Robert Wilkie is President Trump’s second VA secretary; his first was fired after clashing with political appointees. Wilkie insists he’s put an end to infighting at the department.
Scientists Spy On Bees, See Harmful Effects Of Common Insecticide
Bees exposed to a type of insecticides called neonicotinoids dramatically changed their behavior — becoming sluggish, antisocial and spending less time caring for the colony’s young, researchers say.
Michelle Obama Tells The Story Of ‘Becoming’ Herself — And The Struggle To Hang On
The former first lady’s new book is a story about her history, how that influenced who she is — and learning to adapt after agreeing to let that life be hijacked by politics.
Florida Could Be Headed For Recounts: Here’s How They Would Work
If a candidate is defeated by a 0.5 percent or less margin, state law will trigger an automatic machine recount, which would then be ordered by the Florida secretary of state.
Military To Get Greater Scrutiny With Democrats Controlling The House
The Trump administration’s military operations in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq have been relatively free of congressional oversight. That will change in the House when Democrats take control next year.
As Florida Races Narrow, Trump And Scott Spread Claims Of Fraud Without Evidence
Voters should be worried about “rampant voter fraud in Palm Beach and Broward counties,” said Senate candidate and Florida Gov. Rick Scott. Experts say previous claims of widespread fraud are false.
3 Stabbed, 1 Dead In Australia In Incident Police Say Is Possible Terrorism
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack in Melbourne in which a knife-wielding man lunged at passersby before being shot and killed by police.
New Medicare Advantage Benefits Are Supposed To Help Seniors Stay Out Of The Hospital
To help seniors stay healthy and independent, some Medicare plans will soon cover things like home-delivered meals or rides to the doctor, but finding plans that include the coverage is not easy.
What 2018 Elections Could Tell Us About The 2020 Presidential Map
Florida remains the most important state for Trump in his re-election, and Republicans are just barely hanging on in big races. Democratic gains in Rust Belt states could spell trouble.
In A Setback For Trump, Judge Blocks Keystone XL Pipeline Construction
Judge Brian Morris wrote the State Department’s analysis of the pipeline’s potential environmental impact fell short of a “hard look” on several items, including greenhouse gas emissions.
‘This Is Going To Be Absolutely Heart-Wrenching’: The Thousand Oaks Shooting Victims
Not all the victims’ names have been released, but among those confirmed are six men and three women. They range from 18 to 54 — a reflection of the crowd drawn to the bar’s “College Country Night.”
Satanists Sue Netflix, Warner Bros. For $150M, Saying ‘Sabrina’ Copied Their Statue
The Satanic Temple has used the statue to protest for freedom of religion. Now, it says the media giants have lifted its copyrighted design for a depiction of evil in the streaming series.
Federal Appeals Court Deals Trump Another Setback On DACA
The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is the first appellate court to rule on ending Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Judges rejected government arguments that the court has no jurisdiction.
Duck Boat Captain Indicted In Missouri Lake Accident That Killed 17
Kenneth McKee was charged with 17 federal counts of criminal negligence, misconduct and inattention to duty. U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison said, “Each represents a life that was lost.”
Paradise, Calif., Destroyed By Wildfire, Authorities Say
The entire town of 27,000 people was evacuated in front of the wildfire in Northern California. The fire is the latest in a string of disastrous wildfires to hit the state in the past year.
Trump Administration Seeks To Limit Asylum-Seekers With New Rule
The change announced on Thursday is designed to prohibit migrants who cross the border outside of designated entry points from seeking asylum in the U.S. It is almost certain to face legal challenges.
Bernie Sanders Clarifies Comments About Racism Hurting Black Candidates
Sanders accuses Republicans who ran against Stacey Abrams in Georgia and Andrew Gillum in Florida of using racist strategies after he initially said voters were uncomfortable backing black candidates.
After Midterm Defeat, Advocates For Montana’s Medicaid Expansion Turn To Legislature
If a funding extension can’t be hammered out in the Montana Legislature, the state could be the first to undo an expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
Plagued By War and Famine, Yemen Is ‘No Longer A Functioning State,’ Journalist Warns
In 2015, Saudi Arabia initiated a bombing campaign against Yemen that continues today. Journalist Robert Worth says the results have been devastating — and that the U.S. shares some of the blame.
Eric Schneiderman Won’t Face Criminal Charges Over Allegations Of Abuse
Multiple women say the former N.Y. attorney general physically attacked them. A prosecutor says she believes the women but “legal impediments” preclude any charges. She’s proposed a legislative fix.
Health Care For The Migrant Caravan: Flu, Blisters But Definitely Not Smallpox
At a rest stop in Mexico City, adults are treated for respiratory and stomach bugs. Their feet are in bad shape. There’s anxiety and fear among adults and children. But … definitely no smallpox.
Scorecard: Trump Declares ‘Great Victory,’ But 34 Of His Candidates Lost
Trump highlighted the success of candidates he held rallies for, embracing the idea that the midterms were a referendum on him. But his record is far more mixed than he lets on.
What We Know About The Thousand Oaks Shooting Suspect
Authorities have identified the gunman as Ian David Long, 28, a Marine Corps veteran. The Ventura County, Calif., sheriff says his office had a number of interactions with Long in recent years.
It’s Not Over: Days After Election, These Races Are Still Undecided
While Democrats won control of the House, and Republicans expanded their majority in the Senate, many individual races remain too close to call.
69-Year-Old Dutch Man Seeks To Change His Legal Age To 49
Emile Ratelband, a motivational speaker, told a court in the Netherlands that he feels 20 years younger than he is. Changing his birthdate would also give him better luck on dating apps, he says.
Fallen Officer Made ‘Ultimate Sacrifice’ In Confronting Thousand Oaks Shooter
Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Helus had been speaking with his wife when reports of an active gunman came in. Within minutes, the veteran officer was on the hellish scene — but he would not survive the night.
Researchers Uncover A Circuit For Sadness In The Human Brain
When people are feeling glum, it often means that brain areas involved in emotion and memory are communicating. Researchers have now observed the circuit in action in humans.
In Georgia, Kemp Claims Victory, But Won’t Oversee Potential Recount
The Republican announced he would resign as secretary of state on Thursday after a lawsuit was filed calling it a conflict of interest for him to oversee the vote count in the governor’s race.
Will South Sudan’s New Peace Agreement Hold This Time?
After years of devastating civil war and broken peace deals, South Sudan is at a crossroads again. While many displaced refugees are still afraid to return home, others see big reasons for hope.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospitalized After Falling, Fracturing 3 Ribs
The 85-year-old justice fell in her office at the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday evening. She has been hospitalized for “observation and treatment.”
Heightened Security As Brett Kavanaugh Formally Takes Supreme Court Seat
The court said that because of security concerns, Kavanaugh would not walk down the court’s long outside staircase with the chief justice.
Kavanaugh Accuser Christine Blasey Ford Continues Receiving Threats, Lawyers Say
Christine Blasey Ford’s lawyers say she isn’t interested in publicity or a book deal. She is struggling to get her life back on track following her testimony in the Senate.
California May Soon Unravel Controversial Nets Used To Harvest Swordfish
Some of the last drift gillnet fishers in the world capture swordfish off the coast of California. But their days may be numbered as lawmakers seek phase the nets out.
Asia Bibi, Pakistani Woman Acquitted Of Blasphemy, Is Freed From Jail
Bibi, a Christian who spent eight years on death row before her acquittal earlier this month, was released despite objections from hard-line Muslim groups.
Tesla Names New Chair As Elon Musk Steps Down
Robyn Denholm, a Tesla board member and technology executive, is the board’s new leader. CEO Elon Musk had agreed to step down as chair in a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Scientists Unveil Ancient Sea Monsters Found In Angola
Almost 100 million years ago, when the South Atlantic Ocean was young, giant reptiles prowled the seas. Scientists have found a trove of these ancient creatures in the African nation of Angola.