Trump to pick Seema Verma for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – transition official

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is set to name Indiana health policy consultant Seema Verma as his pick for administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a transition official told Reuters on Monday. Trump is expected to officially announce his selection of Verma and Republican U.S. Representative Tom Price, an orthopedic surgeon who he will nominate to be secretary of health and human services, casting them as his "dream team" whose job will be to transform the U.S. healthcare system, the official said.

Castro’s death end of era, but oppression likely to continue

Fidel Castro's death certainly is the end of an era, that of the cult of personality that kept Cubans oppressed and without economic opportunity for decades. For more than half a century, Castro ran Cuba as a communist enclave in the new world.

Obamacare Replacement May Slow Repeal Efforts

As Inauguration Day nears and Congress returns to work, Republicans are still seeking out the best way to move forward on Obamacare repeal. Many Republican members want to see the process begin promptly in January, but some of their colleagues-along with the health care industry-believe it is important to first establish at least a sense of direction for a replacement plan.

Lame-Duck Congress Works to Set Stage for President Trump

The lame-duck Congress is gaveling in for its final work session of 2016, and its last under President Barack Obama, as lawmakers face a Dec. 9 deadline for spending legislation to keep the government running. Republican leaders want to pass a short-term spending bill to extend existing funding levels into next spring, allowing a new President Donald Trump the opportunity to play a bigger role in crafting agency budgets.

Trump’s threat to end Cuba detente may rouse GOP opposition

President-elect Donald Trump's threat Monday to "terminate" the U.S. detente with Cuba could trigger opposition from some Republican lawmakers and corporate leaders who favor continued engagement with Havana. Since 2014, when President Barack Obama began to normalize relations with the island, the United States has taken numerous steps to increase commercial travel, commerce and the flow of information to Cuba.

Police respond to reports of an active shooter on campus

Ohio State reports 'active shooter' on Columbus campus An 'active shooter' was being investigated on the Ohio State campus in Columbus, authorities tweeted. Check out this story on pal-item.com: http://usat.ly/2gaTpTj Ohio State University is telling students there's an active shooter on campus and they should 'Run Hide Fight.'

Renovations Completed at 5 CTA Blue Line Stations

Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined CTA President Dorval R. Carter Monday morning to announce that crews have finished work at five O'Hare brand CTA stations. "Today is an important milestone in our efforts to modernize transit infrastructure in Chicago, and we will continue making these much needed investments across the City to ensure we are providing the safest, most reliable service for commuters," Emanuel said in a statement before the appearance.

Trump to meet with David Petraeus

President-elect Donald Trump will meet with former CIA Director David Petraeus Monday, CBS News has confirmed, furthering speculation that Petraeus is a top contender to become Mr. Trump's secretary of state. On Tuesday, Mr. Trump will meet with two others said to be top contenders, 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney and Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tennessee.

Otter for interior secretary? The speculation continues…

Might Idaho Gov. Butch Otter be considered for interior secretary in a Trump administration? Idaho Statesman reporter Rocky Barker explored the possibilities in a column over the holiday; you can read it here . Two previous Idaho governors were appointed secretary of the interior Cecil Andrus under President Jimmy Carter, and Dirk Kempthorne under President George W. Bush.

Analysis: Trump’s populism is about to face a rude awakening – Mon, 28 Nov 2016 PST

In this Nov. 7, 2016 file photo, Donald Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally in Sarasota, Fla. TrumpA's disavowal this week of white supremacists who have cheered his election as president hasnA't quieted concerns about the movementA's impact on his White House or whether more acts of hate will be carried out in his name.

a s Films Of The Year 2016

Given the shit-show of a year that we've just endured, the cinema has felt more than ever like a welcome escape from reality in 2016. Thankfully, we've been blessed with a wealth of excellent films to help us through these strange and confusing times: from foul-mouthed hot dogs to a wise-cracking superhero, Hollywood has done its upmost to keep our spirits up over the past 12 months.

Brown water, beaver battle among early signs of water woes

Beaver dams have been demolished, burbling fountains silenced, and the drinking water in one southern town has taken on the light brownish color of sweet tea. Though water shortages have yet to drastically change most people's lifestyles, southerners are beginning to realize that they'll need to save their drinking supplies with no end in sight to an eight-month drought.

California Cubans Celebrate Fidel Castro’s Deatha

Cuban-Americans in Southern California were overjoyed at the news of Fidel Castro's death on Friday, as the dictator who clung to power for decades and drove many to flee to the United States finally passed. "Throughout Southern California on Saturday, Cuban-Americans hoisted glasses of champagne and waved Cuban and American flags in celebration of Castro's death," the Orange County Register reported .

a Democratic Congresswoman Praises Dictator

Rep. Barbara Lee , who represents the East Bay in Congress, praised the late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro after his death was announced on Friday. Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a steering committee member of the Congressional Cuba Working Group, released this statement on the passing of Cuban leader Fidel Castro: While there are many disagreements between our countries, President Castro was a recognized world leader who was dedicated to the Cuban people.