THOMAS DAVIS

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin has used his first two weeks in office to push Virginia firmly to the right.

Donald Trump rallied Republicans this past week to vote for Glenn Youngkin in the tight race for Virginia governor.

Virginia Republicans rejected the most pro-Trump candidate at their recent nominating convention, but whether the party achieved any measure of independence from Trump is up for debate.

Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz and Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene are presenting top House Republicans with a test of how to handle a new breed of Trump-era, social media-savvy firebrands.

Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz and Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene are presenting top House Republicans with a test of how to handle a new breed of Trump-era, social media-savvy firebrands.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) talks at the end of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Seattle's star quarterback Russell Wilson and Kansas City's standout tight end Travis Kelce are among the 32 finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)In a year impacted by a pandemic and social unrest, NFL players have spoken out and stepped up. “The 32 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominees remind us that even in the face of adversity, players continue to raise awareness and use their voice and platform to positively impact their communities. “Being nominated as the Chiefs' Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year is one of the greatest honors of my professional career,” tight end Travis Kelce said. As an organization captain, he directs a team of active NFL players who are committed to using their platform to help address the clean water crisis.

The NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles have gotten healthier on offense in time for another division game. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is back in Philadelphia’s lineup against the New York Giants, his first action since foot surgery last year. Running back Miles Sanders, the Eagles' leading rusher, is also back after missing three games with a knee injury. Okung will miss his fifth game this season because of injury, so Dennis Daley starts, protecting Teddy Bridgewater’s blindside. The Buccaneers are playing without left guard Ali Marpet, who will miss his second consecutive game with a concussion.

Lions 27, Football Team 248:53 -- Washington Football Team drive starts on own 34Third-and-5 for Washington after Smith tosses one away out of the pocket. 7:52 -- Washington Football Team drive starts on own 18Justin Coleman is back in the game to start the second half. Lions 24, Football Team 1015:00 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on own 25D’Andre Swift opens the half with a 3-yard gain. Lions 24, Football Team 3HALFTIME -- Detroit Lions 17, Washington Football Team 3Halftime analysis: Lions QB Matthew Stafford looks fine after injuring throwing handSecond quarter:01 -- Washington Football Team drive starts on own 32Kneel into the half. 8:01 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on own 33Third-and-10 quickly here, Lions look to avoid a three-and-out -- incomplete look for Marvin Hall.

(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)The Green Bay Packers are without their leading rusher for Sunday's game at Houston after Aaron Jones was ruled out with a calf injury. Cam Erving is back at left tackle with Connor Williams at left guard. Washington will be without left tackle Geron Christian because of a knee injury, so journeyman Cornelius Lucas starts in that spot. ___GREEN BAY AT HOUSTONPackers: QB Jordan Love, CB Kevin King, S Darnell Savage, RB Tyler Ervin, RB Aaron Jones, T David Bakhtiari, DL Tyler Lancaster. Texans: WR Keke Coutee, CB John Reid, LB Peter Kalambayi, T Charlie Heck, TE Jordan Akins.

The undefeated Titans are healing up from the NFL’s first COVID-19 outbreak. DeCastro will miss his third game of the season after sustaining an abdominal injury last week against Philadelphia. Johnson, Pittsburgh’s second-leading receiver, is out because of a back injury suffered on a punt return last week. Cincinnati also will be missing starting defensive tackle D.J. Eagles: RT Lane Johnson, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Alshon Jeffery, CB Avonte Maddox, S Marcus Epps, LB Duke Riley, QB Nate Sudfeld.

Washington head coach Ron Rivera, center, talks to his team during practice at the team's NFL football training facility, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, facing a competitive North Carolina reelection contest, is looking forward to campaigning" with Trump, Tillis' spokesperson said. GOP Sen. Steve Daines tweeted, Montana cant wait to have you back, Mr. President! after Trump promised to help him battle a strong Democratic challenger. Republican candidates are hostages, said Trump critic Tim Miller, an aide to past GOP presidential contenders including Jeb Bush. Anyone who wants to win in November should be running with the president, said Trump campaign spokesperson Erin Perrine. In the House, Democrats hope to use allegiance to Trump that GOP candidates touted in primaries against them in general elections.

(AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)COLUMBIA, SC – One of South Carolina's most liberal lawmakers and one of its most conservative are joining together to revive the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The 1970s ' proposal banning any discrimination based on sex is being revived in several state capitols across the U.S. It is just one state away from the 38 needed before it can become the 28th amendment to the Constitution. Davis said any conservative who supports a limited government that allows people to succeed based on their intelligence and ability should support the Equal Rights Amendment. The Equal Rights Amendment was passed by 35 states before the 1982 deadline.

Professional sports gambler William "Billy" Walters departs Federal Court after a hearing in Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S., July 29, 2016. Match interview USA-CRIME/ REUTERS/Andrew KellyWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear Las Vegas sports gambler William Billy Walters appeal of his 2017 insider trading conviction that landed him a five-year prison sentence in a case that also drew attention because of his ties to billionaire investor Carl Icahn and golfer Phil Mickelson. Walters had asked the justices to review a lower courts rejection of Walters request to have the charges thrown out because an FBI agent leaked grand jury details about the investigation to reporters. In addition to his prison sentence, Walters was given a $10 million fine and ordered to forfeit about $25 million. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed, ruling that Walters argument that he had been prejudiced was sheer speculation.In his appeal to the Supreme Court, Walters said that a pattern of leaking by the FBI has demonstrated systematic and pervasive misconduct that warrants dismissal of the charges, regardless of whether any specific prejudice occurred.