Mueller preparing end game for Russia investigation  —  WASHINGTON — Special counsel Robert Mueller's prosecutors have told defense lawyers in recent weeks that they are “tying up loose ends” in their investigation, providing the clearest clues yet that the long-running probe into Russia's interference …

Channel 9 uncovers similarities between absentee ballots in U.S. House District 9 race  —  BLADEN COUNTY, N.C. - Channel 9 was back in Bladen County, North Carolina Monday, tracking down people involved in the controversy surrounding mail-in-absentee ballots in the U.S. House District 9 election.

Don't Spend Your Emotional Energy on Sully H.W. Bush  —  In January 2009, a pilot named Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger steered his struggling aircraft to a safe landing in the Hudson River and became a national hero.  Almost 10 years later, a dog named for the pilot has become a beloved “hero” …

Wisconsin Republicans forge ahead with power-stripping bills  —  MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Republicans moved quickly Monday with a rare lame-duck session that would change the 2020 presidential primary date to benefit a conservative Supreme Court justice and weaken the newly elected Democratic governor and attorney general.

Trump's Advisers Struggle to Explain Deal He Says He Cut With Xi  — President hails ‘extraordinary’ dinner with Chinese leader  — Kudlow says China made ‘commitments’ to ‘presumably implement’  —  President Donald Trump left his top advisers scrambling on Monday to explain …

Manafort Tried to Broker Deal With Ecuador to Hand Assange Over to U.S.  —  WASHINGTON — In mid-May 2017, Paul Manafort, facing intensifying pressure to settle debts and pay mounting legal bills, flew to Ecuador to offer his services to a potentially lucrative new client — the country's incoming president, Lenín Moreno.

France Suspends Fuel Tax Increase That Spurred Violent Protests  —  PARIS — In a major concession by President Emmanuel Macron, France will suspend for six months a tax increase on gasoline and diesel fuel that had been slated for January, in an attempt to quell weeks of protests and rioting by the so-called Yellow Vests movement.

Subpoenas to begin for Trump records in emoluments case  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The attorneys general of the District of Columbia and Maryland say they're moving forward with subpoenas for records in their case accusing President Donald Trump of profiting off the presidency.

EU top judge: UK can unilaterally withdraw Article 50  —  The U.K. has the power to unilaterally revoke the notification of its intention to leave the EU before it quits on March 29, 2019, the European Court of Justice's advocate general said Tuesday.  —  Article 50 of the EU treaty allows countries …

Beto O'Rourke seen as a top contender in 2020: poll  —  Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas) is considered one of the top Democratic contenders for the White House in 2020 even among more well-known potential hopefuls, according to a Harvard CAPS/Harris poll released exclusively to The Hill.

After losing women in midterms — Republicans will let Violence Against Women Act expire as their final act of Congress  —  One of the final acts of the Republicans in the House and Senate will be to allow the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to expire in two weeks before their recess.

South Florida QAnon Cop Gets Demoted From SWAT Team … This past Friday, Broward Sheriff's Office SWAT member Matt Patten wore a QAnon conspiracy-theory patch while greeting Vice President Mike Pence at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.  Today Patten was reprimanded and demoted …

In Capitol, Bush remembered as ‘great man’ and ‘gentle soul’  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation's capital embraced George H.W. Bush in death with solemn ceremony and high tributes to his service and decency, as the remains of the 41st president took their place in the Capitol rotunda for three days …

CIA Director Gina Haspel to Brief Lawmakers Tuesday on Saudi Journalist's Death  —  CIA Director Gina Haspel will brief lawmakers on Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death on Tuesday.  Several on Capitol Hill had criticized the Trump administration after she was absent from a briefing on the killing last week.

Ex-Marine admits he lured Seth Rich conspiracy theorist Jack Burkman to a hotel parking garage, then shot him  —  A man who worked as an investigator for conspiracy theorist Jack Burkman will serve nine years in prison for shooting and wounding his ex-boss in a complicated plot involving a fake FBI exposé.