Top Russian Official Tried to Broker ‘Backdoor’ Meeting Between Trump and Putin  —  WASHINGTON — A senior Russian official who claimed to be acting at the behest of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia tried in May 2016 to arrange a meeting between Mr. Putin and Donald J. Trump, according to several people familiar with the matter.

Sitting Supreme Court Justice Bill O'Neill, responding to Franken allegations, claims bedding 50 women  —  CLEVELAND, Ohio - Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O'Neill, a Democratic candidate for governor, apparently trying to head off any criticisms from his opponents, revealed his sexual escapades over the years on a Facebook post.

Graphic: Navy admits to being involved in obscene skydrawings spotted in Okanogan Co. … WARNING: Some viewers may find the photos in this story offensive  —  OKANOGAN COUNTY, Wash. - Officials with the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island said one of their aircraft was involved in the obscene skywritings spotted in Okanogan County.

How a conservative group dealt with a fondling charge against a rising GOP star  —  On a fall evening two years ago, donors gathered during a conference at a Ritz-Carlton hotel near Washington to raise funds for a 31-year-old candidate for the Ohio legislature who was a rising star in evangelical politics.

Greg Gianforte misled police after assault of Guardian journalist, report reveals … US congressman Greg Gianforte misled police after his assault of Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs in May, falsely stating that Jacobs had initiated physical contact and that the “liberal media …

This remarkable, angry exchange between senators unmasks the GOP's tax-cut lies  —  THE MORNING PLUM:  —  Late last night, just before the Finance Committee passed the Senate's version of the tax bill slashing taxes on corporations and the rich, a remarkable moment unfolded that perfectly captured …

Aides give up on trying to control Trump's tweets  —  When candidate Donald Trump waged a Twitter war against Khizr Khan, the Gold Star father who rebuked him from the stage of the Democratic National Convention, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie were sent in for a …

‘A lot of boob stuff:’ Fla. Democratic Party chair apologizes after six women complain of ‘demeaning’ behavior  —  TALLAHASSEE — Six former Florida Democratic Party staffers and consultants say that current party chairman Stephen Bittel has created an unprofessional workplace environment …

There's a Digital Media Crash.  But No One Will Say It  —  Yesterday I appeared on a panel about digital publishers who are ‘pivoting to video’.  I've written about this before.  But in case you're new to it, there have been numerous cases over the last six months to a year in which digital publishers …

Conservatives Reap the Whirlwind of Their War on the Media  —  All news is “fake news”—at least if you're a diehard Roy Moore supporter.  —  With sexual misconduct allegations continuing to mount against the Republican Senate candidate in Alabama, Moore has defied calls to drop out of the race …

Vanity Fair Fashion Staff Nonplussed by New Editor's Personal Style  —  Radhika Jones joins the magazine next month with extensive literary and editorial experience.  —  WELCOME TO CONDÉ NAST: Radhika Jones is learning the ways of One World Trade.  Having been named the new editor …

The NFL Is Investigating Jameis Winston For Allegedly Groping An Uber Driver In 2016  —  “The League has been informed that you may have been the victim of such a violation perpetrated by Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Jameis Winston.  The League takes allegations of this nature very seriously …

I'm a feminist.  I study rape culture.  And I don't want Al Franken to resign.  —  As a feminist and the author of a book on rape culture, I could reasonably be expected to lead the calls for Al Franken to step down, following allegations that he forced his tongue down a woman's throat …

Subway rider: I asked manspreader to stop, so he punched me in the face  —  A woman says she was slugged in the face by a racist lunatic on the subway — all because she asked him to stop “manspreading.”  —  The aftermath of Thursday's violent exchange was caught on video as a good Samaritan tries …

Women On Clinton And Sanders Campaigns Allege Sexual Harassment  —  Lilian Adams and Zoey Jordan Salsbury worked on opposite sides of the Democratic presidential primary.  But they had similar problems.  —  Lilian Adams and Zoey Jordan Salsbury were teenagers when they started working …

US puts Palestinians on notice: DC office may be shuttered  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration put the Palestinians on notice Friday that it will shutter their office in Washington unless they've entered serious peace talks with Israel, U.S. officials said, potentially giving President Donald Trump …

A Texas Sheriff Went After This Driver On Facebook For Her “F**k Trump” Sticker And Now She's In Jail  —  A Texas sheriff said in a now-deleted Facebook post that he could bring disorderly conduct charges against a truck driver for her massive “F**k Trump” sticker.

Two hurt in accidental shooting at East Tenn. church during discussion on church shootings  —  A man accidentally shot himself and his wife at an East Tennessee church on Thursday while he was showing off his gun during a discussion on recent church shootings, police said.

Trump administration has plans to wipe out work permits for H-1B spouses  —  The Trump administration has plans to stop granting work permits to spouses of H-1B holders, a move that would overturn a 2015 rule and affect thousands of foreigners currently in the United States …

Rev. Jesse Jackson Reveals Parkinson's Diagnosis  —  The founder of Chicago's Rainbow PUSH coalition has remained a prominent religious and political figure  —  NOTE: Read Jackson's full letter to supporters here.  —  Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he announced Friday.

Murkowski Tax Vote Contingent on Stabilizing Individual Health Insurance Market  —  Says Alexander-Murray Necessary Before Mandate Repeal  —  Senate Ethics Committee Could Get Real Busy, Real Soon JCT: Low-Income Households Worse Off Under New Senate Tax Plan Van Hollen Urges Freedom Caucus to Protect Medicare