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Democrat Doug Jones’s historic win in Alabama cuts the GOP’s lead in the Senate to 51-49, and gives the Democrats a narrow path to winning back the majority in the 2018 midterm elections. Democrats face a tough task retaking the Senate, as their party has to defend more than 20 seats while Republicans are only defending eight.

No single- or two-passenger cars on the Williamsburg Bridge during the morning or afternoon rush. A new ferry route. Extra turnstiles in some Brooklyn subway stations. The packed lanes of 14th Street in Manhattan given over solely to buses.

WASHINGTON — Senior F.B.I. officials who helped investigate Donald J. Trump’s presidential campaign last year wrote in text messages that Hillary Clinton “just has to win” and described a potential Trump victory as “terrifying,” according to texts released Tuesday night. A top counterintelligence agent, Peter Strzok, exchanged the messages with Lisa Page, a senior F.B.I. lawyer. Some messages criticized Mrs. Clinton’s team, the Obama administration, Congress and other Democrats. But the two appeared appalled at some of Mr.

Russell Simmons released a statement to The New York Times in response to four women who accused him of violent sexual behavior, including three who accused him of rape. In his statement, Mr. Simmons denied the accusations. [Music Mogul Russell Simmons Is Accused of Rape by 3 Women] The complete statement from Mr. Simmons appears below: I vehemently deny all these allegations.

WASHINGTON — Before pursuing a doctoral degree in art history, Rachael Vause determined that a tuition waiver, a $22,500 stipend and the ability to deduct the interest on her previous graduate school loans would allow her to enroll in a four-year program at the University of Delaware. Benjamin Franklin Kepley, 80, a retired Navy surgeon, decided he and his wife could sell their house in Florida and move into a continuing care retirement community because they could deduct a portion of the cost as a prepaid medical expense. And Jim Flanagan, a senior vice president at St.

WASHINGTON — Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, was not in a talking mood on Wednesday as he sped through the corridors of the Capitol. It had been roughly 12 hours since Doug Jones, a Democrat, had won election to the Senate — a victory that for Mr. McConnell spelled both bad news and good news. “It was quite an impressive election,” Mr. McConnell, of Kentucky, said tersely.

WASHINGTON — The day after suffering a political blow in the Alabama special Senate election, congressional Republicans sped forward with the most sweeping tax rewrite in decades, announcing an agreement on a final bill that would cut taxes for businesses and individuals and signal the party’s first major legislative achievement since assuming political control this year. Party leaders in the House and Senate agreed in principle to bridge the yawning gaps between their competing versions of the $1.5 trillion tax bill, keeping Republicans on track for final votes next week with the aim of deliv

Alabama's special Senate election was not only the first time a Democrat has won a Senate seat in Alabama in 25 years. It was also a coming out party for Doug Jones. Jones' campaign for senator was often overshadowed by the bluster of — and litany of accusations against — his opponent, Roy Moore. He stepped out on the national stage on Tuesday evening with a hard-fought victory, looking to leave an impression and left the stage — yes, honestly — to the tune of "Teach Me How to Dougie." Here's what you need to know about the Alabama senator-elect: Prior to stepping into the nati

On Tuesday, Doug Jones became the first Democrat in more than two decades to be voted into the U.S. Senate from reliably red Alabama. But he called the day historic for another reason: It was his 25th wedding anniversary. “I have said throughout this campaign that I thought that Dec. 12 would be a historic day,” Jones said during his victory speech Tuesday night. “But I gotta tell you — and you know where I’m headed — Dec. 12 has always been a historic day for the Jones family.” “This is, as you know, mine and Louise’s 25th wedding anniversary. My running mate, my partner.