Blinken Cancels China Trip After Spy Balloon Detected Over U.S.  —  The Pentagon called the object, which has flown from Montana to Kansas, an “intelligence-gathering” balloon.  Beijing said it was used mainly for weather research and had strayed off course.

NYC Prosecutors Had to Prove ‘Trump Was Not Legally Insane’  —  A new book reveals that the Manhattan District Attorney's office was worried they couldn't prove Trump had a sound mind. … As they prepared to potentially indict Donald Trump for relentlessly lying to banks about his wealth …

Dianne Feinstein's extremely awkward, very uncomfortable exit from the political stage  —  LOS ANGELES — Several of her House colleagues are already running for her Senate seat.  She isn't raising real money.  And it's so widely assumed that Sen. Dianne Feinstein is on her way out that Nancy Pelosi …

George Santos Produced Ill-Fated Spider-Man Musical.  At Least, He Claims He Did  —  Add Broadway producer to the long list of George Santos's fabrications.  —  While running for Congress in 2021, Santos told some potential donors he was a producer on the musical Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark …

Judge demands answers after Jan. 6 defendant recants guilt  —  A Jan. 6 defendant's boast in an interview this week that he had no regrets about his role in the Capitol riot — just days after he acknowledged his guilt in a federal courtroom — may upend the man's efforts to resolve the criminal case against him.

American killed in Ukraine was working as humanitarian medic  —  Pete Reed, 33, served as a Marine Corps infantryman in Afghanistan, and then went to work saving lives in Iraq and Ukraine  —  Pete Reed, a humanitarian, paramedic and U.S. Marine Corps veteran who had gone to work …

George Santos may owe thousands for traffic violations in two states  —  Add traffic and parking tickets to the growing list of legal and political woes facing embattled Rep. George Santos, a Republican from New York, who may owe more than $3,400 in unpaid citations, according to records from New York City and Florida.

Pence calls for Social Security reform, private savings accounts  —  48th Vice President of the United States  —  WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Mike Pence, a possible contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, said Thursday that he wants to “reform” …

Democrats, Seeing a Weaker Trump, Are Falling in Line Behind Biden  —  Concerns about the president's age are being overcome by enthusiasm about his record so far, optimism about the G.O.P. field — and the absence of better options.  —  PHILADELPHIA — Nine months ago …

Jamie Raskin on why Trump charges are ‘almost inevitable’  —  The Deadline: Legal Blog caught up with Rep. Jamie Raskin to discuss Jan. 6, Trump's impact on the GOP, the Supreme Court and more.  —  Hello, Deadline: Legal Blog readers!  —  I'm excited to report that I had the chance to interview Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., on Friday.

The Meaning of African American Studies  —  The discipline emerged from Black struggle.  Now the College Board wants it to be taught with barely any mention of Black Lives Matter.  —  On Wednesday, February 1st, the first day of Black History Month, the College Board released …

fake tags are a real problem  —  As a bicyclist I am always ready to believe the worst about drivers.  Drivers are why I'm woken up by gunning engines in the middle of the night.  Drivers are why I have titanium screwed into my collarbone.  Drivers!  That I bring my children to school …

Jordan subpoenas Garland, Wray over school board memo  —  The House Judiciary Committee fired off its first subpoenas under the leadership of Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), targeting a trio of Biden administration officials including Attorney General Merrick Garland over a short-lived memo dealing with threats against school board members.

Jupiter's moon count jumps to 92, most in solar system  —  Astronomers have discovered 12 new moons around Jupiter, putting the total count at a record-breaking 92.  That's more than any other planet in our solar system.  Saturn, the one-time leader, comes in a close second with 83 confirmed moons.

‘No-Fly’ List Named Base, Bowl Patrol Members Prior to Public IDs  —  White-power extremists including leaders of The Base and Bowl Patrol were named as “selectees” on a 2019 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “no-fly” list months before the previously-pseudonymous men had been publicly identified by journalists and activists.