Six politicians plead not guilty in alleged NYC mayor's race plot New York State Sen. Malcolm Smith and five other politicians pleaded not guilty Tuesday to corruption charges in connection with an alleged plot to buy a line on New York City's mayoral ballot. The allegations revived public concerns about a documented culture of exploitation in Albany that has prompted officials to seek legal recourse to induce change. More
Report: Dem says activists recorded McConnell meeting A Kentucky Democratic official said Thursday two men tied to an anti-Mitch McConnell super PAC took credit for secretly recording a meeting in which the GOP senator's aides discussed political attacks on Ashley Judd. More
Feds charge Bronx Assemblyman Stevenson, 4 others in new bribe scheme Feds busted a Bronx assemblyman today for allegedly pocketing envelopes of cash to push legislation in Albany — marking the second corruption case against a state lawmaker this week. Assemblyman Eric Stevenson [D-Bronx] got caught in a sting operation in which two co-defendants paid bribes to another, unidentified assemblyman who was cooperating with authorities, according to the Manhattan US Attorney's Office. More
Enron's Jeff Skilling could get early release from prison Former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling, who is serving a 24-year prison term for his role in the energy giant's epic collapse, could get out of prison early under an agreement being discussed by his attorneys and the Justice Department, CNBC has learned. More
Jenny Sanford may be the key to her ex-husband's electoral chances From the Appalachian trail to the campaign trail, former Governor Mark Sanford is back on the grid. After defeating Curtis Bostic in the GOP primary runoff on Tuesday, 57% to 43%, Sanford should be the favorite to win the vacated congressional seat in South Carolina first district. More
The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in another major abortion access case as it grapples with the aftermath of reversing Roe v. Wade. Follow here for live audio of the arguments, news updates, analysis and more.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been a staunch supporter of aid for Ukraine and Israel, blamed Tucker Carlson for stoking anti-Ukraine sentiment amongst Republicans, as Congress gets one step closer to passing a foreign aid package.
The Federal Trade Commission voted yesterday to adopt a historic and far-reaching ban on noncompete agreements, which are common now in almost all job markets. Thanks, Lina Khan! Via HuffPost:
The agency has said that the agreements, in which workers are forbidden from seeking a job with a competing business for a certain period of time, lead to an “unfair method of competition” and violate federal law.
Donald Trump’s ongoing New York criminal trial hinges on payments of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels. It’s not the hush money, per se, that is illegal, it’s the fact that Trump allegedly falsified business records to cover up the payment and avoid damage to his presidential campaign. Nevertheless, compulsive liar Trump denies he ever had an affair with Daniels.
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If you look closely, you'll notice that Zhanna Polupanova is wearing a sweatshirt with the English words "Follow Your Dreams." Apparently, hers includes a new roof for her modest house in the country, which with any luck will be repaired with what the Russians call "coffin money." Zhanna also rather cold-bloodedly says she does not feel sympathy for her sons going to war in Ukraine as they are meant to serve the Motherland.