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--> A midday take on what's happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*

*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha--breaks down crying hysterically.

The Hill's 12:30 Report: First public impeachment hearings set for next week | Senior State official bucks White House to testify | White House says Mulvaney won't testify | GOP struggles to unify on impeachment defense | Election Day fallout | Good night for Dems in Virginia, Kentucky | Republicans downplay Kentucky loss | Warning signs for GOP in suburbs | Trump holding Louisiana rally tonight | Starbucks holiday cups are back

BREAKING

The first public impeachment hearings have been announced:

House Democrats are holding their first public impeachment hearings next week. http://bit.ly/2NHgj3G

Testifying next Wednesday:

– William Taylor, the top U.S. diplomat to Ukraine

– George Kent, a top State Department official

Testifying a week from Friday:

– Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch

It's Wednesday. I'm Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what's coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com -- and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.

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LATEST WITH THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY

Happening today – Let's chat in the Capitol basement:

Bucking the White House, Senior State Department official David Hale arrived on Capitol Hill this morning to testify in the Democrats' impeachment probe. http://bit.ly/32iz3Mh

Why he is testifying: "David Hale, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, is expected to provide insights into the campaign by President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE and some of his allies to remove Marie Yovanovitch from her post as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine -- a move that infuriated many department veterans, who have expressed concerns that the agency's top brass did too little to protect a career diplomat from White House interference."

Who else was invited to testify today: Energy Secretary Rick Perry Rick PerryEnergy secretary questions consensus that humans cause climate change OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Democrats push resolution to battle climate change, sluggish economy and racial injustice | Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling energy bill | Trump courts Florida voters with offshore drilling moratorium OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump signs major conservation bill into law | Senate votes to confirm Energy's No. 2 official | Trump Jr. expresses opposition to Pebble Mine project MORE; State Department counselor Ulrich Brechbuhl, a top adviser to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Trump's push for win with Sudan amps up pressure on Congress Putin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize MORE; and Russell Vought, acting director of the White House Office of Management and Budget.

^Eh, but: None of those three are expected to show up.

Not happening on Friday:

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway Kellyanne Elizabeth ConwaySpecial counsel investigating DeVos for potential Hatch Act violation: report George and Kellyanne Conway honor Ginsburg Trump carries on with rally, unaware of Ginsburg's death MORE told reporters that acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney is not expected to testify on Friday in the impeachment probe. http://bit.ly/2NPHQ2Q

Senate GOP: 'TEAM MEETING!':

Via The Hill's Alexander Bolton, Senate Republicans are struggling to agree on a unified strategy to defend President Trump from the articles of impeachment. http://bit.ly/2JX8ZQe

The big, controversial question: How much to focus attacks on the anonymous whistleblower.

For example -- two of Trump's defenders: Sens. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamLincoln Project mocks Lindsey Graham's fundraising lag with Sarah McLachlan-themed video The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election Trump dumbfounds GOP with latest unforced error MORE (R-S.C.) and Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulRon Paul hospitalized in Texas The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump previews SCOTUS nominee as 'totally brilliant' Rand Paul says he can't judge 'guilt or innocence' in Breonna Taylor case MORE (R-Ky.) are calling for the whistleblower to be publicly named.

Yeah, but: Many Republicans say the whistleblower's identity should be protected. Like: Senate Republican Whip John Thune John Randolph ThuneHouse to vote on resolution affirming peaceful transition of power Trump dumbfounds GOP with latest unforced error Senate passes resolution reaffirming commitment to peaceful transition of power MORE (S.D.), Sens. Mitt Romney Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyCrenshaw looms large as Democrats look to flip Texas House seat The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election Trump dumbfounds GOP with latest unforced error MORE (Utah), Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsDemocratic senator to party: 'A little message discipline wouldn't kill us' Poll: 57 percent of Americans think next president, Senate should fill Ginsburg vacancy On The Trail: Making sense of this week's polling tsunami MORE (Maine), Lisa Murkowski Lisa Ann MurkowskiDemocratic senator to party: 'A little message discipline wouldn't kill us' Overnight Energy: Trump officials finalize plan to open up protected areas of Tongass to logging | Feds say offshore testing for oil can proceed despite drilling moratorium | Dems question EPA's postponement of inequality training Poll: 57 percent of Americans think next president, Senate should fill Ginsburg vacancy MORE (Alaska) and Shelley Moore Capito Shelley Wellons Moore CapitoCongress must finish work on popular conservation bill before time runs out Second GOP senator to quarantine after exposure to coronavirus GOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure MORE (W.Va.).

ELECTION DAY RESULTS

Democrats won control of Virginia's legislature:

This gives the party total control of the state for the first time since 1994. http://bit.ly/2POjdGy

The live Virginia election results from The New York Times: https://nyti.ms/2pDev3S

A Democrat ~is poised~ to win Kentucky governor race:

Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear (D) declared last night that he won as the governor of Kentucky. http://bit.ly/2pMgpiv

Why I'm being careful about how I worded that: Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) has not conceded the race.

The numbers: With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Beshear beat Bevin by a 49.2 to 48.8 percent margin. During an appearance on CNN last night, Kentucky's Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes (D) called the race for Beshear.

The live Kentucky election results from The New York Times: https://nyti.ms/2pQBlF9

REACTION FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP -- SLOWING BACKING AWAY:

Republicans immediately went on defense to prove Bevin's loss had nothing to do with President Trump's support. http://bit.ly/2rjDh9z

Trump immediately pointed out GOP wins in the state: "Won 5 out of 6 elections in Kentucky, including 5 great candidates that I spoke for and introduced last night. @MattBevin picked up at least 15 points in last days, but perhaps not enough (Fake News will blame Trump!). Winning in Mississippi Governor race!" http://bit.ly/36D1Dv3

A Republican wins Mississippi governor race:

After a highly competitive race for governor in one of the most conservative states in the country, Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves (R) beat Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood last night. http://bit.ly/2NpdBB4

The numbers: With 93 percent reporting, Reeves led Hood, 53 to 46 percent. The Associated Press called the race for Reeves.

The live Mississippi results from The New York Times: https://nyti.ms/2WUjIQP

What these results mean for the GOP:

Via The Hill's Reid Wilson, "the results should serve as a wake-up call for Republicans, who tried to nationalize races across the country in an effort to capitalize on Trump's popularity -- and the unpopularity of Democrats' drive to impeach him." http://bit.ly/33nUYmu

Keep in mind -- Trump and Pence were involved in Virginia and Kentucky: "Trump held a rally seeking to boost Bevin and other Republicans in Kentucky on Monday night on the eve of the election, and Vice President Pence appeared in both Kentucky and Virginia in the race's closing days."

ON THE 2020 CAMPAIGN TRAIL

To quote the Black Eyed Peas, where is the love?:

Via The Hill's Peter Sullivan, "Senate Democrats are distancing themselves from Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Warren, Khanna request IG investigation into Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds MORE's (D-Mass.) 'Medicare for All' plan, casting doubt on whether it could pass even if she does win the presidency." http://bit.ly/33on554

How so: "Even if Warren wins the presidency and Democrats take back the Senate next year, her proposal would still face long odds of actually being enacted given objections among many senators of her own party. Some Democratic senators on Tuesday said flatly that they would not vote for Warren's plan if she were president in 2021."

Tidbit from the DNC chair:

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tom Perez Thomas Edward PerezClinton’s top five vice presidential picks Government social programs: Triumph of hope over evidence Labor’s 'wasteful spending and mismanagement” at Workers’ Comp MORE told The Hill's Rafael Bernal that the key to winning the presidential election in 2020 is the Latino vote -- and not just in states with large Hispanic populations. His reasoning: http://bit.ly/32sOvpe

NOTABLE TWEETS

This is pretty funny:

ON TAP

The Senate is in. The House is out. President Trump is in Washington, D.C. and is heading to Monroe, La. this afternoon. Vice President Pence is in Washington, D.C.

Noon: The Senate held two votes. The Senate's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2NiNKKW

4 p.m. EST: The Senate votes.

4:10 p.m. EST: President Trump leaves the White House and heads to Monroe, La. on Air Force One.

4:30 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence swears in the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

6 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence speaks at the Charlotte Host 2020 Thank You Reception in Washington, D.C.

7:25 p.m. EST: President Trump lands in Monroe, La.

12:25 p.m. EST: President Trump gets back to the White House.

Nov. 13: The Hill is hosting an event, "Aspirations: Arab Youth & the Modern Dream." Details and how to RSVP: http://bit.ly/34LmWJl

WHAT TO WATCH

3 p.m. EST: President Trump gives remarks on federal judicial confirmations. Livestream: http://bit.ly/34BXHc9

8 p.m. EST: President Trump holds a campaign rally in Monroe, La. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2Chx1Bn

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Nachos Day.

The kickoff of the holiday season:

The holiday cups are returning to Starbucks tomorrow. https://cnn.it/33mMY5l

This year's holiday drinks: "the peppermint mocha, toasted white chocolate mocha, caramel brulee latte, chestnut praline latte and eggnog latte, in addition to its Christmas coffee blend."

Photo of the decorative cups: https://cnn.it/33mMY5l

AND TO CELEBRATE -- STARBUCKS IS GIVING OUT FREE REUSABLE HOLIDAY CUPS:

Order a holiday drink at Starbucks tomorrow and it will come in a reusable decorative cup. Keep in mind: This offer starts when they open, so get there early before they run out. http://bit.ly/32nVRKy

And because you made it this far, here is an innovative Christmas tree that is cat-safe. The cats do not look happy about this!: http://bit.ly/2NOVW4r