H.R. 1628, American Health Care Act of 2017  —  CBO and JCT estimate that enacting the American Health Care Act would reduce federal deficits by $119 billion over the coming decade and increase the number of people who are uninsured by 23 million in 2026 relative to current law.

First on CNN: AG Sessions did not disclose meetings with Russian officials, DOJ says  —  Sources: Russians bragged about using Flynn  —  Washington (CNN)Attorney General Jeff Sessions did not disclose meetings he had last year with Russian officials when he applied for his security clearance, the Justice Department told CNN Wednesday.

How a dubious Russian document influenced the FBI's handling of the Clinton probe  —  In the midst of the 2016 presidential primary season, the FBI received a purported Russian intelligence document describing a tacit understanding between the campaign of Hillary Clinton and the Justice Department …

Top Russian Officials Discussed How to Influence Trump Aides Last Summer  —  WASHINGTON — American spies collected information last summer revealing that senior Russian intelligence and political officials were discussing how to exert influence over Donald J. Trump through his advisers …

Republican candidate ‘body-slams’ Guardian reporter in Montana  —  Audio obtained of Greg Gianforte attacking a reporter on the eve of a special election to fill a congressional seat vacated by a member of the Trump administration … The Republican candidate for Montana's congressional seat slammed …

Spicer's absence in papal visit reveals Trump's family-first rule  —  Vatican City (CNN)At the most highly anticipated meeting on President Donald Trump's first foreign odyssey, the ever-shifting pecking order of a tumultuous White House was on full display.

Fox News Poll: Trump approval down, voters support special counsel on Russia  —  American voters disagree with President Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey, think the dismissal was for self-serving reasons, and approve of a special counsel being appointed to investigate Russian government efforts …

The Pentagon Can't Believe Trump Told Another President About Nuclear Subs Near North Korea  —  “We never talk about subs!” three defense officials told BuzzFeed News after a transcript of a call between President Trump and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was published.

The life and death of the Seth Rich conspiracy theory  —  When Seth Rich's Gmail account received an alert this week from Mega.com, attempting to start a new account on a website created by the New Zealand-based Internet businessman and convicted hacker Kim Dotcom, his family knew that something was off.

Donald Trump's Base Is Shrinking  —  A widely held tenet of the current conventional wisdom is that while President Trump might not be popular overall, he has a high floor on his support.  Trump's sizable and enthusiastic base — perhaps 35 to 40 percent of the country — won't abandon him any time soon …

Manchester Bomber Known to U.S. Authorities Before Attack; Father, Brother Arrested  —  MANCHESTER, England — The suicide bomber who killed 22 people after an Ariana Grande concert was part of a network that included his brother, who was arrested Wednesday as he was allegedly plotting …

A Top Mar-A-Lago Employee Is Quietly Doing Government Work For Trump's Foreign Trip  —  Heather Rinkus, the guest reception manager at Trump's “Winter White House” and wife of a twice-convicted felon, is in Italy with Trump's logistics team and has been outfitted with a government-issued phone and email.

Trump Failing to Track Foreign Cash at His Hotels  —  Just before taking office, President Donald Trump promised to donate all profits earned from foreign governments back to the U.S. Treasury.  —  But MSNBC has learned the Trump Organization is not tracking all possible payments it receives …

Ben Carson calls poverty ‘a state of mind’ during interview  —  In an interview released Wednesday, Housing Secretary Ben Carson said that a “certain mindset” contributes to people living in poverty, pointing to habits and a “state of mind” children take from their parents at a young age.

Baltimore attorney arrested for allegedly offering rape victim $3K to not testify, saying Trump will deport her  —  A Baltimore defense attorney was arrested in the downtown courthouse Tuesday and charged with obstruction of justice and witness intimidation for allegedly telling a rape victim …

Portland burrito shop forced to close amid accusations of cultural appropriation, stealing recipes  —  Just one week after Kooks Burritos in Portland, Ore., was featured in a profile for local publication Willamette Week, the pop-up Mexican food cart has closed down amid accusations that they ripped off their recipes.

Analysis: ESPN Lost Republican Viewers Across the Country in 2016  —  Special to Outkick by David Seawright:  —  Two weeks ago, Deep Root Analytics published an analysis of the changing partisanship of ESPN's audience from 2015 to 2016 with the following key point:

Found at the Scene in Manchester: A Detonator, Shrapnel and a Battery  —  The bomber in the Manchester terrorist attack appeared to have carried a powerful explosive in a lightweight metal container concealed either within a black vest or a blue Karrimor backpack, and to have held a small detonator …

The Big One is going to happen, no matter how much you want to deny it, California scientists say  —  Earthquakes occur all over the world, mostly around plate edges, on faults.  Here are three things to keep in mind to ensure safety in an earthquake.  —  Fear of earthquakes is part of life in California.

Conservatism buries Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher  —  How confidence in the benefits of free markets and free trade has been lost  —  Read next  —  It was a love affair — platonic, but a love affair, all the same.  As a former US diplomat put it, President Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher were …

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City Announces It Will Not Offer Individual Affordable Care Act (ACA) Plans in 2018  —  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) today announced the company's decision to not offer or renew individual Affordable Care Act (ACA) …

Classified Senate briefing expands to include Russian cyber firm under FBI scrutiny  —  Even with the Senate Intelligence Committee focused this week on its investigation of Russia's alleged meddling in last year's presidential election, the committee met behind closed doors today …