Trump predicts exoneration in Russia investigation as allies fear a ‘meltdown’  —  STORY HIGHLIGHTS  —  Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump is privately striking a less agitated tone on the Russia investigation, sources say, even insisting he'll soon be cleared in writing.

Franken urged to reverse his resignation  —  At least four senators are urging Al Franken to reconsider resigning, including two who issued statements calling for the resignation two weeks ago and said they now feel remorse over what they feel was a rush to judgment.

Sources: Jerry Richardson, Panthers Have Made Multiple Confidential Payouts for Workplace Misconduct, Including Sexual Harassment and Use of a Racial Slur  — SI has learned that at least four former Panthers employees have received ‘significant’ monetary settlements due to inappropriate workplace comments …

Sen. John McCain returns to Arizona, will miss vote on GOP tax bill  —  Republican Sen. John McCain is returning to Arizona after spending several days in a Maryland hospital recovering from side effects from chemotherapy treatment for brain cancer, CBS News has learned.

Trump to unveil ‘America First’ national security strategy  —  Prioritizing national sovereignty over alliances, President Donald Trump is poised to outline a new national security strategy that envisions nations in a perpetual state of competition, reverses Obama-era warnings on climate change …

A Tax Plan to Turbocharge Inequality, in 3 Charts  —  The Republican tax bill is an audacious attempt to accelerate the economic trends of the last half-century.  —  If you're a fan of these trends — rapidly rising inequality and stagnant middle-class incomes — you should love the bill.

Rebelling Republican Suburbs Offer Democrats Path to House Control  —  HOUSTON — As she sat with a glass of sauvignon blanc waiting for a women-focused Democratic fund-raiser to begin, Nancy Sharp let loose in a Texas-seasoned drawl why she and so many other onetime supporters of the Bush family were abandoning the Republicans.

Puerto Rico Orders Review and Recount of Hurricane Deaths  —  Facing mounting evidence that Puerto Rico has vastly undercounted the number of people who died because of Hurricane Maria, Gov. Ricardo A. Rosselló ordered on Monday that every death on the island since the calamitous storm be reviewed.

Fox News Host Suggests “We Have a Coup on Our Hands in America”  —  Fox News host Jesse Watters suggested that the FBI investigation into whether Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election has maybe transformed into a “coup” against President Donald trump.

Trump year one: better scorecard than predicted … President Donald Trump is within reach of his first big legislative victory as the US Congress prepares to pass a tax bill that would allow him to end his first year with a better scorecard than many had predicted.

Linda Sarsour Accused Of Enabling Sexual Assault Against Woman Who Worked For Her  —  The inspiration behind the Women's March on DC, Linda Sarsour, has been accused of enabling the alleged sexual assault and harassment of a woman who worked for the feminist activist, according to the victim …

What happened in Wisconsin: Sen. Tiffany comments  —  Shortly after posting “What happened in Wisconsin, cont'd” yesterday morning, we received the message below from Wisconsin state Senator Tom Tiffany.  Senator Tiffany's message updates and comments on the story so far.

How Syria's White Helmets became victims of an online propaganda machine  —  The Russia-backed campaign to link the volunteer rescuers with al-Qaida exposes how conspiracy theories take root: 'It's like a factory' … he Syrian volunteer rescue workers known as the White Helmets have become …

Sarah Palin's oldest son, Track, arrested on domestic violence charges  —  Track Palin is shown at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., in September 2008.  (Emmanuel Dunand / AFP/Getty Images)  —  Track Palin, the oldest son of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin …

Federal appeals judge announces immediate retirement amid investigation prompted by accusations of sexual misconduct  —  Alex Kozinski, the powerful judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit who was facing a judicial investigation over allegations that he subjected 15 women …

THE OTHER TECH BUBBLE  —  In September, I met with a prominent entrepreneur looking for positive press on his new project.  Meetings like these are a common, usually formulaic, part of my job—except in this one, the conversation drifted to the tech industry's year of bad headlines.

The Farage staffer, the Russian embassy and a smear campaign against a Kremlin critic  —  Worker for Farage's group in EU parliament was ‘frequent visitor to embassy’ and accused of role in propaganda stunt … A senior member of Nigel Farage's parliamentary group staff in Brussels was known …

Trump's Refusal to Embrace the Norms of Presidential Behavior Will Hurt His Party  —  There is a difference between pursuing the office of the president and occupying it.  —  As an opponent of Donald Trump during the Republican primary, and as somebody who voted for a third-party candidate …