Special counsel is investigating Trump for possible obstruction of justice, officials say  —  The special counsel overseeing the investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 election is interviewing senior intelligence officials as part of a widening probe that now includes an examination …

America's Lethal Politics  —  America's elected representatives enjoying America's pastime on a ball field just across the Potomac from the Capitol: A particularly American form of terror changed that idyll early Wednesday morning into what Senator Rand Paul, who was there, called “basically a killing field.”

Leaked audio reveals Malcolm Turnbull roasting Donald Trump over ‘fake polls’ and Russia  —  Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull isn't known for being a comedian but he tried some daring Donald Trump material on a room full of journalists in Canberra last night.

Republicans are about to make Medicare-for-all much more likely  —  If Republicans strike down Obamacare, the “Medicare for all” movement will become more powerful than they can imagine.  —  The details of the Senate GOP's Obamacare replacement plan remain a mystery.

Seventeen-Point Drop in US Satisfaction Among Republicans  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Republicans' satisfaction with the way things are going in the U.S. took a hit since last month.  Forty-one percent of Republicans say they are satisfied with the way things are going in the U.S., down 17 percentage points since May.

Dennis Rodman gifts Trump's ‘Art of the Deal’ to North Korean minister  —  CNN on the ground: Waiting for Dennis Rodman  —  (CNN)Dennis Rodman may not have been sent to North Korea by US President Donald Trump, but that's not stopping the former basketball star from promoting his former reality TV co-star.

Maine woman attacked by raccoon drowns rabid animal in puddle  —  HOPE, Maine — While jogging on a familiar, overgrown, wooded trail near her home on a recent warm afternoon, Rachel Borch thought to herself.  “What a beautiful day.”  —  Little did she know she was about to be attacked …

Senate overwhelmingly passes Russia sanctions deal with new limits on Trump  —  The Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan package of new Russia sanctions that also lets Congress block President Donald Trump from easing or ending penalties against Moscow …

‘They tried to make money off it’: Colorado GOP leader busted for fundraising off of baseball shooting  —  DON'T MISS STORIES.  FOLLOW RAW STORY!  —  Republican Colorado House Minority Leader Patrick Neville on Wednesday defended using the shooting of U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) to raise funds.

Putin jokingly offers Comey asylum during annual phone-in session  —  Russian president's yearly question-and-answer event included comments on the former FBI director and a phone call from Arizona about ‘Russophobia’ … Vladimir Putin made a sarcastic offer of asylum to former FBI director James Comey …

Energy Department Closes Office Working on Climate Change Abroad  —  WASHINGTON — The Energy Department is closing an office that works with other countries to develop clean energy technology, another sign of the Trump administration's retreat on climate-related activities after its withdrawal from the Paris agreement this month.

Message Startup Slack Said to Draw Interest From Amazon.com  —  Chatroom company's value said to be at least $9 billion  —  Microsoft boosted competition with Teams chat platform  —  Corporate chatroom startup Slack Technologies Inc. has received recent inquiries about a potential takeover …

The Emerging Senate Repeal Bill Eviscerates Protections for Millions in Employer Plans Nationwide  —  This week Axios reported that the emerging Senate bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will allow states to waive coverage of essential health benefits for small employer and individually purchased plans.

Manafort still doing international work  —  Paul Manafort is at the center of an FBI investigation into ties between President Donald Trump's team and the Russians, but that hasn't stopped him from doing business with international figures and companies, partly by claiming continued access to Trump …

Why Should We Trust Mueller?  —  What really stinks is that Robert Mueller may very well be as squared away as people say he is, and it doesn't matter.  The guy is a Purple Heart, Bronze Star Marine, and not a soldier-trashing fraud like John Kerry either.  He's served his country …

A shooting war on Republicans  —  Trump Derangement Syndrome leads to an attempted assassination  —  ANALYSIS/OPINION:  —  The only person responsible for shooting up a congressional baseball practice Wednesday in Alexandria, wounding a Republican congressman and several aides …