Trump critic John Bolton faces possible classified documents charges

Former national security adviser John Bolton faced possible indictment Thursday on charges related to classified documents.

There was no immediate announcement of any indictment by lunchtime Thursday and details of the charges prosecutors planned to seek from a federal grand jury in Maryland were not immediately clear.

Bolton, a prominent foreign policy hawk who has slammed President Donald Trump as unfit, was identified in court documents as the target of a federal investigation for potential mishandling of classified information.

Federal agents seized documents labeled “classified,” “confidential” and “secret” from Bolton’s office during raids in August, court filings said. Trump Department of Justice officials have been pushing for charges against Bolton as the White House pursues a campaign of retribution against political rivals and critics.

—New York Daily News

Political takeover battle brews in tiny West Texas county

Loving County is a wind-whipped stretch of land in rural West Texas, home to just 64 people and a single tiny town, Mentone.

The county is both the least-populated in the continental U.S. and among the richest, thanks to its location atop the Permian Basin and a flood of oil and gas revenue.

Loving County has now emerged as the surprise site of an attempted political takeover, capturing the attention of elected leaders. An Indiana man, Malcolm Tanner, is trying to wrest control of the county government, offering people a free house and a $5,000 monthly stipend if they move to his 10 acres outside Mentone and register to vote.

On Thursday, Tanner’s plan hit a roadblock. A state district judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking anyone from moving to or living on the land, citing public health concerns. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who sought the order, called Tanner a “two-bit charlatan attempting to defraud people.”

—The Dallas Morning News

Cheap insulin pens will soon be available through state-backed deal, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announces

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced a plan to offer $11 insulin pens through the state's pharmaceutical venture.

Beginning Jan. 1, consumers can purchase a five-pack of pens for a suggested price of $55, according to the governor's office. The packs will be available to California pharmacies for $45.

California is the first state in the nation to sell its own brand of generic prescription drugs as Newsom and other state leaders seek ways to drive down rising health care costs.

Insulin users without health insurance today can pay $400 for a small vial. Newsom, in a statement Thursday, said Californians shouldn't "ration insulin or go into debt to stay alive."

—Los Angeles Times

Russia strikes Ukraine’s gas sector as Zelenskyy readies for US

Russia attacked Ukraine’s natural-gas infrastructure overnight, dealing a fresh blow to output as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepares for talks in Washington.

The Ukrainian leader is set to visit the U.S. capital after Moscow ramped up strikes against his country’s energy facilities, knocking out nearly 60% of gas production this month. Apart from holding talks with President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy is expected to meet with U.S. energy companies and producers of weapons and air defense systems.

Ukraine’s biggest private power producer DTEK halted gas extraction in the central Poltava region due to damage from a barrage of Russian drones and missiles, the company said in a Telegram post Thursday. State-owned energy company Naftogaz Group said a number of critical facilities had halted operations, while four employees were injured.

Zelenskyy warned that Russia would intensify its attacks on Ukraine’s energy systems this fall, urging allies to pressure Moscow with sanctions and by boosting Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities.

—Bloomberg News