The truth behind the Hunter Biden non-scandal  —  The story of Hunter Biden's involvement with the Ukrainian gas company Burisma isn't a scandal about his father, as the Trump campaign claims, but part of a personal tragedy for the vice president's son, compounded by this week's dissemination …

Trump says 'maybe I'll have to leave the country' if he loses the 2020 election to Joe Biden … - President Donald Trump suggested he'd leave the country if Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden wins the election.  — “Could you imagine if I lose?”  Trump said after mocking Biden's candidacy.

Let the blame game begin.  Republicans point the finger at Parscale, Kushner, Stepien, and Trump himself as the president's team braces for a potential 2020 blowout. … - President Donald Trump's advisors, campaign staff, and other Republicans are starting to assign blame for what could be a big loss …

Former White House chief of staff tells friends that Trump ‘is the most flawed person’ he's ever met  —  (CNN)Former White House chief of staff, retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, has told friends that President Donald Trump “is the most flawed person” he's ever known.  —  “The depths of his dishonesty is just astounding to me.

David Perdue mocks Kamala Harris' name in Trump rally warm up  —  “Kamala?  Kamala?  Kamala-mala-mala?  I don't know.  Whatever,” Perdue (R-Ga.) said at a rally in Macon.  —  Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) speaks during a Kiwanis Club of Atlanta luncheon.  Andrea Smith, File/AP Photo  —  October 16, 2020

Who Was ‘El Padrino,’ Godfather to Drug Cartel?  Mexico's Defense Chief, U.S. Says  —  Drug enforcement agents had long tried to solve the mystery of “El Padrino,” a shadowy, powerful force.  They've now identified him as Salvador Cienfuegos, Mexico's defense chief from 2012 to 2018.

White House Opposes Expanded Virus Testing, Complicating Stimulus Talks  —  Some administration officials say testing Americans with no symptoms of the coronavirus would hurt the economy and restrict civil liberties.  Democrats and some prominent experts say it would slow the virus and bolster economic growth.

Trump billboard in Houston goes viral after being vandalized  —  A Donald Trump billboard located off Houston's Telephone Road has been vandalized, sparking a viral response on social media.  —  Personal injury lawyer Rogelio Garcia, 61, said he first spotted the billboard located …

Third Justice Dept. Prosecutor Publicly Denounces Barr  —  The prosecutor also said he retired after staying on to protect a public corruption case against a Republican congressman.  —  WASHINGTON — A 36-year veteran of the Justice Department this week accused Attorney General William P. Barr …

With Gardner trailing Hickenlooper, national GOP groups scale back spending in Colorado  —  “It's over,” Republican pollster says of Colorado's U.S. Senate race  —  Faced with a consistent stream of polls showing U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner headed for a loss next month, national Republican groups …

Self-proclaimed soybean farmer Joni Ernst doesn't know price of soybeans  —  And Sen. Ernst's reelection prospects look more bleak than ever.  —  In her third and last debate with the Democratic challenger for her Senate seat, Theresa Greenfield, on Thursday night, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) …

Even in Defeat, Trumpism Isn't Going Anywhere  —  Republicans pining for days gone by have some tough truths to face  —  As the mad king raged at Savannah Guthrie for having the gall to question him about his conspiracy mongering, mask trutherism, and failure to even pretend to manage …

HHS lawyer: Trump's drug cards could violate election law  —  The health department's top lawyer is warning in an internal memo that President Donald Trump's plan to give seniors $200 discount cards to buy prescription drugs could violate election law, according to three officials with knowledge of those legal concerns.

Joe Kennedy III campaign says it improperly spent $1.5 million in Senate primary  —  The campaign of Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III said Friday that it improperly spent $1.5 million of donations intended for the general election during the final weeks of his bitter and ultimately …

Teacher in Paris suburb decapitated, allegedly after showing cartoons of prophet Muhammad in class  —  PARIS — A high school teacher in a Paris suburb was decapitated Friday afternoon, French authorities said, in an attack that occurred after the teacher had allegedly shown caricatures of the prophet Muhammad to his students.

More Than 1,000 Current and Former CDC Officers Condemn U.S. Covid-19 Response  —  An open letter calls for the federal agency to play a more central role in addressing the pandemic  —  More than 1,000 current and former officers of an elite disease-fighting program at the U.S. Centers …

String of Firms That Imploded Have Something in Common: Ernst & Young Audited Them  —  Big Four accounting concern reviewed the books of several companies where investors lost billions when scandals emerged.  The firm says it uncovered some of the problems at its clients.  —  TEXT  —  140 RESPONSES

Jacinda Ardern claims historic victory in New Zealand election  —  New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's ruling Labour Party looked set for a comprehensive win in the country's general election on Saturday.  —  Driving the news: NZ Electoral Commission results show that with 93.1.% of votes counted …

Neo-Nazi and Proud Boys groups push Trump campaign poll watching operation online: Reports  —  “Some of these groups will be listening to his false claims of fraud.”  —  Oregon governor says Trump ‘is stoking the fires of hatred and division’  —  Kate Brown on her state's political unrest, mail-in voting system and wildfire aid.

In Ohio, a Printing Company Is Overwhelmed and Mail Ballots Are Delayed  —  The company was until recently flying a “Trump 2020” flag over its Cleveland headquarters.  The problems it has had underscore the stress that mail voting has put on the nation's election process amid the pandemic.

Ex-Washington cheerleaders shaken by lewd videos: 'I don't think they viewed us as people'  —  The contracts for the Washington Football Team's cheerleaders held them to a strict moral code.  “Inappropriate” conduct or online content, including nude or seminude appearances in “tasteless” …

Trump flails and shows no ability to reset as some Republicans voice their concerns  —  (CNN)As President Donald Trump began a packed day of events Friday, he delivered an unusually somber message to seniors — a group he won in 2016 and desperately needs to win back — speaking of the pain …

Former Fox News Host Spreads Virus Misinformation on His Sinclair Show  —  Sinclair will edit Eric Bolling's online program before televising it, the host said.  He walked back his statements on masks but reaffirmed a false theory on the pandemic's origins.

Lincoln Project enlists whistleblower Alex Vindman for anti-Trump DC ad buy  —  The best way to ensure President Donald Trump sees an ad is by buying time in the District of Columbia, and some of his staunchest critics have a bracing message for POTUS this weekend.

New Orleans Public Defenders Are Mobilizing to “Flip the Bench”  —  These candidates are highlighting the power of judges to challenge mass incarceration.  —  In July, during a three-day period when candidates for elected office in Orleans Parish had to file their paperwork …

At Florida Rally, Trump Repeatedly Calls Rep. Matt Gaetz ‘Rick Gates’, the Name of His Convicted Former Aide  —  President Donald Trump has a penchant for calling out the names of key supporters at his campaign events, and a Friday rally in Ocala, Florida was no different …