Cory Booker Champions HBCU Financing, Obama Heads to MIT, and Tavis Smiley Charts a Comeback

Earlier today, Gayle King commented on her BFF’s potential presidential aspirations. Speaking on CBS This Morning, King said that Oprah is “intrigued by the idea.” The CBS anchor went on to say, “I don't think at this point she is actually considering it. I also know, after years of watching the Oprah show, you always have the right to change your mind." So let the speculation continue. Today, Senator Bob Menéndez (D-NJ) and Congressmen Henry Cuéllar (D-TX) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS) will join a group of Republicans and Democrats at the White House to negotiate a deal on “Dreamers” and to try and avert a government shutdown ahead of the January 19th deadline. More below. In global news, North Korea agreed today to send athletes to the Winter Olympics in South Korea next month. The current negotiations could help gauge whether North Korea is willing to moderate its behavior after a year of nuclear and missile tests that have raised fears of war on the Korean Peninsula. News from the private sector -- remember the former Google engineer who was fired after distributing a memo questioning the company’s diversity policies? Well, James Damore filed a class-action lawsuit Monday claiming that the technology giant discriminates against white men and conservatives. Now, about last night … Donald Trump showed up to see Alabama claim victory over Georgia at the college football playoff national championship game in Atlanta. He was met by cheers and quite a few jeers. Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough yelled “F*ck Trump” as the team walked onto the field for the game. Protesters projected the message “F*ck Trump,” “No one is illegal,” and “Medicare for all” on the front of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium during the game. And the president neither sat down nor stayed humble as he skipped out on Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show. Time to help our left stroke go viral. We’re kicking off Tuesday with this...

  • Congressmen Pete Aguilar (D-CA) and Will Hurd (R-TX) working on bipartisan DACA legislation.
  • Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) out on medical leave.
  • Former President Barack Obama heads to MIT next month.
  • Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) presses Senate to change sexual harassment policy.
  • Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) intros legislation to help fund HBCUs.
  • Meet Viacom’s new “Chief People Officer.”
  • SAMHSA Administrator moves to Surgeon General’s office.
  • Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) staffer leaves Hill for Lambda Legal.
  • Telemundo expands news coverage with new midday program.
  • Latino writer Gustavo Arellano joins LA Times Opinion page.
  • Lesbian Pastor makes move for Congressman Rubén Kihuen’s (D-NV) seat.
  • Indian American MD legislator announces congressional run.
  • A California congressional race just got more heated.
  • CHC members join CA in challenging administration on environmental laws.
  • For the first time ever, the Cherokee Nation will observe MLK holiday.
  • Yahoo News names new Markets Reporter.
  • The Atlantic brings on conservative editor.
  • Tavis Smiley launches host of new projects.
  • Senators battle FCC’s Ajit Pai and net neutrality.
  • DeRay Mckesson joins Rock the Vote.
Brenda Arredondo