Monday's Headlines: Lost wages and lapsed health insurance weigh on federal contractors

Trump is again considering invoking emergency powers to build border wall; Shutdown's aftertaste lingers for craft breweries; Some federal employees can't afford basics as they...

Democracy Dies in Darkness     The morning's most important stories, selected by Post editors   Lost wages and lapsed health insurance weigh on federal contractors The tight margins of federal work meant that one firm was unable to pay its health insurance premium, leading to a lapse in coverage for employees who also lost five weeks of pay. Now the owner and workers are bracing for the possibility of another shutdown after Feb. 15. By Aaron Davis and Neena Satija  •  Read more » Trump is again considering invoking emergency powers to build border wall The president is roiling the latest bipartisan negotiations over immigration with the renewed threat of unilateral executive action and further dividing Republicans. By Robert Costa and Felicia Sonmez  •   Read more »   Shutdown's aftertaste lingers for craft breweries The government agency that approves new labels and licenses new breweries was shuttered, causing delays and hamstringing businesses. By Jenna Portnoy  •   Read more »   Some federal employees can't afford basics as they await paychecks Unpaid for more than a month, some federal workers are struggling to make ends meet. Paychecks aren't expected to land until the end of the week. By Katie Zezima  •   Read more »   His brother confessed to gunning down 17 people in Parkland. But he's the only family Zach Cruz has left. Zach was 17 when his older brother, Nikolas Cruz, became one of the deadliest school shooters in American history. And it left with him a choice: forever tie himself to the crime by supporting Nik or distance himself by abandoning the last close relative he has. "I'm stuck between loving him and hating him because of what he did," Zach said. By Jessica Contrera  •   Read more »   John Bercow, the sharp-tongued speaker of the House of Commons, is changing the rules — and maybe Brexit Britain will be glued to Parliament TV again this week for the next episode of the hit dramedy known as Brexit. The star of it all is Bercow, 56, a pint-size disciplinarian and champion shade-thrower who is the most theatrical, sharp-tongued and proactive speaker in modern times. By William Booth and Karla Adam  •   Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT Opinions   Convicted for leaving water for migrants in the desert: This is Trump's justice By Editorial Board  •   Read more »   There's evidence of collusion everywhere. But is it a criminal conspiracy? By Randall Eliason  •   Read more »   Believe we're spending too much on defense? Think again. By Robert Samuelson  •   Read more »   I helped lead the 9/11 commission. Here's what Mueller should do with his report. By Philip Zelikow  •   Read more »   The real wall is between conservatism and fresh ideas By E.J. Dionne  •   Read more »   Americans are being left behind. Here's how we fix it. By Henry M. Paulson Jr., Erskine Bowles and Melissa S. Kearney  •   Read more » ADVERTISEMENT More News   Sen. Kamala Harris formally opens her presidential campaign with a mix of unity and blunt talk about race The California Democrat framed her campaign as a response to President Trump, attempting to make the case that she would unite the country. By Matt Viser  •  Read more »     Ex-Starbucks chief Howard Schultz confirms interest in independent 2020 bid Opponents of President Trump argue that a third major candidate could split the anti-Trump vote and help reelect him. By Michael Scherer  •   Read more »   Fact Checker | Analysis Trump's claim that Michael Cohen's hush-money payments were no crime These claims are so far-fetched and nonsensical, the President Trump leaves us no choice but to award him four Pinocchios. By Salvador Rizzo  •   Read more »   Self-proclaimed interim president says Venezuela's opposition is in talks with military officials to force out Maduro Juan Guaidó, leader of the U.S.-backed opposition in Venezuela, said he will test Nicolás Maduro's government by bringing in food aid to ease a crippling humanitarian crisis. By Andreina Aponte, Anthony Faiola and Rachelle Krygier  •   Read more »   Duke professor warns Chinese students: Speak English on campus or face 'unintended consequences' Faculty members reportedly complained that some students at the university "were being so impolite as to have a conversation that not everyone on the floor could understand." By Amy Wang  •   Read more »   'My babies died for nothing': Louisiana shooting that killed 5 leaves family broken Dakota Theriot, 21, was arrested in the deaths of a family he had been staying with and his parents in separate shootings, authorities said. By Kristine Phillips  •   Read more »   Review The best part of 'Rent: Live' was Vanessa Hudgens. The worst part? It wasn't live. One of the male leads broke his leg during Saturday's dress rehearsal. Left without understudies, Fox aired that rehearsal. It was the wrong decision. By Travis Andrews  •   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. Manage my email newsletters and alerts | Unsubscribe from Today's Headlines Privacy Policy | Help ©2019 The Washington Post  |  1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071