‘There have to be consequences:’ Judge ups sentences for Capitol rioters  —  A federal judge in Washington has repeatedly sentenced people who stormed the U.S. Capitol to more prison time than prosecutors sought, saying that even people who were not violent should face consequences for joining the unprecedented assault.

As Budget Bill Hangs in Limbo, Kyrsten Sinema Heads to Europe  —  With the Senate out of session, Ms. Sinema, the Democratic senator from Arizona, has been in Europe on a fund-raising trip.  —  Senator Kyrsten Sinema, the moderate Arizona Democrat who has objected to the size and scope …

The Men Who Are Killing America's Newspapers  —  The Tribune Tower rises above the streets of downtown Chicago in a majestic snarl of Gothic spires and flying buttresses that were designed to exude power and prestige.  When plans for the building were announced in 1922, Colonel Robert R. McCormick …

EXCLUSIVE: Katie Couric covered up RBG's contempt for taking the knee: Anchor says she edited 2016 interview to ‘protect’ the elderly justice after she said people who kneel for the anthem were ‘dumb and disrespectful’  — Katie Couric has admitted to editing out Ruth Bader Ginsburg's controversial comments …

Critical race theory is a potent issue in the Virginia governor's race  —  Republican gubernatorial nominee Glenn Youngkin doesn't get the most applause during his rallies when he talks about lowering taxes or assails President Biden.  The loudest cheers come when Youngkin promises …

Jim Jordan Makes His Move to Be the Most Batshit Anti-Vaxxer of All  —  RACE TO THE BOTTOM … He's got stiff competition from the likes of Republican trolls Greg Abbott and Kristi Noem, but the former wrestling coach is rolling up his sleeves and going for it.

Nicholas Kristof Leaves New York Times as He Considers a Political Run  —  Mr. Kristof, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, is weighing a run for governor of Oregon, the state where he grew up.  —  After 37 years at The New York Times as a reporter, high-level editor and opinion columnist …

How GOP lawyer Cleta Mitchell joined Trump's ‘team deplorables’ advancing his false election fraud claims  —  Trump campaign attorney's key role in plot to overturn election  —  Washington (CNN)The day after the 2020 election, conservative lawyer Cleta Mitchell was wrapping up her work …

Why the Tuskegee Study Slowed Vaccinations of Black Americans  —  Black Americans were once far less likely than white Americans to be vaccinated.  But a wave of pro-vaccine campaigns and a surge of virus deaths have narrowed that gap, experts say.  —  TUSKEGEE, Ala. — By the time vaccines …

L.A. Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas and ex-USC dean indicted on bribery charges  —  Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas was indicted Wednesday on federal charges of taking bribes from a former USC dean in exchange for supporting millions of dollars in L.A. County contracts …

Calls intensify to end Wisconsin's election review amid blunders by ex-judge in charge  —  The glaring errors became clear soon after a former Wisconsin judge issued subpoenas earlier this month in a Republican review of the state's 2020 presidential election.  Some of the requests referred to the wrong city.

Olympic officials won't push China on human rights ahead of Beijing Games, as calls for boycott grow louder  —  SYDNEY — A senior member of the International Olympic Committee said that holding China to account over its human rights record ahead of the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing is not within …

Walker cancels fundraiser with supporter who had swastika in her Twitter profile  —  Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker canceled a fundraiser with a conservative film producer who until Wednesday used a rendering of a swastika as her Twitter profile picture.

Global energy crisis could dim climate hopes  —  An energy crisis around the world is hitting households and manufacturers that were already struggling to recover from the global pandemic.  —  Why it matters: This is a perfect storm of crises.  It features supply shortages, especially from China …

Democrats pour fiscal accelerant on the inflation fire  —  Inflation rose to an annual 5.4%, the Labor Department reported Wednesday, its highest rate in 13 years.  —  Even though President Joe Biden's administration admits that its $1.9 trillion spending bill from earlier this year is partly to blame …

Two new polls should really light a fire under Democrats  —  A big problem Democrats face right now is that congressional sausage making is so repellent and ugly that it risks alienating voters precisely when Democrats need them to be open to the details of their proposals.

A Black Trans “Hamilton” Cast Member Has Filed A Discrimination Complaint Against The Show  —  When Hamilton first opened on Broadway, the musical became nothing short of a sensation, racking up Tony Awards and being widely championed as a celebration of a diverse and progressive America.

Biden Administration Plans Wind Farms Along Nearly the Entire U.S. Coastline  —  Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced that her agency will formally begin the process of identifying federal waters to lease to wind developers by 2025.  —  WASHINGTON - The Biden administration announced …

Winter heating bills set to jump as inflation hits home  —  With prices surging worldwide for heating oil, natural gas and other fuels, the U.S. government said Wednesday it expects households to see their heating bills jump as much as 54% compared to last winter  —  Supply chain issues threaten holiday goods

DC police warned other agencies before January 6 rally that attendees were urged to ‘come armed,’ according to new document  —  Hear why Schiff called out GOP lawmakers as ‘insurrectionists in suits and ties’  —  Washington (CNN)Local police in Washington warned their law enforcement partner agencies …

U.S. supply chain too snarled for Biden Christmas fix, experts say  —  President Joe Biden is pushing to ease supply shortages and tame rising prices in time for Christmas, but unsnarling U.S. supply lines could take far longer, experts told Reuters.  —  Biden brought together powerbrokers from ports …

Kerry Owns Stake in Chinese Investment Group That Funds Company Blacklisted for Human Rights Abuses  —  Climate czar accused of downplaying Uyghur genocide during climate negotiations with China  —  Climate czar John Kerry and his wife have at least a $1 million stake in a Chinese investment group …

Late Gov. Edwin Edwards' wife had his remains exhumed and cremated; his children are angry  —  About 10 weeks after former Gov. Edwin W. Edwards died, his widow had him dug up from a Baton Rouge cemetery so she could have him cremated.  —  For now, Trina Edwards is keeping his remains …