Trump confronts ‘scheduling nightmare’ as court cases collide with campaign  —  The former president is frontloading his schedule in anticipation that legal proceedings may disrupt the campaign.  —  DURHAM, New Hampshire — Donald Trump's upcoming court calendar is creating a logistical headache for his presidential campaign.

Lawsuit claims CPAC knew of past allegations of sexual misconduct by Matt Schlapp  —  Officials overseeing the Conservative Political Action Conference knew about past accusations of sexual misconduct by chairman Matt Schlapp but failed to investigate or remove him from his powerful post …

Senate staffer alleged by conservative outlets to have had sex in a hearing room is no longer employed  —  Conservative news outlets alleged that the aide to Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., appeared in a leaked video showing men having sex in a Senate hearing room.  —  Sen. Ben Cardin's office …

Florida Sex Scandal Shakes Moms for Liberty, as Group's Influence Wanes  —  The conservative group led the charge on the Covid-era education battles.  But scandals and losses are threatening its power.  —  Moms for Liberty, a national right-wing advocacy group, was born in Florida as a response …

McCarthy mentee Vince Fong determined ineligible for congressional candidacy  —  California Assemblyman Vince Fong (R) isn't eligible to run for Congress in 2024, the state Secretary of State determined Friday, throwing Rep. Kevin McCarthy's (R-Calif.) succession into question.

Quaker Recalls Granola Bars and Granola Cereals Due to Possible Health Risk  —  When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company's announcement as a public service.  FDA does not endorse either the product or the company. … Summary

GOP baffled that 'We Don't Care if You Die' is not a winning slogan  —  “Republicans struggle as they keep getting forced to talk about abortion”  — Politico headline, Dec. 15  —  Huh!  It turns out “Well, with luck, you probably won't die being forced to give birth to a nonviable fetus over the objections of your doctor!”

Portugal's Socialists Pick Santos as Leader Before Snap Election  — Prime Minister Costa quit on Nov. 7 after an eight-year tenure  —  Portugal's ruling Socialists picked former minister Pedro Nuno Santos to be the new party leader ahead of a snap election in March that was called after his predecessor unexpectedly quit as premier.

Confederate Memorial at Arlington will be removed despite GOP opposition  —  Though dozens of congressional Republicans protested the move, the Army says it will begin work in coming days  —  The U.S. Army intends to remove a Confederate memorial from Arlington National Cemetery next week …

Why a Trump conviction might not save Biden's reelection  —  Pollsters have already started to explore what effect, if any, a criminal conviction before the election would have on Trump's support.  —  It's the go-to refrain for Democrats watching Joe Biden fall behind Donald Trump in polls: Just wait until Trump is convicted.

An order blocking enforcement of Ohio's abortion ban stands after the high court dismissed an appeal  —  The Ohio Supreme Court has dismissed the state's challenge to a judge's order that has blocked enforcement of Ohio's near-ban on abortions for the past 14 months.

Statement from President Joe Biden on the Passing of Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah  —  Jill and I were saddened to learn of the passing of His Highness Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait.  Sheikh Nawaf was a valued partner and true friend …

‘The venom of our age’: James Carville on the danger of Mike Johnson's Christian nationalism  —  The veteran Democratic strategist discusses the ‘hypocrisy’ of his fellow Louisianan and the solace found in his own Catholic faith  —  As hard-right movements rattle or control European governments …