Transcripts detail how FBI debated whether Trump was ‘following directions’ of Russia  —  (CNN)In the chaotic aftermath at the FBI following Director James Comey's firing, a half-dozen senior FBI officials huddled to set in motion the momentous move to open an investigation into President Donald Trump …

Kremlin Blessed Russia's NRA Operation, U.S. Intel Report Says  —  When Maria Butina and Alexander Torshin's brought NRA bigwigs to Moscow, it wasn't a rogue mission.  It was okayed from the very top, according to a report reviewed by The Beast.  —  Betsy Woodruff

Scoop: Trump dressed down Mulvaney in front of congressional leaders  —  President Trump chastised his new chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, over his handling of shutdown talks, creating an awkward scene in front of congressional leaders of both parties, according to two sources who were present.

‘They screwed this whole thing up’: Inside the attempt to derail Trump's erratic Syria withdrawal  —  President Trump dispatched national security adviser John Bolton on a cleanup mission a week ago, with a three-day itinerary in Israel that was intended to reassure a close ally …

Tulsi Gabbard once touted working for anti-gay group that backed conversion therapy  —  (CNN)Rep. Tulsi Gabbard in the early 2000s touted working for her father's anti-gay organization, which mobilized to pass a measure against same-sex marriage in Hawaii and promoted controversial conversion therapy.

The Truth About the Gig Economy  —  The workforce is getting Uberized.  The gig economy is taking over the world.  Independent contractor jobs are the new normal.  In the post-recession years, this became conventional wisdom, as more and more Americans took jobs—well, “jobs” …

Five Dealbreakers for Confirming Trump's Next Attorney General  —  Bill Barr is no stranger to the Senate confirmation process.  President Donald Trump's nominee to be the next attorney general already went through it twice before, first to serve as deputy attorney general in 1990 and then to become attorney general from 1991 to 1993.

Bernie Sanders staffs up for 2020  —  Bernie Sanders is adding firepower to his political team ahead of a potential 2020 campaign, locking down digital alumni who were key to his surprise performance in 2016 and recruiting the media production company that helped launch Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to prominence.

Hedge-Fund-Backed Media Group Prepares Bid for Gannett  —  Digital First Media has taken 7.5% stake in USA Today publisher, seeks other bids  —  A hedge-fund-backed media group known for buying up struggling local papers and cutting costs is planning to make an offer for USA Today publisher …

Shutdown Pinches Economic Growth  —  The effects aren't yet widespread, but a lasting impasse would begin curtailing the rate of expansion  —  A Vermont mead brewery has delayed a major expansion because the owners can't get a business loan.  A craft-burger joint in Utah has sent employees home because sales are down.

'A 10 isn't enough': This UCLA gymnast's flawless floor routine just broke the Internet  —  As the first strains of Tina Turner's “Proud Mary” filled the Anaheim Arena on Saturday, Katelyn Ohashi came alive.  —  As she executed a quick body roll with a giant smile plastered across her face …

Atlanta passenger gets gun through TSA, alerts officials in Japan he still has it  —  ATLANTA - Channel 2 Action News has learned that a man carried a gun through the TSA checkpoint at Atlanta's airport and carried it all the way through to his destination: Tokyo.

Stung by Florida Midterm Losses, Democrats See a Swing State Drifting Away  —  PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. — After a painful midterm election for Florida Democrats that showed this crucial swing state drifting away from them, a group of party activists gathered at a Cuban restaurant last month …

What Happens When Elizabeth Warren Sells Out to Powerful Interests?  —  Last September, I wrote about Elizabeth Warren's smart platform, which has harnessed the most politically attractive elements of the populist agenda while avoiding the most politically vulnerable parts.

Liam Fox: No-deal Brexit would be ‘default policy’ if MPs reject deal  —  International Trade Secretary Liam Fox says exiting the EU without a deal is the U.K. government's “default policy” if there is no agreement in parliament on the prime minister's Withdrawal Agreement.

Judge blocks Trump birth control coverage rules in 13 states  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A U.S. judge in California on Sunday blocked Trump administration rules, which would allow more employers to opt out of providing women with no-cost birth control, from taking effect in 13 states and Washington, D.C.

Gone: More cases emerge of Saudi students vanishing while facing Oregon charges  —  In December 2014, a university student from Saudi Arabia was arrested in Monmouth and accused of raping a classmate after giving her marijuana and shots of Jack Daniel's.  —  Bail was set at a half-million dollars.

We the Press  —  Frank Bruni, formerly the New York Times's White House reporter and now a columnist for the paper, has a long, long op-ed that is unintentionally revealing.  It is headlined, “Will the Media Be Trump's Accomplice Again in 2020?”  As though the press were pro-Trump in 2016!

Anthony Scaramucci among 12 new Celebrity Big Brother houseguests  —  Former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci will be among 12 new contestants competing on season 2 of Big Brother: Celebrity Edition when the reality show hosted by Julie Chen Moonves premieres Monday, Jan. 21 on CBS.