Trump Pressed Justice Dept. to Declare Election Results Corrupt, Notes Show  —  “Leave the rest to me” and to congressional allies, the former president is said to have told top law enforcement officials.  —  WASHINGTON — President Donald J. Trump pressed top Justice Department officials late …

CDC study shows three-fourths of people infected in Massachusetts covid-19 outbreak were vaccinated  —  A sobering scientific analysis published Friday of an explosive Massachusetts covid-19 outbreak fueled by the delta variant found that three-quarters of the people who became infected were fully vaccinated.

‘I should have gotten the damn vaccine’: Las Vegas father of 5 dies from COVID-19  —  LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Two weeks ago, life was great for Jessica DuPreez.  She was on vacation in San Diego with her fiancé Michael Freedy, (better known as Big Mike at the M Resort where he worked) …

Trump tax returns must be released by IRS to Congress, Justice Department says  — The income tax returns of former President Donald Trump must be released by the IRS to Congress, the Department of Justice said.  — The DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel said Congress had made a legitimate request to see Trump's tax returns.

Fact check: Is Kevin McCarthy a ‘moron’?  —  After Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy this week decried the House's new face mask requirement, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) replied with a considered response: “He's such a moron.”  —  Mean!  But if the dunce cap fits ...

Breakthrough Covid cases: At least 125,000 fully vaccinated Americans have tested positive  —  WASHINGTON — At least 125,000 fully vaccinated Americans have tested positive for Covid and 1,400 of those have died, according to data collected by NBC News.  —  The 125,682 “breakthrough” …

House adjourns for recess without passing bill to extend federal eviction ban  —  House Democratic leaders failed to round up enough votes on Friday to pass legislation extending the federal ban on evictions just two days before it is set to expire, ultimately adjourning the chamber …

What's in it for McConnell?  Why the ‘grim reaper’ is backing a Biden priority … WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, the self-proclaimed “grim reaper” of progressive priorities, broke character Wednesday to advance a major $550 billion deal on infrastructure.

POLITICO Playbook: Sinema's vacation plans, Manchin gets booed and megadonor drama  —  DRIVING THE DAY  —  On Thursday night, as President JOE BIDEN boarded Marine One, he made some news.  — First, he reiterated that immigration reform should be included in the reconciliation bill.

What Philadelphia Reveals About America's Homicide Surge  —  ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power.  Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they're published.  —  Reported with Miles Bryan and Jillian Weinberger as part of a collaboration for Vox's “Today, Explained” podcast.

Covid in Sydney: Military deployed to help enforce lockdown  —  Australia has deployed hundreds of soldiers to Sydney to help enforce a Covid lockdown.  —  A Delta outbreak which began in June has produced nearly 3,000 infections and led to nine deaths.  —  Australian Defence Force soldiers …

Everyone presumes a backlash is coming for the Democrats.  The electorate has changed, though  —  Consider “law and order.”  —  2 hr ago  —  There had been a question of whether the Republicans were going to stick with the losing president.  That question seems settled now.

The Senate Has Confirmed The First Woman Of Arab And Mexican Descent To Direct US Citizenship and Immigration Services  —  Ur Jaddou will become the first woman and first person of Arab and Mexican descent to be sworn in as director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services after the Senate confirmed her nomination on Friday.

Yep, We Need More Blame  —  We're now getting more information about what new data was behind the CDC's revised guidance on COVID-era masking.  An internal power-point presentation was shared with The Washington Post and the CDC will apparently be making a public presentation today.

Trump's false election fraud claims fuel Michigan GOP meltdown  —  Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump by more than 150,000 votes in Michigan last November.  —  Trump and the Michigan Republican Party still aren't over it.  —  The outcome — and the former president's obsessive efforts to dispute it …

The great mask debate is back.  The answer depends on where you live.  —  As COVID-19 cases surge, especially in states with low vaccination rates, the country is once again in the throes of a fraught cultural and political debate over face masks.

German coach sent home from Olympics after racist comments  —  A German cycling coach is being sent home from the Tokyo Olympics after he was caught on camera making racist remarks about athletes from African nations.  —  The German Olympic Sports Confederation on Thursday said Patrick Moster …

People are dressing in disguise for COVID-19 vaccines, Missouri doctor says  —  Some people in Missouri are dressing in disguise and begging doctors to not publicly reveal they've received a COVID-19 vaccine, a doctor said.  —  Priscilla Frase, Ozarks Healthcare hospitalist …

Wisconsin Republican expands 2020 election investigation  —  MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The highest ranking Republican in the Wisconsin Assembly said Friday that he was expanding a probe into the 2020 presidential election, saying it will take more investigators and time than originally planned.

Broadway Audiences Will Need Proof of Vaccination and Masks  —  Children under 12, who cannot be vaccinated, can show a negative test to attend.  But the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall plan to bar them for now.  —  Broadway's theater owners and operators, citing the ongoing dangers …