Trump sought release of classified Russia memo, putting him at odds with Justice Department … On Wednesday, as Republicans were clamoring to make public a secret document that they think will undercut the investigation into Russian meddling, President Trump made clear his desire: release the memo.

The Plot Against America  —  I. The Wisdom of Friends  —  The clinic permitted Paul Manafort one 10-minute call each day.  And each day, he would use it to ring his wife from Arizona, his voice often soaked in tears.  “Apparently he sobs daily,” his daughter Andrea, then 29, texted a friend.

Jay-Z slams Trump's ‘shithole’ comment as ‘hurtful’  —  Jay-Z says Trump's words expose the racism lurking “behind closed doors”  —  (CNN)Hip-hop legend Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter described President Donald Trump's “shithole countries” comment as disappointing and hurtful.

Why Trump Can't Quit Steve Wynn  —  Steve Wynn is under siege.  The casino magnate is facing a range of allegations—from sexual harassment to forced sex— from former female employees, according to The Wall Street Journal.  Then on Saturday, Republican National Committee Chair Ronna Romney …

The Necessity of Stephen Miller  —  After 12 years of failed attempts at immigration reform, the current round of negotiations are turning on a strangely personalized question: When a deal is being made, should Stephen Miller be at the table?  —  Miller is the White House's point man for immigration policy …

THE STORY  —  Our friend Kellie Lorenzen is experiencing a mothers worst nightmare.  On Friday, January 26, she lost her son and ex husband in a house fire.  Her oldest son, Zacheri, saved his youngest sister - a true hero.  —  Although money will not heal Kellie and her family …

N.J. wants federal review of immigration arrests at schools … NJ Gov. Phil Murphy met with Harry Pangemanan and others in sanctuary at the Reformed Church of Highland Park.  The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale explains their situation and their fear of being deported to Indonesia, where they face religious persecution.

Testimony in Corruption Case Hinges on the Meaning of ‘Meatballs’  —  When is a meatball not a meatball?  —  That was the question in a federal courtroom in Pennsylvania on Thursday, where the mayor of Allentown, Pa., is on trial for charges wholly unrelated to that beefy fixture of nonnas' kitchens across the country.

Maine falls behind other states in efforts to prevent overdose deaths  —  As states from New Hampshire to California expand access to the overdose antidote naloxone, the LePage administration delays action that could save Maine lives.  —  AUGUSTA — In New Hampshire, an online map locates scores …

The Latest: Russian opposition leader Navalny arrested  —  MOSCOW (AP) — The Latest on Russian protests Sunday (all times local):  —  Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been arrested in Moscow as protest demonstrations called by him took place across the country.

It could soon be a crime to blame Poland for Nazi atrocities, and Israel is appalled … JERUASALEM — A diplomatic crisis between Israel and Poland appeared to be deepening on Sunday as Poland's deputy chief of mission, Piotr Kozowski, was summoned to Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs …

Hillary Clinton Let Him Stay.  Women Say His Harassment Continued.  —  Hillary Clinton at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.  —  Justin Sullivan / Getty Images  —  In 2007, while working for the candidate who hoped to be the first female president, a young woman filed a complaint …

Trump Hits Alps, but Melania Is Frosty in Florida  —  WASHINGTON — Melania has learned a few things from the master.  —  The first lady will never be as brilliant at trolling as her husband.  He is an idiot-savant who plays in the roiling ocean of Twitter as naturally as a blubbery-necked sea lion.

Why Trust the FBI?  —  There is a reason for the crisis of faith in our institutions  —  The “failing” New York Times Company is earning about $30 million a quarter, and in the third quarter of 2017 alone it added more paid subscribers than either the Seattle Times/Post-Intelligencer or the Los Angeles Daily News has in total.

The Follower Factory  —  Everyone wants to be popular online.  —  Some even pay for it.  —  Inside social media's black market.  —  Celebrities, athletes, pundits and politicians are buying millions of fake followers.  —  While the world's social media platforms look the other way.

Deadline looms for Trump and Russia sanctions  —  President Donald Trump's willingness to crack down on Russia will be seriously tested come Monday.  —  Trump faces a major deadline to use the Russia sanctions power that Congress overwhelmingly voted to give him — and it's anybody's guess …

Amid turmoil, Trump seeking a reset with State of the Union  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Beset by poor poll numbers and the grind of the Russia investigation, President Donald Trump will look to reset his term with his first State of the Union address, arguing that his tax cut and economic policies will benefit all Americans.