Republicans fear January 6 probe could undercut 2022 midterm message  —  (CNN)Senior Republicans are making clear they have little interest in moving forward with a sweeping January 6 investigation in part because a detailed probe could become politically damaging and amount to a distraction …

NY attorney general has been looking into the taxes of Trump Organization CFO for months, sources say  —  (CNN)The New York attorney general's office has opened a criminal tax investigation into top Trump Organization officer Allen Weisselberg, increasing the legal pressure on the long-time aide …

PW special report: After conservative criticism, UNC backs down from offering acclaimed journalist tenured position  —  Journalism school will instead offer Nikole Hannah-Jones a fixed five-year contract  —  In her career in journalism, Nikole Hannah-Jones has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize and a MacArthur Fellowship “Genius Grant.”

The Inside Story of the Biden-Harris Debate Blowup  —  As president, Joe Biden has made sure to elevate Vice President Kamala Harris, including her in nearly every aspect of his presidency and making her the point person on migration, a top issue.  First lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff have hit it off.

Mob Violence Against Palestinians in Israel Is Fueled by Groups on WhatsApp  —  Israeli extremists have formed more than 100 new groups on the Facebook-owned encrypted messaging app in recent days to target attacks.  —  Last Wednesday, a message appeared in a new WhatsApp channel called “Death to the Arabs.”

Florida GOP eases path for Trump to pursue casino license  —  Deal negotiated by Gov. Ron DeSantis bars Seminole Tribe from opposing a casino at former president's ailing Doral resort  —  Florida legislators approved a legislative package Wednesday that will dramatically expand gambling …

Basically Everyone Is Mad At The CDC For Being So Confusing About Masks  —  “We spent a year trying very hard to get people to wear masks,” one expert said.  “This kind of sudden, abrupt change, without any kind of signaling that it's coming, will leave people feeling blindsided.”  —  Copy

Gov. Greg Abbott signs into law one of nation's strictest abortion measures, banning procedure as early as six weeks into a pregnancy  —  The signing of the bill opens a new frontier in the battle over abortion restrictions as first-of-its-kind legal provisions intended to make the law harder …

More Oregon counties vote to move into Idaho, part of rural effort to ‘gain political refuge from blue states’  —  Five eastern Oregon counties voted Tuesday in favor of considering becoming part of Idaho.  Baker, Grant, Lake, Malheur and Sherman counties join Union and Jefferson …

Man charged in Capitol riot after allegedly showing video from mob at dentist's office  —  A New York man was charged in connection with the Capitol riot in Washington after allegedly talking about his involvement in the Jan. 6 mob at his dentist's office.  —  Daniel Warmus, of Alden …

SPOTTED: Socialist AOC's Tesla Parked Illegally Outside Whole Foods in Posh DC Neighborhood  —  Like most celebrities, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) doesn't always play by the rules.  Sources inform the Washington Free Beacon that the socialist congresswoman's white Tesla …

Israeli strikes kill 6 in Gaza; rockets fired from Lebanon  —  GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Israeli airstrikes killed at least six people across the Gaza Strip and destroyed the home of an extended family early Wednesday.  The military said it widened its strikes in the Palestinian territory's south …

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. to Award the Medal of Honor … On May 21, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., will award the Medal of Honor to Colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr., United States Army, Retired, for conspicuous gallantry during the Korean War.  President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea will join this ceremony.

Pro-Trump Conspiracy Theorists Are Taking Over State Republican Parties  —  Want the best of VICE News straight to your inbox?  Sign up here.  —  The Republican Party chairs of Texas and Wyoming have flirted with secession from the United States.  Oklahoma's Republican chair has called Islam a “cancer.”