Obama Immigration Policy Halted by Federal Judge in Texas  —  A federal judge in Texas has ordered a halt, at least temporarily, to President Obama's executive actions on immigration, siding with Texas and 25 other states that filed a lawsuit opposing the initiatives.

Poll: Blame for DHS shutdown would fall to GOP  —  Jennifer Agiesta, CNN Director of Polling  —  Boehner tells the Senate to pass DHS funding 00:27  —  Washington (CNN)Republicans in Congress would shoulder the blame for a shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security if they are unable …

Marie Harf explains  —  Marie Harf trotted out the “root causes” school of thought last night to explain how ISIS will ultimately be defeated.  “We cannot win this war by killing them,” according to Harf.  “We cannot kill our way out of this war.  We need in the medium to longer term …

Fear, Inc. 2.0: As Anti-Muslim Incidents Continue, Report Exposes Funders, Pundits of Islamophobia … As a federal inquiry begins in the killing of three Muslim students in North Carolina and an Islamic center in Houston, Texas, was intentionally set on fire Friday, we look at a new report …

10 hours of fear and loathing in Paris  —  One month after the terrorist attack on a kosher supermarket in Paris, NRG's correspondent, wearing a tzitzit and a kippa, took what proved to be an intimidating walk across the French capital.  “What is he doing here Mommy?

Russian researchers expose breakthrough U.S. spying program  —  (Reuters) - The U.S. National Security Agency has figured out how to hide spying software deep within hard drives made by Western Digital, Seagate, Toshiba and other top manufacturers, giving the agency the means to eavesdrop …

Egypt Unites Against ISIS  —  The Libyan branch of ISIS massacred 21 Egyptian Christians over the weekend.  A knife-wielding executioner frog-marched the bound and blind-folded captives to a beach in front of a camera and said, “safety for you crusaders is something you can only wish for,” and cut off their heads.

Transgender Woman Reportedly Murdered By Her Father  —  Kevin Golec, 52, allegedly stabbed his 22-year-old transgender daughter Bri Golec to death on Feb. 13, in Akron, Ohio.  In his 911 call, Kevin claimed his daughter, who he refers to using male pronouns and the name “Brian,” was murdered by a cult.

Police arrest two on suspicion of aiding Copenhagen shooter  —  (Reuters) - Danish police have arrested two people on suspicion of aiding a gunman in deadly attacks on a synagogue and an event promoting free speech at the weekend that have shocked a nation proud of its record of safety and openness.

Emanuel closing in on majority he needs to avoid runoff, Tribune poll finds  —  Mayor Rahm Emanuel is closing in on the majority he needs to win re-election and avoid a runoff, but nearly 1 in 5 Chicago voters remain undecided a week before Election Day, a new Chicago Tribune poll found.

Dems will splinter on trade deals  —  Senate Democrats have maintained a united front as a minority in the new Congress — so far.  —  No Democrats crossed party lines on the Homeland Security funding bill vote.  Last week's vote on the Keystone XL pipeline saw some defections.

Ex-Gov. Ted Strickland is raising money for a U.S. Senate bid  —  Former Gov. Ted Strickland has started raising money for a 2016 U.S. Senate bid.  —  Katie Hough, who said she is helping Strickland with campaign contributions, confirmed to The Vindicator that the former governor …

In Jersey, A Flintlock Pistol Can Get You A 10-Year Jail Sentence  —  Where is there any justice in locking up a 72-year-old man for up to 10 years for having an antique flintlock pistol?  I'm sure in the Garden State authorities can find frivolous reasons, but there really isn't any justification for such a prosecutorial overreach.

TIME FOR A WOMAN IN THE OVAL OFFICE?  NEW JERSEYANS AGREE COUNTRY IS READY  —  With all signs pointing to a second presidential campaign by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, 80 percent of New Jersey voters say Americans are ready for a woman in the Oval Office, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton Poll.

50 Million Down The Tubes: How 17 Conservative PACs Are Spending Their Money  —  The late, great Eric Hoffer once said that, “Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket.”  —  Some people have started to wonder whether that's happened …

Islamic State expands despite U.S.-led air campaign  —  WASHINGTON - Since exploding onto the world stage as a conquering force in Iraq a year ago, the Islamic State has expanded its reach across the Middle East despite a U.S.-led bombing campaign that has killed thousands of militants and destroyed tons of their equipment.

2/15: 2016 Wide Open GOP Field in Early Caucus and Primary States... Clinton Solid Front-Runner on Democratic Side  —  Taking an early look at the key presidential caucus and primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, a Republican front-runner fails to emerge.

STATUS: FEDERAL OFFICES ARE CLOSED - EMERGENCY AND TELEWORK-READY EMPLOYEES MUST FOLLOW THEIR AGENCY'S POLICIES  —  FEDERAL OFFICES in the Washington, DC area are CLOSED.  Emergency and telework-ready employees required to work must follow their agency's policies, including written telework agreements.