Pennsylvania Special Election Results: 18th Congressional District  —  CandidatePartyVotesPct.  —  Dem.  —  Rick Saccone  —  Rep.  —  Lib.  —  First results expected around 8:20 p.m. Eastern time.  —  The Pennsylvania special election on Tuesday, in a Republican-leaning House district …

First on CNN: Emails show Ben, Candy Carson selected $31,000 dining set  —  Washington (CNN)Newly released emails cast doubt on claims by Secretary Ben Carson and his spokesman that he had little or no involvement in the purchase of a $31,000 furniture set for his Department of Housing and Urban Development dining room.

Stephen Hawking, modern cosmology's brightest star, dies aged 76  —  The physicist and author of A Brief History of Time has died, a family member has said … Stephen Hawking, the brightest star in the firmament of science, whose insights shaped modern cosmology and inspired global audiences in the millions, has died aged 76.

Taking Action Against Britain First  —  People come to Facebook to express themselves freely and share openly with friends and family, sometimes this can include their political views.  Some political opinions might be controversial, but it is important that different views can be shared …

Britain Expels 23 Russian Diplomats Over Ex-Spy's Poisoning  —  LONDON — British Prime Minister Theresa May expelled 23 Russian diplomats on Wednesday, blaming Moscow for the poisoning of a former Russian spy and sharply escalating the dispute between the two countries.

Family of slain DNC staffer sues Fox News over retracted story  —  The family of Democratic National Committee staffer Seth Rich, who was killed in 2016, has filed a lawsuit against Fox News, an investigative reporter and one of the network's contributors over a story about Rich and allegations …

Scott Pruitt's $25,000 soundproof phone booth?  It actually cost more like $43,000. … Before Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt could install a secure, soundproof phone booth in his office last fall, officials had to create space for the addition in a nearby closet area.

‘Rex, Eat the Salad:’ Inside the Awkward Relationship Between Rex Tillerson and Donald Trump  —  Cabinet post was a sharp change for a former Exxon Mobil CEO who was used to calling the shots  —  WASHINGTON—In a private room in China's Great Hall of the People in November …

Gowdy breaks from GOP committee, says Russia worked to undermine Clinton  —  A top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee distanced himself Tuesday from one of the panel's most explosive findings in its Russia investigation — that the FBI, CIA and NSA overplayed their hand …

National student walkout: Thousands across the U.S. will walk out of class today to protest gun violence  —  Students across the country are planning mass walkouts Wednesday to mark one month since the high school shooting in Parkland, Fla., and to demand an end to gun violence.

Trump Eyes Replacing His Veterans Affairs Secretary With His Energy Chief  —  WASHINGTON — President Trump, fresh off replacing his secretary of state and C.I.A. director, is considering firing his secretary of veterans affairs and installing Energy Secretary Rick Perry in the post, according to two people close to the White House.

Schumer struggles to quell Warren-led rebellion  —  Midway through Elizabeth Warren's fire-breathing campaign to tank a bank deregulation bill backed by more than a dozen Senate Democrats, Chuck Schumer invited her to his office.  —  Warren had just sent a fundraising email blasting fellow Democrats …

Gun-trained teacher accidentally discharges firearm in Calif. classroom, injuring student … A teacher who is also a reserve police officer trained in firearm use accidentally discharged a gun Tuesday at Seaside High School in Monterey County, Calif., during a class devoted to public safety.

TWP chief Matthew Heimbach arrested for battery after affair with top spokesman's wife  —  Below is an update to an earlier story posted about Matthew Heimbach's arrest.  —  Matthew Heimbach, the leader of the Traditionalist Worker Party, is free on bond after being charged with battery …

Feds: Ex-aide to U.S. Rep. Bob Brady targeted in murder-for-hire plot  —  A former political strategist for U.S. Rep. Bob Brady was targeted in a murder-for-hire plot to stop him from cooperating with an ongoing corruption probe in Arkansas and Missouri, federal authorities said.