The Latest: Lawmakers adjourn session curbing gov’s powers

A protestor shouts as she is arrested outside the House gallery during a special session of the North Carolina General Assembly at the Legislative Building in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. less A protestor shouts as she is arrested outside the House gallery during a special session of the North Carolina General Assembly at the Legislative Building in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Dec. 16, 2016.

N. Carolina governor sticks with GOP, diminishing successor

The last significant act of outgoing Republican Gov. Pat McCrory 's tempestuous administration has been to go along with GOP legislators and sign into law at least one quickly put together bill that will diminish the power of his Democratic successor. McCrory must still decide whether to sign a second bill passed by a Republican-dominated General Assembly that has repeatedly tugged the man who campaigned in 2012 as Charlotte's moderate former mayor into hard-right turf.

US elector demands briefing on Russia election interference

Weeks after Hillary Clinton lost the presidential election to Donald Trump, some of her loyal supporters have not given up hope. Clay Pell, a vocal supporter of the Democrat during her long campaign and one of the 538 members of the Electoral College, said the process has been tarnished by Russian interference.

North Carolina upheaval: GOP bids to limit next gov’s power

North Carolina's Republican-dominated legislature took extraordinary steps Thursday to reduce the powers of a Democratic governor-elect, defying raucous protests and threatened legal challenges days before he takes office. GOP lawmakers ignored protesters disrupting House and Senate floor debate and advanced legislation on the second day of their surprise session, which Democrats angrily called a power grab to weaken Roy Cooper once he becomes governor Jan. 1. The state's attorney general, Cooper beat Republican Gov. Pat McCrory by barely 10,000 votes and vowed to fight back against GOP initiatives of recent years, particularly a law McCrory signed last March limiting LGBT rights.

Sen. Cruz Praises Rick Perry Nomination to Energy Secretary

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz stopped by the North Texas Food Bank Thursday, where he helped pack boxes with his father and other volunteers. "I just want to encourage folks to make a difference, volunteer in your community and help someone out who is struggling, who needs a friend, who needs some food, who just needs some love and make a difference in people's lives," Cruz said.

Utah Republicans say they worry Utah monument is looming

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, front left, talks with Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, following the governor's monthly news conference at KUED-TV in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016. At back left, Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, talks with Bob Bernick.

Democratic NC governor-elect threatens to sue over GOP bills to limit his powers

North Carolina Gov.-elect Roy Cooper said Thursday he's ready to fight in court against Republican legislation moving through a surprise General Assembly session that would undercut his powers as he takes office next month. The outgoing attorney general was already headed to a rough relationship with the Republican-led legislature before lawmakers convened themselves into a special session Wednesday and launched attacks on the Democrat's powers.

With Democrats Like These…

Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia was asked by the hosts of Fox and Friends if he was going to change parties and become a Republican and he said being a Democrat has been his identity, but "my brand is being very independent." He then tried to explain to Brian Kilmeade why begin a republican or a democrat shouldn't interfere with being a good American.

North Carolina Republicans plot legislative coup against democracy to usher in a new era of Jim Crow

Donald Trump has won the presidency after narrowly carrying a few states to put him above 270 electoral votes.But according... Senate Republicans refused to give President Obama's pick to replace Supreme Court Justice Scalia even the courtesy of a... Republican Gov. Pat McCrory, while Democrats also gained a majority on the state Supreme Court, breaking the Republican stranglehold on North Carolina's state government. Now, though, Republicans have used the pretext of a lame-duck special legislative session-ostensibly convened for disaster relief-to introduce a slew of measures that and even the high court itself.

COLUMN-U.S. Energy Department unfairly criticised over spending, forecasts: Kemp

LONDON, Dec 15 The U.S. Department of Energy has become a lightning rod for criticism in parts of the Republican Party and the fossil fuels industry unhappy about the Obama administration's energy and climate policies. Presidential candidate Rick Perry promised to abolish the Department of Energy along with the Departments of Commerce and Education during a debate in 2011.

From Trump and his new team, mixed signals on climate change

He brushed off it off as a Chinese hoax, then called it the real deal and finally declared that "nobody really knows." When it comes to climate change, Donald Trump is sending mixed signals on whether or how he will try to slow Earth's warming temperatures and rising sea levels.

Cal Thomas: Mike Pence says Trump has a mandate

When Mike Pence becomes the 48th vice president of the United States next month, he will take on the role of a political lobbyist for Donald Trump's activist agenda. In an interview I conducted with Pence in his transitional office next to a sandwich shop in Washington, he said he believed voters gave Donald Trump a "mandate."

A ‘shameful and cowardly power grab’ by Republicans is making…

Republicans in North Carolina are attempting to limit incoming Democratic governor Roy Cooper's power two weeks before he takes office. In a surprise last-minute special session on Wednesday, Republican lawmakers introduced a host of legislation that would neutralize some of the gains Democrats made in the Tar Heel State on Election Day.

Christie offers nomination for hobbled election agency59 minutes | New Jersey

Christie offers nomination for hobbled election agency Christie has nominated another candidate to fill a vacant seat on the state's Election Law Enforcement Commission. Check out this story on northjersey.com: http://northjersy.news/2hP4iaX While millions of dollars were flowing into thousands of local races this past election cycle, the watchdog agency that regulates political campaigns and lobbying in New Jersey was unable to hold meetings and punish offenders.

Orlando, Florida, USA – October 28, 2016: President Barack Obama…

According to multiple sources, President Barack Obama will designate 1.4 to 1.9 million acres in San Juan County as the Bears Ears National Monument next week. Sutherland Institute condemns this blatant abuse of executive power and calls on Congress and President-elect Donald Trump to commit to rescind this national monument designation and allow local voices to be heard.

Perry nomination raises Dem concerns that Trump plans to gut Energy Dept.

Democrats are growing increasingly concerned that President-elect Trump is preparing to slash the Energy Department, with the incoming president picking fossil fuel advocate and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to lead the department after Trump's transition team sent a questionnaire that Democrats call a "witch hunt." The top Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce and Oversight committees, Reps.