Hakeem Jeffries wins reelection as House Democratic leader

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Leader Hakeem Jeffries won reelection Tuesday as the Democratic leader. The New York Democrat received support from his colleagues despite the party’s inability to win back majority control of the chamber in the November election. Jeffries and the rest of the top leadership team ran unopposed and were reelected during private balloting by House Democrats. In line to become the House speaker, Jeffries remains the highest ranking Black elected official in Congress, and the first to hold the job of party leader. He fell short of being in place to win the gavel after House Republicans swept to power alongside President-elect Donald Trump. Jeffries said Democrats are ready to work with Republicans but will push back against far-right extremism.

‘Bomb cyclone’ threatens Northern California and Pacific Northwest

SEATTLE (AP) — Northern California and the Pacific Northwest are bracing for what is expected to be a powerful storm. Heavy rain and winds are set to pummel the region and potentially cause power outages and flash floods. The Weather Prediction Center issued excessive rainfall risks beginning Tuesday and lasting through Friday. Those come as the strongest atmospheric river — long plumes of moisture stretching far over the Pacific Ocean — that California and the Pacific Northwest has seen this season bears down on the region. The storm system has intensified so quickly that it is considered a “bomb cyclone.”

Prosecutors oppose tossing Trump’s hush money conviction

NEW YORK (AP) — New York prosecutors oppose any effort to dismiss Trump’s hush money conviction, but say they are open to delaying his sentencing until after his impending second term. In a court filing Tuesday, they said they’re OK with a sentencing delay while Trump’s lawyers fight to get the case tossed out in light of his election. Judge Juan M. Merchan has not set a timetable for his decision. Trump’s spokesperson characterized Tuesday’s filing from prosecutors as “a total and definitive victory” for Trump. Sentencing had been scheduled for Nov. 26. The president-elect was convicted in May of falsifying business records. The case alleges that he covered up a scheme to influence the 2016 election by paying hush money to squelch a story of extramarital sex. Trump denies the allegations.

Jersey Mike’s sandwich chain is acquired by private equity firm Blackstone for $8B

NEW YORK (AP) — Jersey Mike’s, the quickly expanding sandwich chain, is being acquired by the private equity firm Blackstone in a deal valued at $8 billion. The transaction is “intended to help enable Jersey Mike’s to accelerate its expansion across and beyond the U.S. market,” the companies said Tuesday, as well as aid ongoing technological investments. Under terms of the agreement, Jersey Mike’s founder and CEO Peter Cancro will continue to lead the business and maintains a “significant equity stake” in the chain. Jersey Mike’s has expanded rapidly over the last decade, growing from 857 stores in 2014 to more than 2,800 this year.