Residents evacuated as SWAT surrounds Colleyville TX synagogue  —  Authorities northeast of Fort Worth are negotiating with a man who has apparently taken people hostage at a Colleyville synagogue during services.  It is unclear if anyone is injured and how the man may be armed.

Trump Soft-Launches His 2024 Campaign  —  FLORENCE, Ariz.—Tonight, deep in the Arizona desert, thousands of people chanted for Donald Trump.  They had braved the wind for hours—some waited the entire day—just to get a glimpse of the defeated former president.

Novak Djokovic deported, won't compete in Australian Open after bid to play unvaccinated fails  —  MELBOURNE, Australia — Tennis star Novak Djokovic has left Australia after losing his legal challenge to remain in the country and compete in the Australian Open despite not being vaccinated against the coronavirus.

University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel fired by board after investigation  —  The University of Michigan Board of Regents has unanimously fired school President Mark Schlissel for cause following an investigation into a relationship with a subordinate, the board announced Saturday evening.

How the states have become “Laboratories of Autocracy” — and why it's worse than you think  —  Former Ohio Democratic Party head David Pepper has a dire warning: Rigged state legislatures are destroying America  —  There's a booming literature on the erosion of democracy in America …

Netanyahu negotiating plea deal in corruption trial  —  TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is negotiating a plea deal in his corruption case, a person involved in the talks said Sunday.  —  The deal, which could be signed as early as this week …

Miyares fires 30 in AG's office, including lawyer investigating dangerous conditions at Richmond apartments  —  Attorney General-elect Jason Miyares notified about 30 staff members in the office — 17 of them attorneys — that they won't have jobs in his administration, including the lawyer …

Concern for UK security as anti-vaxxer groups evolve towards US-style militias  —  Counter-terrorism officials are monitoring movement amid military-style training and lurch towards violent extremism  —  Counter-terrorism officials and police are increasingly concerned over the trajectory …

Here are the 11 executive actions Gov. Youngkin signed on day one  —  “It's a new day in Virginia, but the work is only beginning,” said Youngkin  —  RICHMOND - On Saturday, hours after being sworn in as the 74th governor of Virginia, Republican Glenn Youngkin unveiled his agenda for day one.

Four Facts About the Filibuster  —  This post is meant as a primer on a political discussion that is about to reclaim center-stage.  —  When a TV series has been running long enough, we get the introductory recaps that bring viewers up to date.  “Previously, on Ozark ... ” This post could be called, “Previously, on Filibuster...”

Jan. 6 panel grapples with how to secure testimony from lawmakers, Pence  —  The House select committee is divided on whether to pursue subpoenas, in part over fears that a protracted legal fight would delay the committee's goal of issuing a report ahead of the November midterms.

Manchin, Sinema turn on Biden, join others holding him responsible for COVID test shortages  —  Do better.  That is the message from some Senate Democrats to Joe Biden's White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeffrey Zients.  In a letter signed by the senators, they urged him to do better …

A Library the Internet Can't Get Enough Of  —  Why does this image keep resurfacing on social media?  —  On the first Tuesday of the year, the author and political activist Don Winslow tweeted a photograph of an avid reader's dream library.  Bathed in the buttery glow of three table lamps …

Elon Musk's Tesla Asked Law Firm to Fire Associate Hired From SEC  —  The Tesla boss has taken aim at individuals personally that he has clashed with  —  A partner at law firm Cooley LLP got an unexpected call late last year from a lawyer for one of the firm's most famous clients, Elon Musk's Tesla Inc., with an ultimatum.