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.

FBI warned Trump in 2016 Russians would try to infiltrate his campaign  —  WASHINGTON — In the weeks after he became the Republican nominee on July 19, 2016, Donald Trump was warned that foreign adversaries, including Russia, would probably try to spy on and infiltrate his campaign …

Trump Judicial Nominee Drops Out After Embarrassing Hearing, Per Senate Aide  —  Matthew Petersen is the president's third court pick to crash and burn over not being qualified to be a federal judge.  —  WASHINGTON President Donald Trump's judicial nominee Matthew Petersen has withdrawn …

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.

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 …

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.

News Regarding John Skipper  —  ESPN President John Skipper announced today that he is resigning from his position, citing a substance addiction problem.  Former ESPN President and Executive Chairman George Bodenheimer (who worked at ESPN from 1981-2014) will serve as Acting Chair of the company …

Jennifer Rubin Is Everything She Hates about Trump Worshippers  —  The Washington Post columnist stands out among Trump-obsessed zealots who add nothing to our discourse.  —  The era of Trump has been as hard on the mind as it has been good for the muscles in the chest.

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 secret backstory of how Obama let Hezbollah off the hook  —  PART I  —  A GLOBAL THREAT EMERGES  —  How Hezbollah turned to trafficking cocaine and laundering money through used cars to finance its expansion.  —  In its determination to secure a nuclear deal with Iran …

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.

Enforcing New Rules to Reduce Hateful Conduct and Abusive Behavior  —  Today, we will start enforcing updates to the Twitter Rules announced last month to reduce hateful and abusive content on Twitter.  Through our policy development process, we've taken a collaborative approach to develop …

What (if Anything) Does Carter Page Know?  —  He has been wiretapped by the F.B.I. and grilled by congressional investigators over his suspected Russia connections.  But the Trump campaign foreign-policy adviser can't seem to stop talking.  —  They were closing in on Carter Page.

Former Fox News contributor who settled sexual harassment lawsuit breaks confidentiality agreement  —  A former Fox News contributor who reached a $2.5 million settlement with the network after alleging sexual assault on Sunday said she broke the terms of her confidentiality agreement in order to return fire on Fox mogul Rupert Murdoch.

Death threats haunt Miss Iraq in wake of selfie controversy  —  (CNN)Nearly a month ago, Sarah Idan was in a hand-beaded Swarovski crystal gown representing Iraq in the Miss Universe pageant.  It was the first time in 45 years that Iraq had a contestant in the pageant.

Obamacare will survive  —  It won't be pretty.  But the law might really, finally be in the clear.  —  The Affordable Care Act is going to survive.  —  Republicans are on track to repeal the law's individual mandate in their tax overhaul as early as next week.

Track Palin, son of former Gov. Sarah Palin, arrested for assaulting his father  —  PALMER — Track Palin, the 28-year-old son of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, was arrested on assault and burglary charges after he repeatedly hit his father, Todd Palin, at the family home Saturday, charging documents say.

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.

In Conversation: Eminem … On a snowy day in Detroit, Eminem, bearded and dressed in a white T-shirt and gray hoodie, stands in the lounge of his cavernous studio complex, nodding at a Donkey Kong arcade cabinet.  “I'm halfway to a world record,” he says proudly, his high scores flickering on the screen.

News Feed FYI: Fighting Engagement Bait on Facebook  —  People have told us that they dislike spammy posts on Facebook that goad them into interacting with likes, shares, comments, and other actions.  For example, “LIKE this if you're an Aries!”  This tactic, known as “engagement bait,” …