Around the region

Giant Snacks Inc. started the exchange last month by filing a lawsuit against Wild Dutchman Products Inc. and one of its partners, alleging that Wild Dutchman is misleading consumers about the amount of salt in its products. Wild Dutchman came back with a countersuit earlier this week for what it calls bogus claims Giant Snacks is making about its relationship with sunflower farmers.

The Great Dood Drain of ’17

"How can we expect the federal government to continue to function at its usual peak efficiency without the awesome 52 years of experience and institutional knowledge supplied by Michigan Congressman John Conyers? American government faces a congressional brain drain, Conyers's resignation in the wake of accusations of sexual harassment not being anything like unique. Yesterday, Senator Al Franken announced his impending resignation, as did Rep. Trent Franks - before allegations against him had even hit the news.

Charlie Sheen sues tabloid over assault allegation

A New York Times article uncovered multiple incidents of Weinstein's sexually harassment or abuse. Thousands of women embracing the "Me Too" movement to own their histories of sexual harassment and abuse, and those issues swirling at high volume in the culture overall, parents are reaching for teachable moments in the post-Weinstein world.

Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona abruptly resigns after former aide says…

A day after Republican Rep. Trent Franks announced he would resign early next year, he abruptly stepped down Friday after a former aide told the Associated Press that he had offered her $5 million to act as a surrogate mother. In making his departure effective immediately, the eight-term Arizona lawmaker bowed to an ultimatum from House Speaker Paul D. Ryan .

2018 race for Franken seat attracts lots of names, sets up seismic shift

Sen. Al Franken's decision to step down amid a growing sexual-harassment scandal has scrambled Minnesota's 2018 election. Political operatives in Minnesota and Washington were drawing up lists of candidates to run for Sen. Al Franken's Senate seat even before his resignation speech last week, searching for prospects with the profile, fundraising prowess and mettle to sprint to next November's special election - and then do it again in 2020 to hold the seat another six years.

Gorea s a Inconvenient Sequela lands on Oscar shortlist despite disputed climate science

Al Gore 's sequel to "An Inconvenient Truth" has ended up on the shortlist for Oscar consideration despite questions about its credibility raised by challenges to some of its climate-change claims. "An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power" was among the 15 films included by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on its list of those still in the hunt for 2017 Best Documentary, which will be pared down to five finalists when the nominees are announced Jan. 23. "We are humbled to be on the Oscars shortlist for Best Documentary Feature.

While lawyers argue, it’s past time to physically protect Utah’s public lands

The Salt Lake Tribune) U.S. President Donald Trump, surrounded by Utah representatives looks at Sen. Orrin Hatch to give him the pen used to signs a presidential proclamation to shrink Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments at the Utah Capitol on Monday, Dec. 4, 2017. Depends on whom you ask.

Zinke calls reports on helicopter use a “wild departure from reality’

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke responded Saturday to reports about his helicopter use, calling them a "wild departure from reality" in a statement on Twitter. "Recent articles about official Interior Department helicopter usage are total fabrications and a wild departure of reality," he said in a statement posted with the tweet.

Hillary, please don’t reject romance novels – you are a romance…

Ex-Fox News anchor claims Trump tried to kiss her - Former Fox News anchor Juliet Huddy said President Donald Trump tried to kiss her in an elevator around the time he married First Lady Melania. - Huddy, who left Fox News after allegedly receiving a settlement after she made a complaint Brzezinski questions Franken accuser: 'Playboy model who goes on Hannity, voted for Trump' - MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski referred to an accuser of Sen. Al Franken - as a "Playboy model who goes on Hannity [and] voted for Trump" during a Friday morning discussion on Franken's resignation announcement.

Aftershocks likely from September test detected from North Korea…

Inside Trump's Hour-by-Hour Battle for Self-Preservation WASHINGTON - Around 5:30 each morning, President Trump wakes and tunes into the television in the White House's master bedroom. He flips to CNN for news, moves to "Fox & Friends" for comfort and messaging ideas, and sometimes watches MSNBC's Trump watches up to eight hours of TV per day: report - spends at least four hours a day watching television, according to a new report.

The Latest: Trump visits civil rights museum amid protests

The Latest on President Donald Trump's visit to Mississippi for the opening of museums dedicated to the state's history and its role in the civil rights movement : About 50 protesters greeted President Donald Trump at the opening of museums in Jackson, Mississippi, dedicated to the state's history and its role in the civil rights movement.