Russia probe grand jury looks like ‘a Black Lives Matter rally,’ says witness  —  The federal grand jury handing down indictments for special counsel Robert Mueller doesn't appear to include any supporters of President Donald Trump, according to one witness who recently testified before the panel.

Roy Moore's Jewish lawyer voted for Doug Jones, raised money for his campaign  —  The Jewish attorney who Roy Moore's wife touted employing in an attempt to fight off claims of anti-Semitism is actually a longtime friend and supporter of Senator-elect Doug Jones, who defeated Moore last month.

Orrin Hatch, Utah Senator, to Retire, Opening Path for Mitt Romney  —  Orrin G. Hatch, the longest-serving Senate Republican, will announce that he will retire at the end of the year, clearing a path for Mitt Romney to run.  —  January 2, 2018  —  Trump Accuses Former Clinton Aide of Failing to Follow Security Protocols

Monster storm to blast East Coast before polar vortex uncorks tremendous cold late this week  —  Unforgiving cold has punished the eastern third of the United States for the past 10 days.  But the most severe winter weather conditions will assault the area late this week.

How bad is the Republican coverup on Trump and Russia?  We may soon find out.  —  THE MORNING PLUM:  —  As we head into 2018, one big, looming unknown is this: Just how far will congressional Republicans go to prevent a full accounting of Russia's interference in our election and any possible Trump campaign conspiracy with it?

Joshua Boyle, Canadian hostage in Afghanistan, arrested and faces list of charges in Ottawa  —  Boyle appears in court Wednesday to face 15 charges, including sexual assault and forcible confinement.  —  OTTAWA—Joshua Boyle, the Canadian man who was held hostage with his American wife …

Foreign governments are finding ways to do favors for Trump's business  —  WASHINGTON  —  In Indonesia, a local government plans to build a road to shorten the drive between the main airport on the island of Bali and the new high-end Trump resort and golf course.

“Oh My God, This Is So F—ed Up”: Inside Silicon Valley's Secretive, Orgiastic Dark Side  —  Some of the most powerful men in Silicon Valley are regulars at exclusive, drug-fueled, sex-laced parties—gatherings they describe not as scandalous, or even secret, but as a bold, unconventional lifestyle choice.

Michele Bachmann eyeing run for Franken's Senate seat  —  STORY HIGHLIGHTS  —  (CNN)Former GOP congresswoman and presidential candidate Michele Bachmann says she is considering running for Democratic former Sen. Al Franken's Minnesota seat.  —  Bachmann, who was a member …

US to hold reception for countries that didn't vote to approve UN Jerusalem resolution  —  The U.S. will hold a reception for countries that did not vote to approve a United Nations resolution last month condemning the Trump administration's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley

The Republicans' Fake Investigations  —  A generation ago, Republicans sought to protect President Richard Nixon by urging the Senate Watergate committee to look at supposed wrongdoing by Democrats in previous elections.  The committee chairman, Sam Ervin, a Democrat, said that would be …

MSNBC Guest Rips Bill Kristol's Support of Iran Protests: 'You've Been Advocating Killing Iranians'  —  Things got a bit tense today on MSNBC when neo-conservative commentator and Weekly Standard editor-at-large Bill Kristol was directly challenged over his hawkish Middle East policy positions as they relate to Iran.

Sheriff David Clarke temporarily blocked on Twitter after violating terms of service  —  Clarke plagiarized portions of thesis (May 2017)  —  STORY HIGHLIGHTS  —  Washington (CNN)Former Milwaukee Sheriff David A. Clarke, Jr., a vocal surrogate for President Donald Trump on the campaign trail …

GOP Rep. Bill Shuster to retire, spend final year working with Trump on massive infrastructure bill  —  Rep. Bill Shuster, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, will not seek re-election in November, telling the Washington Examiner that he wants to focus exclusively on working …

Congressional investigators find irregularities in FBI's handling of Clinton email case  —  Republicans on key congressional committees say they have uncovered new irregularities and contradictions inside the FBI's probe of Hillary Clinton  —  's email server.

Flying in 2017 was safer than it's ever been  —  Five new planes you'll be flying soon  —  By nearly all measures, flying in 2017 was safer than ever.  —  Last year, there were 10 fatal commercial passenger and cargo air crashes that killed 44 passengers and crew members.

The NSA's top talent is leaving because of low pay and flagging morale … The National Security Agency is losing its top talent at a worrisome rate as highly skilled personnel, some disillusioned with the spy service's leadership and an unpopular reorganization, take higher-paying, more flexible jobs in the private sector.

Matt Lauer Reacts to Hoda Kotb Replacing Him on Today  —  No one is happier for Hoda Kotb's career advancement than Matt Lauer.  —  Hours ago, Kotb was named Lauer's successor as co-anchor of Today.  She will join Savannah Guthrie for two hours a day, starting at 7 a.m. …

Dozens arrested at a house party over less than an ounce of marijuana, police say  —  Ten of the nearly 100 people arrested during a 21st birthday party over the weekend spoke exclusively to Channel 2 Action News for the first time since the incident.  —  Cartersville police said officers responded …

The Trump Investment Boom: Is It Really His Fault Oil Prices Jumped by 40 Percent  —  The NYT had an article touting the fact that businesses are investing more under Donald Trump than before he was elected.  It notes that non-residential investment has risen at an annual rate of 6.2 percent in the first three quarters of 2017.

Donald Trump's Year of Living Dangerously  —  When President Donald Trump sat down for dinner on September 18 in New York with leaders of four Latin American countries on the sidelines of the annual United Nations General Assembly, anxieties were already running high.

Fear & loathing at the DoJ  —  In the memoir Cardiac Arrest: Five Heart-Stopping Years as a CEO on the Feds' Hit List (written with Stephen Saltarelli), Howard Root tells the story of his experience as chief executive officer of Vascular Solutions caught in the crosshairs of the federal government …