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 …

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.

US considers shooting down NK missiles that don't pose a direct threat  —  Trump vows to keep pressure on North Korea  —  STORY HIGHLIGHTS  — Members of the administration have repeatedly emphasized that a range of military options are on the table  —  (CNN)As tensions continue …

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 …

Views among college students regarding the First Amendment: Results from a new survey  —  College students' views of the First Amendment are of profound importance for multiple reasons.  First, colleges and universities are places where intellectual debate should flourish.

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 …

Facebook's Russia probe firepower  —  If you want to get a sense of how seriously Facebook takes the probe into the site's possible role in Russian election interference, note this: Mark Zuckerberg's brain trust in Menlo Park is paying attention.  —  It's not uncommon for Silicon Valley giants …

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

Senate Republicans Consider a Trillion-Dollar-Plus Tax Cut for Budget  —  Discussions remain fluid; Republicans would likely need to make some of the tax cuts expire after 10 years  —  WASHINGTON—Senate Republicans are considering writing a budget that would allow for up to $1.5 trillion …

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.

Clinton: ‘I was not as adept or as quick’ at ways to reach voters  —  on Monday night expressed regret she had not found better ways to communicate with voters during the 2016 campaign, as she kicked off her book tour before a packed house at the Warner Theater in Washington, D.C.

The Kelly effect: See no evil, hear no evil, do no evil  —  Who is around President Trump matters much more than with most presidents, because of his impulsiveness, lack of ideology and willingness to make snap decisions.  So if you wonder why President Trump has been willing to seriously entertain …

Initial reports are of widespread devastation.  So far we have lost all what money can buy and replace.  My greatest fear for the morning is that we will wake to news of serious physical injury and possible deaths as a result of likely landslides triggered by persistent rains.

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.