Tuesday, 8 November 2022

It's Election Day. What to watch for, and how to follow the results.

November 08, 2022 | VIEW IN BROWSER

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Make sure to get out and vote! Today is Election Day, with control of Congress up for grabs in the midterms as well as gubernatorial races in several key battleground states. Plus, the two big changes a woman made to her diet and exercise routine to lose 78 pounds and run her first marathon.

THE LATEST

🗳️ Here's what to watch for in today's 2022 midterm elections and how to follow the live results.

The 2022 midterm elections are today, and control of the House and the Senate are at stake, along with other issues like abortion rights, immigration and inflation's effect on the economy. Right now, Democrats have a 220-212 advantage in the House, and Republicans need a net gain of five seats to gain control. The Senate is tied 50-50, and key races in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Ohio and North Carolina could be the deciding factor for which party becomes the majority – even by just one seat. Here's where you can watch live election results. And have you ever wondered how the NBC News Decision Desk calls races on election night? Here's how they do it.

💰 After a delay, a dizzying, world record $1.9 billion Powerball drawing is happening today.

Last night's scheduled drawing for the record $1.9 billion Powerball lottery prize was delayed, leaving people to wait and see if they had the most lucrative ticket in lottery history. The Multi-State Lottery Association said it had one participating lottery that needed additional time to process its sales before the winning numbers could be selected. The association told players to "hold onto their tickets" as the drawing would be delayed until at least this morning. The last Powerball jackpot winner was on Aug. 3, a stretch of 40 drawings. Think you've got the lucky ticket? Here's how to stay anonymous if you win.

🏃‍♀️ This woman completed her first marathon after losing 78 pounds. Here are the changes she made.

Monyka Wood, 43, a middle school special education teacher from Kentucky, wanted to make a change after her weight reached 225 pounds. "I felt defeated," she told us. "I wasn't able to feel good in anything I was wearing. I thought, 'It's time.'" She changed how she exercised and how she ate, eventually losing 78 pounds on her way to running her first marathon. (She also earned a brown belt in Krav Maga.) Here are 2 big changes she made, as well as what she eats in a typical day, including foods that fill her up without a ton of calories. Monyka also shared how joining the Start TODAY Walking Challenge in September helped her reach her goals.

6 of the top toys for kids this year, from Parents magazine's Best Toy Awards.

It's never too early to get started on holiday shopping for kids. Grace Bastidas, editor-in-chief of Parents, joined TODAY to share 6 of the top winners from the magazine's Best Toy Awards, including their picks for babies, toddlers and beyond. For dino-obsessed toddlers, the editors recommend the ultimate pyroraptor, while curly girls might like the Healthy Roots Doll, which has hair they can style into bantu knots and box braids. Still need more ideas? Check out these 13 other hot toys.

LIVE BETTER TODAY

Achieve your life goals with easy tips.

Four recent studies have found ultra-processed foods may shorten your life or lead to mental health symptoms. But what are ultra-processed foods? For starters, think low-cost snacks loaded with flavorings and other additives, such as potato chips, candy, soft drinks and commercial bread. Experts say a handful of chips or a cookie after dinner won't kill you, but once they become staples of your diet, it's a problem. Read more here on how to spot and avoid ultra-processed foods.

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

Allow us to do the meal-planning for you.

Don't be scared off by the how-do-you-pronounce-that French name! This coq au vin with spaetzle from celebrity chef Gavin Kaysen is the perfect meal for a chilly fall night. Gavin stopped by TODAY to show us how to make the braised chicken dish by reducing two bottles of wine for a flavorful liquid and getting a good sear on the meat. His favorite pairing is this crispy, buttery spaetzle, which is surprisingly easy to make.

DAILY DELIGHT

A little pick-me-up before you go.

Shyamala Keshamouni and her son, Abhi, 19, will be once again be volunteering together today as poll workers at their local precinct in Michigan, just like they did during the 2020 election. The mother and son have bonded over their shared commitment to doing their part for democracy despite an increase in threats to poll workers on Election Day. Abhi first decided to volunteer during the 2020 primaries, which inspired Shyamala, who moved to Michigan from India in 1996, to do the same during the presidential election. "I don't plan on stopping," Abhi told us. "I want people to know that we need you to come out and vote. It doesn't matter what your opinion is — if you have a say in this democracy, make it a better democracy."