Top Russian Official Tried to Broker ‘Backdoor’ Meeting Between Trump and Putin  —  WASHINGTON — A senior Russian official who claimed to be acting at the behest of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia tried in May 2016 to arrange a meeting between Mr. Putin and Donald J. Trump, according to several people familiar with the matter.

Clinton blasts Trump and Moore over sexual misconduct allegations  —  Hillary Clinton slammed President Donald Trump and Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore on Friday over their alleged sexual misconduct, criticizing them for not “accepting responsibility” and “apologizing” for their reported transgressions as Sen. Al Franken did.

Sitting Supreme Court Justice Bill O'Neill, responding to Franken allegations, claims bedding 50 women  —  CLEVELAND, Ohio - Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O'Neill, a Democratic candidate for governor, apparently trying to head off any criticisms from his opponents, revealed his sexual escapades over the years on a Facebook post.

Greg Gianforte misled police after assault of Guardian journalist, report reveals … US congressman Greg Gianforte misled police after his assault of Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs in May, falsely stating that Jacobs had initiated physical contact and that the “liberal media …

GOP chairman breaks with Trump on elephant trophy imports  —  The Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee slammed President Trump Friday for allowing imports of hunted elephant trophies from Zimbabwe.  —  Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.), who has prioritized fighting wildlife crime …

How a conservative group dealt with a fondling charge against a rising GOP star  —  On a fall evening two years ago, donors gathered during a conference at a Ritz-Carlton hotel near Washington to raise funds for a 31-year-old candidate for the Ohio legislature who was a rising star in evangelical politics.

‘Girls’ Writer Murray Miller Accused of Raping Underage Actress Aurora Perrineau (Exclusive)  —  “Passengers” star says she woke up in 2012 with Murray “on top of me having sexual intercourse with me”  —  Actress Aurora Perrineau has gone to police to accuse “Girls” writer …

Graphic: Navy admits to being involved in obscene skydrawings spotted in Okanogan Co. … WARNING: Some viewers may find the photos in this story offensive  —  OKANOGAN COUNTY, Wash. - Officials with the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island said one of their aircraft was involved in the obscene skywritings spotted in Okanogan County.

Subway rider: I asked manspreader to stop, so he punched me in the face  —  A woman says she was slugged in the face by a racist lunatic on the subway — all because she asked him to stop “manspreading.”  —  The aftermath of Thursday's violent exchange was caught on video as a good Samaritan tries …

Ryan Seacrest Denies Behaving “Inappropriately” To E! Stylist, Channel Investigating  —  As more and more allegations of sexual harassment and other misconduct emerge in Hollywood, Ryan Seacrest today took the preemptive move of denying acting badly before any accusation went public.

Rev. Jesse Jackson Reveals Parkinson's Diagnosis  —  The founder of Chicago's Rainbow PUSH coalition has remained a prominent religious and political figure  —  NOTE: Read Jackson's full letter to supporters here.  —  Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he announced Friday.

No, Bowe Bergdahl didn't wander off during court  —  Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, held for about five years by the Taliban after disappearing in Afghanistan, has taken off again — this time during his own court proceeding, says Duffel Blog.  —  “Bowe Bergdahl wanders off during court-martial,” said the October headline in Duffel Blog.

The Uber Tipping Equilibrium  —  What is the effect of tipping on the take-home pay of Uber drivers?  Economic theory offers a clear answer.  Tipping has no effect on take home pay.  The supply of Uber driver-hours is very elastic.  Drivers can easily work more hours when the payment per ride increases …

Vanity Fair Fashion Staff Nonplussed by New Editor's Personal Style  —  Radhika Jones joins the magazine next month with extensive literary and editorial experience.  —  WELCOME TO CONDÉ NAST: Radhika Jones is learning the ways of One World Trade.  Having been named the new editor …

‘A lot of boob stuff:’ Fla. Democratic Party chair apologizes after six women complain of ‘demeaning’ behavior  —  TALLAHASSEE — Six former Florida Democratic Party staffers and consultants say that current party chairman Stephen Bittel has created an unprofessional workplace environment …

Tampa church warns: We are armed and ready to use deadly force  —  If you are an evildoer wishing to bring harm to the members of River at Tampa Bay Church, don't expect congregants to turn the other cheek.  —  They'll blast you.  —  So says a sign at the church, at 3738 River International Drive …

Trump administration has plans to wipe out work permits for H-1B spouses  —  The Trump administration has plans to stop granting work permits to spouses of H-1B holders, a move that would overturn a 2015 rule and affect thousands of foreigners currently in the United States …

There's a Digital Media Crash.  But No One Will Say It  —  Yesterday I appeared on a panel about digital publishers who are ‘pivoting to video’.  I've written about this before.  But in case you're new to it, there have been numerous cases over the last six months to a year in which digital publishers …

The tax bill's not looking so popular  —  The GOP may be heading for more trouble with its legislative agenda — this time with an unpopular tax bill.  A compilation by Chris Warshaw of George Washington University of various polls shows that the plans to rewrite the tax code are only slightly …

The NFL Is Investigating Jameis Winston For Allegedly Groping An Uber Driver In 2016  —  “The League has been informed that you may have been the victim of such a violation perpetrated by Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Jameis Winston.  The League takes allegations of this nature very seriously …