Michigan GOP efforts to sway redistricting, Pfizer touts success of Covid antiviral pill, and Dems eye Friday votes on Biden’s two big bills

To ensure delivery to your inbox add email@mail.nbcnews.com to your contacts Today's Top Stories from NBC News FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     This morning we have exclusive reporting on Michigan Republican efforts to sway the state's independent redistricting process. Plus, drugmaker Pfizer says its Covid-19 antiviral pill is a potential "game-changer." And a 60-day sentence for a Texas real estate agent who tweeted that she had "blond hair white skin" and was "not going to jail" for her participation in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.    Here's what we're watching today.      EXCLUSIVE  How Michigan Republicans are trying to sway state's independent redistricting process Michigan Republicans, blocked by voters from being directly involved in redrawing the state's voting maps, launched a coordinated effort to influence the independent commission tasked with the job, an action documented in a series of recordings obtained by NBC News.   Senior state party officials hosted training sessions, conducting at least two last month, and distributed talking points coaching Republican supporters on how to argue on behalf of map changes that experts say would favor GOP candidates.    "By law, we cannot engage with those commission members directly. We have not and we will not, which is where all of you come in. You get to go talk to them in public hearings and leave messages on the portal," one Republican operative said during a video recording of a Zoom training session on Oct. 19 that was shared with NBC News by a source critical of the effort.   Read the full story from senior NBC News reporter Jane C. Timm here.  Friday's Top Stories Covid antiviral pill can cut severe illness by 89 percent, Pfizer says The drugmaker said that clinical trials of its experimental Covid-19 pill have been so successful in preventing people from becoming hospitalized or dying from the virus, that it's stopping the studies early in the hope that the general public might benefit. READ MORE Biden works the phones as House Democrats eye Friday votes on his two big bills  Democratic leaders have laid the groundwork for Friday votes on both the social safety net bill and the infrastructure package that would cap months of internal party negotiations — and finally hand Biden a legislative victory.  READ MORE Judge in trial of Arbery slaying says nothing he can do about 11 white people on jury of 12  While the seating of a nearly all-white jury will likely be discussed by observers during the trial, it does not appear to be in violation of the jury selection process, legal experts following the case said. READ MORE Texas real estate agent who tweeted 'not going to jail' after Capitol attack sentenced to 60 days Jenna Ryan admitted to entering the Capitol after a pro-Trump mob attacked it on Jan. 6 and was outspoken in interviews saying she had no regrets about her participation. The judge reportedly told Ryan when handing down the sentence that she has become "one of the faces of January 6" and that her sentence should send a message to others.  READ MORE Also in the News Rittenhouse trial juror dismissed for telling joke about Jacob Blake shooting Barstool Sports' Dave Portnoy denies 'horrific' sexual misconduct allegations 2nd grand jury empaneled into Trump investigation, sources say Natalie Wood was sexually assaulted by Kirk Douglas, sister alleges Father of missing geologist disputes Arizona police theory about son's rolled over vehicle Fossil of early hominid child who died almost 250,000 years ago found in South Africa Editor's Pick OPINION Henry Ruggs' car accident and alleged DUI reveal drunk driving law limitations The former NFL star's tragic accident that killed a 23-year-old woman ties into the broader problem with DUI laws, MSNBC legal analyst Danny Cevallos writes in an opinion piece.  READ MORE Select Target's weeklong holiday sale is here through Nov. 6 — here are our picks for the retailer's best sales and deals right now. One Fun Thing  Inside Nashville's iconic Ryman Auditorium Built in 1892 as a place of worship, the Ryman Auditorium has since evolved into a venue that has hosted country music legends from Elvis to Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton. It was also home to the Grand Ole Opry, America's longest-running radio show.   Singer Michael Ray speaks with Lester Holt about his first performance in the auditorium. Watch the video 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