Exacto Blade In Candy Is No Halloween Myth, Sheriff Says

Good morning! It’s Monday, Nov. 8. Before the month gets away, have you thought about charities to support on GivingTuesday? It’s not until Nov. 30, but we wanted to give you plenty of time to think about giving as part of our “30 Days Of Gratitude” series that runs through the month.

Here are some of the stories we’re following:

• Investigators work to find out what went wrong when eight people were killed as fans rushed the stage at a Houston Astroworld concert featuring Travis Scott.
• Razor blades in Halloween candy aren’t an urban myth.
• Republicans bullish on chances in 2022 midterm elections.

What Went Wrong In Houston?

Two Naperville, Illinois, men were among eight people killed as the crowd rushed toward the stage Friday as rapper Travis Scott began performing at the Astroword Festival Friday in Houston.

Franco Patino and Jacob Jurinek were killed. Patino’s younger brother criticized the way the event was handled, telling People, “There should have been a point where they said, 'This is out of control. We gotta stop this before it gets even worse,’ " Julio Patino Jr. told People. "And they just kept on going."

Jurinek's father, Ron, spoke briefly to the Daily Beast, calling his son's death a terrible loss. "He was a great kid," he told the outlet, saying the family was too grief-stricken to comment further. » 2 Men From Naperville Killed In Crush At Travis Scott Concert, via Naperville, Illinois, Patch

In Houston, makeshift memorials are going up near the concert site as authorities sort out what went wrong Friday.

Houston police and fire department officials said their investigation will include reviewing video taken by concert promoter Live Nation, as well as dozens of clips from people at the show.

Officials also planned to review the event's security plan and various permits issued to organizers to see whether they were properly followed during the event. In addition, investigators planned to speak with Live Nation representatives, Scott and people who were at the concert. » Mourning Starts As Houston Officials Probe Concert Deaths, via Houston Patch

Halloween Candy Tampering

It turns out that razor blades in Halloween candy aren't an urban myth, after all. Authorities in Florda say an 8-year-old girl was injured when she bit into a candy bar she'd received while trick-or-treating and bit down on an Exacto blade hidden inside.

The child’s mother said her daughter was snacking on some candy she received while trick-or-treating in her neighborhood. When the girl bit into a 100 Grand mini chocolate bar, she cut her mouth. » 8-Year-Old Bites Down On Exacto Blade In Halloween Candy, via Bloomingdale, Florida, Patch

Republicans Bullish On 2022

Fresh off a strong showing in last week's elections, some of the nation's leading Republicans expressed newfound confidence this weekend that they were well-positioned to retake control of Congress next year and ultimately win back the White House.

Several leading Republicans spoke at the Republican Jewish Coalition's annual leadership meeting in Las Vegas Saturday, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a potential presidential contender in 2024, who said Democrats were “freaking out” after losing the Virginia governor’s race. Ronna McDaniel, the chair of the Republican National Committee, called Tuesday's strong showing "a tsunami" and a "precursor of really great things to come in 2022."

The GOP is still navigating around the shadow of Donald Trump, the former president who plans to play a major role in next year's midterms. » Top Republicans Bullish On 2022 Prospects After Virginia Win, via Across America Patch

At the same time, Democrats face a political identity crisis amid the dismal election results, via The Washington Post.

Around ‘The Patch’

• Justin Fields Shows He’s Got Arm Up On Aaron Rodgers As Leader, via Chicago Patch
• Full Frost Moon: Lunar Eclipse To Turn Moon Red, via Across America Patch
• Plenty Of Pitfalls Await Zuckerberg’s ‘Metaverse’ Plan, via Across America Patch
• AP Fact Check: Biden Hypes $1T Bill Impact On Electric Cars, via Across America Patch

30 Days Of Gratitude

Read the latest in our 30 Days Of Gratitude series on Across America Patch

• Support Feeding America, Other Charities To Show Gratitude
• Show Gratitude For NatureTo Curb Angst Over Climate
• ICYMI: When He ‘Died,’ Gratitude Was Born

Swank(y) House

Hilary Swank won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in the movie "Million Dollar Baby." This $10.5 million dollar baby is a true award-winner of a home. Swank and husband Philip Schneider have reportedly moved to Colorado and are selling the six-bedroom, 6.5-bathroom home, which is located behind private gates and offers impressive ocean views. » Hillary Swank Selling Mansion For $10.5 Million, via Pacific Palisades, California, Patch

Today In History

On Nov. 8, 1994, the Republican Party won control of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate in what became known as the “Republican Revolution.” Republicans, led by Rep. Newt Gingrich of Georgia, who went on to become the speaker of the House, had not controlled both chambers of Congress in 40 years, via History.com.

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