Homeland Security watchdog halted plan to recover Secret Service texts, records show  —  The Department of Homeland Security's chief watchdog scrapped its investigative team's effort to collect agency phones to try to recover deleted Secret Service texts this year, according to four people …

Hot mic captured Gaetz assuring Stone of pardon, discussing Mueller redactions  —  Congressman told longtime Trump adviser on eve of 2019 trial that he would not ‘do a day’ in prison  —  As Roger Stone prepared to stand trial in 2019, complaining he was under pressure from federal prosecutors …

Sinema indicates she may want to change Schumer-Manchin deal  —  Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) had a message for her Democratic colleagues before she flew home to Arizona for the weekend: She's preserving her options. … Any potential modification to the Democrat's climate and deficit reduction package …

Conspiracy website InfoWars parent files for bankruptcy  —  The parent of far-right conspiracy website InfoWars filed for U.S. bankruptcy protection on Friday as the company and its founder Alex Jones face up to $150 million in damages in a trial over longstanding falsehoods he perpetuated …

Biden Savors Much-Needed Victories.  But Will the Highs Overshadow the Lows?  —  With the midterm elections around the corner, the challenge for President Biden is to make sure his latest successes resonate with Americans who remain deeply skeptical about the future.

Why an unnamed ‘White House employee’ could be a pivotal Jan. 6 witness  —  Two anonymous White House staffers are at the center of important episodes in the Jan. 6 probe.  Are they the same person — and also the person Trump tried to call?  —  With the revelation that several senior Trump …

America First is laying plans to perpetuate Trumpism beyond Trump  —  The rightwing group is planning a future more authoritarian, more extreme and more ruthless - with or without the former president  —  He spoke in lurid detail of cities overrun by violent crime.  He railed against the media, deep state and liberal elites.

Trump endorses Tudor Dixon in Michigan governor's race  —  SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Tudor Dixon, a conservative media personality who is leading the polls in Michigan's Republican race for governor, secured former President Donald Trump's endorsement on Friday.  —  “When I met Tudor Dixon …

How Did a Two-Time Killer Get Out to Be Charged Again at Age 83?  —  Marceline Harvey is accused of dismembering a woman in Brooklyn.  Her life was defined by a tormented relationship with women and herself — and a simmering anger.  —  The person before the parole panel in June 2019 was tall and slim …

The RNC ‘election integrity’ official appearing in DOJ's Jan. 6 subpoenas  —  In addition to a group of former President Donald Trump's top lawyers, the Justice Department's Jan. 6 probe is also seeking communications to and from a Republican National Committee staffer in a sensitive role.

‘Breaking Bad’ statues shine light on actors, Albuquerque  —  SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Bronze statues of mythical methamphetamine cookers Walter White and Jesse Pinkman were installed at a convention center in Albuquerque on Friday to celebrate the “Breaking Bad” TV series and its entertainment legacy …

House overcomes internal rancor to pass assault weapons ban  —  House Democrats passed an assault weapons ban for the first time in roughly 30 years Friday, a legislative feat on a politically fraught issue that tested the unity of the caucus.  —  The historic legislation passed along party lines …

New York Gov. Hochul declares state disaster emergency over monkeypox  —  One in four cases of the virus is in New York state, Hochul said.  The declaration could bolster government efforts to fight it off and vaccinate residents.  —  New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared …

As Starbucks exits, Union Station struggles with safety, empty stores  —  The closure of a Starbucks because of ‘challenging incidents’ is adding fuel to concerns about the conditions of Washington's busiest transit hub  —  Starbucks is departing Union Station on Sunday while citing safety concerns at the iconic transit hub.

The Descent of Men  —  The ‘new manliness’ makes vices into virtues and cruelty into courage.  —  Dear Reader (including some of my snowflakier colleagues who are triggered by self-indulgent wordplay),  —  I'm having a minor crisis.  I have an indefensible fondness for double entendre …

Fox News, Once Home to Trump, Now Often Ignores Him  —  The former president hasn't been interviewed on the Rupert Murdoch-owned cable network in more than 100 days, and other Republicans often get the attention he once did.  —  It's been more than 100 days since Donald J. Trump was interviewed on Fox News.

When Can Dying Patients Get a Lifesaving Abortion?  These Hospital Panels Will Now Decide.  —  When Elizabeth Weller's water broke during the 18th week of her pregnancy, the prognosis was bleak: With almost no amniotic fluid left, the fetus could not survive.

I was exposed to toxic burn pits in Iraq.  Republicans turned their backs on veterans like me  —  Republicans turned their backs on Iraq veterans like me who were exposed to toxic burn pits  —  Jon Stewart says veterans burn pits bill ‘has to get done’  —  I'm a Marine who was exposed to toxic burn pits in Iraq.

Steve Bannon accused of defying another subpoena, this one from a former Trump campaign staffer  —  Jessica Denson wants a D.C. judge to hold Bannon in civil contempt for failing to respond to a subpoena served on video at his home.  —  WASHINGTON — A former Trump campaign staffer asked …

Blinken Resists Push to Label Russia a Terrorist State  —  The Biden administration is wary of making the designation despite strong calls from Congress and pleas from Ukraine.  —  WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate supports it unanimously.  So does House Speaker Nancy Pelosi …

Russia is plundering gold in Sudan to boost Putin's war effort in Ukraine  —  CNN Exclusive by Nima Elbagir, Barbara Arvanitidis, Tamara Qiblawi, Gianluca Mezzofiore, Mohammed Abo Al Gheit, Darya Tarasova Video by Alex Platt, Mark Baron Graphics by Sarah-Grace Mankarious, Marco Chacón, Natalie Croker and Henrik Pettersson

An Alleged Affair to Remember  —  A close reading of the media melee over what did and didn't happen between Sergey Brin, Elon Musk, and Nicole Shanahan reveals the second order consequences, near and far term. … It also set off a series of cascading questions about the article of journalism, itself: What counts as an affair?