Dems' shrinking spending bill, tension high in Arbery's hometown and a Crusader's sword found

To ensure delivery to your inbox add email@mail.nbcnews.com to your contacts Today's Top Stories from NBC News WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     Democrats are slimming down their massive social spending bill in an effort to get a deal done as President Joe Biden heads home to Scranton, Pennsylvania, to make the case for his agenda at a critical moment. Former Trump adviser Steven Bannon could be facing major legal trouble after a House committee vote. Plus, a scuba diver found a 900-year-old sword thought to belong to a Crusader knight.     Here's what we're watching this Wednesday morning.     As his economic plan hits a critical moment, Biden heads home  President Joe Biden told progressive lawmakers Tuesday that as Democrats work to shrink their massive social spending bill to below $2 trillion, the final bill is expected to drop tuition-free community college and curtail the child tax credit program.   Another big priority — a sweeping climate measure known as the Clean Energy Performance Program — is also likely to be curtailed in the spending bill.     The moves come as Biden and Democratic congressional leaders continue to work feverishly to reach a deal on the huge social spending package, which Democrats are trying to pass without Republican support through a procedure known as reconciliation. Negotiations started at $3.5 trillion.    As the "closer-in-chief," the pressure is on Biden to get a deal done on his signature Build Back Better agenda.   He will travel to his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday for the first time since he took office, using the symbolic venue to make the case for his agenda at a critical stage. Wednesday's Top Stories Jan. 6 committee recommends Trump adviser Bannon face contempt charges The full House will vote on whether to refer Steve Bannon to the Justice Department, which must then decide whether to charge him. A conviction could mean a year in jail and a fine of up to $100,000. READ MORE FDA expected to allow 'mix and match' for Covid-19 vaccine boosters The Food and Drug Administration is expected to allow giving Covid-19 vaccine booster shots that are a different vaccine type from the one used in initial doses, two sources familiar with the matter said. An announcement could come as soon as Wednesday. READ MORE Black residents feel tension in Georgia town where Arbery was killed Locals hope for justice in Ahmaud Arbery's death, but fear volatility if there are no convictions in the upcoming trial. "Bottom line," said Micah Rich, a Brunswick, Georgia, native, "if these men are not found guilty, the jury is telling us that our lives don't matter." READ MORE China wants the world to know it's 'not going to get pushed around' on Taiwan "Beijing has been threatening war against Taiwan for decades," said one regional expert based in Taipei, the Taiwanese capital. "What has shifted in recent years is the fact that finally Beijing has sufficient capabilities to act upon its threat." READ MORE Also in the News Queen Elizabeth 'reluctantly' cancels trip after doctors tell her to rest Plane rolls off Texas runway, but all on board escape fiery crash  Riders held up phones as woman was raped on Philadelphia train, police say FBI agents swarm Washington home of Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska After lecture is canceled, free speech debate roils science academia   'I screwed up': Netflix's Ted Sarandos addresses Dave Chappelle fallout  Editor's Pick Oklahoma's anti-critical race theory law violates free speech rights, ACLU suit says Teachers say they feel constrained by the new law, which limits how public schools discuss race and gender. Students "need this part of history," said Anthony Crawford, a high school English teacher in Oklahoma City. "They need to understand what happened to their people." READ MORE Select Beyond chocolate, Advent calendars can come filled with coffee, skincare, baking tools and more. One Fun Thing Rock or relic? Diver finds 900-year-old sword thought to belong to Crusader knight An Israeli scuba diver has discovered an ancient sword off the country's Mediterranean Coast that experts believe dates back to the time of the Crusaders.   Shlomi Katzin was recently on a weekend scuba dive when he came across a trove of artifacts nestled on the seabed, including stone and metal anchors, pottery fragments and the sword, according to Israel Antiquities Authority. The weapon is thought to be some 900 years old.   "The sword, which has been preserved in perfect condition, is a beautiful and rare find and evidently belonged to a Crusader knight," Nir Distelfeld, inspector for the Israel Antiquities Authority's robbery prevention unit, said in the statement.   "It is exciting to encounter such a personal object, taking you 900 years back in time to a different era, with knights, armor and swords."    Read the full story here.  Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: petra@nbcuni.com   If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Petra Cahill     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