Paid family leave has been cut from Biden's domestic spending plan. The United States remains one of only a handful of countries — and the only wealthy country — without a national paid family leave policy.

 

View this email online by Suzanne Nuyen First up Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Here's what we're following today: Paid family leave has been cut from Biden's domestic spending plan. The United States remains one of only a handful of countries — and the only wealthy country — without a national paid family leave policy.  Paid leave joins free community college as policy proposals axed during negotiations. Keep track of what's in and what's out in the bill here.   Facebook is changing its corporate name to Meta in an effort to recast the company's public image and focus on the next generation of interaction known as the "metaverse."  Metaverses have captured the tech industry's attention. These virtual environments could allow users to do almost anything they would in real life, and might be a game-changer for the work-from-home environment.  The names of the company's apps — Facebook, Instagram — will stay the same.   The stakes are high as leaders gather in Glasgow, Scotland, for the U.N. climate summit:   The world is not on track to avoid the worst damage from climate change.   Developing nations contribute little to emissions, but endure the worst climate damage.  The U.S. bears historic responsibility for carbon emissions.  Wealthy nations are falling short on promises to fund climate change initiatives.   COVID vaccines may be available to kids as young as 5 as soon as next week. But a few more things need to happen before they're approved. Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo faces a criminal complaint alleging he forcibly touching a female staff member. The misdemeanor criminal charge is his first since he resigned in August after facing allegations of sexual harassment involving 11 women. Newsletter continues after sponsor message Picture show Joshua White/The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens Thomas Gainsborough's 18th-century painting Blue Boy inspired 21st-century painter Kehinde Wiley's very 21st-century Portrait of a Young Gentleman. The two are works are being shown across from each other at the Huntington Art Museum near Los Angeles — telling a story about race in the history of art. Today’s listen Theo Wargo/Getty Images New York City's Village Halloween Parade is back after it was canceled last year due to the pandemic. But the parade was almost canceled again, until a generous donor and parade superfan made sure it would be funded.  Listen as he describes what he loves about the event, or read the story. Before you go Joanne K. Watson/Merriam-Webster Via Getty Image Language is weird, amirite? Merriam-Webster added 455 new words and definitions to its dictionary, including "TBH" and "dad bod." Skincare doesn't have to be complicated. Life Kit teaches us how to get back to basics to cleanse, treat and protect it. There will be no trick-or-treating for the Biden's first Halloween at the White House. It will be lit up orange for the occasion, but Jill and Joe Biden are traveling. Even zoo animals get a kick out of pumpkins at Halloween. Watch elephants, otters, armadillos and more as they stomp, roll and eat the orange gourds. Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from Illinois Public Media - WILL (edit station). Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Music, Politics, Health and more!