The Long Count: Some prominent Republicans appeared on the Sunday talk shows to establish distance between the party and its erstwhile leader Donald Trump after Democrats retained control of the Senate with a win in Nevada.   “We’re not a cult. We’re …

Whiteout: As much as five or six feet of snow is reported in parts of Western New York today as the Buffalo area digs out from an extreme storm. In an area known for its “lake effect” snowstorms, some residents …

Nation: The roadblock is usually in the House, but there’s some doubt this week whether the federal budget compromise will pass the Senate. Some Republican senators are miffed that they were not included in the negotiations between House Republican Paul …

National: The US has reached a security agreement that could keep troops in Afghanistan until 2024 and send billions of dollars in assistance. About 10,000 to 12,000 American troops would stay in Afghanistan to provide training and counter-terrorism assistance. That …

World: Russia turned down the Cyprus appeal for financial aid and the dreaded bank deposit tax is “back on the table” according to the country’s finance minister. Cyprus is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, facing a Monday deadline to …