Hey there! It’s Friday, and it’s Hunter. I spent part of my time off going to the DMV, which was an experience. Here’s what you need to know today.

(By the way, if you’d like this emailed to your inbox, you can sign up here.)

1. Police officers from Chicago, New York City and Los Angeles are reportedly members of a far-right group tied to the Jan. 6 insurrection

Leaked records purportedly from the far-right Oath Keepers show at least 13 Chicago police officers are members of the paramilitary group, according to an investigation from NPR and WNYC/Gothamist.

Officers in New York City and Los Angeles also appeared in the documents, but Chicago had the greatest representation of the three major cities, according to the investigation.

The Oath Keepers have shown up to protests in opposition to Black Lives Matter and far-left Antifa activists. And federal prosecutors allege members of the group conspired to bring weapons and armor to the Washington, D.C.-area ahead of the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

NPR reached out to the Chicago Police Department but received no response. Chicago’s Office of the Inspector General would not comment on the record. [NPR]

2. Chicago Public Schools cancels classes on Nov. 12 so young kids can get COVID-19 shots

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and school officials announced they are canceling all classes next Friday in an effort to boost vaccination rates of young children as Thanksgiving quickly approaches.

But the abrupt move is being criticized as a half-baked idea by some parents and guardians, especially ones who work and will now have to arrange for child care.

And the plan raises an obvious question: Why not vaccinate kids at schools?

As the Chicago Sun-Times reports, Chicago Public Schools did not offer “extensive in-school options” for vaccinations, and it’s not clear if pharmacies and other health care providers will have enough open appointments to meet demand. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Meanwhile, an antiviral pill from Pfizer proved to be highly effective in treating COVID-19 when taken within five days of the first symptoms, the drugmaker announced today. [NPR]

3. Pressure mounts to remove Chicago Park District board president amid lifeguard abuse allegations

Eight members of the City Council have called for the removal Avis LaVelle, the embattled parks board president, over the park district’s handling of widespread allegations of sexual harassment, abuse and assault involving lifeguards at public beaches and pools, reports WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos and Mariah Woelfel.

But Mayor Lightfoot today dodged questions about LaVelle’s future, saying, “My expectation is that she will be making a decision relatively soon about what her future will be with the park district and I’m sure you’ll hear from her at that time.”

WBEZ reported earlier this week that LaVelle attempted to contact Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx via a personal text message in August — when prosecutors opened their own probe into allegations of sex crimes and corruption in the park district’s handling of the lifeguard abuse case.

Foxx rebuffed LaVelle’s request to speak with her by sending a formal letter in response. The letter concluded by making clear that the park district leaders were not welcome to contact Foxx directly. [WBEZ]

4. House Democrats delay a vote on Biden’s expansion of the social safety net

After months of internal negotiations amid Republican opposition, Democrats were preparing to push forward with a House vote on a $1.75 trillion plan to strengthen the nation’s social safety net and tackle climate change, key elements of President Joe Biden’s domestic agenda.

But the vote was postponed today. Party leaders have struggled to find a middle ground between progressives, who want to spend more money on social programs, and moderates, who are turned off by the plan’s lofty price tag.

One area of contention is paid family leave. Democrats had originally pitched three months, but that’s now down to four weeks. It’s not clear if that concession will be enough for Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who has said he wants a bipartisan deal on paid family leave. [AP]

5. U.S. employers added 531,000 jobs last month

The American economy showed renewed momentum last month after the late summer surge of coronavirus cases slowed down the ongoing recovery.

Employers added 531,000 jobs in October, a sharp rebound from an abysmal September, and the jobless rates fell to 4.6% from 4.8%, the Labor Department announced today. Wages also increased, as companies compete for workers, but the rise is barely keeping pace with inflation.

While inflation and supply chain problems still plague the economy, the burst in hiring signals employers are feeling optimistic and consumers are still spending money.

“This is the kind of recovery we can get when we are not sidelined by a surge in COVID cases,” said Nick Bunker, director of economic research at the employment website Indeed. “The speed of employment gains has faltered at times this year, but the underlying momentum of the US labor market is quite clear.” [AP]

Here’s what else is happening

• The Defense Department looks to Chicago to help fight off cyberattacks and related threats. [Chicago Tribune]
• More than 15 states are suing over the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for companies with at least 100 employees. [Axios]
• Colin Powell was honored today at a funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral. [NPR]
• ABBA released its first album in 40 years. [Pitchfork]

Oh, and one more thing …

Eternals, the latest installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has been quietly pulled in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar because it features the MCU’s first gay superhero, who shares a kiss with his husband, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Homosexuality remains illegal across the Gulf, and several countries banned Pixar’s Onward because of a “a single line referencing a lesbian relationship,” according to the magazine. [THR]

Angelina Jolie, who stars in Eternals, said she was “proud of Marvel for refusing to cut those scenes out.” [THR]

Tell me something good …

It’s officially November, a month for gratitude. That has me wondering, what are you thankful for?

Annie Miskewitch writes:

“I’m so thankful for public libraries and all that they stand for and represent! They are institutions that help us to learn, to dream, to explore and to grow. Go visit one today, and I promise you’ll be surprised at what they offer in addition to books!”

And Jeremy Martino writes:

“I’m a paramedic in our great city and would like to say how grateful I am for my family and my friends. Of course those are staple gratitudes, but going through a year of COVID-19 and then the uptick of not only grossly sick persons, but domestic violence, murders and suicides … they have been the glue that keeps the puzzle pieces of life holding. Family for the experiences of nephews, nieces, aunts and uncles to just hold in an embrace for a minute or two; and friends that have vacation spots that you can unwind at for a long weekend to reset.

“Thank you for all that. Thanks for the CPD that take all the punches in the media. And thank you for the daily Rundown that allows me to keep somewhat informed of the different situations happening locally and nationally.”

Thanks for all the responses this week! I’m sorry I couldn’t share them all, but it was nice hearing from y’all.

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