Top GOP senator says he's hopeful a shutdown can be avoided
"I think that's what the American people expect of the people that they elect — keep the government open," Sen. John Barrasso said
U.S.
Lanny Davis: Cohen wouldn't take a pardon "if it was handed to him"
Cohen's adviser also said Mr. Trump sounded like a mobster, not a president, when tweeting about Cohen
Miller: Trump "absolutely" willing to shut down gov't over wall
Stephen Miller, a top White House adviser, says President Trump will do "whatever is necessary" to build the border wall
"Yes, Virginia": The story behind the letter about Santa Claus
In 1897 eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote the New York Sun asking if Santa were real; the response that was published has stood the test of time
Jim Gaffigan: Do we have to do Christmas in December?
"Sunday Morning" contributor says the stress of the holidays in the bleakest of months makes moving Christmas to a sunnier time a smart idea
Calendar: Week of December 17
From a Rolling Stone's birthday to Word of the Year, "Sunday Morning" takes a look at some notable events of the week ahead
Almanac: The first vending machine
On December 16, 1884, William Henry Fruen patented his "Automatic Liquid-Drawing Device," leading the way to coin-operated devices dispensing a myriad of products
Pop-ups are popping up all over
More and more retail stores, restaurants, museums and other "experiences" are opening up as temporary spaces, to lure new customers and create social media opportunities
What's in store for Sears?
At its peak, it was the biggest retailer in the world, and its catalog proved the company could be a disruptive innovator; today it's mired in bankruptcy
Mulvaney called Trump a "terrible human being" in 2016
"Yes, I'm supporting Donald Trump. I'm doing so as enthusiastically as I can given the fact that he's a terrible human being," Mulvaney said on Nov. 2, 2016
New details about 7-year-old migrant girl's death in custody
Jakelin Caal Maquin's body will be flown back to Guatemala, said a representative for the shelter where her father is staying
Police check on Pete Davidson after alarming Instagram post
Police were sent to the studio where NBC's "Saturday Night Live" is filmed in Manhattan
Disney actor Stoney Westmoreland fired after arrest
Westmoreland had been dropped from the sitcom "Andi Mack," on which he plays the grandfather of the teen-age title character
Camp Fire evacuees allowed to return home
All evacuation orders were lifted in Paradise more than a month after the fire broke out
Trump: Interior Secretary Zinke will leave administration
"The Trump Administration will be announcing the new Secretary of the Interior next week," Trump tweeted
Exclusive
Johnson says he intends to stay on as GOP leader if Republicans lose majority
Ilhan Omar's D.C. home searched by Homeland Security investigators, sources say
Live
Saudi airport stays shut as Houthi attacks kill 20 people in a week
Some Israeli settlers use sheep to push Palestinians from West Bank homes
Hurricane Isaias leaves trail of destruction in Southeast
Saudi airport hit again day after deadly strike killed 13
Trump announces Russia-Ukraine "energy ceasefire" after criticizing Zelenskyy
Drone swarms are a problem Secret Service says they have not solved yet
