Nine Republican senators urge Trump to pursue tough Russia policy

Nine senators from his own Republican party urged President Donald Trump on Thursday to take a "tough-minded" approach to Russia, joining a growing chorus of lawmakers addressing concerns that he might be too conciliatory toward Moscow. The nine senators, including the Senate's number two Republican, John Cornyn, wrote in a letter to Trump that cooperation with Moscow is essential in many areas, but calling for tough action on Ukraine, Syria and cyber security.

U.S. Preps for Infowar on Russia

While President Trump is still defending Vladimir Putin in public, American policymakers have finally awoken to Russian intervention in the U.S. democratic process-and are pumping tens of millions into a counter-propaganda initiative. The 2016 presidential campaign alerted the public to the concept of information as a weapon-and to its incredible effectiveness when used just right.

Kasich backs DeVos without mention of $5.3M PAC debt to Ohio

Gov. John Kasich is urging confirmation of President Donald Trump's education secretary nominee without mentioning the significant unpaid fine owed to Ohio by a now-defunct political action committee she controlled. The Republican governor and 2016 presidential contender didn't support Trump, but he praised Betsy DeVos for her character, experience and philosophy of limited government in a Jan. 24 letter to Sen. Lamar Alexander, who chairs the committee that handled her confirmation.

Trump denies immigration restriction is a a Muslim bana

Protesters rally against President Trump's refugee ban at Miami International Airport on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017.President Donald Trump's immigration order sowed more confusion and outrage across the country Sunday, with travelers detained at airports, panicked families searching for relatives and protesters registering their opposition to the sweeping measure.

White House works on damage control as opposition, rage spreads

Top congressional Republicans, however, remain largely behind the new president. During a round of Sunday show interviews, Trump's aides stressed that just a small portion of travelers had been affected by the order, which temporarily bars the citizens of seven majority-Muslim nations from entering the country.

Some Republicans question Trump’s immigration order

Demonstrators sit down in the concourse and hold a sign that reads "We are America," as more than 1,000 people gather at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, to protest President Donald Trump's order that restricts immigration to the U.S., Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, in Seattle. President Trump signed an executive order Friday that bans legal U.S. residents and visa-holders from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the U.S. for 90 days and puts an indefinite hold on a program resettling Syrian refugees.

Trump, Putin discuss – mutually beneficial’ trade,a

Will President Donald Trump usher in a new era for U.S.-Russian relations, or are the two powers going to continue down the path as geopolitical foes? Trump, Putin discuss 'mutually beneficial' trade, security Will President Donald Trump usher in a new era for U.S.-Russian relations, or are the two powers going to continue down the path as geopolitical foes? Check out this story on yorkdispatch.com: FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2017 file photo, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Trump, Putin have long-awaited call; McCain urges continued sanctions

U.S. President Donald Trump's first conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin since taking office is causing concern among European allies and consternation among fellow Republicans about the future of U.S. penalties imposed on Moscow. Trump was noncommittal before Saturday's scheduled telephone call about whether he was considering lifting the economic sanctions.

Trump, Putin set for phone call; GOP concerns on sanctions

President Donald Trump's first conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin since taking office is causing concern among European allies and consternation among fellow Republicans about the future of U.S. penalties imposed on Moscow. Trump was noncommittal before Saturday's scheduled telephone call about whether he was considering lifting the economic sanctions.

Trump, Putin to speak amid GOP concerns on sanctions

President Donald Trump's first conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin since taking office is sparking concern among European allies and his own Republican Party about the future of U.S. sanctions on Moscow. Ahead of the call planned for Saturday, Trump was noncommittal about whether he was considering lifting the economic penalties.

Little is known on status of US student held in North Korea

There's been little public word about what has happened to an American college student detained in North Korea, as a new administration takes over one year later amid deep U.S. concerns about the hostile country's nuclear and missile development. North Korea announced last Jan. 22 it had detained Otto Warmbier, a 21-year-old University of Virginia student from suburban Cincinnati, earlier that month for alleged anti-state crime.

Ohio members of Congress want Lake Erie progress to continue

Ohioans on Capitol Hill in Washington are asking the incoming administration to keep up with efforts aimed at improving Lake Erie. Democratic Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur and Republican David Joyce are among four dozen members of Congress who sent a letter this week asking for continued support for research into harmful algae blooms.

Backpage.com still appears to be running ads for prostitutes, sexual services

Backpage.com, the online website accused of complicity in teenage sex trafficking across the country, said this week it was closing its "adult" sections in which advertisers solicited sexual services. It did so when a U.S. Senate investigative committee concluded Backpage knowingly assisted pimps and traffickers.

Donald Trump talks ethics, Russia during feisty news conference: Ohio Politics Roundup

During his first post-election press conference, Donald Trump unveils his ethics plan and admits Russian involvement in hacking of Democratic emails. The Cleveland Clinic will work to help Trump improve veterans' healthcare.

Trump Steps Into Ohio Race to ‘Swat’ Gov. Kasich

Two days after Donald Trump worked the phones to successfully unseat Ohio's Republican Chairman Matt Borges, a close ally of Gov. John Kasich told Newsmax that the purpose of the president-elect's unprecedented involvement in the state party contest was "to take a swat at John Kasich and nothing more." In an exclusive interview with Newsmax following the vote for state chairman Friday night, Franklin County Chairman Doug Preisse recollected that "few former opponents or critics [of Trump] were consistent or as highly placed as John Kasich."

Ohio Senators Vote To Advance Unemployment Insurance Bill

Both Ohio senators voted Tuesday to move ahead with debate on a three-month, $6.4 billion extension of emergency unemployment insurance. Around 40,000 Ohio residents saw their insurance cut off at the end of December after congressional Republicans left the program out of a last-minute budget deal, and another 128,000 stand to get cut off sometime in 2014.