White House Weighs Pardon Blitz Before Trump's Exit  —  Political allies and associates are starting to press for clemency as the president also considers extending his criminal justice overhaul by commuting lengthy sentences for other offenders.  —  WASHINGTON — It's not just Michael T. Flynn.

Georgia secretary of state: My family voted for Trump.  He threw us under the bus anyway.  —  I have fought to uphold the integrity of elections in Georgia.  It doesn't matter if the attacks come from the guy I voted for or not.  —  The past few weeks have been difficult for the voters of the Peach State.

Stock Trades by Senator Perdue Said to Have Prompted Justice Dept. Inquiry  —  Investigators focused on a sale of at least $1 million of stock in Cardlytics, a financial firm whose board the senator once sat on.  They closed the case this summer without charges.

Trump calls into Pennsylvania hearing, rambles about voter fraud on speakerphone … President Donald Trump on Wednesday phoned into a Pennsylvania state Senate hearing where his legal team was appearing as part of their shriveling legal battle against the election results.

After warnings to avoid travel, Denver Mayor Hancock flies to visit family for Thanksgiving  —  Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has told people to avoid travel in order to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, which is at record levels in the city.  —  DENVER — Denver Mayor Michael Hancock boarded …

Trump Races to Weaken Environmental and Worker Protections, and Implement Other Last-Minute Policies, Before Jan. 20  —  The Trump administration is rushing to approve dozens of eleventh-hour policy changes.  Among them: The Justice Department is fast-tracking a rule that could reintroduce firing squads …

NRA reports alleged misspending by current and former executives to IRS  —  After years of denying allegations of lax financial oversight, the National Rifle Association has made a stunning declaration in a new tax filing: Current and former executives used the nonprofit group's money for personal benefit and enrichment.

“How Many of These People Are Just Batshit Crazy?”:  CNN's Jake Tapper on Politics and Media in the Trump Era  —  The network's chief Washington correspondent sees a world in which Trump's power diminishes, but may not disappear completely.  The real question, though, is how America contends …

Pennsylvania Slams Judge's ‘Overreach’ in Certification Ruling  — Pittsburgh judge ordered a halt to certifying Biden's victory  — State says Republican judge trying to interfere in election  —  Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and other state officials assailed a Pittsburgh judge …

A growing number of Americans are going hungry  —  Graphics reporter focusing on data visualization and analysis  —  It was 5 a.m., not a hint of sun in the Houston sky, as Randy Young and his mom pulled into the line for a free Thanksgiving meal.  They were three hours early.

C.I.A. Officer Is Killed in Somalia  —  The officer's combat death came as President Trump considers pulling back on American operations in the region.  —  WASHINGTON — A veteran C.I.A. officer was killed in combat in Somalia in recent days, according to current and former U.S. officials …

Permit Denied for Alaskan Mine Project  —  The Army Corps of Engineers denied a permit for the proposed Pebble Mine project, saying it was “contrary to the public interest.”  —  The Army Corps of Engineers on Wednesday denied a permit for the proposed Pebble Mine in Alaska, likely dealing a death blow to the long-disputed project.

Huge court win lets Trump present ballot evidence, could overturn Nevada result  —  In its first court victory, a Nevada judge has agreed to let the Trump campaign present its evidence that fraud and illegalities plagued the state's election, enough to reverse Joe Biden's win and set an example for other state challenges.

Honestie Hodges, Whose Handcuffing Changed Police Policy, Is Dead at 14  —  Honestie's handcuffing by the police in Grand Rapids, Mich., caused a national uproar and led to a new law enforcement policy on dealing with youths.  Honestie died of Covid-19.

Scoop: Israeli military prepares for possibility Trump will strike Iran  —  The Israel Defense Forces have in recent weeks been instructed to prepare for the possibility that the U.S. will conduct a military strike against Iran before President Trump leaves office, senior Israeli officials tell me.

Who Really Runs The Drudge Report?  —  The Drudge Report has become a conformist shadow of its formerly bratty, oppositional self.  Why?

Fox News staffers thought Newsmax was a joke.  But they're not laughing anymore  —  New York (CNN Business)Fox News is taking action to stave off newfound competition from Newsmax TV.  —  Producers on some Fox programs have been told to monitor Newsmax's guest bookings and throw some sand …

Joe Biden considers Roger Ferguson to lead National Economic Council, Gary Gensler for Deputy Treasury Secretary  — President-elect Joe Biden is considering TIAA CEO Roger Ferguson to be his National Economic Council director.  — Former Commodity Futures Trading Commission chairman Gary Gensler …

The Logic of Pandemic Restrictions Is Falling Apart  —  Two weeks ago, I staged a reluctant intervention via Instagram direct message.  The subject was a longtime friend, Josh, who had been sharing photos of himself and his fiancé occasionally dining indoors at restaurants since New York City …

Starbucks barista says she was fired for refusing to wear Pride shirt  —  A New Jersey woman has filed suit against Starbucks, claiming she was wrongfully terminated for refusing to wear an official company Pride T-shirt that she says violated her religious beliefs.

The Losses We Share  —  Perhaps the path to healing begins with three simple words: Are you OK?  —  The writer is a mother, feminist and advocate.  —  It was a July morning that began as ordinarily as any other day: Make breakfast.  Feed the dogs.  Take vitamins.  Find that missing sock.

Congress Pays $850,000 to Muslim Aides Targeted in Inquiry Stoked by Trump  —  The House resolved wrongful termination claims by five Pakistani-American technology workers whose case was twisted into a right-wing conspiracy theory pushed by President Trump.  —  The House of Representatives …

Transition Yes, Concession No  —  The wheels of transition are beginning to turn as the machinery of President Trump's election challenges are grinding to an eventual halt.  So is a concession speech in the cards?  Don't bet on it.  And there are solid arguments against it.

The 25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century (So Far)  —  We are in a golden age of acting — make that platinum — as we realized when we decided to select our favorite film performers of the past 20 years.  There's no formula for choosing the best (just squabbling), and this list …