Justice Dept. expands Jan. 6 probe to look at rally prep, financing … The criminal investigation into the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol has expanded to examine the preparations for the rally that preceded the riot, as the Justice Department aims to determine the full extent of any conspiracy …

Revealed: Trump used White House phone for call on January 6 that was not on official log  —  Trump's call to Republican senator should have been reflected in presidential call log on day of Capitol attack but wasn't  —  Donald Trump used an official White House phone to place at least …

Turmoil at CBS News over Trump aide Mick Mulvaney's punditry gig … CBS News's decision to hire former Trump administration official Mick Mulvaney as a paid on-air contributor is drawing backlash within the company because of his history of bashing the press and promoting the former president's fact-free claims.

U.S. intelligence suggests that Putin's advisers misinformed him on Ukraine.  —  WASHINGTON — President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia has been misinformed by his advisers about the Russian military's struggles in Ukraine, according to declassified U.S. intelligence.

Ivermectin Does Not Reduce Risk of Covid Hospitalization, Large Study Finds  —  “At some point it will become a waste of resources to continue studying an unpromising approach,” one expert said.  — Give this article- - - Read in app  —  The anti-parasitic drug ivermectin …

Inside Hunter Biden's multimillion-dollar deals with a Chinese energy company … The deal was years in the making, the culmination of forging contacts, hosting dinners, of flights to and from China.  But on Aug. 2, 2017, signatures were quickly affixed, one from Hunter Biden, the other from a Chinese executive named Gongwen Dong.

'He's an embarrassment': Republicans threaten to primary Cawthorn over controversial antics  —  Madison Cawthorn had a rough week 05:00  —  (CNN)Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina is throwing his weight behind a primary opponent to freshman Rep. Madison Cawthorn — an extraordinary broadside …

Biden Plan Would Release a Million Barrels of Oil a Day From Reserve  —  WASHINGTON — President Biden is considering a plan to release one million barrels of oil a day from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for as long as 180 days, a move that would add a large amount of oil to the global market …

I'm quitting Disney after seeing it boast about pushing ‘gender theory’  —  The Walt Disney Co. just refuses to let it go.  —  On Tuesday, Christopher Rufo, known for his exposés on schools and corporations under the critical-race-theory spell, released internal Disney videos …

The Media Is Not Ready for the Midterms  —  Dan Pfeiffer, Greg Sargent, Margaret Sullivan and others on the threat to democracy, and what the press must do now. … How should the media cover the political landscape when one party has gone full arsonist?  It's a question that looms large …

Arizona governor signs bills banning gender-affirming care, trans student athletes  —  “This legislation is common-sense and narrowly-targeted to address these two specific issues - while ensuring that transgender individuals continue to receive the same dignity, respect and kindness …

Highlighting COVID-19 racial disparities can reduce support for safety precautions among White U.S. residents☆  —  Allison L.Skinner-DorkenooaApoorvaSarmalaKashee naRogbeeraChloeAndré aBhumiPatelaLeahChaa  —  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.202 2.114951 … Abstract

Scoop: FEC fines DNC and Clinton for Trump dossier hoax  —  The Federal Election Commission has fined the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign for lying about the funding of the infamous, and discredited, Russian “dossier” used in a smear attempt against Donald Trump weeks …

The Academy Begins Disciplinary Proceedings Against Will Smith, Says He Refused to Leave Ceremony  —  The actor could face suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions under the Academy's Standards of Conduct, according to the statement issued after a meeting of the board of governors.

Alex Jones faces fines for skipping Sandy Hook deposition  —  HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut judge said Wednesday Infowars host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones will be fined for each weekday that passes without him appearing for a deposition in a lawsuit brought by relatives …

Democracy is good for your health  —  Here's a big reason to study the people of Ukraine: The war is showing in real-time the power of democracy, amid growing global clout for dictators.  —  Why it matters: Free people live better lives, a mountain of data shows.

Collins to Back Jackson for Supreme Court, Giving Her a G.O.P. Vote  —  Senator Susan Collins, a centrist from Maine, said a second meeting with Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson alleviated her concerns.  It is unclear if other Republicans will join her.  — Give this article- - - Read in app

AP sources: Asylum limits at border expected to end May 23  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is expected to end the asylum limits at the U.S.-Mexico border by May 23 that were put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, according to people familiar with the matter.

BlackRock President Says ‘Entitled Generation’ Now Learning About Shortages  —  BlackRock Inc. President Rob Kapito warned that inflation is having dramatic effects on the economy, with an entire generation now learning what it means to suffer from shortages.

Koch Industries' valentine to Vladimir Putin  —  Give Koch Industries credit for consistency: It's aiding the foes of democracy at home and abroad.  —  In the two weeks since I wrote about U.S. companies that remained in Russia despite Vladimir Putin's savage invasion of Ukraine …