NBC announces the firing of Matt Lauer

Matt Lauer is the latest high-profile man in media to be brought down by allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior. He was fired from NBC News on Wednesday after an employee filed a complaint about "inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace," the network announced. Savannah Guthrie made the announcement at the top of the "Today" show broadcast in New York. Later in the day, it was published that additional sexual harassment allegations were made against Lauer. The story cited accounts from three unnamed women. The published report also included allegations that NBC News protected Lauer, citing several woman and saying "they complained to executives at the network about Lauer's behavior, which fell on deaf ears given the lucrative advertising surrounding 'Today.'" Lauer has not commented. Although this came as a shock to viewers, his "Today" show colleagues knew there were investigations taking place into Lauer's off-camera conduct. An investigation ensued on Tuesday and a quick decision was made to terminate his employment on Tuesday evening. The details of the complaints have not been made public. The "Today" show is one of the most popular and most profitable franchises on American television. Lauer was the cornerstone of the program for two decades. His contract called for him to be paid tens of millions a year.

In Other News It appears that a significant legislative win for President Donald Trump, the first in the 10 months since he took office, is possible. GOP senators are within range of passing the most sweeping reform of the tax code in 30 years. A final vote on passing the bill, a version of which has already trekked through the House, is expected late on Thursday or Friday. The Senate voted along party lines 52-48 to start a full debate on the proposed new law. The tax bill seems to focus on tax cuts, although many independent studies have found that the Republican bill will overwhelmingly benefit corporations and the rich, and will see tax cuts for individuals expire over the life of the legislation. There appear to even be some conservatives who are wary of the plan but there are also signs that given the importance of handing frustrated GOP voters a victory ahead of midterm elections in 2018, party senators may eventually conclude not to get overly hung up on details. The US economy was doing better during the summer than first thought. Revised numbers from the Commerce Department said the economy grew at 3.3% between July and September (the original number was 3%). That's the best growth the US has seen in three years. An uptick in exports and increases in consumer and business spending powered the growth. A former Bosnian Croat general has died after apparently swallowing poison as a judge at the Hague upheld his 20-year sentence for war crimes. 72-year-old Slobodan Praljak tilt his head back and drink from a small glass bottle as the presiding judge read out the verdict. "Slobodan Praljak is not a war criminal. I am rejecting your verdict with contempt," Praljak shouted before swallowing the liquid. The judge was then heard immediately suspending proceedings and asking for the curtains to be drawn. An ambulance was at the building shortly and paramedics raced up to the courtroom. It was confirmed the former general had died. He was one of six former Bosnian Croat leaders found guilty of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including the rape and murder of Bosnian Muslims. They were found guilty of a criminal conspiracy with the goal of "ethnic cleansing of the Muslim population" of parts of Bosnia to ensure Croatian domination.