Exclusive interview: Trump ‘absolutely’ looking at breaking up 9th Circuit  —  President Trump said Wednesday that he has “absolutely” considered proposals that would split up the 9th Circuit, where judges have blocked two of his executive actions.  —  “There are many people that want to break up the 9th Circuit.

White House Proposes Slashing Tax Rates for Individuals and Businesses  —  WASHINGTON — President Trump on Wednesday proposed sharp reductions in both individual and corporate income tax rates, reducing the number of individual income tax brackets to three — 10 percent, 25 percent and 35 percent …

Freedom Caucus endorses revised ObamaCare repeal-and-replace bill  —  The House Freedom Caucus on Wednesday announced it will back the GOP's healthcare plan now that an amendment allowing states to opt out of key ObamaCare rules is included.  —  The group of roughly 30 hard-line conservatives held …

Republicans tell Trump to hold up on NAFTA withdrawal  —  The Trump administration alarmed Republicans on Wednesday with its consideration of an executive order that could lead to the United States' withdrawal from NAFTA — with some lawmakers warning that such a move would be a “disaster.”

This is Amazing  —  This is really quite astounding.  In this morning's edition of Mike Allen's not-Playbook from Axios he introduces what seems to be Ivanka Trump setting up something that sounds a lot like the Clinton Foundation, only in this case run from within the White House …

White House to continue Obamacare payments, removing shutdown threat  —  The White House is telling lawmakers that it will continue paying Affordable Care Act cost-sharing subsidies, potentially defusing a bruising conflict between Democrats and Trump administration officials that had sparked …

Ann Coulter On Verge of Pulling Out of Speech at Berkeley  —  Ann Coulter said Wednesday that she is likely to cancel her planned appearance at the University of California, Berkeley, because she faced threats of violence and felt she was left without the support of local law enforcement who have said it cannot guarantee her safety.

Bail increased for veteran, soldier accused in execution of veteran's PTSD therapy dog  —  Marinna Rollins told her Facebook friends on April 17 that she found a new home for her PTSD therapy dog, Cam.  —  Instead, she and her boyfriend, soldier Jarren Heng, are accused of shooting Cam multiple times with a rifle execution-style.

The NYT's new columnist defends his views on Arabs, Black Lives Matter, campus rape  —  On April 12, the New York Times's vaunted editorial page got a new addition.  Bret Stephens, formerly a columnist at the Wall Street Journal, will join Ross Douthat and David Brooks among the stable of in-house conservatives at the Gray Lady.

US commander suggests missile defense in Hawaii amid N. Korea threat  —  North Korea's ballistic missile threats towards the United States may one day match its rhetoric, the top U.S. military commander in the Pacific told a Congressional panel, and to ensure defenses are at their best …

WHO BUN IT?  Brit bunny riddle as rabbit destined to be world's biggest dies on United Airlines jet to US  —  Three foot Simon died in the cargo section of a Boeing 767 after leaving Heathrow  —  SCANDAL-hit United Airlines is facing a new PR disaster — after a valuable giant rabbit died mysteriously on one of its planes.

Montana Democrat Rob Quist Is Regular Performer at Nudist Resort  —  Montana Democrat Rob Quist, a locally famous musician, is a frequent performer at the Sun Meadow Resort, Idaho's premier nudist resort for guests seeking a “family nudist experience.”  —  Quist, running to represent Montana …

Roy Moore running for Senate, resigns from Supreme Court to challenge Luther Strange  —  Roy Moore today announced he is resigning from his position as the Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court to run for the United States Senate.  —  “I'll stand for the rights and liberties of the people …

Apparently repealing Obamacare could violate international law  —  We've already seen that repealing Obamacare is politically perilous.  Now there's a new complication: It may also violate international law.  —  The United Nations has contacted the Trump administration as part of an investigation …

House, White House considering Friday health care vote  —  There is now discussion on the Hill and in the White House about a health care vote this Friday.  The House whip team is busy counting moderate votes and gauging support within the caucus, and there should be a clearer picture of where things stand tonight.

Views on Russian influence reflect partisan finger-pointing (POLL)  —  It's a partisan cold war right here at home: A majority of Democrats think now-President Donald Trump's campaign tried to help Russia influence the 2016 election, while a majority of Republicans think former President …

Salem Mayor spots ‘eerie’ face in lamppost light  —  As if Salem wasn't scary enough, Halloween, it seems, has arrived in the area early this year.  —  On Wednesday, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll came across a spooky sight.  In a tweet, she shared a picture of what looks like a man's grimacing …