Authorities Arrest Analyst Who Contributed to Steele Dossier  —  Igor Danchenko, a Russia analyst who worked with Christopher Steele, the author of a dossier of rumors and unproven assertions about Donald J. Trump, was taken into custody as part of the Durham investigation.

Democratic struggles with rural and white voters hurt them on Tuesday night  —  WASHINGTON — Yes, the political environment was rough for Democrats on Tuesday night.  Yes, playing the Trump and Jan. 6 cards didn't work as well as they had hoped.  And, yes, Democrats lost independent voters in Virginia, per the exit poll.

More than 100 million American workers will need to be fully vaccinated by January 4  —  (CNN)The Biden administration announced Thursday that its vaccine rules applying to private businesses with 100 or more employees, certain health care workers and federal contractors will take effect January 4.

Jan. 6 Defendant Who Said She's ‘Definitely Not Going To Jail’ Sentenced To Prison  —  Jenna Ryan, a Texas real estate agent who flew to D.C. on a private plane and livestreamed in the Capitol, got 60 days in prison.  —  Jenna Ryan, a Donald Trump enthusiast who tweeted that she's …

Spending $153, Edward Durr ousts NJ Senate leader Sweeney  —  TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey's longtime state Senate president, Democrat Steve Sweeney, has lost reelection, falling to a Republican newcomer who spent less than $200 on the race and leaving his party reeling.

Here's Why Rapid COVID Tests Are So Expensive and Hard to Find  —  Months-long silences.  Mysterious rejections.  Here's what's behind the shortages of a critical tool for ending the pandemic.  —  Coronavirus  —  The U.S. Response to COVID-19 … A few weeks ago, a ProPublica reporter decided to test his kids for COVID-19.

How These Ultrawealthy Politicians Avoided Paying Taxes  —  IRS records reveal how Gov. Jim Justice, Gov. Jared Polis, former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and other wealthy political figures slashed their taxes using strategies unavailable to most of their constituents.  —  Co-published with Mountain State Spotlight

‘I was literally screaming in pain’: Young women say they met Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy for sex and it turned violent and humiliating … In the summer of 2020, Madison sent Barstool Sports' founder, Dave Portnoy, a direct message on Instagram complimenting his famous “one bite” pizza reviews.

House eyes vote as soon as Thursday on Biden spending plan as moderate Democrats continue to question costs  —  A new analysis of one of the measures, a $1.75 trillion proposal, reflects Democrats' contention that it is fully paid for, Pelosi said Thursday  —  House Democrats are angling …

Giuliani investigators home in on 2019 plan to advance Ukraine interests in US  —  Prosecutors believe Giuliani and two others may have violated law over agreement that would have seen them win lucrative contracts  —  The high-profile federal criminal investigation of Rudy Giuliani …

DOJ error highlights Jan. 6 mystery: Where was Kamala Harris during the attack?  —  When pro-Trump rioters attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, lawmakers and Vice President Mike Pence fled for safety.  Until recently, the Justice Department contended that Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was among them.

Rittenhouse Juror Booted After Telling ‘Joke’ About Jacob Blake Shooting  —  GROSS  —  A white juror in the Kyle Rittenhouse murder trial has been dismissed after telling a sheriff's deputy a joke about the police shooting of Jacob Blake.  —  Ahead of the third day of testimony in the murder trial …

“Anti-CRT” school board candidates are winning  —  A new PAC focused on electing conservative candidates to public school boards — by raising fears about how racism is taught — won three-fourths of its 58 races across seven states on Tuesday.  —  Why it matters: Those wins for the 1776 Project PAC …

The scandal involving Ron DeSantis and the silenced professors just got worse  —  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has remained uncharacteristically quiet about the growing scandal at the University of Florida, which has barred numerous professors from testifying as expert witnesses in lawsuits challenging the Republican governor's policies.

Adam Kinzinger isn't ruling out a 2024 presidential bid as he considers his future after the House  —  (CNN)Rep. Adam Kinzinger is actively weighing whether to seek his political fortunes in the Senate, the Illinois governor's mansion or even the White House, despite serious questions …

“A racist assumption”: Mixed-race family stopped at Denver airport after Southwest employee suspected human trafficking  —  Mary MacCarthy says she wants an apology from Southwest Airlines  —  A woman and her 10-year-old daughter were stopped by police at Denver International Airport …

Republicans press Milley over perceived progressive military agenda  —  Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee are pressing Gen. Mark Milley on the cost of military initiatives focused on issues like climate change and white nationalism within its ranks, questioning whether …

POLITICO Playbook PM: How Youngkin's top advisers would have attacked Youngkin  —  GLENN YOUNGKIN's victory in Virginia has Republicans promising to emphasize the issue of critical race theory and Democrats scrambling to understand how seriously to take it.  —  CNN's Manu Raju …