How Amy Klobuchar Treats Her Staff  —  Senator Amy Klobuchar was hungry, forkless and losing patience.  —  An aide, joining her on a trip to South Carolina in 2008, had procured a salad for his boss while hauling their bags through an airport terminal.  But once onboard, he delivered the grim news …

Cohen Gave Prosecutors New Information on the Trump Family Business  —  Michael D. Cohen, President Trump's former lawyer and fixer, met last month with federal prosecutors in Manhattan, offering information about possible irregularities within the president's family business and about a donor …

Florida human trafficking: Billionaire equity firm owner John Childs wanted on prostitution charge in Vero Beach  —  Billionaire equity firm owner John Childs is one of several men accused of soliciting prostitution in connection with a Florida spa tied to an international human trafficking ring, police said Thursday.

YouTube Just Demonetized Anti-Vax Channels  —  YouTube on Friday said it would prevent channels that promote anti-vax content from running advertising, saying explicitly that such videos fall under its policy prohibiting the monetization of videos with “dangerous and harmful” content.

Grand jury is examining whether former interior secretary Ryan Zinke lied to federal investigators  —  Prosecutors have begun presenting evidence to a grand jury in Washington in their probe of whether former interior Secretary Ryan Zinke lied to federal investigators, according to two individuals briefed on the matter.

Average tax refund down 17 percent, IRS reports  —  The average tax refund issued so far this year is down by 17 percent, the IRS said, a steep decline that promises more headaches for Republican lawmakers.  —  The agency released data late Friday showing refunds are down for the third consecutive week …

South Dakota governor says Trump trade wars have ‘devastated’ the state  —  South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said Friday that President Donald Trump's trade wars have “devastated” her state, and though she agreed that countries like China were not following fair trade practices …

Trump's Trade Chief Lectures His Boss and Gets an Earful in Return  — Lighthizer tries to shape debate on key element in China talks  — Trump rejects Lighthizer case for memorandums of understanding  —  An exasperated Robert Lighthizer, the U.S. trade representative …

The Mueller joke  —  I would like to say some things about the apparently imminent conclusion of Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation, but first let me tell you a joke.  —  One day Johnny asked his teacher, Mrs. Williamson, to be excused from class.

Trump announces nomination of Kelly Knight Craft to be ambassador to United Nations  —  President Trump announced Friday evening that he will nominate Kelly Knight Craft, the U.S. ambassador to Canada and a major Republican donor, to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Democrat predicts House will get Trump's tax returns — but there are a few complications  —  WASHINGTON — House Democrats are planning to ask for a confidential copy of President Trump's tax returns from the IRS, but obtaining them won't be simple or fast, Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., said during an interview on

Dems call on Trump to fire Acosta  —  Three House Democrats are collecting signatures for a letter calling on President Trump to demand the resignation of Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta.  —  The push comes a day after a federal judge ruled that Acosta and other federal prosecutors acted illegally …

George R.R. Martin Isn't the Only Author Who Can't Finish a Beloved Series  —  Robert Caro's new book looks back at his own career, worrying readers who've waited since 2012 for the final volume of his Lyndon Johnson series  —  Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert Caro will publish …

Strategy Isn't Everything  —  Sean Trende, one of my favorite analysts, has an interesting thread expressing his consternation at the folks at the Bulwark and what they are up to. … I understand what Trende is getting at, and he certainly makes some plausible points about how ugly things will be for a while.

New York Has Prepared Paul Manafort Charges If Trump Pardons Him  — Cy Vance has been investigating ex-Trump aide since 2017  — District Attorney sees way to avoid double jeopardy protection  —  New York state prosecutors have put together a criminal case against Paul Manafort …

The $15 Minimum Wage Doesn't Just Improve Lives.  It Saves Them.  —  A living wage is an antidepressant.  It is a sleep aid.  A diet.  A stress reliever.  It is a contraceptive, preventing teenage pregnancy.  It prevents premature death.  It shields children from neglect.

A teen was told her MAGA hat violates school code.  She's fighting back.  —  A California high schooler is challenging her school district, alleging that its decision to ban her from wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat on campus impinges on her First Amendment rights.

R. Kelly charged with sexually abusing 4 victims, at least 3 of them minors  —  Embattled R&B superstar R. Kelly will turn himself in to authorities Friday night and is scheduled to appear in bond court in Chicago Saturday to face charges of 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Scoop: Trump, Pence overseas travel to overlap, concerning some officials  —  For a handful of hours next week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will be the top-ranked government official on U.S. soil.  —  Driving the news: In a rare event on Monday, both President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence …

Trump administration bars clinics that provide abortions or abortion referrals from federal funding  —  Planned Parenthood, which stands to lose $60 million a year, calls on courts, Congress to block the rule.  —  The Trump administration issued a rule Friday barring groups that provide abortions …