Abuse Case Exposes Fissures in a White House in Turmoil

Pence: The United States is ready to talk with North Korea - Despite the mutual chilliness between U.S. and North Korean officials in South Korea last week, behind the scenes real progress was made toward a new diplomatic opening that could result in direct talks without preconditions between Washington and Pyongyang. Kim Jong-un's Sister Turns on the Charm, Taking Pence's Spotlight - PYEONGCHANG, South Korea - When the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, decided to send a large delegation to the Winter Olympics in South Korea this month, the world feared he might steal the show.

Maine’s lame duck governor to work until ‘very last minute’

In this Sept. 22, 2017 file photo, Maine Gov. Paul LePage attends a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence to discuss health care and tax reform in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House Complex in Washington.

State Department Lost 12% of its Foreign Affairs Specialists in…

Rob Porter Is a National Security Scandal, Too - The allegations against Rob Porter, the recently departed White House staff secretary, are morally disturbing. Multiple ex-wives have accused him of abusive behavior, and while he disputes those accusations, the FBI found them credible enough John Kelly faces pressure over handling of Rob Porter allegations - White House Chief of Staff John Kelly is facing continued scrutiny over his handling of domestic abuse accusations against a former senior aide.

Kim Jong-un asks South Korean leader to Pyongyang summit

SECOND Trump staffer resigns over claims he beat his wife: Speechwriter steps down after former partner says he ran over her with a car, put a cigarette out on her hand and threw her into a wall 'Hypocrite' Trump refuses to release Democrat rebuttal to GOP memo on Russian election meddling for 'security' reasons after overruling the FBI to make the Republican report public 'We sold everything to do this and lost it in 20 minutes': Couple, who ditched their lives to move to a 28-foot sailboat despite having no experience on the water, have to be rescued when their boat SINKS two days in Hope is fading: Trump is 'increasingly frustrated with Hope Hicks' amid the Rob Porter scandal and believes she 'let her relationship with the wife-beater cloud her judgement' White House Chief of Staff John Kelly told Trump he was willing to resign over botched handling of Rob Porter case, sources say ... (more)

California Focus: Statea s election boss beats Trump on voting panel

It's not often that an obscure state official manages to lay a serious defeat on the President of the United States. But that's what Alex Padilla pulled off early this year, and he did it without any gloating.

Congress stumbles into gov’t shutdown, budget deal stalled

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., is shown on television as she speaks from the House floor on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, as a news conference that she was supposed to attend goes on in the ... . Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., leaves the chamber after announcing an agreement in the Senate on a two-year, almost $400 billion budget deal that would provide Pentagon and domestic programs with huge spe... .

North Korea says it’s not interested in meeting Us VP Pence

South Korean army's armored vehicles move during a military exercise in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. Vice President Mike Pence said the U.S. is preparing to announce the "tough... .

FBI: Probe shows no evidence of attack in border agent death

FBI officials say the investigation into the November death of a US Border Patrol agent has yielded no evidence that there was a 'scuffle, altercation or attack'. Local billionaire buys The Los Angeles Times for $500 million, putting the storied paper back under local ownership for the first time in almost two decades.

The doctor’s in, but jury is out on new LA Times owner

Dutch lender Rabobank's California subsidiary is scheduled to enter a plea Wednesday in a long-running investigation that led to allegations the bank was used to launder millions of dollars in Mexican drug money. Dutch lender Rabobank's California subsidiary is scheduled to enter a plea Wednesday in a long-running investigation that led to allegations the bank was used to launder millions of dollars in Mexican drug money.

Pence’s approach to troubles in White House: He wasn’t there

In this Feb. 1, 2018, photo, Vice President Mike Pence addresses the Republican National Committee Winter Meeting in Washington. Credit Pence with good timing when it comes to trying to avoid political messes.

Mike Pence’s home state can now require Medicaid recipients to work

Now, the Trump administration, in which they both serve, has allowed the state to implement even more changes in the safety net program -- most notably by requiring some Medicaid recipients to work. The state, which has served as a Medicaid expansion model for Republicans, announced Friday that it will require certain Medicaid recipients to get jobs or participate in other community activities starting in 2019.

GOP lawmakers put medical skills to work after train crash

Emergency personnel inspect the lead engine of an Amtrak train that was carrying multiple Republican lawmakers that crashed into a garbage truck in Crozet, Va., on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018. A chartered train carrying dozens of GOP lawmakers to a Republican policy retreat in West Virginia struck a garbage truck in a rural Virginia town Wednesday.

Pence touts tax cuts, slams Manchin in West Virginia

Vice President Mike Pence paid a visit Wednesday to a truck dealership in West Virginia, touting the tax cuts enacted by the Republican-controlled Congress while slamming the state's Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who voted against the plan. Manchin faces re-election this year.

Healthy Indiana Plan extended to end of February

Gov. Eric Holcomb announced yesterday that Indiana has received an extension to continue operation of the state's Healthy Indiana Plan through Feb. 28. The current HIP program was set to expire Jan. 31. "We had hoped to receive approval of our expanded HIP program by Wednesday. We're close but we are still working through the final details of our new plan with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ," said Governor Eric Holcomb.

Pence to headline fundraiser at Trump hotel

Mike Pence is headlining a fundraiser Monday at the Trump Hotel in Washington to benefit his leadership PAC to help Republican candidates in the 2018 mid-term elections. The fundraiser is expected to raise about $500,000 and Pence is expected to be introduced by Donald Trump Jr., the president's son.

Plenty of blame to go around for the shutdown

Republicans called it the "Schumer shutdown," citing the Senate Democratic leader's role in blocking the bill to prevent a government shutdown. The Democrats labeled it the "Trump shutdown," blaming lack of Republican urgency and the president's shifting positions on the key immigration issue.

Undeterred by failed appeal, Brazil’s da Silva vows to run

Appellate court judges have voted to uphold a graft conviction against da Silva, rai... . A woman cries during a demonstration in support of Brazilian former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018.