Some national parks open to visitors post-shutdown

The Virgin Islands National Park, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the Wright Brothers National Memorial and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park were among the parks that reopened Saturday.

Park Service to tap into entrance fees to keep operating

Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana warned Interior Secretary David Bernhardt on Saturday of “significant risk to property and public health” without funding.

After criticism, Trump pushes out Mattis sooner than planned

Irritated with the criticism and fallout from Defense Secretary Jim Mattis’ resignation, President Donald Trump on Sunday pushed the Pentagon chief out the door two months earlier than planned, an acrimonious end to a tense relationship that had been eroding in recent months.

AP Explains: What happens in a partial government shutdown

Social Security checks will go out and troops will remain at their posts. Doctors and hospitals will receive their Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. The U.S. Postal Service, busy delivering packages for the holiday season, is an independent agency and won’t be affected.

In Florida, a bitter and personal clash for US Senate

Floridians could help determine control of the U.S. Senate on Tuesday as they decide whether to keep three-term incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson in office or replace him with Republican Gov. Rick Scott.

Kavanaugh’s confirmation advances in close Senate vote, but outcome remains unclear

Votes on Friday’s motion to end debate on the nomination do not necessarily reflect how senators will vote Saturday, when a final vote is expected. Sometimes voting to end debate is done by senators as a courtesy to permit a final vote to take place.

Trump coming to Johnson City for rally, Blackburn fundraiser

Tickets for the rally can be found by visiting www.donaldjtrump.com, where up to two tickets per mobile phone number can be acquired. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Doors will open at 4 p.m

Justice Kennedy retiring; Trump gets second Supreme Court pick

Justice Kennedy - a Republican appointee - has held the key vote on such high-profile issues as abortion, affirmative action, gay rights, guns, campaign finance and voting rights.

Former first lady Barbara Bush dies at age 92

Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday. She was 92.

Former first lady Barbara Bush in failing health

Former first lady Barbara Bush is in “failing health” and won’t seek additional medical treatment, a Bush family spokesman said Sunday.

AP sources: House Speaker Ryan won't run for re-election

Two people with knowledge of Ryan’s thinking said he has decided against seeking another term, but they did not say why. Both sought anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Attorney: Federal agents seize documents from Trump lawyer

Federal agents carrying court-authorized search warrants have seized documents from President Donald Trump’s personal attorney Michael Cohen.

Jones wins in stunning Alabama upset

McConnell turns to antagonist to help pass tax package

Dealt a setback on taxes, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was forced to turn to one of his harshest Republican antagonists to pass the most sweeping tax package in more than three decades. Late Thursday, the Kentucky Republican faced a stark choice: either appease deficit hawks — and possibly lose other votes — or look elsewhere for support.

In Flynn, Mueller unearths more lies — and a key witness

Mueller has left no doubt that his investigators have amassed a wealth of knowledge about the contacts between Trump associates and the Russians, and they’re looking to gather more facts from Flynn, a new key cooperator.