A judge has denied singer R. Kelly’s request for furlough from prison after the convicted sex offender accused federal prison officials of plotting to murder him.

Former President Donald Trump stepped up his election-year effort to dominate the Republican Party with a Saturday rally in Arizona.

More Republican women than ever are seeking House seats this year after the 2018 election further diminished their limited ranks in Congress. The next test comes Tuesday in states such as Indiana, where Republican Rep. Susan Brooks one of 13 Republican women in the House is retiring. Republican women have always had a tougher time winning office. Groups that back GOP women have nowhere near the resources of organizations such as EMILYs List, which has existed much longer and has been a game changer for Democratic women. Hinson is running in the district represented by Democratic Rep. Abby Finkenauer, who is seeking a second term, and Miller-Meeks is seeking a seat vacated by Democratic Rep. Dave Loebsack.

In an interview with radio station KMOX, Shimkus, who is not seeking reelection in 2020, condemned Trump's decision. In fact, I called my chief of staff in DC and said, 'Pull my name off the I support Donald Trump list.' "President Trump is a populist who wants to put Americans first and to the detriment of our allies and friends," he said. "News from Syria is sickening," House Republican conference chair Liz Cheney tweeted on Wednesday. "Turkish troops preparing to invade Syria from the north, Russian-backed forces from the south, ISIS fighters attacking Raqqa.

Illinois Republican Rep. John Shimkus said in a statement Friday afternoon that he will not seek reelection in 2020, becoming the 11th House Republican to announce they will head for the exits in recent weeks. (CNN) - Illinois Republican Rep. John Shimkus said in a statement Friday afternoon that he will not seek reelection in 2020, becoming the 11th House Republican to announce they will head for the exits in recent weeks. "As Illinois candidates begin to circulate petitions next week, now is the time for me to announce that I will not be seeking reelection," Shimkus wrote. "It has been the honor of my lifetime to be asked by the people of Illinois to represent them in our nation's capitol," Shimkus added. "I will leave the political field knowing that I have served honorably and, with the help of many, accomplished a lot for my constituents, our state, and our nation."