Friday's Headlines: States prepare to shut down children’s health programs if Congress doesn’t act

Donald Trump Jr. meets scrutiny of his Russian contacts with defiance; Flynn's lawyer stops working with Trump's team, a sign Flynn may be cooperating with Mueller probe; A growing...

Democracy Dies in Darkness     The morning's most important stories, selected by Post editors   States prepare to shut down children's health programs if Congress doesn't act Funding for CHIP, which provides care for nearly 9 million low-income kids and 370,000 pregnant women nationwide, will run out in some states by the end of December, and others will exhaust resources early next year. While some expect lawmakers to act, "you can't say 'probably' everything is going to be all right," a Virginia health official said. By Colby Itkowitz and Sandhya Somashekhar  •  Read more » Donald Trump Jr. meets scrutiny of his Russian contacts with defiance Facing questions from multiple investigations about the interactions he had in 2016 with people tied to Russia, President Trump's oldest son has taken an increasingly caustic tone, mocking critics and using his growing public profile to serve as an ardent defender of Trumpism. By Drew Harwell  •   Read more »   Flynn's lawyer stops working with Trump's team, a sign Flynn may be cooperating with Mueller probe Former national security adviser Michael Flynn has been under intense pressure from the special counsel, and the move is a potentially ominous sign for President Trump and his close associates. By Carol D. Leonnig and Rosalind S. Helderman  •   Read more »   A growing number of young Americans are trading desk jobs for farming For only the second time in the last century, the number of farmers under 35 years old is increasing as a movement of highly educated, ex-urban, first-time farmers takes root. More likely to grow organically and get involved in their local food systems, this new generation could help preserve the place of midsize farms in the rural landscape. By Caitlin Dewey  •   Read more »   For the holiday, Trump gives thanks for 'winning' The president took a holiday victory lap on Twitter, in his messages to troops stationed abroad and in his visit to a Florida Coast Guard Station. But Trump's critics were quick to note that he made no acknowledgement of any shortcomings, including the GOP's inability to follow through on their promises to voters. By Jenna Johnson  •   Read more »   The Black Friday frenzy officially began Thursday. But for many, the thrill is gone. For the first time, more Americans will do their holiday shopping online instead of in stores. But even the big-box stores that do open on Thanksgiving Day are toning down the hoopla as the shift in how people shop presents new problems for retailers. By Abha Bhattarai  •   Read more »   Five myths about American Indians Did one tribe really sell Manhattan for some beads? By Kevin Gover  •   Perspective   •   Read more »   The NFL's Thanksgiving games are a spectacular display of America's 'God and country' obsession The pomp and fandom in stadiums across the country display their own rituals — and reveal how our gratitude has shifted. By James K.A. Smith  •   Analysis   •   Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT Opinions   Republicans are repeating a reckless cycle By Joe Scarborough  •   Read more »   Congress must investigate Trump's alleged sexual misconduct By Eugene Robinson  •   Read more »   The religious right's scary, judgmental old men By Michael Gerson  •   Read more »   After Russia's election interference, pulling back the curtain on online ads By Editorial Board  •   Read more »   How to protect against fake 'facts' By David Ignatius  •   Read more »   A bungled contract is still devastating National Guard employees By Catherine Rampell  •   Read more » ADVERTISEMENT More News   Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius's murder sentence more than doubled South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal increased the double-amputee athlete's sentence to 13 years and five months for the 2013 murder of his girlfriend. Pistorius had originally been given six years, a sentence prosecutors called "shockingly" lenient. By Associated Press  •  Read more »     A Japanese politician took her baby to work. The patriarchy was not impressed. Yuka Ogata wanted to make a point about the challenges facing working moms in Japan. In response, her fellow assembly members forced her to leave the chamber. By Anna Fifield and Yuki Oda  •   Read more »   Franken pledges to Minnesota constituents that he is 'committed to regaining their trust' In a Thanksgiving Day apology, the Democratic senator acknowledges "I crossed a line for some women — and I know that any number is too many." By Associated Press  •   Read more »   The U.S. says Burma has committed 'ethnic cleansing.' Where does Aung San Suu Kyi go from here? Burma's de facto leader is isolated, and officials and party leaders close to her not only deny the magnitude of the crisis but that the atrocities took place at all, complicating the task of repatriating hundreds of thousands of Muslim Rohingya. By Annie Gowen  •   Read more »   U.S. Navy calls off search for three missing sailors after plane crash in Pacific Ocean Eight people were rescued after the Nov. 22 crash, but an extensive search failed to locate the three missing. By Anna Fifield  •   Read more »   Redskins turn back hapless Giants, keep flickering playoff hopes alive On a day to give thanks, Washington can be grateful it was playing an offense as woeful as New York's in a 20-10 win to improve to 5-6. By Liz Clarke  •   Read more »   A woman raised thousands of dollars to help a homeless man who spent his last $20 to buy her gas Kate McClure started a GoFundMe campaign that has raised more than $250,000 to help get Johnny Bobbit Jr. back on his feet. By Kristine Phillips  •   Read more »         Share Today's Headlines:    Twitter     Facebook Trouble reading? Click here to view in your browser. You received this email because you signed up for Today's Headlines or because it is included in your subscription. 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