Do You Still Think Al Franken Is Leaving the Senate? Well

How many people were predicting that Minnesota Senator Al Franken was bluffing, when he gave his angry speech, announcing his departure from the Senate? Following his announcement, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton appointed his Lt. Governor Tina Smith to take Franken's place, but many saw Franken's announcement as a ploy.

Pence’s Colorado neighbors welcome him with a ‘Make America Gay Again’ banner

Vice President Mike Pence, who's spending the holidays in Aspen, Colo., with his family, got a not so-subtle message of scorn from a neighbor in the liberal ski resort town earlier this week. "Make America Gay Again," reads a rainbow banner wrapped around a stone pillar by the entrance to the Pence's vacation pad.

Michigan scrambles to address chemical contaminants in water

While the city of Flint still recovers from a lead-tainted water crisis, Michigan is scrambling to combat potential health risks in other tap water that stem from chemicals long used in firefighting, waterproofing, carpeting and other products. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, have been detected at military bases, water treatment plants and, most recently, an old industrial dump site for footwear company Wolverine World Wide.

Roy Moore’s files legal challenge against Alabama election defeat

'Evidence': Roy Moore has begun a legal challenge to his defeat in the Alabama Senate election, claiming irregularities in the vote - Bloomberg Doug Jones was confirmed as Alabama's first Democratic senator in 25 years after state officials rejected a challenge to the shock result by his defeated Republican rival, Roy Moore. Mr Jones, whose victory was ratified by John Merrill, Alabama's secretary of state on Thursday afternoon, will be sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence on January 3 when the US Senate returns.

Looking ahead to 2018 US Senate, House races

When President Donald Trump was inaugurated in January, Republicans had already been in control of both congressional chambers for more than two weeks. Conservative control over the federal government was extended to the Supreme Court in April when the Senate confirmed Neil Gorsuch as an associate justice.

Treasury issues sanctions against 2 North Korean officials

The White House says a large portion of a famed Magnolia tree planted on the south grounds by President Andrew Jackson has become too weak to remain standing. The White House says a large portion of a famed Magnolia tree planted on the south grounds by President Andrew Jackson has become too weak to remain standing.

Cities sue Defense Dept. over gun-check system failures

Three cities have filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Defense, saying the system for reporting service members disqualified from gun ownership is broken. Three cities have filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Defense, saying the system for reporting service members disqualified from gun ownership is broken.

Hassan bill requires new federal websites to be mobile-friendly

A bill introduced by U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Cory Gardner of Colorado to require all new federal websites to be mobile-friendly is headed to the president's desk. Hassan, a Democrat, and Gardner, a Republican, say the Connected Government Act will support low-income individuals who rely on mobile broadband at higher rates.

Forget E Pluribus Unum: Trump goes with a MAGAa

DECEMBER 21: John Wertman, a coin collector, with his Trump "challenge coin" on December, 21, 2017 in Burke, VA. The flip side of President Donald Trump's "challenge coin", bottom, along with those of, from left, Vice President Mike Pence, Joe Biden and Barack Obama.

Pardoned by Christie, woman pushes for change to US gun laws

In this Aug. 5 2014, file photo, attorney Evan Nappen, left, and his client Shaneen Allen, talk to media outside Atlantic County Criminal Court in Mays Landing, N.J., after a motion to dismiss the gun possession charges against her was denied. The handgun that Allen was carrying when she was pulled over on a New Jersey highway could have sent her to prison for years if not for a pardon from Republican Gov. Chris Christie.