The year of Mueller: 12 months in, here’s what we’ve learned

In this June 21, 2017, file photo, former FBI Director Robert Mueller, the special counsel probing Russian interference in the 2016 election, departs Capitol Hill following a closed door meeting in Washington. It was one year ago Thursday when Robert Mueller, the former FBI director, was appointed as special counsel to take over the Justice Department's investigation into possible coordination between Russia and Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

Liberal tilt in some primaries a sign of Democratic fervor

Democratic primary voters have chosen decidedly liberal candidates in several closely watched congressional primary elections, a sign that the left is driving much of Democrats' enthusiasm and may be winning the tug of war with moderates over the direction of the party. In Omaha, Democrat Kara Eastman edged out veteran moderate Brad Ashford by casting herself as a progressive in Nebraska's lone urban district, supporting single-payer, government-run health insurance and a ban on assault weapons.

Senate panel: Russia intervened in 2016 election to help Trump, hurt Clinton

Donald Trump Jr. told the Senate Judiciary Committee last year he did not recall ever discussing the Russia investigation with his father and said he didn't think there was anything wrong with meeting a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower ahead of the 2016 presidential election, according to transcripts released today of his interview with the panel. The committee released more than 1,800 pages of transcripts of interviews with Trump's son and others who attended a June 9, 2016, meeting at which they expected to receive dirt about Trump's opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Trump Tower Meeting’s Organizer First Dangled Putin Meeting

Donald Trump's bid for the U.S. presidency was just weeks old in 2015 when the offers for Russian meetings and calls started. A British-American publicist emerged with a swift invitation to visit Moscow, and possibly even to meet with Vladimir Putin.

Mueller Turns His Focus to Longtime Trump Adviser Roger Stone

Special Counsel Robert Mueller appears to be turning his focus to President Donald Trump's longtime adviser Roger Stone, bringing in a string of Stone's associates in recent weeks for questioning about his activities during the 2016 campaign. Mueller issued a subpoena last week to Jason Sullivan, a former social media aide and assistant to Stone, for documents and to testify before a grand jury, according to Knut Johnson, Sullivan's lawyer.

Looking for Louisiana women to join a nationwide conversation across divides

Are you a woman in Louisiana interested in joining a respectful online conversation with women from around the country who have different political opinions, experiences and backgrounds? The Times-Picayune and Spaceship Media are hosting a moderated conversation in a closed Facebook group that will bring together women of all political stripes, from conservative to libertarian to liberal. The conversation, The Many: A Conversation Across Divides , is supported by journalists and librarians who supply research to inform the group's discussions.

Trump Jr: Can’t recall discussing Russia probe with father

Donald Trump Jr. told the Senate Judiciary Committee last year he did not recall ever discussing the Russia investigation with his father and said he didn't think there was anything wrong with meeting a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower ahead of the 2016 presidential election, according to transcripts released Wednesday of his interview with the panel. The committee released more than 1,800 pages of transcripts of interviews with Trump's son and others who attended a June 9, 2016, meeting at which they expected to receive dirt about Trump's opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton.

From the desk of… Trumpa s options narrow as the show reaches its climax

The ongoing made-for-TV spectacle of the Trump administration has more shocks and plot reverses than the most elaborate professional wrestling extravaganza. An endless parade of louche, comic-opera figures out of New York tabloids - Michael Cohen, Roger Stone, Rudy Giuliani, The Mooch! - keeps millions of Americans awake nights, wondering what absurdities Trump will bring us next.

Russian company attacks Mueller indictment as baseless

A Russian company indicted in the special counsel investigation attacked the case in an acerbic court filing Monday that accused the government of inventing a "make-believe crime." The sharp rhetoric from Concord Management and Consulting LLC suggests the makings of a pitched court fight and a fresh challenge to the authority of special counsel Robert Mueller, who was appointed by the Justice Department last May to investigate potential coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Wisconsin again finds secret video shows no election fraud

The Wisconsin Department of Justice has again concluded that secretly recorded videos of a liberal activist reveal no evidence of election fraud. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Monday that it had obtained investigatory reports that show the probe into recordings made by conservative group Project Veritas during the run-up to the 2016 election ended on May 2 with no crimes substantiated.

Hillary Clinton’s warning to Australia about China

Australia has seen tensions with China rise recently over allegations of Beijing interference in domestic politics and using donations to gain access Hillary Clinton warned Australia and other democracies Monday to be on guard against growing interference in their domestic politics by China and Russia. The former US secretary of state, beaten by Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election marred by allegations of meddling by Moscow, said it was a concern for all political parties.

NY Times Again Tries and Fails to Discredit Rep. Devin Nunes’ Oversight of Russia Probe

The New York Times' attacks on the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, continued in Sunday's news section, under the byline of Nicholas Fandos and Katie Benner: "Wielding Threats, Nunes Attacks Justice Dept. " The text box featured typical liberal media weasel wording: "Some see an effort to weaponize documents and undermine the Russia inquiry."

As goes the suburbs, so goes the nation?

Suburbs in the United States, often perceived as enclaves of the affluent, are home to nearly 17 million Americans who live in poverty - more than in cities or rural areas - and growing demand for care strains the capacity of suburban health services to provide for them, according to a recent study in Health Affairs. Photo courtesy Kaiser Health News The sound-bite version of American politics tends to come from our dominant media centers on the coasts, while the right-wing counter-culture snarls back from the smaller cities and towns of the heartland.