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.

Trumpland thought he'd get back on Facebook.  Now, they're anxious and scrambling.  —  Republicans on Wednesday expressed outrage over news that Donald Trump's Facebook suspension would remain in place for the time being.  Privately, many of them, including some close to the former president, were panicked.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

‘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 …

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 …

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.

Protests Explode in Colombia, Leaving At Least 24 Dead  —  The eruption of anger in Colombia, where at least 24 have died as the government cracks down on the protests, could spread to other countries in the region that share the same combustible conditions.

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 …

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.

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 …

Investigate Cuomo  —  The good times are over for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.  —  No more glow-up media profiles and softball interviews.  It's time for the Empire State nepotist to face consequences for his administration's efforts to cover up New York's COVID-19 nursing home death toll.

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.

Biden commits to waiving vaccine patents, driving wedge with pharmaceutical companies  —  Developing countries have sought waiver, arguing it would boost coronavirus response  —  The Biden administration on Wednesday threw its support behind a controversial proposal to waive intellectual property protections …