Governors may struggle to raise money

WASHINGTON — Democrats who are hoping to use the governor’s mansion to launch a campaign for the White House will likely run into a major hurdle: money, or rather, a lack thereof.

Current and former governors like Jay Inslee of Washington, Steve Bullock of Montana, John Hickenlooper of Colorado or Terry McAuliffe of Virginia are all considering a run for the 2020 Democratic nomination.

But they lack name recognition when compared to the high-profile Senators who are already in the race. And they risk getting further overshadowed if a heavyweight like former Vice-President Joe Biden jumps in.

That means they will likely struggle to raise money, particularly from crucial small donors who make up an increasing share of Democratic fundraising.

GOP congressman taunts Michael Cohen

WASHINGTON — A Republican House member is taunting Michael Cohen ahead of a congressional hearing today, suggesting the public appearance will expose damaging personal information.

Florida Republican Matt Gaetz tweeted Tuesday that the world is “about to learn a lot” about President Donald Trump’s former lawyer. He tweeted that Cohen should talk to his wife ahead of his testimony.

Gaetz, a Trump ally, is not a member of the committee questioning Cohen. He did not offer any evidence. Still, the tweet was extraordinary because his remarks appear to be threatening or intimidating a witness.

Cohen is due to testify today about payments made to buy the silence of women ahead of the 2016 election. His testimony is expected to be sharply critical of Trump, alleging lying, cheating and criminal behaviour.

Baby girl found dead after mother, son plunge

UPLAND, Calif. — Authorities say they’ve found a baby girl dead inside a Southern California apartment after the mother threw her son and herself from a balcony.

The woman and the young boy are hospitalized in stable condition.

The Southern California News Group says neighbours called Upland police after they saw the woman throw the boy from the second-story balcony late Tuesday morning. When officers arrived, she jumped to the concrete below.

Officers who entered the apartment found a girl who wasn’t breathing. Police Capt. Marcelo Blanco says the infant had a fractured skull and other injuries.

Blanco says the mother is speaking to investigators but other details haven’t been released.

Upland is about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.