Black voters won Alabama for the Dems. Here’s what they need…

As a scholar of African-American and Southern politics for the last 25 years, I've witnessed a lot of election upsets and surprises. None has been more interesting than the Democrat Doug Jones' election to the U.S. Senate in a Dec. 12 special election against Republican Roy Moore.

Female congressional candidate leaves race after sexual harassment allegations resurface

A protester holds a sign up during a #MeToo demonstration outside Trump International hotel in New York City, NY, U.S., December 9, 2017. A Democratic candidate hoping to flip a hotly contested congressional seat in Kansas has dropped out of the race after allegations that she sexually harassed a male subordinate resurfaced amid her campaign.

Tax bill boosts oil, gas drilling – and renewable energy

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, talks to reporters at the Capitol after Republicans signed the conference committee report to advance the GOP tax bill, in Washington, Friday, Dec. 15, 2017. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, talks to reporters at the Capitol after Republicans signed the conference committee report to advance the GOP tax bill, in Washington, Friday, Dec. 15, 2017.

Mueller unlawfully obtained emails, Trump transition team says

In this June 21, 2017, file photo, former FBI Director Robert Mueller, the special counsel probing Russian interference in the 2016 election, departs Capitol Hill following a closed door meeting in Washington. Mueller has produced hundreds of thousands of documents, copies of data from 36 electronic devices and gathered 2,000 "hot" documents in the government's case against Paul Manafort and Rick Gates.

Facing deportation, man taking sanctuary at Old Lyme church granted last-minute stay

Julia Chavez, from left, hugs Senior Minister Steve Jungkeit as they stand with her son Mariano Cardoso Sr. after a press conference on Friday, December 15, 2017, at the First Congregational Church in Old Lyme. Cardoso Sr., who has lived in the United States for almost 30 years, received a last minute stay of removal after being given a deportation order by the Hartford I.C.E. and had taken into sanctuary by the church.

Manhattan prosecutor returns 3 ancient sculptures to Lebanon

Three ancient sculptures are being returned to their rightful owners in Lebanon as the Manhattan district attorney forms a new antiquities trafficking unit. Lawmakers in Colorado and New Mexico are revisiting their sexual misconduct policies as legislatures nationwide confront claims that they haven't done enough to protect victims.

Trump wants death penalty for anyone who kills a police officer

Taking aim at the credibility of the FBI, President Donald Trump unleashed a blistering attack on the bureau's leadership even as he praised state and local police officers as a bulwark against rising violence and crime. Trump denounced the bureau for its handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation, calling it "really disgraceful" and continuing his questioning of his country's intelligence and law enforcement institutions as no president before.

California senator resists calls to step aside amid misconduct probe

California Sen. Tony Mendoza resisted calls Thursday from Senate leader Kevin de Leon, his former roommate, to take a leave of absence until an investigation is completed into his alleged sexual misconduct. "I was not appointed to the position I hold but was elected by the voters in my district," Mendoza said in a statement.

Moore Not Conceding Senate Race to Jones

Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore is not conceding to Democrat Doug Jones, telling campaign supporters "it's not over." Campaign chairman Bill Armistead says that because the vote is close and approaching the state's recount requirement, "we do not have a final decision on the outcome."

Jobs are secondary in economic grants

The Southern Tier council was not one of the top winners in the 2017 Regional Economic Development Council awards in Albany on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. If you want to relive the haze of the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival at the 50th anniversary celebration in the summer of 2019, rest assured New York will be there to help.

Johnson Amendment Repeal Removed from Final GOP Tax Bill(UPDATED)…

President Donald Trump's biggest religious freedom policy promise to evangelicals - repealing the Johnson Amendment - will no longer take place via Republican tax reform. A Democratic senator announced Thursday night that the repeal included in the House version of the tax bill, which would allow churches and other nonprofits to endorse candidates without losing their tax-exempt status, was removed during the reconciliation process with the Senate version, which did not include a repeal.

Texas lawmaker to retire amid harassment accusations

Texas Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold won't seek re-election next year, two Republicans said Thursday, adding his name to the list of lawmakers leaving Congress amid sexual harassment allegations that have cost powerful men their jobs in politics, the arts and other businesses. The accusations against Farenthold first surfaced in 2014, when a former aide sued him over sexually suggestive comments and behavior and said she'd been fired after she complained.

Second accuser prompts call for Nevada congressman to go

This Nov. 14, 2016 file photo Rep.-elect Ruben Kihuen, D-Nev.,right, speaks with reporters as Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., left, listens on Capitol Hill in Washington. The chairman of the House Democrats' campaign committee called on Kihuen to step down after a report Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, that he allegedly sexually harassed his campaign's finance director.

No jail for fertility doctor who lied about using own sperm

The White House is embarking on a major campaign to turn the public against the nation's largely family-based immigration system ahead of an all-out push to move toward a more merit-based structure. Man accused of ramming car into crowd protesting against a white nationalist rally in Virginia, killing one and injuring dozens in August, faces court hearing.

Analysis: When Trump sees a rival, he knows just what to tweet

And President Donald Trump's scorching tweet on Tuesday aimed at Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is being viewed in Washington as a sign Gillibrand is a top contender for President in 2020. President Trump called Gillibrand a "lightweight" and "flunky" who would 'come to my office "begging" for campaign contributions not so long ago ."