Exclusive: US government wiretapped former Trump campaign chairman  —  Washington (CNN)US investigators wiretapped former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort under secret court orders before and after the election, sources tell CNN, an extraordinary step involving a high-ranking campaign official …

GOP rep: North Korea wants Iran-type nuclear deal  —  (R-Ariz.) on Monday said North Korea's aggressive actions are motivated by the hope that the hostile state can strike a nuclear deal with President Trump similar to the one given to Iran during Obama's administration.

Donald Trump Jr. Gives Up Secret Service Protection, Seeking Privacy  —  WASHINGTON — Donald Trump Jr., the president's eldest son, has elected for forgo protection by the Secret Service, according to a senior administration official.  —  The agency ceased protecting Mr. Trump …

Murray makes big concession in bipartisan health talks  —  Sen. Patty Murray has agreed to a key demand of Sen. Lamar Alexander, chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which could potentially move bipartisan health care talks forward.

Toys ‘R’ Us, Once a Category Killer, Is Forced Into Bankruptcy  —  After falling behind online, the big-box chain seeks relief from debt added in leverage buyout  —  Toys ‘R’ Us Inc., the rainbow-colored toy emporium that for decades was the go-to spot for birthday and holiday gifts …

Trump Administration Rejects Study Showing Positive Impact of Refugees  —  WASHINGTON — Trump administration officials, under pressure from the White House to provide a rationale for reducing the number of refugees allowed into the United States next year, rejected a study by the Department …

A chilling study shows how hostile college students are toward free speech  —  Demonstrators march during a free speech rally in Berkeley, Calif. (Josh Edelson/AP)  —  Here's the problem with suggesting that upsetting speech warrants “safe spaces,” or otherwise conflating mere words with physical assault …

Trump's ‘pit bull’ to testify on Russia  —  Michael Cohen, President Trump's personal lawyer and longtime confidante, will testify before congressional investigators on Tuesday in the midst of a slew of probes into Russian interference in the 2016 election.  —  Cohen is a fiercely loyal aide known …

Fox News Contributor Says Rape Allegation Blacklisted Her  —  Fox News, which for more than a year has dealt with the fallout from an embarrassing sexual harassment scandal, was sued on Monday by the political commentator Scottie Nell Hughes, who claimed that she had been raped …

Republican governors get into the ‘news’ business  —  https://apnews.com/f97fbf53c0c84468ae04 6f861ecf3b64  —  Link copied!  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Republican governors are getting into the “news” business.  —  The Republican Governors Association has quietly launched an online publication …

Hurricane Maria is now a Category 5  —  Maria is now a Category 5 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center said.  —  Hurricane Maria became a Category 4 storm on Monday afternoon as it barreled toward Dominica in the Caribbean's Leeward Islands and took aim for the US territory of Puerto Rico.

Eric Trump's Old Foundation Apparently Held Secret Event At Trump-Owned Golf Club  —  The charity formerly known as the Eric Trump Foundation apparently held a secret event at Trump National Golf Club in Westchester County, New York on Monday, even though the Eric Trump Foundation remains under investigation …

The Senate's Military Spending Increase Alone Is Enough to Make Public College Free  —  One of the most controversial proposals put forward by Sen. Bernie Sanders during the 2016 presidential campaign was a pledge to make tuition free at public colleges and universities.

Pentagon reporters frustrated by Mattis  —  Pentagon reporters are complaining of decreased access to Defense Secretary James Mattis, as well as a reduction in journalists allowed to travel on official trips, at a time when the Trump administration is dealing with national security challenges from the Middle East to North Korea.

Gorka's new gig  —  Sebastian Gorka has found a new home.  It's called the “MAGA Coalition” — a new outside group to support political candidates that will “compete against globalist corporatists interests.”  —  Little is known about the group.  A source familiar with Gorka's arrangements tells …

5 Wheaton College football players face felony charges in hazing incident  —  Five Wheaton College football players charged are: James Cooksey, from left, Kyler Kregel, Benjamin Pettway, Noah Spielman and Samuel TeBos.  —  Five Wheaton College football players face felony charges …

Trump's pardon of Arpaio can — and should — be overturned  —  Laurence H. Tribe is university professor and professor of constitutional law at Harvard Law School.  Ron Fein is the legal director of Free Speech for People, which has filed an amicus brief in the Arpaio case.