Democrats look to secure future of child tax credits

To ensure delivery to your inbox add email@mail.nbcnews.com to your contacts Today's Top Stories from NBC News THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     Today we look at the future of child tax credits, the effects of Havana Syndrome, and why we might be entering "sad girl Autumn."   Here's the latest on that and everything else we're watching this Thursday morning.     Future of child tax credit may be foggy, but its benefits are growing clearer Democrats are calling for childcare tax credits, brought in as a temporary pandemic measure, to be protected and kept as part of President Joe Biden's social spending bill for at least five more years.   But amid political gridlock, there are concerns over the legislation's future and for the Democratic majority if they fail to pass it.   Despite concerns that these payments could cause taxpayer dollars to go to waste or discourage people from seeking or returning to work, early data returns appear to show that the extra monthly income has had little effect on the labor market.   "I was able to take the kids on a trip to the beach for a couple days, because we hadn't gone anywhere since the pandemic, but a lot of it has gone to clothes for them, housing bills and just about everything else in our budget," said Warren Copeland, 59, who has one child in college and four at home who are on the autism spectrum   Critics maintain, however, that the changes to the child tax credit could create fiscal, economic and administrative hardships in the long term if made permanent.   Read more here.  Thursday's Top Stories Democrats confront divisions over health care benefits in Biden's mega-bill As House leaders trend toward prioritizing Obamacare subsidies and closing the Medicaid coverage gap, Sen. Bernie Sanders says expanded Medicare benefits aren't up for negotiation. READ MORE Exclusive: 'Seized by some invisible hand': Victims describe what it feels like to have Havana Syndrome A doctor said "it's like you aged 20 years all at once," said Kate Husband, who was diagnosed with a brain injury "related to a directional phenomenon exposure." READ MORE Covid testing, turnaround times still uneven this far into the pandemic Unpredictable waits can be a problem for people trying to plan travel, return to school from quarantine or get lifesaving treatment. READ MORE OPINION For millennials and Gen Z, the American dream may require a move What if the best current route to social and economic mobility is simply more physical mobility? READ MORE Also in the News Norway bow-and-arrow suspect had been flagged for radicalization Jan. 6 committee subpoenas ex-DOJ official who supported Trump push to overturn 2020 election They put me in solitary for drugs I didn't have: Many prisons use faulty drug tests. Marine officer who posted videos criticizing Gen. Milley, other military leaders faces court-martial Netflix CEO doubles down on Dave Chappelle defense Editor's Pick INTO AMERICA PODCAST Inside a Texas abortion clinic A Texas abortion provider tells Into America how SB-8 is impacting Black people, and a legal scholar explains its parallels to the fugitive slave acts. LISTEN HERE Select If you live in an apartment, dorm room or other small space, experts recommend investing in devices like fans or air purifiers. One Fun Thing 'Sad Girl Autumn' — thanks to Adele, Mitski and Taylor Summer is over. Temperatures have dropped. And as the pumpkin spice lattes have returned, so, too, has the concept of "Sad Girl Autumn."   At least, that's according to social media users who went into an internet frenzy after Adele released a 21-second snippet of her new single, "Easy on Me," just after indie rock artist Mitski released the music video for "Working for the Knife" and Taylor Swift announced that the re-recorded version of "Red" is coming a week earlier than anticipated.   The slew of female artists releasing music with themes related to nostalgia, sadness and introspection has prompted many people to get in their feels in time for "Sad Girl Autumn."   Read more 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