FBI Is Investigating Florida Company Where Whitaker Was Advisory-Board Member  —  Active case is being handled by FBI Miami office; acting attorney general oversees FBI  —  The Federal Bureau of Investigation is conducting a criminal investigation of a Florida company accused of scamming millions …

Donald Trump Played Central Role in Hush Payoffs to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal  —  Federal prosecutors have gathered evidence of the president's participation in deals to buy the silence of a former adult-film actress and an ex-Playboy model.  The deals have led Trump's former lawyer …

Sinema expands lead in Arizona Senate race  —  Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema expanded her lead to 20,203 votes over GOP Rep. Martha McSally Friday evening as Arizona election authorities continued to count ballots in the state's uncalled Senate race.  —  Sinema's lead amounts …

Palm Beach elections supervisor bans cameras from public ballot-counting  —  An NBC attorney objected to the elections supervisor's camera ban, calling the Palm Beach County Canvassing Board meeting “illegal.”  —  RIVIERA BEACH — Breaking from normal practice, the Palm Beach County elections …

Photos Show Scores of Uncounted Ballots in Opa-locka Mail Center … Miami-Dade County announced today that it has finished counting votes for the 2018 election.  —  But photos obtained by New Times show scores of mail-in ballots sitting inside an Opa-locka mail distribution center …

After years of LePage, Maine went very blue Tuesday  —  What a difference one election can make.  —  Over the last four years, Republicans ruled Maine through control of its state Senate and governor, Paul LePage, who has described his style as “Trump before there was Trump.”

Trump administration to end refueling for Saudi coalition aircraft in Yemen  —  The Trump administration is ending the practice of refueling Saudi coalition aircraft, halting the most tangible and controversial aspect of U.S. support for the kingdom's three-year war in Yemen, people familiar with the situation said.

How the race between Ted Cruz and Beto O'Rourke became the closest in Texas in 40 years  —  Two years ago, Beto O'Rourke was a little-known congressman from El Paso and Ted Cruz's re-election was considered a foregone conclusion.  Then everything changed. … “Who?”

Tensions rising between Mueller, Manafort over level of cooperation: Sources  —  Talks between Special Counsel Robert Mueller and former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort have grown increasingly tense over Manafort's apparent lack of cooperation with the investigation, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

I was at the protest outside Tucker Carlson's house.  Here's what actually happened.  —  About a dozen protesters visited Tucker Carlson's home Wednesday evening with signs, a megaphone, and a tambourine.  —  The incident, video of which was taken offline shortly after being posted …

How Democrats — And Republicans — Made 2018 A Blue Wave (When It Almost Wasn't)  —  Yes.  It was a wave.  —  WASHINGTON As more votes are counted and more seats flip from red to blue, it's becoming undeniable that Democrats not only benefited from a wave election, they converted a modest advantage into impressive House gains.

Democrats Plan to Pursue Most Aggressive Gun-Control Legislation in Decades  —  Focus spurred by an incoming class of lawmakers with ‘F’ NRA ratings who campaigned on the issue  —  WASHINGTON—Democrats say they will pass the most aggressive gun-control legislation in decades when they become …

California wildfires turn deadly as tens of thousands evacuate  —  A wildfire has destroyed most of a Northern California town of 27,000 people.  Five people were found dead in vehicles overcome by the so-called “Camp Fire” in Paradise, authorities said.  The victims have not been identified.

Philippines Says It Will Charge Veteran Journalist Critical of Duterte  —  SHANGHAI — The Philippine government said on Friday that it would charge a veteran journalist and her online news start-up with tax evasion, a move the publication described as an attack against media in the country …

Zinke is the Cabinet official most vulnerable to Democratic probe, White House fears  —  White House officials have identified Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke as the Cabinet member most vulnerable to a congressional probe under a Democratic majority in January, putting the colorful secretary closer …