Trump shares letter from Putin: ‘His thoughts are so correct’  —  on Friday praised Vladimir Putin and shared a Christmas letter the Russian president sent him.  —  “A very nice letter from Vladimir Putin; his thoughts are so correct,” Trump said in a statement.

On Paladino's ‘wish list’ for 2017: Obama dead of mad cow disease  —  When Artvoice asked Buffalo developer and School Board member Carl Paladino what he wanted to see happen in 2017, he didn't filter his responses — and the controversial, crude answers are causing a firestorm on social media.

Rockettes Union Calls Boycotting Inauguration ‘Invalid’  —  BroadwayWorld has obtained and confirmed the authenticity of an email sent from the American Guild of Variety Artists to what appears to be Rockettes in its membership as a response to the announcement that some Rockettes …

QUESTIONS OVER BLUNDERS IN WAKE OF THE ATTACK  —  The killing of Anis Amri comes after an embarrassing four days for German authorities.  —  An hour after the mass murder, a 23-year-old Pakistani man was arrested, but police were later forced to admit he was not involved in the attack.

Was Barack Obama Bad for Democrats?  —  President Obama will be remembered as a thoughtful and dignified president who led a scrupulously honest administration that achieved major changes.  —  People argue over whether his impatience with politicians and Republican intransigence denied …

North Carolina is no longer classified as a democracy  —  In 2005, in the midst of a career of traveling around the world to help set up elections in some of the most challenging places on earth - Afghanistan, Burma, Egypt, Lebanon, South Africa, Sudan and Yemen, among others - my Danish colleague …

Putin to Democratic Party: You lost, get over it  —  MOSCOW — Russia's President Vladi­mir Putin has a message for the White House and Democratic leaders who accuse him of stealing their victory: Don't be sore losers.  —  That was how Putin answered a question Friday about whether Russia interfered …

Trump's driver's license casts doubt on height claims  —  Donald Trump and his doctor claim he's 6-foot-3, but his New York driver's license says he's actually an inch shorter.  —  A copy of Trump's license, obtained by POLITICO through an open-records request, lists the president-elect at 6-foot-2.

Trump national security adviser partnered with KGB-linked businessman to sell mind-reading gear  —  Michael Flynn's ties with Russia have come under scrutiny before.  —  On Friday, Bloomberg reported that Trump's choice for national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn …

How the Obama Coalition Crumbled, Leaving an Opening for Trump  —  It is entirely possible, as many have argued, that Hillary Clinton would be the president-elect of the United States if the F.B.I. director, James Comey, had not sent a letter to Congress about her emails in the last weeks of the campaign.

A new solution for Trump and his team of billionaires: Ignore the law  —  Trump lieutenant Newt Gingrich this week proposed an elegant solution for all the conflicts of interest swirling around the president-elect and his team of billionaires: Ignore the law.

Western, Southern states likely to gain House seats in 2022  —  Rapidly growing populations in Western and Sun Belt states coupled with stagnant growth in Northeastern states will shift as many as 10 House seats after the 2020 Census, according to a new analysis of population trends.

GOP Wants Trump to Trim ACA Benefits, Say Congress Aides  —  Trump White House could limit insurance benefit requirments  —  Essential health benefits cover drugs, mental care, wellness  —  Facing a years-long wait before they can fully implement a planned repeal of Obamacare …

Did Russia Just Test a Weapon in Space?  —  On Dec. 16, the Russian military reportedly tested what appears to be an anti-satellite weapon—a rocket that can boost into low orbit and smash into enemy spacecraft.  —  The test could be the latest sign of Russia's intention, and improving ability …

EXCLUSIVE: She's STILL with her - Hillary Clinton and Huma Abedin are pictured together for the first time since losing election, after a five-hour meeting at the failed candidate's New York office  — Hillary Clinton and top aide Huma Abedin spent five hours together inside …

Happy Hoax-idays!  —  Today is the last Jim-written Morning Jolt until December 27.  From all of us to all of you, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a joyful anything else you may celebrate at this time of year.  —  We constantly argue that the national news media has to be more discerning …