BUG: Convert <br> to space in `pd.read_html`
- [x] closes #29528
- [x] [Tests added and passed](https://pandas.pydata.org/pandas-docs/dev/development/contributing_codebase.html#writing-tests) if fixing a bug or adding a new feature
- [x] All [code checks passed](https://pandas.pydata.org/pandas-docs/dev/development/contributing_codebase.html#pre-commit).
- [x] Added an entry in the latest `doc/source/whatsnew/vX.X.X.rst` file if fixing a bug or adding a new feature.
since `<br>` is a line break is it better to convert it to `\n`? > since `<br>` is a line break is it better to convert it to `\n`?

I do convert it to `\n` in the code - however pandas either replaces it or renders it as a space. I'm not sure if it is worth forcing the matter. Thoughts? This pull request is stale because it has been open for thirty days with no activity. Please [update](https://pandas.pydata.org/pandas-docs/stable/development/contributing.html#updating-your-pull-request) and respond to this comment if you're still interested in working on this. > This pull request is stale because it has been open for thirty days with no activity. Please [update](https://pandas.pydata.org/pandas-docs/stable/development/contributing.html#updating-your-pull-request) and respond to this comment if you're still interested in working on this.

Ping @attack68  Can you merge master.

This looks good to me, the solution opens the door to a list of general replacements if we also want to go that way in the future. > needs merge

OK now? @attack68 ok here? thanks @abmyii  > > since `<br>` is a line break is it better to convert it to `\n`?
> 
> I do convert it to `\n` in the code - however pandas either replaces it or renders it as a space. I'm not sure if it is worth forcing the matter. Thoughts?

function `_remove_whitespace` caused it

![image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/b0ac82b9-7574-4bd3-ab59-4db7cfeee820)

@attack68 @abmyii 
