DNC rolls back Obama ban on contributions from federal lobbyists  —  The Democratic National Committee has rolled back restrictions introduced by presidential candidate Barack Obama in 2008 that banned donations from federal lobbyists and political action committees.

'You didn't hear this from me, but. . .': Why South Carolina primary politics are so dirty.  —  COLUMBIA, S.C. — Here's a story, the gist of which will sound familiar to anyone living in South Carolina: Natalie Barrett, a 53-year-old schoolteacher from Westminster, got a robo-call earlier this month and ended up furious.

A Newport News woman wins big off of a scratch off that her friend didn't want  —  Newport News Va., — Lucille Harrelson won $100,000 off of a scratch off that her friend rejected.  —  Harrelson and some of her friends went to the store to buy some scratch offs.

Suspect Killed After Attacking Multiple People With Machete In Columbus Restaurant  —  Tylar Bacome  —  Police have shot and killed a suspect after he attacked multiple people at a restaurant in northeast Columbus with a machete.  —  The incident happened at the Nazareth Restaurant on N. Hamilton Road.

Clinton turned Sanders's attacks on her Wall Street ties into a game of chicken.  And she won.  —  The morning after a debate, it's natural to focus on the most dramatic moments.  But in the case of Thursday night's Clinton-Sanders showdown, the most significant exchange was arguably one that featured almost no drama.

Inside The Most Important Supreme Court Case In Human History  —  The earth just had a terrible day in court.  —  Tuesday evening, the Supreme Court unexpectedly suspended the Obama administration's most aggressive effort to fight climate change in a 5-4 vote.

Joe Scarborough-Donald Trump friendship increasing source of discomfort at NBC  —  Last November, MSNBC's Joe Scarborough sat on stage at the 92nd Street Y in New York and recounted the various times he had given Donald Trump political advice.  —  “I've actually called him up and said …

Pope arrives in Cuba for first-ever meeting with the Russian patriarch … Despite famine, religious wars, worldwide conflict and the spread of civilization, the heads of the Roman Catholic and the Russian Orthodox churches haven't spoken since the Great Schism of 1054 shattered Christendom …

John Bel Edwards says budget crisis threatens all of Louisiana — even LSU football  —  Gov. John Bel Edwards laid out a bleak scenario during a statewide television address Thursday night (Feb. 11). … Gov. John Bel Edwards laid out an absolute worst case scenario Thursday night (Feb. 11) …

At Success Academy School, a Stumble in Math and a Teacher's Anger on Video  —  In the video, a first-grade class sits cross-legged in a circle on a brightly colored rug.  One of the girls has been asked to explain to the class how she solved a math problem, but she has gotten confused.

Poll: Wins Push Trump, Sanders to New Heights  —  After winning New Hampshire's presidential primaries by wide margins, New York real estate magnate Donald Trump and Sen. Bernie Sanders are soaring to new heights among their respective party's voters, a new Morning Consult poll finds …

Harry Reid calls on Alan Grayson to drop out  —  Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Friday pressed Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) to drop his Senate bid amid scrutiny surrounding his hedge fund, according to a statement provided to The Hill.  —  Reid challenged Grayson's progressive credentials …

Obama's Writer Pens Trump Victory Speech  —  Jon Favreau gives you a glimpse of what the Republican frontrunner will likely sound like should he win the nomination.  —  It's come to this: I've written a Donald Trump speech.  —  It's not something I necessarily enjoyed doing …

Rubio remotely blocks Mexico ambassador nominee while campaigning  —  Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) on Thursday remotely blocked the Senate from confirming President Obama's ambassador to Mexico, even though he is campaigning in South Carolina.  —  Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) tried to get unanimous consent …

Cruz Campaign Removes Ad Featuring Softcore Porn Star  —  Amy Lindsay has appeared in films such as Erotic Confessions, Carnal Wishes, Secrets of a Chambermaid, and Insatiable Desires.  “Had the campaign known of her full filmography, we obviously would not have let her appear in the ad,” a Cruz campaign spokesman told BuzzFeed News.

Trump mocks Jeb Bush for bringing brother on campaign trail  —  Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is mocking rival Jeb Bush for bringing his brother, former President George W. Bush, to help campaign.  —  “Don't fall asleep when I mention the name,” Trump said …

Chief: Fairborn cop to be on leave for Facebook post  —  Fairborn police officer Lee Cyr will be placed on paid administrative leave for a Facebook comment he allegedly posted on a story about a Black Lives Matter activist who committed suicide, according the police chief.

Revisionaries  —  How a group of Texas conservatives is rewriting your kids' textbooks.  —  Don McLeroy is a balding, paunchy man with a thick broom-handle mustache who lives in a rambling two-story brick home in a suburb near Bryan, Texas.  When he greeted me at the door one evening last October …