After years of influence, GOP kingmaker’s future uncertain

In a May 23, 2017 file photo, former Majority Leader Rick Quinn, left, and his father, Richard Quinn Sr. pause as they talk during a break in a hearing to get solicitor David Pascoe disqualified from the prosecution of Quinn in Columbia, S.C. Solicitor David Pascoe announced Wednesday, Oct. 18, that the State Grand Jury had returned indictments against Richard Quinn on charges of criminal conspiracy and failure to register as a lobbyist. Grand jurors also issued new indictments for two lawmakers already charged.

Mr. Toxicity Zaps America

America's all-time-leading heartless anti-science zealot EPA Administrator Scott "Mr. Toxicity" Pruitt, as of March 2017, nixed his own agency's proposal of 2015 to ban the toxic chemical chlorpyrifos, an insecticide that attacks the nervous system of pesky insects, as well as pesky and non-pesky people . It's sprayed on crops of foodstuff that ends up in grocery stores.

U.S. court blocks illegal immigrant teen’s bid to obtain abortion

A U.S. appeals court on Friday prevented an illegal immigrant teenager detained by the government from immediately obtaining an abortion, although it left open the possibility she could undergo the procedure within days. A U.S. appeals court on Friday prevented an illegal immigrant teenager detained by the government from immediately obtaining an abortion, although it left open the possibility she could undergo the procedure within days.

Stopping hate crimes against transgender Americans

It's compelling and important news that Attorney General Jeff Sessions is so concerned about the killing of a transgender Iowa high school student that he has sent an experienced federal hate crimes lawyer to help prosecute the man charged in the murder. This act of compassion also begs a question: Why isn't Sessions more concerned about violence against transgender people while they are still alive? There have long been concerns about Sessions' stance on the civil rights of gay and transgender Americans.

Q&A on the GOP effort to overhaul the nation’s tax system

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan applauds as attendees to the 72nd Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner are announced Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, in New York. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan applauds as attendees to the 72nd Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner are announced Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, in New York.

Top Dems nix White House demands to alter health care deal

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., makes a call as senators arrive for votes at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., right, leaves the Senate floor after a vote, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Page Six: Weinstein rehab off to the start you’d expect

When confronted by an ever-increasing avalanche of sexual harassment and assault allegations, Harvey Weinstein opted for a rehab clinic and a promise to shape up. The allegations have gotten worse, prompting criminal investigations of rape in Los Angeles, New York, and London, but Weinstein doesn't appear to have changed much at all.

Judge rejects motion to clear former Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s conviction

A federal judge on Thursday rejected Joe Arpaio's request to erase a criminal contempt conviction from his record, saying a presidential pardon of the former sheriff didn't change the facts of the case. Arpaio, the former top lawman in Maricopa County, Arizona, for more than two decades, was spared a jail sentence when he was pardoned by President Donald Trump in August after being convicted of criminal contempt.

Ninth Circuit Requires US to Pay Defense Contractor Cleanup Costs

On October 4, the Ninth Circuit reversed the District Court for the Southern District of California's decision to allocate to a government contractor 100 percent of cleanup costs for hazardous contamination at a manufacturing facility for failure to consider the involvement of the United States in contributing to that contamination, and remanded the case for additional proceedings.1 The Court based its decision largely on existing doctrine in the Ninth Circuit, and the holding provides further support for government contractors, particularly those that contributed to the war effort in the 1940s, seeking contribution from the United States for cleanup costs incurred under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act .

The Latest: Trump thinks GOP has votes for budget

A multistate manhunt that kept the Mid-Atlantic region on alert for more than 10 hours ended when officers on foot chased down a man they say shot six people, killing three, in two separate shootings. Missouri officials are proposing an innovation corridor between Kansas City and St. Louis for a new Amazon location instead of a single headquarters in one of the metropolitan areas.

Senate Republicans cruise toward passage of budget plan

Senate Republicans are on track to pass a $4 trillion budget plan that shelves GOP deficit concerns in favor of the party's drive to cut taxes. The nonbinding budget plan, slated for a vote late Thursday, would set the stage for tax legislation later this year that could pass through the Senate without fear of a filibuster by Democrats - and add $1.5 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years.

Leetonia area home included in federal investigation of treatment center

The FBI, one of several agencies investigating Braking Point Recovery Center, is asking members of the public who have had interactions with the addiction treatment center to get in touch if they have any concerns or information. The FBI is not releasing the reason why nearly 100 agents from multiple agencies searched the recovery center's locations on Wednesday, said FBI special agent Vicki Anderson.

Alaskan picked to lead regional EPA office

Gov. Bill Walker says Hladick will leave his state role Nov. 1. Mike Navarre, the outgoing mayor of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, will succeed Hladick. In joining the EPA, Hladick will oversee a region that includes Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington and about 270 tribes.

Federal judge blasts Trump administration attempts to deny abortion for pregnant, undocumented teen

A federal judge said Wednesday that she was "astounded" the U.S. government is blocking a detained Central American teenager from terminating her pregnancy, during a fiery court hearing that showcased Trump administration efforts to restrict abortion and illegal immigration. After a brief hearing that included a testy exchange with government lawyers, Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered the government to move "promptly and without delay" to transport the 17-year-old girl or allow her to be transported by others to the nearest abortion provider.