Furloughed Federal Workers Rally Outside White House

(Washington, DC) — Federal workers are rallying outside the White House today as the partial government shutdown approaches the three week mark. Around 800-thousand federal employees are working without pay or have been furloughed. They’re talking about how the shutdown is not only impacting them and their families, but the agencies they work for and the people they serve. President Trump will not be at the White House to see the rally first-hand, as he is in Texas to visit a border region where he wants to build a wall. Trump is refusing to sign bills to fund the government and end the shutdown unless Congress votes to spend more than five-billion-dollars to fund the wall.

Cohen To Testify In House Hearing Next Month

(Washington, DC) — President Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen will testify in a House hearing next month. Cohen will appear voluntarily before the House Oversight Committee. Democrats took over the House on January 3rd and have promised vigorous oversight of President Trump and his administration. Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings said the panel has no interest in “interfering with any ongoing criminal investigations.” He noted that his staff is consulting with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s office, which is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign.

Lady Gaga Stands Behind Sexual Assault Victims In Wake Of R. Kelly Accusations

Lady Gaga is apologizing for previously working with R. Kelly. The pop star wrote on Twitter last night that she stands by all the women who spoke out against the R&B singer in the new Lifetime documentary, Surviving R. Kelly. She also vowed to remove a track called Do What U Want With My Body that she made with Kelly in 2013 from all music streaming platforms. Gaga said she wrote it at a dark time in her life, when she was dealing with post-traumatic stress from her own sexual assault. She also apologized for not speaking out against Kelly sooner.

MD Senate President Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer 

(Annapolis, MD) — Maryland Senate President Mike Miller says he has prostate cancer. Miller issued a statement today saying he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in July. He says he will be undergoing chemotherapy during the legislative session, but will continue to fulfill his Senate responsibilities. Miller has served 44 years in the General Assembly and has been president of the Senate since 1987.