Why Texas Is Nearing Battleground Status (It's Not Just About Beto)  —  Hispanics represent the (elusive) upside for Democrats, but it's a shift in white voters that is making the biggest difference.  —  The dream of a “Blue Texas” has captured the imagination of Democrats for nearly a decade …

Senate votes to reject Trump's emergency declaration, setting up president's first veto  —  Breaking news: A group of Senate Republicans joined Democrats on Thursday to approve a disapproval resolution aimed at overturning President Trump's declaration of an emergency on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Top Mueller Prosecutor Stepping Down In Latest Clue Russia Inquiry May Be Ending  —  One of the most prominent members of special counsel Robert Mueller's team investigating Russia's attack on the 2016 presidential election will soon leave the office and the Justice Department, two sources close to the matter tell NPR.

Trump issues warning to opponents: ‘It would be very bad’ if his military, police and biker supporters got ‘tough’  —  WASHINGTON—U.S. President Donald Trump has issued what seems to be a warning of armed pushback against his political opponents, telling a right-wing website on Monday that …

Southern Poverty Law Center fires co-founder Morris Dees … The Southern Poverty Law Center has fired Morris Dees, the civil rights organization's co-founder and former chief litigator.  —  In a statement attributed to SPLC president Richard Cohen, the Montgomery-based organization confirmed Dees' dismissal …

New York appellate court allows Summer Zervos defamation suit against Trump to proceed  —  A New York appellate court ruled Thursday that President Trump must face a defamation lawsuit filed by former “Apprentice” contestant Summer Zervos, one of about a dozen women who accused Trump …

Son defends parents caught in college admissions scandal while smoking blunt  —  SEE ALSO  —  Maybe this is why Gregory and Marcia Abbott allegedly bought their daughter's way into college.  —  Their “rapper” son, Malcolm, popped out of the family's Fifth Avenue building to smoke a giant blunt …

Mnuchin says he'll protect Trump privacy if taxes requested  —  A rarely used nearly 100-year-old law allows a few congressional officials to seek individual tax returns from the Treasury Secretary.  —  WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin suggested Thursday he will protect …

In overwhelmingly bipartisan vote, House calls for Mueller report to be made public  —  The House voted overwhelmingly and in bipartisan fashion to urge the Justice Department to publicly release the entirety of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III's report into Russian interference in the 2016 election, once completed.

Peter Strzok Deleted ‘Personal’ Communications With Lisa Page  — Peter Strzok told Congress in 2018 that he deleted communications with Lisa Page, but he claimed he did so for “personal” reasons.  — An attorney for Strzok says that the former FBI official deleted the records …

Sandy Hook Massacre: Remington and Other Gun Companies Lose Major Ruling Over Liability  —  [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.]  —  The Connecticut Supreme Court dealt a major blow to the firearms industry on Thursday, clearing the way for a lawsuit …

Rosario Dawson Confirms She's Dating Cory Booker, Says They're in Love  —  Rosario Dawson's all in on Cory Booker for President in 2020, but she might be a little biased ... because she just confirmed with us ... they're in a serious, loving relationship!!!  —  The actress was at the Reagan …

Frank Cali, Reputed Gambino Mob Boss, Is Shot and Killed on Staten Island  —  Francesco Cali, the reputed boss of the Gambino crime family, was fatally shot outside his home on Staten Island on Wednesday night, a senior police official said.  —  Mr. Cali, 53, was shot six times, the official said.

Roger Stone trial set for Nov. 5 start  —  Roger Stone will go on trial starting Nov. 5 in Washington, the federal judge presiding over the high-profile case said Thursday.  —  U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson set out a calendar for a two-week trial that will pit …

Abrams, Biden meet as both weigh 2020 decisions  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Former Vice President Joe Biden and Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams are meeting privately Thursday in Washington as both weigh their political futures.  —  Biden is expected to make his decision soon on whether to run for president for a third time.

Political Independents: Who They Are, What They Think  —  Most ‘lean’ toward a party; ‘true’ independents tend to avoid politics  —  Independents often are portrayed as political free agents with the potential to alleviate the nation's rigid partisan divisions.

NY's political prosecution of Manafort should scare us all  —  View Latest Opinions >>  —  The Manhattan District Attorney's Office has indicted Paul Manafort for mortgage fraud and more than a dozen other state felonies.  This is a nakedly political prosecution.

A Donald Trump coup if he loses in 2020?  With all the norms he's busted, don't rule it out  —  Cohen fear about a ‘peaceful transition’ is worth considering given Trump's attacks on judges, Congress and media, and the criminal trials he may face.  —  CONNECT

UK parliament votes to delay Brexit  —  The House of Commons voted in favor of delaying Brexit day beyond March 29, either to give time to implement a deal or to give time for an alternative course of action.  —  MPs voted by 412 to 202 (a majority of 210) in favor of a government motion …