Bill Paying: Trying to sell his giant infrastructure bill over Republican opposition, President Biden said yesterday he’s “flexible” on his plan for a 28 percent corporate tax rate so long as his plan gets paid for one way or the other. …

Six Degrees:  The House is planning to hold the attorney general in contempt and the Treasury Department is refusing to hand over the President’s tax returns. House Democrats and President Trump are about to have a legal slugfest.   Treasury Secretary Steven …

The Russia House: The NY Times reports that, in an effort to establish a direct line of communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the transition, Jared Kushner met with an influential banker whose financial institution is involved with Russian …

Extreme: Al-Shabab Muslim extremists are threatening more attacks on Kenya after killing 148 people at Garissa University College this week. A statement attributed to al-Shabab says, “Kenyan cities will run red with blood.” The primary gunmen were killed, but authorities …

Bob Simon, 73: CBS News “60 Minutes” Correspondent Bob Simon, one of the best reporters and most felicitous writers in the history of television news, was killed last night in a car accident in New York City. Simon was a …

Econ 101: The US economy added 257,000 jobs in December, a healthy number, according to the Labor Department. The job market appears to be maintaining its momentum from 2014, the best year of job growth since 1999. Wages are rising …

SOTU: He may pop a surprise, but President Obama has already revealed most of what he will call for in tonight’s State of the Union address. He’s been touring the country giving away the plot to his speech. The president …

Mudslide: A rare summer rain caused mudslides near Mt. Baldy in California’s San Bernardino County, killing one person and trapping about 3,000 people in the mountains. Among the stranded were 500 campers who had just arrived. The mud wiped out …

Ukraine: Turnout appeared to be light today for a referendum on independence in eastern Ukraine, with many voters marking their ballots “yes.” The movement’s backers would create independent republics in Donetsk and Luhansk. The chairman of the election committee for …

 Mystery: A 33-year-old West Hollywood man has died of meningitis, raising alarms that a quick and deadly disease might be stalking gay men. Brett Shaad was described as fit and healthy only days before he died. At least 22 cases …