Johnson weighs spending plan B as Elon Musk stokes opposition  —  Speaker Mike Johnson's leadership team is quietly discussing a plan B to fund the government amid conservative opposition and vocal criticism from incoming President Donald Trump's top ally Elon Musk.

The Wrath of Trump: House Republicans Map a Case Against Liz Cheney  —  President-elect Donald J. Trump has never been shy about his desire to see his enemies punished.  But he often shows a measure of caution about taking credit for potential prosecutions himself.

California Declares an Emergency Over Bird Flu in Cattle  —  Officials have discovered the virus in 645 dairy herds, more than in any other state so far.  —  In a stark acknowledgment of the increasing seriousness of bird flu's spread, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California declared on Wednesday …

ABC's George Stephanopoulos was repeatedly warned not to use word ‘rape’ by producer — but said it anyway: sources  —  George Stephanopoulos was repeatedly told by his executive producer not to “use the word rape” before going on the air to discuss Donald Trump but the ABC News anchor ignored the warning …

Dow plunges more than 1,100 points and marked its longest losing streak since 1974  —  New York CNN —  The Dow plunged Wednesday on a disappointing outlook from the Federal Reserve.  In the process, the blue-chip index extended its losing streak to 10 days — the longest such stretch since Gerald Ford was president.

‘Vile and heinous’: Michigan man admits to planning mass shootings targeting gay people  — An Owosso man faces up to life in prison after pleading guilty to plotting mass shootings to kill gay people.  — Mack Davis' plans were uncovered during a search of his home after he shot at his neighbors' properties over the summer.

LA Times owner asks editorial board to ‘take a break’ from writing about Trump - report  —  Billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong, who said paper is ‘echo chamber’, also blocked paper's board from endorsing Harris  —  Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the Los Angeles Times, reportedly asked …

Trump's transition is happening over private emails.  Federal officials are nervous.  —  Agencies are weighing in-person requirement for sensitive data.  —  Federal officials say they're worried about sharing documents via e-mail with Donald Trump's transition team because the incoming officials …

Dems Troll ‘Vice President’ Trump as Musk Meddles With Government Funding Bill  —  WHO'S IN CHARGE?  —  The term “President Musk” also started trending on X, which he owns.

LA deputy mayor allegedly made bomb threat to City Hall  —  The FBI is investigating the Los Angeles deputy mayor of public safety after reports show he was allegedly tied to City Hall bomb threats made earlier this year.  —  Agents searched the home of Brian Williams on Tuesday for evidence of a connection.

Health Insurance is a Racket  —  It's not news that many Americans dislike health insurance companies.  In fact, Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare who was murdered two weeks ago, reportedly warned his colleagues months ago that the industry had a public relations problem.

‘There will be some cuts’ to Social Security: Republican threatens outside first DOGE meeting  —  A House Republican said Tuesday that he believes there “will be some cuts” to Social Security and Medicare as he entered a conference room at the U.S. Capitol for the first meeting of the DOGE Caucus …

In reversal, key House panel votes to release Matt Gaetz ethics report  —  The House Ethics Committee secretly voted earlier this month to release its report into the conduct of former Rep. Matt Gaetz before the end of this Congress, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the matter.

Can Anyone Make Sense of Luigi Mangione?  Maybe His Favorite Writer.  —  Almost immediately after Luigi Mangione was arrested last week in connection with the killing of Brian Thompson, the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, you could go pretty deep into the rabbit hole of Mangione's particular internet.

House of Laz  —  SpinCo boss Mark Lazarus has indicated in private conversations that he believes the public perception of MSNBC is that Republicans cannot get a fair shake from the network — and he wants to change that. … To be clear, Lazarus has signaled that he wants the channel to retain its core progressive identity.