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Senate Republicans barely defeat effort by Democrats to force release of Epstein files

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a close vote, Senate Republicans defeated an effort Wednesday by Democrats to insert language into Congress’ annual defense authorization bill that would have forced the public release of case files on the sex trafficking investigation into the late Jeffrey Epstein. The Senate voted 51-49 to dismiss the changes to the bill, with Republican Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Rand Paul of Kentucky joining with all Democrats in opposition. For months, Democrats have clamored for the release of what’s become known as the Epstein files, looking for practically ...

Wisc. legislative feud erupts with lawmaker accused of threatening fellow legislators

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Democrats are accusing one of their own of threatening to kill three of her colleagues, an allegation that the lawmaker has told local media stems from “poorly worded hyperbole.” Democratic leaders said in a statement Saturday that state Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez made a comment about shooting three caucus members with whom she’d had disagreements. The statement followed one Thursday announcing that Ortiz-Velez was leaving the Democratic caucus. The news website Wisconsin Right Now and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel first reported that Ortiz-Velez ...

Friendship or boundary issue?

Dear Annie: My husband, “Mark,” and I have been married for six years. For the most part, things are good between us, but there’s one recurring issue I can’t get past. Mark’s ex-wife, “Tina,” is still very involved in his life -- not in a co-parenting way, since they don’t even have kids, but socially. She calls him every few weeks or so, invites him to group outings and has even dropped by his office “just to say hi.” Mark says they’ve remained friends and that there’s nothing inappropriate going on. I want to believe him, but it makes me uncomfortable. I’ve ...

Organize utensils in the dishwasher

Dear Heloise: My wife and I read your hints daily, and you have some great ones! Here is something that we do to speed up the process of unloading the dishwasher. When putting utensils into the utensil holder to get washed, we group them together like forks in the front, spoons in the middle, and knives in the back. It sure makes it easy to unload when they are clean. -- Mason Fairhope, in Alabama SLEEPING WITH FURRY FRIENDS Dear Heloise: Dealing with pet fur is ongoing at my house. My Schipperke loves sleeping on my bed, and the feeling is mutual. I keep an old sheet on my ...

The hidden cause behind a loved one’s withdrawal

Dear Annie: Your column is a regular part of our home, and I truly appreciate the compassion and insight you bring to readers’ questions. I would like to gently offer another perspective, one that may sometimes be overlooked when people write in about the emotional withdrawal of a spouse, parent or longtime friend. In some cases, what appears to be a change in personality, affection or connection may actually be an early sign of dementia. Especially in longstanding relationships, whether marriage, family or close friendships, people may begin to act in ways that seem confusing, ...

Take precautions before traveling

Dear Heloise: I don’t want to sound morbid, but you never know what will happen on a trip. Whenever my husband and I go on a trip, I take a picture of our tickets, passports, and any other important documents on my phone, then send them to my son before we leave. I let him have a copy of our plans in foreign countries and our hotel information, and I stay in contact by sending postcards to friends and family. Why all the precaution? A dear friend of ours was in an accident years ago and could not communicate important information to anyone. He was in a coma for two weeks and missed ...