Ex-congressional IT staffer reaches plea deal that debunks conspiracy theories

Federal prosecutors concluded an 18-month investigation into a former congressional technology staffer on Tuesday by publicly debunking allegations - promoted by conservative media and President Donald Trump - suggesting he was a Pakistani operative who stole government secrets with cover from House Democrats. As part of an agreement with prosecutors, Imran Awan pleaded guilty to a relatively minor offense unrelated to his work on Capitol Hill: making a false statement on a bank loan application.

Online sales tax ruling could bring ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ to California

California was already trying to wring more tax out of online retailers months before the Supreme Court handed down a ruling that gave states permission to do so. Last fall, more than 2,500 online retailers with out-of-state addresses received letters from California's Department of Tax and Fee Administration informing them that they appeared to owe sales tax here.

Parades, fireworks, drone light show set for Independence Day

Start the day with the Fairfield Main Street Association's annual Independence Day Parade, which starts at 10 a.m. on Texas Street in downtown Fairfield. This year's parade theme is “A Star-Spangled Salute to America's Heroes.” The grand marshals are the Lanza family of Wooden Valley Winery, who are celebrating 85 years of wine-making in Fairfield.

Aaack! New Analysis Shows Superbugs Lurking on Three-Fourths of U.S. Supermarket Meat

Nearly 80 percent of supermarket meat collected in 2015 was found to have antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also known as superbugs. A new analysis offers alarming findings as many Americans get ready to fire up their grills for the 4th of July-nearly 80 percent of supermarket meat was found to have antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also known as superbugs.

Farm bill passes in the Senate before weeklong recess

The farm bill is monumental legislation that sets the eating and farming policy in the United States -- including what Americans grow, what Americans know about their dinner and how much the government spends in the process -- for about five years. All eyes will now turn to efforts between the House and Senate to resolve major issues between their respective bills by September 30, the deadline for the expiration of the current law, which was enacted in 2014.

Wild Re-Sign Rau To 2-Year, 2-Way Contract

TV is part of CBS Television Stations, a division of CBS Corp. and one of the largest network-owned station groups in the country. Click here for WCCO-TV news stories Send us your breaking news tips here Contact WCCO-TV anchors and reporters Check out Good Question Send us your weather and news photos Get information on [] How Did Red, White & Blue Become America's Colors? They are the colors of Captain America, the Minnesota Twins and every balloon animal made to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Low-key Washington insider makes a bid to fix struggling VA

Modest and low-key, Robert Wilkie was hastily dispatched to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs after a furious President Donald Trump fired Secretary David Shulkin amid political infighting at the department. Wilkie wasn't Trump 's first choice to replace Shulkin; his nomination of White House doctor Ronny Jackson withered in the face of late-surfacing allegations of workplace misconduct.

Sanders says she was told to leave Virginia restaurant

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was booted from a Virginia restaurant because she works for President Donald Trump, setting off a fierce debate about whether politics should play a role in how administration officals are treated in public. Sanders tweeted that she was told by the owner of the Red Hen in Lexington, Virginia, that she had to "leave because I work for @POTUS and I politely left."

Sarah Sanders Says She Was Told to Leave Virginia Restaurant

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was booted from a Virginia restaurant because she works for President Donald Trump, setting off a fierce debate about whether politics should play a role in how administration officals are treated in public. Sanders tweeted that she was told by the owner of the Red Hen in Lexington, Virginia, that she had to "leave because I work for @POTUS and I politely left."

Candidates make final pitches as Maryland Democratic gubernatorial primary looms

Ben Jealous, left, and Ben Cohen, right, a co-founder of Ben and Jerry's, give out free ice cream in Baltimore on Saturday. U.S. Rep. Steny H. Hoyer , right, stumps for gubernatorial candidate Rushern L. Baker III on Saturday.

How to Resolve the Conservative Split Over Immigration

Republicans in Congress are at risk of being torn apart over the issue of immigration. While many members from purple districts see settling the Dreamer issue as vital for their re-elections, others from more solidly red states want to restrict new legal immigration and deport anyone living here illegally.

DOA? Mulvaney rolls out proposal to consolidate Labor, Education, food safety

What came first - the USDA-regulated chicken or the FDA-regulated egg ? OMB director Mick Mulvaney wants to end that question entirely by eliminating silly overlaps in government. The White House rolled out its long-awaited government reform program, which headlines a consolidation of the Departments of Labor and Education into one Cabinet-level office.