Democrats battle over $3.5 trillion safety net plan

To ensure delivery to your inbox add email@mail.nbcnews.com to your contacts Today's Top Stories from NBC News FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     Today we have a battle in Congress over President Joe Biden's huge social safety net plan, a look at the legacy of the "Trump of NYC politics," and how a diagnosis inspired one man to follow his dream.   Here's the latest on that and everything else we're watching this Friday morning.     Democrats split over how to pare Biden agenda as $3.5 trillion price tag falls Congress Democrats are facing new divisions over how to scale back President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion social safety net plan.   In recent days, some Democrats have begun pushing to narrow the scope of the package to a few programs and to make them permanent so a future Republican-led Congress or White House cannot let them lapse.   Others want to seize the rare opportunity of one-party control to create a host of new programs with expiration dates to meet price considerations, planning to battle Republicans in future elections if they try to end them.   Lawmakers have long dreaded this dilemma, and tough decisions are nearing as two centrist Democratic senators — Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona — play hardball to slash the overall spending.   Read more here.   Also in politics, the Senate passed a bill Thursday night to extend the debt limit through early December, temporarily ending a partisan standoff just 11 days before the government's deadline to avoid a default. Friday's Top Stories New York City police union boss targeted by feds for corruption was longtime 'thorn' in City Hall's side When he wasn't lashing out over the internet, Ed Mullins used his frequent appearances on conservative news outlets such as Fox News and Newsmax to attack city leaders. READ MORE Covid is at the center of world's energy crunch, but a cascade of problems are fueling it Energy shortages are sweeping the world even before winter's cruelest months freeze the northern hemisphere, and officials and experts point out that the multiple issues behind the crunch will make solutions harder to come by. READ MORE Dissident journalists Maria Ressa, Dmitry Muratov win 2021 Nobel Peace Prize The pair were awarded the prize on Friday for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression in the Philippines and Russia. READ MORE OPINION French Catholic Church abuse report highlights the special toll faced by boys Male survivors of child sexual abuse face stereotypes around masculinity and greater degrees of shame and self-blame than other victims, writes Phil Goldstein, author of the forthcoming book, "How to Bury a Boy at Sea." READ MORE Also in the News Brian Laundrie likely fled Florida with help, missing persons experts say 'Couch Guy' is the latest viral TikTok to show how internet sleuthing can be toxic Southlake, Texas, schools restrict classroom libraries after backlash over anti-racist book Biden administration releases alarming reports on climate change challenges Same-sex couple sues Nebraska to be recognized as legal parents Editor's Pick Meet the minister fighting anti-transgender bills in Texas The Rev. Remington Johnson has fought tirelessly to stop bills targeting trans youths from passing in Texas while supporting a community of other activists. READ MORE Shopping From desks and chairs to seat cushions and filing cabinets, here are some office products that can improve your work-from-home setup. One Uplifting Thing How one man with Parkinson's rediscovered his love for painting After Norman Greenstein was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he decided it was time to follow his dream of being an artist.   While hiking with one of his two sons, he decided to take art classes at community college and has produced hundreds of pieces, some of which are hanging in art galleries.   "My painting helped it because it gave me a focus," he told TODAY's Donna Farizan. "Before I was working so I busy with work, but now I'm busy with art — so being busy keeps you healthy."   Watch the video here.  Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: patrick.smith@nbcuni.com. If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Patrick Smith     FOLLOW US     Want to receive NBC Breaking News and Special Alerts in your inbox? SIGN UP HERE Check out all of NBC Newsletters here.     Get the NBC News Mobile App   30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 View in browser | Unsubscribe | Manage Subscription | Contact | Privacy