The GOP is at a turning point.  History is watching us. … Liz Cheney, a Republican, represents Wyoming's at-large congressional district in the U.S. House.  —  In public statements again this week, former president Donald Trump has repeated his claims that the 2020 election was a fraud and was stolen.

Department of Justice asks Arizona Senate to respond to concerns about election audit  —  The U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division is asking Arizona Senate President Karen Fann to respond to concerns the department has about the security of ballots and potential voter intimidation …

Why Facebook's Decision On Trump Could Be ‘Make Or Break’ For His Political Future  —  Facebook's Oversight Board on Wednesday essentially punted the decision back to the company on whether to eventually allow former President Donald Trump back on Facebook and Instagram.

Giuliani cuts down his entourage  —  Rudy Giuliani, the former personal lawyer for ex-president Donald Trump, has reduced the size of his personal entourage, according to three people familiar with the matter.  —  Giuliani laid off several staffers and independent contractors in the last few weeks …

Chris Ruddy and Newsmax went all-in on Trump.  Now they might pay a price for it.  —  One night last month at Mar-a-Lago, Chris Ruddy positioned himself in a familiar spot: right next to Donald Trump.  —  The occasion came just days before a Republican National Committee fundraiser …

What happened after the pandemic puppy boom  —  Shelters across the US are struggling to take in a growing number of dogs and cats.  Some pets adopted early in the pandemic are being sent back as owners slowly return to normal life.  The financial impact of Covid-19 as well as a puppy boom due …

Poll Shows Parents Are Reluctant to Get Their Children Vaccinated for Covid-19  —  The new survey also found that only 9 percent of adults who hadn't gotten the shot planned to do so, suggesting the country is nearing the limit of people planning to get immunized.

‘Turning the Corner’: U.S. Covid Outlook Reaches Most Hopeful Point Yet  —  Cases and deaths have dipped, and vaccinations make scientists hopeful, even as variants mean the coronavirus is here to stay.  —  After weeks of coronavirus patients flooding emergency rooms in Michigan …

Republicans promote pandemic relief they voted against  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., said it pained her to vote against the $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan.”  —  But in the weeks that followed, the first-term Republican issued a news release celebrating …

Teen accused of rigging vote to become homecoming queen will be tried as an adult  —  On the day she was crowned homecoming queen, Emily Grover wore a sparkly silver dress.  A bouquet of roses rested in the crook of her arm, and a crown adorned her curled blond hair.

Covid-19 Live Updates: Studies Indicate Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Protects Against the Most Severe Outcomes of Some Virus Variants  —  Here's what you need to know:  —  The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is incredibly effective against severe disease caused by two variants, studies say.

D.C. police officer who fought Capitol rioters pens letter to officials: ‘The time to fully recognize these Officers actions is NOW!’  —  A D.C. police officer injured battling pro-Trump rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 is seeking more recognition for those on the front lines …

Biden Leans Into Plans to Tax the Rich  —  “We're not going to deprive any of these executives of their second or third home, travel privately by jet,” the president said at the White House.  —  WASHINGTON — President Biden delivered a clear and punchy message to America's highest earners on Wednesday …

Florida gov signs GOP voting law critics call ‘un-American’  —  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping elections bill into law Thursday that he and other Republicans said would place guardrails against fraud, even as they acknowledged there were no serious signs of voting irregularities last November.

$2.3 million on travel in 8 months: Trump Navy secretary flew around the world, despite COVID-19  —  Former Navy Sec. Kenneth Braithwaite traveled the globe as the Trump administration wound down, despite COVID-19 canceling plans of other officials.  —  In eight months he logged 21 flights totaling nearly 300 hours.

The census shows the US needs to increase immigration — by a lot  —  The 2020 census shows that America isn't full — and that it needs immigrants.  —  The results of the 2020 census are a warning sign that America is on a course for slow population growth.

Half in U.S. Think Their Taxes Too High, but Also “Fair”  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Heading into this year's delayed tax filing day, half of Americans think their taxes are too high, while 44% consider them about right and 4% too low.  The 50% calling them too high is up slightly from an average 45% …

South Carolina House adds firing squad to execution methods  —  COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina House voted Wednesday to add a firing squad to the state's execution methods amid a lack of lethal-injection drugs — a measure meant to jump-start executions in a state that once had one of the busiest death chambers in the nation.

The Biden White House slowly, glacially, returns to normal  —  President Joe Biden is preparing to make his first international trip as president.  White House and administrative staff are beginning to trickle into the West Wing in greater numbers.  And additional journalists are working at the White House.

Democrats wary of appearing to push Justice Breyer out despite their small window to replace him  —  Photos:  —  Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer  —  Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is photographed at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in September 2015.  —  1 of 37  —  Photos: