Mike on Murphy’s tax hikes: Expect backlash. Julie: Not terrifying. Plus, tips for the gov

Can Americans still have a sensible and friendly political discussion across the partisan divide? The answer is yes, and we intend to prove it. Julie Roginsky, a Democratic, and Mike DuHaime, a Republican, are consultants who have worked on opposite teams for their entire careers.

Talks on trillion-dollar US budget bill reach crucial stage

The U.S. Capitol is seen Dec. 22, 2017, in the early morning in Washington. Top-level Capitol Hill talks on a massive $1.3 trillion catchall spending bill are reaching a critical stage as negotiators confront immigration issues, abortion-related controversies, and a battle over a massive rail project that pits President Donald Trump against his most powerful Democratic adversary.

Democrats Can Take the House, if They Pick Conor Lamb over Hillary Clinton

Democrat Conor Lamb narrowly defeated Republican Rick Saccone - by 627 votes out of 228,378 counted - in a district held by Republican Tim Murphy since 2003. More to the point, the district was carried by a 20-point margin by Republican Donald Trump in 2016 and by a 58-41 percent margin by Republican Mitt Romney in 2012.

Stalled civil rights and payday lending reform await word from Ohio…

State Rep. Nickie Antonio, a Lakewood Democrat, has said that support from the Ohio Chamber of Commerce has given new momentum to her Ohio House Bill 160 that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender idenity in Ohio. The U.S. Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell decision protected a person's right to enter into a same-sex marriage.

Assaults spiked in cities that hosted Trump campaign rallies

Trump celebrates the firing of 'choirboy' FBI deputy McCabe days before his retirement claiming he knew of 'corruption at the highest level' - but he says White House is at 'war' with the agency Trump enlists Hulk Hogan's lawyer for $20MILLION lawsuit against Stormy Daniels - claiming the porn star violated her 'hush agreement' about alleged affair with president 20 TIMES Billionaire Peter Thiel dubs Silicon Valley 'totalitarian' as he opens up about being a Trump supporter in the liberal tech hub President Trump is 'personally upset' he couldn't act as counselor-in-chief after failing to save son Don Jr. and Vanessa's marriage REVEALED: John Kelly says Rex Tillerson was on the TOILET when he told the Secretary of State he was going to be FIRED Famed rabbi with hundreds of grandchildren and THOUSANDS of great-grandchildren is mourned by ultra-Orthodox Jews in upstate New York after dying ... (more)

Cooper names 8 to North Carolina elections and ethics board

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday announced his initial choices for a new state board that administers both elections and ethics laws, even as he presses his latest legal challenge against the law that created the combined panel. Cooper, a Democrat, appointed eight people - four Democrats and four Republicans, as the law requires.

FEMA’s response to Hurricane Maria won’t get initial review …

FEMA has been ripped for its response to Maria but the watchdog agency monitoring FEMA won't issue an initial review of its performance in Puerto Rico. FEMA's response to Hurricane Maria won't get initial review under watchdog agency's new approach FEMA has been ripped for its response to Maria but the watchdog agency monitoring FEMA won't issue an initial review of its performance in Puerto Rico.

It’s buyer beware as big airlines embrace ‘basic economy’ fares

When Michael Zwirn recently booked tickets for his family to travel from Washington, D.C., to Chicago to Boston, he snagged what he thought was a great deal - until he read the fine print. It turned out he'd inadvertently purchased "basic economy" tickets on United, which meant no changes, no access to the overhead bins and, most critically, no guarantee the three of them would be seated together.

B.C., three northwest U.S. states join forces on trade, addiction, environment

British Columbia Premier John Horgan and his counterparts in Oregon, Washington and California are adding the overdose crisis and trade to the list of issues considered vital to the four jurisdictions. Horgan, the governors of Oregon and Washington, as well as officials representing the governor of California have gathered in Vancouver to mark the 10th anniversary of the Pacific Coast Collaborative.

Conor Lamb: Lunchpail Democrat, Trumpian Republican

First it was Jon Ossoff, the Georgia whiz kid reeking of progressive enthusiasm and tech upstarts, who lost to Karen Handel in a special House election last year. Now another model has emerged off their Wunderkind-o-Matic: Conor Lamb, the thirty-something Marine Corps vet who aimed to succeed former congressman Tim Murphy in Pennsylvania's 18th district.

Equifax CIO charged with insider trading; NAFCU reiterates need for data standard

A former chief information officer of Equifax this week was charged with insider trading in advance of the company's massive data breach announcement last September that exposed personal identifiable information of about 148 million U.S. customers. NAFCU continues to call on Congress to instate national data security standards - akin to those followed by credit unions - in an effort to curb future breaches.

At least 4 dead when Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapses on vehicles

Florida officials said Thursday that four people have been found dead in the rubble of a collapsed South Florida pedestrian bridge where the frantic search for any survivors continued past nightfall. Fire Chief Dave Downey said at an evening news briefing that four deceased people were found amid the chaotic scene of concrete rubble and crumpled vehicles.

Donald Trump Jr.’s wife files for divorce in New York

The wife of Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump, has filed for divorce in New York, according to court records. FILE PHOTO: Donald Trump Jr. and his wife Vanessa attend the second day session at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. July 19, 2016.