The top 10 stories of 2016

Donald Trump The top 10 stories of 2016 Four Cabinet spots still open in the Trump administration McCain: There must be a 'price to pay' for Russian hacking MORE announced his bid for the White House in June 2015, the effort was widely dismissed as a self-promotional gambit by the New York property developer. Instead, Trump vanquished a huge Republican primary field that included big names such as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Marco Rubio The top 10 stories of 2016 #Rexit: Tell Senate to reject Rex, confirm Romney for Secretary of State.

Inside US President Barack Obama’s star-studded farewell party

A who's who of Hollywood and music A-listers turned out to see off US President Barack Obama at his last knees-up at the White House on Friday night . The evening was held to celebrate the end of Obama's eight years in office, ahead of incoming president Donald Trump taking office after his inauguration on January 20. Among the guests at the shindig were film stars like Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro and Olivia Wilde, and director George Lucas, alongside famous TV faces including Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Hamm and Lena Dunham.

Kellyanne Conway’s husband on short list for top US lawyer job

Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway says his supporters feel betrayed that Mitt Romney, a vocal Trump critic, is being considered for secretary of state. George Conway, a corporate attorney who is married to one of President-elect Donald Trump's senior advisers, is on the shortlist of candidates to be nominated as US solicitor general, two sources familiar with the process told CNN.

Russian hackers penetrated U.S. electricity grid through a utility in Vermont

A code associated with the Russian hacking operation dubbed Grizzly Steppe by President Barack Obama's administration has been detected within the system of a Vermont utility, according to U.S. officials. While the Russians did not actively use the code to disrupt operations of the utility, according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss a security matter, the penetration of the nation's electrical grid is significant because it represents a potentially serious vulnerability.

Conservative radio host caught in lie that Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang at Obama Inauguration

Conservative radio host Ben Ferguson, asserted that the woman that quit the Mormon Tabernacle Choir because she refused to sing for President-elect Donald Trump, once sang for President Barack Obama. In fact, Ferguson attacked the woman personally, claiming she was a "crybaby who never grew up" and engaged in an act of "self-righteous grandstanding."

Trump meets with candidates for agriculture secretary

Former Texas Rep. Henry Bonilla talks with reporters after meeting with President-elect Donald Trump and his transition team at Mar-a-Lago, Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, in Palm Beach, Fla. Former Texas Rep. Henry Bonilla talks with reporters after meeting with President-elect Donald Trump and his transition team at Mar-a-Lago, Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, in Palm Beach, Fla.

Putin says Russia won’t expel diplomats; Trump offers praise – Fri, 30 Dec 2016 PST

President Vladimir Putin castigated the United States on Friday for trying to punish Russia but said his country will not immediately retaliate and instead will wait for a new U.S. approach by Donald Trump. The president-elect praised Putin's move and called him "very smart."

Steve Chapman: The triumph of falsehood

In 1644, the English poet John Milton made an eloquent case against censorship. Freedom of thought and inquiry was not only a God-given prerogative but also the best protection against error: "Let her and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew Truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter?" Milton was fortunate enough to live before the internet.