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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Republicans press Trump's Justice Department to prosecute Michael Cohen  —  Republicans want the Justice Department to take the unusual step of bringing a perjury case without a congressional committee referral after Democrats blocked a resolution that accuses President Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen …

Erin Go Bragh!  On Brexit, Irish PM Disses Trump To His Face  —  Trump made believe he never supported Brexit, but the first gay prime minister elected in Ireland told Trump directly that he disagreed with his opinion and regretted the vote entirely.  —  Views:

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

Media Matters President Misleads About Offensive Blog Posts — With Brian Stelter's Help  —  Media Matters President Angelo Carusone said on Wednesday that his old blog containing offensive posts was a “parody of a right-wing blowhard,” but additional statements on his site suggest otherwise.

Sharp rise in Arctic temperatures now inevitable - UN  —  Temperatures likely to rise by 3-5C above pre-industrial levels even if Paris goals met  —  Sharp and potentially devastating temperature rises of 3C to 5C in the Arctic are now inevitable even if the world succeeds …