JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1149

Reports of a YouTube outage this morning largely traced back to ad blockers, as users who saw mostly blank pages found the site worked again in browsers without them. A DownDetector spike initially suggested a partial platform failure, but widespread accounts point to blockers as the common thread, though it is not certain they were the sole cause. Similar ad blocker related slowdowns and view count drops have appeared over the past year. Separately, a YouTube Shorts glitch hid comments, likes, and descriptions overnight, hinting at a platform side issue that appears resolved.

New York Attorney General Letitia James asked a judge to dismiss a two-count indictment over a 2020 mortgage, calling it a vindictive, selective prosecution driven by President Donald Trump’s personal vendetta. Her motion cites more than 350 Trump statements and seeks discovery and a hearing if dismissal is denied. James, who pleaded not guilty to false-statement and bank-fraud charges, is also challenging the appointment of Lindsey Halligan as US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, with arguments next week alongside a similar case from James Comey. Separately, she moved to quash a DOJ subpoena.

The Los Angeles Rams will elevate kicker Harrison Mevis from the practice squad to face the 49ers, head coach Sean McVay said Friday, after Joshua Karty missed an extra point and a 39-yarder in Week 9. McVay also confirmed long-snapper Jake McQuaide will replace Alex Ward on Sunday. Los Angeles has five failed field goals this season—two blocked, three missed—and an NFL-worst 67% field goal rate, plus three missed extra points, two blocked. McVay maintained “a lot of confidence” in Karty, said he’s “not going anywhere,” and promised a Monday reevaluation.

Congressional Democrats say their oversight letters about President Trump's $300 million ballroom project have largely gone unanswered, from requests by Rep. Robert Garcia and Sen. Adam Schiff to Sen. Elizabeth Warren's inquiry into financing and donor disclosure. The Trust for the National Mall said it manages private donations but won't reveal donor identities, citing confidentiality; the National Park Service did not respond. With no subpoena power, Democrats also sought answers on artifact preservation from the now-demolished East Wing, but Rep. Jamie Raskin received no reply. The White House declined comment.

Lando Norris secured sprint pole in Sao Paulo, topping all three sessions and edging Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli by 0.097s, with McLaren teammate title rival Oscar Piastri third. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was sixth, behind George Russell and Fernando Alonso, who set the fastest time in the second session. Norris, leading Piastri by one point, said he’s confident in the dry but braced for heavy rain and wind, with the sprint set for 14:00 GMT and the wider schedule under threat. Lewis Hamilton qualified 11th for Ferrari after Charles Leclerc’s spin; he received only a reprimand.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled an overhaul of Pentagon purchasing, shifting from bespoke, slow programs to gear that can be built and fielded fast. Calling for a wartime footing, he said an 85 percent solution in a year beats a perfect system that arrives late, pointing to the MRAP as the pace to match. A July memo also eased drone buying rules amid Ukraine's drone heavy war. The plan steers work to more innovative firms and streamlines foreign arms sales. Sen. Roger Wicker praised it; analyst Todd Harrison warned of reduced transparency and systems that may underperform.

Senate Democrats narrowed their offer to end the 38-day government shutdown, proposing a one-year extension of expiring health care subsidies. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it a pragmatic off-ramp as flights risk snarls and food benefits fray, but the plan appears doomed: Speaker Mike Johnson won’t promise a House vote, and many Republicans resist renewing the tax credits without changes. Majority Leader John Thune weighed another vote on a stopgap bill and separate spending measures, while bipartisan talks slog on. Democrats also pushed to undo Trump-era mass firings of federal workers.

In Green Bay, Micah Parsons reflected on the death of former Dallas Cowboys teammate Marshawn Kneeland, who authorities say died Thursday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Parsons, traded to the Packers in August, praised Kneeland’s respect and offered help to his family, urging compassion and attention to athletes’ mental health. Frisco police said that around 10:39 p.m. Wednesday, Kneeland evaded troopers, his vehicle crashed, and he fled on foot; officers searched with K-9 and drone units. About three hours later, he was found with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Microsoft workers describe a year of abrupt cuts that upended careers and confidence in job security. After eliminating 6,000 roles in May and about 9,000 in July — following nearly 2,000 performance-based reductions earlier — the company said most moves aimed to streamline layers, part of a broader corporate flattening as firms eye leaner operations and AI-era efficiencies. Veterans and newer hires alike recount shock and reinvention: a 31-year employee “de-aging” his résumé, a side business becoming a lifeline, a relocation to family to save costs, and networking that led one ex-staffer to Meta.

Facing strained air traffic control staffing during the shutdown, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy ordered airlines at 40 major U.S. airports to cut flights starting Friday, citing safety while declining to share the data behind the decision. He later pointed to more breaches of minimum in air separation and increased tarmac incursions. Airlines must trim at least 4 percent of flights Friday, potentially 10 percent by next week, affecting commercial, cargo, private jets and even space launches. Controllers are working 10-hour days, six days a week. The FAA will fine $75,000 per flight above limits amid calls for transparency.