House passes ObamaCare repeal, sending measure to president  —  The House on Wednesday passed legislation that would repeal much of ObamaCare and defund Planned Parenthood for one year, sending the measure to President Obama's desk.  —  The bill passed by a vote of 240 to 181.

Trump Maintains Lead in NH; Dem Race Close  —  PPP's newest New Hampshire poll finds Donald Trump leading in the state by 14 points.  Trump's position in the state has been steady over the last three months- we found him at 28% in mid-October, 27% in early December, and we find him at 29% …

Grand jury indicts DPS trooper who arrested Sandra Bland  —  A Waller County grand jury has indicted Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Brian Encinia - the trooper who arrested Sandra Bland - on perjury charges.  —  Darrell Jordan, a special prosecutor, said the charge is a Class A misdemeanor …

John McCain: Ted Cruz's citizenship is “worth looking into”  —  PHOENIX — Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, who faced questions as the 2008 GOP presidential nominee about his birth abroad, is now posing the same question to Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.  —  In an interview Wednesday …

GOP Sen. Cruz Says ‘Bad Actors’ Will Get Worse Under Obama  —  Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz said Wednesday that ‘bad actors’ like North Korea will only get worse under the Obama administration.  —  Responding to questions about North Korea's claim that it tested a hydrogen bomb …

17 mine employees trapped in salt mine near Ithaca  —  LANSING, N.Y. (AP) — 17 miners are stuck in an elevator 775 feet underground at a central New York salt mine near Ithaca and emergency crews are working on a rescue.  —  Emergency management officials say rescue equipment is on the scene and the miners aren't in danger.

Louisville woman accused of assaulting, robbing disabled man after he jokes that he doesn't believe in God  —  LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A woman was arrested at the Hall of Justice in downtown Louisville Tuesday afternoon, months after police say she assaulted and robbed a man after he joked that he did not believe in God.

Roy Moore says probate judges have duty to enforce same-sex marriage ban  —  Chief Justice Roy Moore issued an order today saying that a ruling issued last March by the Alabama Supreme Court remains in effect and that probate judges “have a ministerial duty not to issue any marriage license contrary” …

Gun Store Owner Who Gave Trump a Rifle Has Armed Standoff with CNN Hosts  —  If you've ever wondered what it would look like if a First Order stormtrooper did a cable news hit while his armor was at the dry cleaners, today is your lucky day.  Mark Limoges, the New Hampshire gun owner who gifted …

Citizen Asks ATF: Do I Need a Federal Firearms License to Sell Thousands of Guns to Mexican Cartels?  —  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has posted a link to their Facebook page clarifying requirements for people selling guns to obtain a Federal Firearms License.

How You Pronounce ‘Muslim’ Says A Lot About Your Politics  —  You may have noticed something different in the way some people, including various presidential candidates, talk about Islam depending on whether they are Republicans or Democrats.  No, I'm not referring to the Democrats' refusal to say …

Melania Trump's American Dream  —  Donald Trump's first lady talks candidly about her husband's controversial presidential bid, the secrets to their happy marriage, and why she's stayed out of the spotlight—until now.  —  By Alex Kuczynski and Photographs by Douglas Friedman

Trump Supporters Back Up ‘Birther’ Claims, Accuse Obama of Being Part of ‘New World Order’  —  Here's a treasure from our friends at The Young Turks, just in time for the end of your work day: Jordan Chariton interviewed a few supporters of GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump last night …

Libertarian Gary Johnson launches presidential bid, lowers expectations  —  Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson has joined the crowded 2016 presidential race.  But he's not making any promises about his ability to defeat the likes of Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump.

Rest in Peace, Florence  —  Can a non-believing misanthrope rest in peace?  I hope so.  —  For odd and comical reasons, all related to National Review, and my having lived for a few years in Fredericksburg, Virginia, my former neighbor, Florence King, and I became friends.  Good and lifelong.