Dems, It's Time to Dump Dixie  —  With Mary Landrieu's ignominious exit, the Democrats will have lost their last senator in the Deep South.  And that's a good thing.  They should write it off—because they don't need it.  —  I don't remember a much sadder sight in domestic politics …

The Kochs eclipse the RNC  —  Meet the guys behind the right's best data shop.  —  The Koch brothers and their allies are pumping tens of millions of dollars into a data company that's developing detailed, state-of-the-art profiles of 250 million Americans, giving the brothers' political operation all the earmarks of a national party.

Will Jonathan Gruber Topple Obamacare?  —  The health economist's controversial remarks could undo him and the law he worked so hard to create.  —  Why the hell did Jonathan Gruber say that?  And that?  And that?  And (sigh) the other thing?  Those are the questions on the minds …

Massive downtown L.A. fire burns 3 towers; freeways begin to reopen  —  A massive fire in downtown Los Angeles early Monday engulfed an apartment tower under construction, damaged two other buildings and left freeways and roads closed.  —  The northbound 110 Freeway remained closed as of 5 a.m. …

Racial politics in plain sight  —  America's racial tensions, hot after the painful non-indictments in Ferguson and New York, bubbled up on Capitol Hill last week.  The occasion was a House Judiciary hearing on President Obama's executive authority to limit deportations of illegal immigrants.

Crafting a sustainable New Republic  —  The writer is owner and publisher of the New Republic.  —  Last week, about a dozen members of the editorial staff of the New Republic walked out in protest over new leadership.  By their account, this was a clash of cultures : Silicon Valley versus tradition, and everyone must choose a side.

Reporting on Rape  —  Last month, Rolling Stone ran an article about an alleged gang rape at a University of Virginia fraternity house, based on interviews with a student identified only as “Jackie.”  It now appears that key details of the story, reported by Sabrina Rubin Erdely, may not be true.

Recovery at Last?  —  Last week we got an actually good employment report — arguably the first truly good report in a long time.  The U.S. economy added well over 300,000 jobs; wages, which have been stagnant for far too long, picked up a bit.  Other indicators, like the rate at which workers are quitting …

Killer 'shot his newly-married stepdaughter so he could video himself having sex with her dead body - then buried her behind his shed'  — Gregory Graf recorded himself sexually abusing the body of Jessica Padgett, Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli said on Friday

U.S. Accuses Iran of Secretly Breaching U.N. Nuclear Sanctions  —  Washington has evidence that Tehran is trying to buy new equipment for a key nuclear facility.  But the White House isn't willing to say anything publicly about it.

Sarah Palin to return to Iowa for summit  —  Former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin will take part in the Iowa Freedom Summit in Des Moines on Jan. 24.  —  The inaugural event is being held by Citizens United and Congressman Steve King.  The summit will serve as a place …

AMERICA'S MILITARY: A force adrift  —  HOW THE NATION IS FAILING TODAY'S TROOPS AND VETERANS  —  A worsening morale crisis  —  AFTER 13 YEARS OF WAR, TROOPS FEEL BURNED OUT AND WITHOUT A SENSE OF MISSION.  MORE DOUBT THEIR LEADERS AND THEIR JOB SECURITY.

Clinton Trumps Republican Rivals on Leadership, Vision for 2016  —  Former first lady, senator, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would enter the presidential race with positive views of her past experience and personal traits, making her a formidable contender against lesser-known Republican rivals.