MTP NOW Nov. 18 — DOJ appoints special counsel for Trump investigations; Rep. Clyburn

For decades, Texas has been the deep-red heart of the Republican Party. For Democrats, it’s the white whale. But this midterm cycle, political observers think they may have a chance. In the Senate contest, most polls show Democratic State Rep. James Talarico ahead of Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton by a few points. And in the race for governor, Democratic State Rep. Gina Hinojosa is in surprisingly close competition with the incumbent, Republican Greg Abbott, despite being outspent by a mile. For this episode of Here’s the Scoop, Election Edition, NBC News chief White House correspondent Garrett Haake headed to Austin to sit down with Hinojosa and Texas Tribune Editor-in-Chief Matthew Watkins to ask: Could this finally be Democrats’ year in Texas? swap.fm/l/htsfd

President Trump defends his economic record while continuing his midterm campaign tour in Alabama. The U.S. labor market slows as the September job report shows less hiring than expected. Governor Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.) appoints Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor in Cornell University sexual assault investigation.

President Trump kicks off his midterm travel plans in Texas as polling shows his approval rating reaching record lows ahead of November's midterms. The Democratic nominee for Texas governor, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa,  joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss her race to unseat Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas).

President Donald Trump says he and Republicans have done a “very bad job” of touting their economic wins to voters. Hispanic voters appear to trend back toward Democrats amid the closely-watched Senate midterm match-up in Texas between James Talarico and Ken Paxton. After a co-pilot allegedly stabbed his partner aboard a plane bound for Israel, former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Jonhson discusses air safety and potential recommendations.

President Trump meets with tech executives amid growing concerns around artificial intelligence. Former Special Counsel Jack Smith testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee for a politically charged hearing on his investigation into President Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Some Republicans on Capitol Hill push back on the Trump administration's use of taxpayer money to fund a campaign-style TV ad.