How white women propelled GOP win, new clues to Covid brain fog and TikTok’s unlikely new star

To ensure delivery to your inbox add email@mail.nbcnews.com to your contacts Today's Top Stories from NBC News THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     Democrats are examining the wreckage from Election Day and trying to figure out who to blame. The windiest nation in Europe can offer the U.S. some key lessons as it looks to new sources of renewable energy. Plus, you'll never guess TikTok's unlikely new star.    Here's what we're watching this Thursday morning.     How white women helped propel Republicans to victory in Virginia  After taking a political shellacking in elections Tuesday, Democrats are engaged in some soul searching — and finger pointing — as they assess their losses.    The White House is trying to deflect blame away from President Joe Biden's low approval ratings. Instead, people close to the White House are blaming the results on voter frustration over Washington infighting and warning that congressional Democrats could suffer the same fate.   But as Democrats take a closer look at Virginia's high-profile gubernatorial race, they may find that dismissing Glenn Youngkin's emphasis on schools could have been what helped to cost them an election in a state they were favored to win.   White women voters may have made the difference for Republicans in Virginia, swinging by double digits towards the GOP and giving the party a potentially winning playbook in future elections.   Analysts will also be looking at Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy's razor thin victory in New Jersey for signs of how Republicans are gaining ground in blue states as the 2022 midterm elections approach.  Thursday's Top Stories What the windiest nation in Europe can teach the U.S about wind power The U.S. currently has seven offshore wind turbines; the U.K. has over 10,000. As the Biden administration looks to develop large-scale wind farms along the entire U.S. coastline, they can look to the COP26 host nation for some key lessons.   READ MORE New clues reveal how Covid invades the brain and can cause long-term symptoms New research, while considered preliminary, may shed light on why some people experience ongoing neurological symptoms, such as brain fog. READ MORE Footage showed child present minutes before U.S. drone attack in Kabul, Pentagon official says  A Pentagon review of the U.S. drone strike that killed 10 Afghan civilians, including seven children, in Kabul on Aug. 29 found that video footage showed at least one child present two minutes before the strike was launched.   READ MORE OPINION Cinematographer: 'Rust' tragedy proves what we've known for years As the investigation into what happened on the set of "Rust" unfolds, we shouldn't allow ourselves to think that the only thing of concern on a film set are the guns, cinematographer Bill Dill writes in an opinion piece.  READ MORE Also in the News Widow says she never agreed to husband's body being dissected for spectators at 'autopsy' show U.S. life expectancy falls sharply in 'sobering' loss of young people to Covid Prosecutors challenge jury's racial makeup in Arbery slaying Raiders WR Henry Ruggs III drove 156 mph and at twice the legal alcohol limit in fatal crash, DA says From Dinkins to Adams: What progressives see in New York's 2nd Black mayor Car, unidentified remains found in search for Massachusetts woman who vanished in 1982 Two killed in fall ahead of ABBA tribute concert in Sweden Editor's Pick Anti-vaccine groups are already pushing the narrative against kids getting Covid vaccines Medical professionals and misinformation experts are warning that the push to vaccinate kids has already been seized on by groups looking to spread anti-vaccination messages. READ MORE Select From gamers to audiophiles, you can gift some great gadgets to wow your tech-minded family members — or the ones who just really need an upgrade One Fun Thing How Duo the big green owl became a TikTok star There appears to be a new unlikely TikTok star — and it's a big green bird that will threaten people for missing their French lessons.   The Duolingo owl, better known as the furry icon that frequently reminds language learners to do their daily exercises, has made a hoot on TikTok for featuring a life-size version of its mascot in lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek — and sometimes unhinged — videos.   Read more about it 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