Six Democratic presidential candidates will meet in Des Moines on Tuesday night for the final debate before the Iowa caucuses. CNN will host the event in partnership with the Des Moines Register, which is part of the USA TODAY Network. Showtime is 9 p.m. EST. Candidates who did not make the cut for the debate include entrepreneur Andrew Yang, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii and Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, who announced Monday he was ending his campaign. Sen. Bernie Sanders narrowly leads the field ahead of the Feb. 3 caucuses, according to the most recent Des Moines Register/CNN/Mediacom Iowa Poll.
Supreme Court’s war on prosecutors meets ‘Bridgegate’
The Supreme Court on Tuesday will examine whether federal prosecutors overreached in the New Jersey political scandal known as “Bridgegate.” Two public officials with ties to former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie were convicted of fraud and sentenced to 18 months in prison for lying about their role in the scandal, in which access lanes on the George Washington Bridge were deliberately shut down for political payback. But the high court in several recent cases has admonished prosecutors for stretching laws to win convictions, and attorneys for the New Jersey officials say that’s also true in “Bridgegate.”
Speaker Nancy Pelosi huddles with House Dems on impeachment
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will consult with rank-and-file Democrats on Tuesday about how to proceed in the impeachment of President Donald Trump. Pelosi has delayed sending articles of impeachment, which accuse Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, saying she wanted to learn more about how the Senate would conduct its trial. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he plans to move quickly to begin a trial once he receives the articles from the House. Garnering the votes to remove Trump appears unlikely in the Senate, where Republicans outnumber Democrats, 53 to 47. Removal from office would require a two-thirds vote of the senators.
‘Jeopardy!’ GOAT battle is back
ABC’s “Jeopardy!: Greatest of All Time” tournament resumes Tuesday, as all-time champs Ken Jennings, James Holzhauer and Brad Rutter battle for bragging rights and a $1 million top prize. Jennings won two of last week’s three matches. If Jennings wins Tuesday’s match, it’s over. If Holzhauer or Rutter snag a victory, the tournament continues Wednesday and on subsequent nights this week (8 EST/PST) until one player wins three matches. The tournament has won high ratings, intense interest and more love for host Alex Trebek, who’s battling Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
