1A

We've had another week of the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history. L.A. is facing a shutdown of another kind, with thousands of teachers on strike. And Cardi B gets political. Around the world, terrorism rocked Kenya and Syria. There were moves in the U.K. to try and reach a deal before the clock runs out on Brexit. And the latest in the wild ride that is El Chapo's trial. Want to support 1A? .

Over the last few days, The Washington Post and The New York Times published explosive stories about President Trump's involvement with Russia. What would it mean if the president of the United States — knowingly or unknowingly — were an asset of the Kremlin? Want to support 1A? .

In late 2017, The New Yorker published a short story called "Cat Person" that went viral — perhaps the only work of short fiction to ever do so. It resonated in the early stages of the #MeToo movement, and articulated a common experience that's uncommonly discussed. We spoke with the author, Kristen Roupenian, about her work and the stories we tell ourselves about sex, dating and consent. Want to support 1A? .

Earlier this month, Lifetime released a six-part docuseries called "Surviving R. Kelly." It chronicles the singer's alleged abuse of girls and women since the early '90s. Since then, there's been a larger conversation on black women, abuse and when and if they're believed. How will the #MeToo movement intersect with #MuteRKelly? How was R. Kelly's alleged abuse allowed to continue for so long, and why did it take this documentary for his victims to be heard? Want to support 1A? .

We are just over three weeks into a partial government shutdown. We're hearing stories from affected federal workers. Want to support 1A? .