Welcome to the weekend. It’s the one before the midterm elections. So you could study the ballot, or you could dig into that leftover Halloween candy. Maybe both. As much as you can, enjoy this small respite from work, and of course some amazing journalism.

Jennifer Lopez on her power bossness, ‘second act’ and A-Rod

With a new movie and numerous other deals in the works, the star has come to realize that Hollywood hasn’t given her her fair share. Now she’s fixing that. Arts & Leisure

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How vilification of George Soros moved from the fringes to the mainstream

On both sides of the Atlantic, a loose network of nationalists has used anti-Semitic imagery to portray Mr. Soros as the shadowy leader of a globalist cabal. Politics

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Baby Antonio: 5 pounds, 12 ounces and homeless from birth

When he left the hospital, he joined 11,233 other children under 6 living in New York City’s shelter system. New York

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Driven by Trump Policy Changes, Fracking Booms on Public Lands

The administration is auctioning off millions of acres of drilling rights and rolling back regulations, raising environmental concerns in states like Wyoming. Climate

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Tiny Books Fit in One Hand. Will They Change the Way We Read?

Dutton, a Penguin Random House imprint, has released its first batch of mini books, with a boxed set of novels by the best-selling author John Green. Books

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‘God is going to have to forgive me’: Young Evangelicals speak out

Ahead of the midterm elections, we asked young evangelicals to tell The Times about the relationship between their faith and their politics. Politics

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Gayle King has the spotlight all to herself

Known for decades as Oprah’s best friend, the CBS anchor has become a celebrity in her own right. Even — especially — with the network’s men imploding all around her.

[Also read “For Savannah Guthrie, Family Comes First,” from Travel]

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Melissa Clark’s Thanksgiving

Roast turkey with garlic and anchovies. Brioche chestnut stuffing. Roasted duck fat potatoes. Sweet potatoes with bourbon and brown sugar. Spiced pumpkin pie. And more. One of our very best food writers has come up with her Thanksgiving menu, with the food her family loves. It includes anchovies and salad (sorry, Sam Sifton). Food.

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Whitey Bulger, the long-hunted mob boss, is dead in prison at 89

One of America’s most-wanted gangsters for 16 years, Mr. Bulger, shown above in a 1953 booking photo, was beaten to death by fellow inmates in West Virginia. His murderous life inspired books and films. Obituaries

[Also read: “Whitey Bulger’s Crew, From ‘the Rifleman’ to ‘the Executioner’: Where Are They Now?”]

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Amid concern over concussions, high schools struggle to fill football rosters

New Jersey has long been one of the top high school football states, sending stars to top college programs and the N.F.L. Now participation is dropping significantly. Sports

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Pasta dreams and flying machines: Our Tuscan adventure

A father takes his two young sons to Tuscany to savor pasta and the Italy’s rich history. Along the way, they discover that the straight path is not always the best path. Travel

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