Ap Fact Check: Trump Distortions While Trashing Russia Probe

The bird flu’s been around for generations. But this year, concerns have spiked after it jumped to humans and other mammals, leading to at least 58 confirmed cases in the United States among mostly farmworkers. Another, more obvious, cause for worry: The response to the prospective health crisis will soon be under the direction of President-elect Donald Trump.

Mike Johnston’s signature homelessness initiative quietly surpassed the sheltering goal he set for it this year, but the Denver mayor and his top advisers are eyeing a more challenging milestone in 2025. As the city brings at least 2,000 people off the streets next year — roughly matching the number sheltered in the initiative since its launch last fall — the bigger goal, in some ways, will be to place at least 1,000 participants in more permanent housing situations.

In keeping with the new season of "Trump! The Reality Show," Trump’s team hints that a shakeup in the White House press briefing room could be coming. Via The Hill: People close to Trump have said in recent days he should dramatically change who gets access to the president, suggesting podcasters, internet personalities and media deemed more friendly to him could replace outlets like the major television networks, The New York Times and The Washington Post in the room’s front rows. Reporters covering The White House, in conversations with The Hill this week, described a feeling of annoyance, frustration and dread at such an idea.

Kash Patel, Donald's pick to run the FBI, was recently told by the bureau that he had been targeted as part of an Iranian hack. Interestingly, aside from Patel being a dangerous pick, Donald himself has been told by the bureau in the past that he is "one of the top targets" of Iran. CNN reports: Hackers are believed to have accessed at least some of Patel's communications, according to one of the sources. Trump transition spokesman Alex Pfeiffer declined to comment specifically on the hack in a statement to CNN. "Kash Patel was a key part of the first Trump administration's efforts against the terrorist Iranian regime and will implement President Trump's policies to protect America from adversaries as the FBI Director," Pfeiffer said in the statement. Foreign hackers have targeted members of Trump's inner circle in recent months.

Above, The Hunna performs, I Wanna Know. We have so many questions we wanna know. Balloon Juice is thinking about elite order, and the shocking apparent assassination of the head of a rapacious, evil insurance company. Digby says that they're coming for Granny again! Mike the Mad Biologist says the Democrats better say, "NOPE." Lawyers, Guns & Money wonders if the SCOTUS will rewrite the Constitution to transfer powers to ?

Mike Siegel's Runoff Is In 2 Weeks A day or two ago, Bernie e-mailed his supporters about how “the most important issue facing the American people and the global community is the rapid rise of oligarchy. Never before in modern history have so few had so much wealth and power. Never before has a ruling class been able to exercise that power not only in the United States but in every corner of the planet.