Even with increased airport security vulnerabilities remain

Baggage claim area of Terminal 1 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017 the day after multiple people were shot at the airport. Baggage claim area of Terminal 1 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017 the day after multiple people were shot at the airport.

Several Donald Trump picks’ ethics reviews incomplete

Republicans are intent on getting as many of Trump's choices through the arduous confirmation process as quickly as possible. Several of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet choices have not completed a full review to avoid conflicts of interest, the government's ethics office says, even as Republican senators move quickly to hold at least nine confirmation hearings next week.

Eastern United States digs out from big snowstorm, braces for cold

The eastern United States began digging out on Saturday from a massive storm that dumped heavy snow from Georgia to Massachusetts, knocking out power for thousands of people and causing hundreds of car crashes, officials said as they warned of more cold weather ahead. The snow began falling heavily on Friday in parts of Georgia, North and South Carolina and Virginia and lasted until mid-day on Saturday, meteorologist Andrew Orrison of the Weather Prediction Center said by phone.

Rep. Black: Obamacare Repeal Will Include Transition Period

While Republicans are working to repeal Obamacare, there will still be a stable transition period so "no one has the rug pulled out from underneath them" Rep. Diane Black said in Saturday's GOP address . "Our goal is a system that lowers costs, and spurs free market competition, and ultimately empowers you, not bureaucrats in Washington," the Tennessee Republican said in the weekly statement, decrying Democrats in Washington using "all kinds of scare tactics" in order to keep the healthcare law.

Ethics Reviews Incomplete for Several of Trump’s Picks

Several of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet choices have not completed a full review to avoid conflicts of interest, the government's ethics office says, even as Republican senators move quickly to hold at least nine confirmation hearings next week. In a letter to Senate leaders, the director of the Office of Government Ethics described the current status of several nominees, some of whom are billionaires and millionaires, in the ethics process and expressed concern about the lack of ethics reviews just days from committee hearings.

Questions surround school trust lands in Bears Ears National Monument

Board members of the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration held an emergency session Friday to discuss what to do about 109,000 acres of school trust lands contained within the new Bears Ears National Monument. Tom Bachtell, SITLA's vice chairman, said the board had yet to "receive and comprehend the information necessary" to make an informed decision in the interest of the trust's beneficiaries regarding a land swap.

Trump Formally Nominates Former Sen. Coats as Intelligence Director

President-elect Donald Trump nominated former Indiana Senator Dan Coats as U.S. director of national intelligence, giving the retired lawmaker oversight of the spy agencies that have drawn skepticism from Trump. Coats, 73, probably would face close questioning by both Republicans and Democrats about how he views the intelligence community's conclusions that Russia hacked Democratic Party computer systems in order to meddle in the U.S. presidential campaign, which Trump has repeatedly questioned.

0OJDRMIS

A Scranton Times-Tribune All Access subscription gets you complete access to both our print and digital publications, delivered to your home, desktop and mobile devices 7 days a week Digital Only Subscription Read the digital SMART Edition of The Times-Tribune on your PC or mobile device, and have 24/7 access to breaking news, local sports, contests, and more at thetimes-tribune.com or on our mobile apps. Digital Services Have news alerts sent to your mobile device, read the Smart Edition sign up for daily newsletters, activate your all access, enter contests, take quizzes, download our mobile apps and see the latest e-circulars.

US: Senate Democrats introduce bill to block Trump Muslim registry

On January 5, 2017, nine Democratic senators filed a bill blocking the executive branch from registering people based on religion, race, gender, age, national origin or nationality. "Contrary to the President-elect's beliefs, America's diversity is not a threat - it is, in fact, our greatest strength," Sen. Jeff Merkley was quoted by The Hill as saying.

Fitzhugh Touts Rural Credentials As He Mulls Governor’s Bid

State House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh is seriously considering joining the race to succeed term-limited Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam in 2018. The Ripley Democrat told reporters this week that he would have appeal for voters from both urban and rural areas of the state.

With weak leadership in DC, look for more federalism

WASHINGTON Before the election, conventional wisdom had the GOP coming apart, had the Tea Party at war with traditional Republicans, and had fiscal hawks battling social conservatives. After the election, it was the Democratic Party coming apart, losing an election to a reality TV star and losing touch with blue-collar white voters, once the core of Democratic support.

Cohen Holding First Issues Session of 2017 Monday

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis is holding his first issues meeting of the year with constituents Monday, Jan. 9. The meeting which runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Cohen's district office at the Clifford Davis-Odell Horton Federal Building, 167 N. Main St . is an opportunity for citizens and Cohen to discuss issues before Congress that affect the Memphis area.

Spy agencies’ report clashes with Utah Rep. Chris Stewart’s denial of Russian preference for Trump

The findings of a newly released intelligence report contradict, in part, statements from Utah Rep. Chris Stewart, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, who previously said there "just isn't any" indication Russian hackers wanted to boost Donald Trump's chances to win the election. In December, Stewart dismissed as "BS" any news reports suggesting Russia meddled in the election with a clear aim to influence who won or lost.

GOP governor who clashed with Trump will attenda

A spokesman for New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez says the second-term Republican will attend the inauguration of Donald Trump. GOP governor who clashed with Trump will attend inauguration SANTA FE - A spokesman for New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez says the second-term Republican will attend the inauguration of Donald Trump.