Biden already admitted guilt — he's just betting Garland doesn't prosecute him, or Trump  —  There will be much to chew on as the criminal investigation of President Biden by the newly appointed special counsel, Robert Hur, unfolds.  For now, my question is: Have we already, in effect, witnessed a guilty plea?

Trump Organization Fined $1.6 Million for Evading Taxes  —  The Trump Organization must pay $1.6 million for giving executive off-the-books benefits and pay.  —  Former president Donald J. Trump's family real estate business was ordered on Friday to pay a $1.6 million criminal penalty …

George Santos said accused ‘Ponzi scheme’ he worked at was ‘100% legitimate’ when accused of fraud in 2020  —  Republican Rep. George Santos, said a company later accused of running a “Ponzi scheme” was “100% legitimate” when it was accused by a potential customer of fraud in 2020 …

George Santos Tries on a New Disguise: Conservative Renegade  —  George Santos has found his allies in Congress—the conservatives who are accustomed to controversy.  —  On his first day in Congress, Rep. George Santos (R-NY) sat in a back corner of the House chamber—alone and glum …

Teacher and cousin of Black Lives Matter founder ‘Tased to death’ by LAPD  —  ‘He needed help and was killed,’ says Patrisse Cullors, as police are seen repeatedly using stun gun on him after traffic accident  —  A cousin of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors was killed …

Study: Exxon Mobil accurately predicted warming since 1970s  —  Exxon Mobil's scientists were remarkably accurate in their predictions about global warming, even as the company made public statements that contradicted its own scientists' conclusions, a new study says.

Hamline student, former instructor at center of debate over religion, academic freedom speak out  —  Two people at the center of the controversy at Hamline University over academic freedom that has gained international attention spoke Wednesday about how the incident has impacted their lives.

Paul Ryan sounds off on the McCarthy drama and coming debt ceiling fight  —  Former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan thinks his old friend Kevin McCarthy may be better prepared for the role than any politician in modern history — but the job won't be easy with his five-seat majority.

Superintendent: 6-year-old's backpack searched before Richneck shooting  —  “At least one administrator was notified of a possible weapon,” Superintendent Dr. George Parker said  —  NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — Newport News Public Schools has revealed new information in the shooting of a teacher at Richneck Elementary School.

Apparently, Economic Conservatives Hate Cost-Cutting Leaders Now  —  In a repellent demonstration that many of today's Republican party differences are about personality and style, and not about policy or philosophy, the Club for Growth is choosing to run attack ads against former Indiana …

The next critical race theory fights  —  Supporters of teaching about race and diversity in schools appear to be better prepared this year to fight the expanding conservative broadside on critical race theory. … - Now librarians, academics and other CRT supporters are organizing protests and running for office.

U.S. will begin ‘extraordinary measures’ to stay under debt limit  —  Treasury warns of ‘irreparable harm’ to global economy as debt limit standoff begins  —  The Treasury Department said Friday that it will begin taking “extraordinary measures” next week to prevent the U.S. government …

Lisa Marie Presley dies at 54 after hospitalization  —  Lisa Marie Presley — the only child of Elvis Presley — died Thursday after being hospitalized earlier that day, her mother said in a statement.  The singer was 54.  —  “It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news …

Supreme Court Investigators Have Narrowed Leak Inquiry to Small Number of Suspects  —  At least one law clerk is among those suspected of leaking the draft abortion ruling in May  —  Roe v. Wade: Protests Over Leaked Draft of Supreme Court Opinion  —  Created with sketchtool. … 1x

Clouded leopard  —  Clouded leopards dwell in the cloud forests of Southeast Asia and are one of the most ancient cat species.  However, they are neither a true great cat nor a true small cat, because they cannot roar or purr.  Poaching and habitat loss threaten this vulnerable species.  —  FUN FACTS

House oversight panel will probe fraud in covid unemployment aid  —  The Feb. 1 hearing is the first under the committee's new chairman, Rep. James Comer, who pledged other investigations targeting Biden  —  House Republicans plan to convene a hearing on Feb. 1 to probe waste …

McCarthy invites Biden to deliver State of the Union address on Feb. 7  —  House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Friday invited President Biden to deliver the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Feb. 7.  —  “The American people sent us to Washington to deliver …