CNN Exclusive: 'We need ammo.  We need fraud examples.  We need it this weekend.' What the Meadows texts reveal about how two Trump congressional allies lobbied the White House to overturn the election.  —  The texts, which have not been previously reported, were sent by Republican Sen. Mike Lee …

Ukraine is scanning faces of dead Russians, then contacting the mothers … Ukrainian officials have run more than 8,600 facial recognition searches on dead or captured Russian soldiers in the 50 days since Moscow's invasion began, using the scans to identify bodies and contact hundreds …

Liberation Without Victory  —  Kyiv is halfway normal now.  Burnt-out Russian tanks have been removed from the roads leading into the city, traffic lights work, the subway runs, oranges are available for purchase.  A cheerful balalaika orchestra was performing for returning refugees …

Sure Elon Musk Might Buy Twitter  —  Oh Elon  —  Well that was weird.  On Tuesday I wrote a column saying it was unlikely that Elon Musk will buy Twitter Inc. On Wednesday I left on a family vacation.  On Thursday, for my sins, Elon Musk announced an offer to buy Twitter for $54.20 per share in cash.

An author was set to read his unicorn book to students.  The school forbade it.  —  Jason Tharp wants to write books for weird kids — because he was one.  —  Growing up in Ohio, the 45-year-old children's author, illustrator and inspirational speaker sometimes felt invisible.

GOP Primary poll reveals front runners in Georgia  —  ATLANTA (CBS46) — The race for Georgia's Governorship begins with the GOP primary in just six weeks.  —  Former President Donald Trump has endorsed David Perdue, but his attempt to unseat Brian Kemp isn't showing up in the polls.

Economic toll in Texas worsens as trucks remain stopped at Mexico border … Economic fallout worsened Thursday even as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) moved incrementally to roll back new inspection rules for commercial trucks entering from Mexico, with some companies saying they aren't able …

Democrats in tough races revolt over Biden administration border move … President Biden is facing a growing mutiny from Democratic candidates — including five vulnerable senators — who are questioning his administration's decision to lift a pandemic health order that has drastically …

The debate dividing the January 6 committee  —  Should they refer Trump to the DOJ for prosecution?  Or could that somehow backfire?  —  How will the House committee investigating the January 6 attack address whether Donald Trump committed crimes in his attempt to overturn the 2020 election?

Sen. Dianne Feinstein defends her job performance, says she won't step down after colleagues raise concerns  —  WASHINGTON — Sen. Dianne Feinstein defended her service representing California in the Senate in the wake of reporting by The Chronicle that colleagues of hers are concerned about her ability to continue serving.

McCarthy losing House GOP dealmakers as he eyes speakership  —  When Rep. Fred Upton announced his retirement from Congress, colleagues in both parties lined up to lament.  The one who misses him the most, in the end, may be Kevin McCarthy.  —  The Michigan Republican's departure after 18 terms …

Biden's pollster on the recipe for how to ‘not get our a—  kicked’ in the midterms  —  In the coming weeks and months, the Playbook team will be out covering the key districts and states that will decide the outcome of the midterm elections.  This week, co-author Ryan Lizza was in Las Vegas …