AP sources: EPA chief spent millions on security and travel  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt's concern with his safety came at a steep cost to taxpayers as his swollen security detail blew through overtime budgets and at times diverted officers away from investigating environmental crimes.

Trump's freak-out moment  —  We can't overstate the severity of President Trump's buyer's remorse from signing last month's spending bill.  It could even be a turning point in his presidency, on the issue of immigration and his level of cooperation with Republican leaders:

ICE Raids Tennessee Slaughterhouse For Hiring Illegal Immigrants In Tax Evasion Scheme  —  Federal agents raided an eastern Tennessee meatpacking facility on Thursday following a months-long investigation into allegations the owners were employing illegal immigrants to avoid paying millions …

Palestinian journalist in vest marked ‘PRESS’ shot dead by Israeli troops in Gaza … GAZA CITY — Yaser Murtaja had often filmed from the sky, but he never lived to fulfill his dream of flying on an airplane though the clouds.  —  The young journalist shot drone images and video for Ain Media …

Manafort moves to suppress evidence found in storage unit  —  Lawyers for former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort are arguing that what could be key evidence against him should be kept out of court because the FBI violated his Constitutional rights by illegally entering a storage locker belonging to Manafort's firm.

Several dead in Germany as van ploughs into crowd in Muenster  —  Several people have been killed in the city of Muenster, in western Germany, after a van drove into pedestrians.  —  The driver of the vehicle has killed himself, police said, without providing further details.

Stormy Daniels' lawyer hints at ‘major announcement’ on person who threatened her  —  Stormy Daniels' lawyer Michael Avenatti said on Saturday morning that he has a “major announcement” about a person who allegedly threatened Daniels to keep quiet about her alleged affair with President Trump

California may elect a Republican governor — Incredible as that sounds  —  John Cox is doing something remarkable for a Republican.  A recent survey indicates he is now within striking distance of being elected governor of the infamously liberal state in November.

South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman draws gun, says 'I'm not going to be a Gabby Giffords'  —  To make a point that guns are dangerous only in the hands of criminals, a South Carolina congressman on Friday pulled out a loaded handgun during a meeting with constituents.

Backpage founder charged by feds after human-trafficking investigation  —  A founder of the New Times tabloid has been charged in Phoenix in the apparent culmination of a federal human-trafficking investigation.  —  Authorities had spent months probing whether Backpage …

In 83 Million Eviction Records, a Sweeping and Intimate New Look at Housing in America  —  RICHMOND, Va. — Before the first hearings on the morning docket, the line starts to clog the lobby of the John Marshall Courthouse.  No cellphones are allowed inside, but many of the people who've …

JARED KUSHNER COMPANY SECURES $600 MILLION LOAN AMID WHITE HOUSE PROBE INTO BUSINESS DEALS, REPORT CLAIMS  —  Jared Kushner's family-owned real estate business has reportedly secured a hefty loan to construct a luxury residential tower in Brooklyn, New York, despite a recent debate …

Secret, direct talks underway between US and North Korea  —  Washington (CNN)The United States and North Korea have been holding secret, direct talks to prepare for a summit between President Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, a sign that planning for the highly anticipated meeting …

A Bernie-Branded Millionaire Is Leading the Democratic Race for Governor.  He Almost Ran as a Republican, Consultants Say.  —  A Michigan gubernatorial candidate who has branded himself as the Bernie Sanders of the 2018 race privately mused about running as an independent or Republican …

Richest 1% on target to own two-thirds of all wealth by 2030  —  World leaders urged to act as anger over inequality reaches a ‘tipping point’ … The world's richest 1% are on course to control as much as two-thirds of the world's wealth by 2030, according to a shocking analysis that has lead to a cross-party call for action.

Trumpist GOP doesn't mind Wall Street's tariff heartburn  — Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell, powerful advocates for the GOP's pro-business wing, have both warned against potential economic damage from Trump's course.  — But other Republicans, facing heavy losses in November's mid-term elections …

New Luxury Hotel Will Be 200 Miles Up and $792,000 a Night  —  It's not that far-fetched, but one skeptic says a startup's audacious plan may be a trial balloon to see how many wannabe astronauts sign up.  —  Aboard the International Space Station, an astronaut's life is typically work, exercise, rest, repeat.

Snyder ending bottled water for Flint  —  Lansing — Michigan will stop providing Flint residents with free bottled water when current supplies run out, Gov. Rick Snyder's administration said Friday, citing nearly two years of test results showing falling lead levels in city tap water.