In N.H. stop, Trump embraces woman convicted in Jan. 6 case  —  The former president has steadily escalated his advocacy for people charged in the Capitol riot.  —  MANCHESTER, N.H. — Former president Donald Trump on Thursday praised and embraced a woman convicted of defying police orders on the U.S. Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021.

Biden's age trap: Risks of running at 80  —  Polls show that most voters of most ages wonder the same thing: Can President Biden really win the White House again at nearly 82 — and run it competently into age 86? … But there are so many unknowns to rolling into your mid-80s with more power than anyone on Earth.

Scoop: DeSantis dines with Miriam Adelson, other major GOP donors in Israel  —  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dined with Miriam Adelson — former President Trump's top financial backer in 2020 — and other major GOP donors in Jerusalem on Wednesday, according to two sources who attended the dinner.

Senate Democrats Demand Answers From John Roberts Amid Supreme Court Ethics Controversy  —  The letter comes after the chief justice refused to appear to testify as Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch come under fire for disclosure lapses.  —  Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) …

New York City Subway Ends Twitter Service Alerts After Musk Raises Price  —  New York City's mass-transit system is ending its real-time service alerts on Twitter for subway, train and bus riders as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority curbs its relationship with the platform owned by Elon Musk.

Conservative dissenters block abortion limits in Nebraska, South Carolina  —  Strict new abortion restrictions failed to advance in two conservative-dominated legislatures on Thursday, signaling a mounting fear among some Republicans that abortion bans could lead to political backlash.

GOP legislator says she was ‘yelled at and intimidated’ on House floor by DFL colleague  —  “My interaction on Wednesday evening with Rep. Finke left me shaken and fearing for my personal safety,” Rep. Dawn Gillman said.  —  A Republican lawmaker was verbally accosted by a Democratic colleague …

The dirty little secret of White House news conferences  —  President Biden was photographed holding a note card Wednesday, revealing the stage managing behind many political media events  —  President Biden offered such a long and nuanced response to the first question he got …

2 US Army helicopters crash in Alaska, killing 3 soldiers  —  Two U.S. army helicopters collided and crashed Thursday in Alaska while returning from a training flight, killing three soldiers and injuring a fourth.  Two of the soldiers died at the scene of the crash near Healy, Alaska …

Fox News Poll: Voters favor gun limits over arming citizens to reduce gun violence  —  Half worry about being a victim of gun violence, including many in gun-owning households  —  After a series of mass shootings this spring, including the killing of several students at a private Christian school …

State finds ‘cause’ to discipline Leon superintendent over ‘politically charged statements’  —  The investigation began after a Moms for Liberty member wrote the governor calling for Hanna's removal from office.  The letter was stamped with “LET'S GO BRANDON.”

Writer Defends Clarence Thomas' Free Trips Without Mentioning He Was On Same Trips  —  Mark Paoletta comes under fire for not disclosing he went on trips with Thomas and billionaire Harlan Crow in his defense of the Supreme Court justice's ethics.  —  A National Review writer …

Rep. Jamie Raskin in remission after cancer treatment  —  Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said Thursday his cancer is in remission after several months of treatment. … “And I am afraid I lack the energy to properly thank you all and express the enormity of my feelings about the enduring beauty and promise of our country.”

Climate protesters paint case housing Degas ballerina sculpture in D.C.  —  Protesters smeared black and red paint on the case and pedestal of Edgar Degas's “Little Dancer Aged Fourteen” sculpture in the National Gallery of Art in D.C. on Thursday to bring attention to the climate crisis …

Exclusive — Disarray Consumes Fox News as Murdochs Attempt to Reassert Control with Carlson, Bongino Ousters  —  Fox News is trying to sideline former Tucker Carlson Tonight host Tucker Carlson through the 2024 election, multiple sources familiar with the matter told Breitbart News.

6 on NYC Council refuse to vote for ‘End Jew Hatred Day’  —  A member who voted ‘no’ vote called Jewish critics ‘disrespectful’ for accusing her of antisemitism  —  Several Jewish New York City Council members expressed shock Thursday that six of their colleagues did not vote for a resolution …

Montana Governor's Nonbinary Son Calls on Him to Reject Transgender Bills  —  The governor's son, David Gianforte, told The Montana Free Press that he had asked his father to not sign “immoral” bills pertaining to the L.G.B.T.Q. community.  —  As debates over transgender issues embroil Montana's legislature …

Does the “Arcturus” COVID variant cause pink eye?  What to know about the new strain  —  Health authorities say they are now tracking a handful of new SARS-CoV-2 variants climbing in prevalence around the country, including the XBB.1.16 sublineage.  That strain has been dubbed by some scientists …

Ted Cruz Tapes Will Be Given to Feds Probing Jan. 6: Report  —  HAND 'EM OVER  —  Audio tapes recorded by former Fox News producer Abby Grossberg that show Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) allegedly scheming to steal the 2020 presidential election will be handed over to the Justice Department …

Russian Warplanes Are ‘Trying to Dogfight’ US Jets Over Syria, General Says  —  “Don't take the bait,” the region's top Air Force general warns pilots.  —  Russian warplanes are flying increasingly close to American fighter jets in the skies over Syria “like they're trying to dogfight,” …

RFK Jr. on running against Biden: ‘I just disagree fundamentally with him’  —  Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he is running against President Biden for the Democratic nomination because he “fundamentally” disagrees with him about the country's direction.

In win for transgender rights advocates, effort to enact Kansas trans health care ban fails  —  Kansas lawmakers fell short of overriding Gov. Laura Kelly on a measure that would have banned gender-affirming care for transgender youths, a win for trans rights advocates as states across the country pursue similar measures.