San Bernardino shooting suspect traveled to Saudi Arabia, was married, appeared to be living ‘American Dream,’ co-workers say  —  Fourteen people were killed when two attackers opened fire at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino.  —  As the holiday gathering got underway Wednesday morning …

Behind McConnell's campaign to win over Cruz  —  Mitch McConnell is close to pulling off a feat that at first seemed impossible: Coax Ted Cruz and antagonistic conservative groups to back his strategy to repeal Obamacare.  —  For weeks, Cruz, a 2016 GOP presidential candidate and chief McConnell nemesis …

Christie can't lose  —  Nine months ago a savvy political junkie told me Chris Christie would soon announce a presidential campaign, simply because he had to.  —  Making our way through the nation's capital, my cab driver made his case: running was the only way for the New Jersey governor to clean up his image and come out ahead.

After grumbling, Trump says he will participate in CNN debate  —  Donald Trump said Thursday that he is unexcited about the upcoming primary debate and irritated by CNN's coverage of his campaign, but confirmed that he will appear at the network's GOP forum scheduled for Dec. 15 in Las Vegas.

In historic decision, Pentagon chief opens all jobs in combat units to women  —  Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter said Thursday that he is opening all jobs in in combat units to women, a landmark decision that ends a three-year period of research with a number of firsts for female service members …

Ryan vows to offer ObamaCare replacement plan in 2016  —  Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Thursday he plans to roll out a long-awaited replacement plan for ObamaCare in 2016, lifting healthcare reform to the top of the House GOP's agenda in a presidential election year.

Carson stumbles on Hamas, says something more like hummus  —  Ben Carson on Thursday reminded potential donors of his questionable foreign policy acumen, mispronouncing the Gaza-based militant group Hamas as something more closely resembling the popular chickpea spread on multiple occasions.

Gun Industry Executives Say Mass Shootings Are Good for Business  —  Behind closed doors, speaking with investors and Wall Street analysts, the gun industry views mass shootings as an opportunity to make lots of money.  —  Ordinary people are despairing about the frequency of tragic events …

ATTENTION LICENSED HANDGUN OWNERS  —  In light of recent events that have occurred in the United States and around the world I want to encourage citizens of Ulster County who are licensed to carry a firearm to PLEASE DO SO.  —  I urge you to responsibly take advantage of your legal right to carry a firearm.

Coldplay to Headline Super Bowl Halftime Show  —  Band to withhold new ‘A Head Full of Dreams’ album From Spotify  —  British rock band Coldplay will headline the halftime show at the National Football League's Super Bowl 50 in February, according to people familiar with the matter.

Confident Bush vows to ‘whoop’ Clinton in election  —  Jeb Bush says he will “whoop” Hillary Clinton if given the chance to be the Republican nominee for president.  —  “Should I win this nomination I will take it to Hillary Clinton and I will whoop her,” said Bush, speaking …