Exclusive: Former Congressman Harold Ford Jr. Fired For Misconduct By Morgan Stanley  —  A woman who was interviewed as part of the company's HR probe separately told HuffPost that Ford harassed her one evening in Manhattan several years ago.  —  Former Democratic Congressman Harold Ford Jr …

MSNBC Reverses Decision To Fire Contributor Sam Seder  —  Progressive radio and television personality Sam Seder will be offered his MSNBC contributor job back and plans to accept, according to multiple MSNBC sources.  —  Seder and MSNBC were set to part ways when his contributor contract expired next year …

Lindsey Vonn: I won't be representing US President at Winter Olympics  —  St Moritz, Switzerland (CNN)A number of US athletes have spoken out against Donald Trump during his presidency — and skier Lindsey Vonn has become the latest to have her say.  —  Targeting Olympic gold …

Gov. Mark Dayton likely to tap Lt. Gov Tina Smith as Franken replacement  —  Dayton appears likely to pick Smith if Franken quits.  —  Lt. Gov. Tina Smith is likely to be Gov. Mark Dayton's choice to replace Sen. Al Franken if he resigns as expected, which would set in motion a cascade of job openings and reshape Minnesota politics.

Donald Trump Jr. is clamming up on Russia.  Republicans may help him get away with it.  —  THE MORNING PLUM:  —  In a closed-door interview with congressional investigators yesterday, Donald Trump Jr. refused to divulge the contents of a phone conversation with his father …

Less-guarded Sessions spars with interns in internal DOJ video  —  This summer, in the midst of President Donald Trump's criticism of the Justice Department and Attorney General Jeff Sessions in particular, Sessions said during a private event that the U.S. legal system must be …

The Closing of the Republican Mind  —  When Ronald Reagan passed his historic tax cut in 1981, he won support from 25 Democrats in the Senate and 113 in the House.  —  When George W. Bush passed his sweeping tax cut in 2001, he won support from 12 Democrats in the Senate and 28 in the House.

Ex-cop Michael Slager faces 19 to 24 years in prison for shooting death of Walter Scott  —  Former South Carolina police officer Michael Slager faces 19 to 24 years in prison for the deadly shooting of unarmed black man Walter Scott.  —  U.S. District Judge David Norton ruled today …

The Democratic party is fine  —  It is the most united American party in modern political history.  —  Take down  —  It is the most united American party in modern political history.  —  Welcome to TAKE DOWN, a new column in which Sean McElwee holds pundits accountable for their hot garbage takes …

We need a healthier conversation about partisanship and sexual assault  —  Trying to put sexual assault allegations beyond partisanship is only making them more partisan.  —  I've been saying for a while now that Al Franken should resign.  And I'm glad that this week many of his colleagues …

AP Interview: On North Korea, senator says China a problem  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — China is more of a problem than a partner for the United States on dealing with nuclear-armed North Korea, a leading Republican senator and ally of President Donald Trump told the Associated Press during a wide-ranging interview Thursday.

Trump had for months been determined to move U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem … During a visit to his Mar-a-  —  Lago resort in March, President Trump approached legal scholar Alan Dershowitz to talk about the Middle East.  —  While Trump questioned Dershowitz, a confidant …

CBS News poll: Americans say tax plan helps wealthy, not middle class  —  Republicans expect economic boost, but not personal tax cut  —  The Republican tax plan faces opposition from a majority of Americans.  Over half disapprove of it - including four in 10 who disapprove strongly …

Ventura fire rages, threatening communities both coastal and inland; section of 101 Freeway closed  —  The return of powerful winds Thursday pushed the destructive Ventura County fire closer to several communities, prompting new evacuations.  —  Communities both on the coast and inland were under threat.

Gretchen Carlson declines to rule out Senate run  —  STORY HIGHLIGHTS  —  Washington (CNN)Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson declined Thursday to rule out a run for the US Senate, telling CNN's Poppy Harlow and John Berman that she's been asked to run in her home state of Connecticut.

Ryan reiterates call for Roy Moore to drop out  —  (R-Wis.) on Thursday reiterated his call for Alabama GOP Senate hopeful Roy Moore to drop out of the race over allegations of sexual misconduct, including assault.  —  “I think he should have dropped out,” Ryan told reporters at his weekly news conference.

Marriage equality law passes Australia's parliament in landslide vote  —  Jubilation and tears of joy as Australia becomes the 25th country to recognise same-sex marriage  —  Australia's parliament has legislated for marriage equality, passing a bill almost unanimously to allow two people, regardless of sex, to marry.

Exclusive: Sen. Jeff Flake Defends His ‘Yes’ Vote on the Republican Tax Bill  —  When Senate Republicans voted by the narrowest of margins — 51 to 49 — to pass their sweeping tax overhaul after midnight last Friday, many of the bill's critics turned their anger to Sen. Jeff Flake …

2 students killed in Aztec school shooting  —  AZTEC, N.M. (KRQE) - Three people are dead after a school shooting at Aztec High School in Aztec, NM.  —  Two students are dead, the shooter is dead as well.  There are no other injuries reported.  According to the San Juan Regional Medical Center …

Silicon Valley Is Sneaking Models Into This Year's Holiday Parties  —  “Ambiance and atmosphere models” contractually obligated to pretend they're party guests are in record demand from local agencies.  —  Along with a seemingly endless string of harassment and discrimination scandals …