERATION IN AMERICAN HISTORY END INFLATION, AND MAKE AMERICA AFFORDABLE AGAIN MAKE AMERICA THE DOMINANT ENERGY PRODUCER IN THE WORLD, BY FAR! STOP OUTSOURCING, AND TURN THE UNITED STATES INTO A MANUFACTURING SUPERPOWER LARGE TAX CUTS FOR WORKERS, AND NO TAX ON TIPS! DEFEND OUR CONSTITUTION, OUR BILL OF RIGHTS, AND OUR FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS, INCLUDING FREEDOM OF SPEECH, FREEDOM OF RELIGION, AND THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS PREVENT WORLD WAR THREE, RESTORE PEACE IN EUROPE AND IN THE MIDDLE EAST, AND BUILD A GREAT IRON DOME MISSILE DEFENSE SHIELD OVER OUR ENTIRE COUNTRY — ALL MADE IN AMERICA END THE WEAPONIZATION OF GOVERNMENT AGAINST THE AMERICAN PEOPLE STOP THE MIGRANT CRIME EPIDEMIC, DEMOLISH THE FOREIGN DRUG CARTELS, CRUSH GANG VIOLENCE, AND LOCK UP VIOLENT OFFENDERS REBUILD OUR CITIES, INCLUDING WASHINGTON DC, MAKING THEM SAFE, CLEAN, AND BEAUTIFUL AGAIN. STRENGTHEN AND MODERNIZE OUR MILITARY, MAKING IT, WITHOUT QUESTION, THE STRONGEST AND MOST POWERFUL IN THE WORLD KEEP THE U.S. DOLLAR AS THE WORLD’S RESERVE CURRENCY FIGHT FOR AND PROTECT SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE WITH NO CUTS, INCLUDING NO CHANGES TO THE RETIREMENT AGE CANCEL THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE MANDATE AND CUT COSTLY AND BURDENSOME REGULATIONS CUT FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ANY SCHOOL PUSHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY, RADICAL GENDER IDEOLOGY, AND OTHER INAPPROPRIATE RACIAL, SEXUAL, OR POLITICAL CONTENT ON OUR CHILDREN KEEP MEN OUT OF WOMEN’S SPORTS DEPORT PRO-HAMAS RADICALS AND MAKE OUR COLLEGE CAMPUSES SAFE AND PATRIOTIC AGAIN SECURE OUR ELECTIONS, INCLUDING SAME DAY VOTING, VOTER IDENTIFICATION, PAPER BALLOTS, AND PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP UNITE OUR COUNTRY BY BRINGING IT TO NEW AND RECORD LEVELS OF SUCCESS WATCH: https://t.co/czQRkZmr59 #FightForAmerica pic.twitter.com/ucHm11wySj — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 4, 2024

Music legend Quincy Jones died at his Los Angeles home on Sunday night at the age of 91. The longtime music industry pro won 28 Grammys out of 80 nominations and is best known for helping Michael Jackson evolve into an international superstar. “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the Jones family said in a statement.  The announcement continued, “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him. He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.” Jones was born on March 14, 1933, and grew up in Chicago. He began his seven-decade musical career as a trumpet player performing with jazz musicians such as Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie. In addition to the King of Pop, Jones worked with several other icons, including Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon, and Aretha Franklin.  The tributes poured in on social media. Rapper LL Cool J shared on Instagram that Jones was “a father and example at a time when I truly needed a father and example. Mentor. Role model. King.” MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ NOW STREAMING ON DAILYWIRE+ “You gave me opportunities and shared wisdom,” the post went on. “Music would not be music without you. My condolences to the entire family. I love you. Rest in the sweetest music eternally.” Actor Colman Domingo starred in a remake of “The Color Purple” in 2023. Jones, who scored the 1985 version, served as producer on the film along with Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg. “I was so thrilled to meet Mr. American Music himself. I literally kneeled because he was a King,” Domingo wrote of meeting Jones. “Thank you Mr. Quincy Jones for giving us all the sound.” The musician is survived by seven children and three grandchildren. He was the godfather of his namesake, the actor and musician Quincy Brown.

While most Americans focus on the presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, the undercard fights on every ballot in the country will determine which party will control the House of Representatives in 2025. Unlike the U.S. Senate, where winning the election puts you in office for six years, every single House seat is up for grabs each election cycle. Republicans currently control the House by a slim eight-seat majority — 220 to 212 — and there are three vacancies. That means Democrats need to pick up at least five seats to tilt the scales. There are dozens of competitive races that will determine who holds the all-powerful gavel going into 2025 — and whichever party wins the presidency will be hamstrung without control of the lower chamber of Congress. Here are 10 toss-up House races to watch on Election Day, and potentially in the days following: Alaska — Lone District The only House district in Alaska is held by Democrat Mary Peltola who beat out Republicans Sarah Palin and Nicholas Begich in 2022. With her 2022 win, Peltola became the first Democrat from Alaska to serve in the House since 1972. Peltola’s victory two years ago was due, in part, to Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system, which split the Republican vote between Palin and Begich. This year, Peltola is running against Begich, Democrat Eric Hafner, and John Howe of the Independence Party. Following a September Daily Wire report on Peltola’s transgender stances, the Democrat flipped her position on men competing in women’s sports, saying during a debate in October, “I don’t think that we should have men competing in women’s sports.” In the most recent polls of the race, Begich leads Peltola by around 4 points. In Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system, a candidate must reach over 50% before being declared the winner. The Decision Desk HQ forecast currently gives Begich a 62% chance of winning the race. Arizona — 1st District Republican David Schweikert has held the 1st District seat in Arizona since 2023 after serving as the 6th District’s congressman for 10 years. Schweikert has focused on fiscal conservatism and addressing the national debt. Schweikert squeaked out a victory by just over 3,000 votes in 2022 over Democrat Jevin Hodge. His opponent this year is Democrat Amish Shah, a current state representative and emergency room doctor, who has focused on abortion. Parts of Arizona’s 1st District fall in Maricopa County, where election officials said last month that it could take up to 13 days to “complete tabulation of all the ballots that come in.” Maricopa County, which is the largest county in Arizona, was also at the center of controversy in the aftermath of the 2020 and 2022 elections. The Decision Desk HQ forecast currently gives Schweikert a 68% chance of winning re-election. Arizona — 6th District First-term Republican Juan Ciscomani is running for re-election in Arizona’s 6th District and is in a tight race with the Democrat he barely beat in 2022, Kirsten Engel. Ciscomani has centered his campaign on pushing for more border security amid the record border encounters during the Biden-Harris administration. Engel, meanwhile, is focused on pro-abortion policies. The 6th Congressional District is located in Arizona’s southeast corner. The Decision Desk HQ forecast currently gives Ciscomani an 83% chance of winning. California — 13th District First-term Republican John Duarte faces off against Democrat Adam Gray in California’s 13th District. Duarte narrowly defeated Gray in the 2022 election. The freshman congressman is a moderate Republican who officially endorsed Trump earlier this year after the former president was convicted on 34 felony counts in a Manhattan court. Gray, who served in California’s State Assembly, lost to Duarte in 2022 by just over 500 votes in what was one of the closest House races that year. The Decision Desk HQ forecast gives Duarte a 55% chance of defeating Gray again. Colorado — 8th District Another freshman congressman, Democrat Yadira Caraveo, is being challenged by Republican Gabe Evans, a state representative and former police officer and Army captain. The race in Colorado’s 8th District has grown closer in recent weeks. Caraveo currently has a 71% chance of winning, according to Decision Desk HQ. Iowa — 3rd District Republican Zach Nunn, a first-term congressman, faces Democrat Lanon Baccam in Iowa’s 3rd District. Baccam, a veteran and federal Agriculture Department official, has hammered Nunn over the issue of abortion. Nunn, meanwhile, has focused his campaign on the economy and has hit the trail with Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds. Nunn pulled off an upset over Democrat Rep. Cindy Axne in 2022, helping the GOP secure control of the House. Decision Desk HQ gives Nunn a 55% chance of winning. Michigan — 7th District After Democrat Rep. Elissa Slotkin entered the race for retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s seat, Michigan’s 7th District was thrown wide open with Republican Tom Barrett seeking to flip the seat for the GOP. Curtis Hertel is challenging Barrett in hopes of keeping the district in the hands of the Democrats. Barrett lost to Slotkin by around 5 points in the 2022 election. Hertel was recently criticized for saying on video that Americans “owe a debt” to illegal immigrants, adding that he has no “interest in deporting anybody.” Current polling shows Barrett with a slight edge over Hertel. Barrett has a 63% chance of winning, according to Decision Desk HQ. Michigan — 8th District Another district in the battleground state of Michigan could be a pick-up for Republicans. Democrat Rep. Dan Kildee, who represented Michigan’s 8th District, announced last year that he would not seek re-election, creating another open House seat. Republican Paul Junge has focused on securing the border while Democrat Kristen McDonald Rivet has focused on abortion. According to Decision Desk HQ, Junge currently holds a 55% chance of winning the race. New York — 19th District Republicans could lose a seat in New York’s 19th District where incumbent Republican Marc Molinaro faces a tough challenge from Democrat Josh Riley. Molinaro has voted across the party line while in Congress, but during the campaign, he has focused on immigration, a top issue for Republicans. Riley served as general counsel to U.S. Senator Al Franken on the Senate Judiciary Committee and has “championed an effort in federal court to ratify the federal Equal Rights Amendment, which would make abortion access a constitutional right.” The 2024 race is a rematch of 2022 when Molinaro won by nearly 4 points. Molinaro was favored to win the race for most of the 2024 campaign, according to forecasts by Decision Desk HQ, but now Riley currently has a 58% chance of winning. Oregon — 5th District In Oregon’s 5th District, Republicans are hoping to hold onto another seat as incumbent Lori Chavez-Deremer faces Democrat challenger Janelle Bynum. Chavez-Deremer won in a tight race in 2022 over Democrat Jamie McLeod-Skinner, giving the Republicans another important seat in its slim majority. The Daily Wire reported in September that Bynum sponsored legislation that sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to a program that discriminates against U.S. citizens and offers down payment assistance to illegal immigrants. Chavez-Deremer is narrowly favored to win the race, standing at 58% in Decision Desk HQ’s forecast. Many other close races to watch Of course, this isn’t an all-encompassing list of House races to keep an eye on come Election Night. But each one will play a pivotal role in determining which party will be in power in January. Decision Desk HQ gives Republicans a 53% chance of maintaining a majority in the House, with the overall seat projections showing the GOP at 218 and Democrats at 217.