January 1, CHICAGO MAYOR EMANUEL: ‘WHITEWASH OF JUSTICE’ IN SMOLLETT CASE

(Chicago Tribune) – For two months, the story of what happened to “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett on a frigid January night in downtown Chicago has transfixed the nation with its many plot twists.

On Tuesday, the script was flipped yet again — and in many ways it only added to the mystery.

In a stunning reversal, Cook County prosecutors abruptly dropped all charges in an indictment accusing Smollett of staging the Jan. 29 attack in Streeterville and falsely claiming he was the victim of a hate crime.

Biden Rips ‘White Man’s Culture,’ Regrets Anita Hill Hearing

(AP) – Former Vice President Joe Biden condemned “a white man’s culture” Tuesday night as he lashed out against violence against women and, more specifically, lamented his role in the Supreme Court confirmation hearings that undermined Anita Hill’s credibility nearly three decades ago.

Biden, a Democratic presidential prospect who often highlights his white working-class roots, said Hill, who is African-American, should not have been forced to face a panel of “a bunch of white guys.”

Michelle Obama Book ‘Becoming’ Soon Will Be Most Successful Memoir Ever

Michelle Obama’s smash book, “Becoming” might be the most successful memoir in history, reports The Wall Street Journal.

The former first lady’s book has sold nearly 10 million copies around the world since its November release, publisher Penguin Random House said Tuesday.

Southwest 737 Max Makes Emergency Landing in Orlando

(Reuters) – A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max made a safe emergency landing Tuesday in Orlando, Florida, after experiencing an engine problem, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The crew declared an emergency after taking off from Orlando International Airport around 2:50 p.m., and returned to the airport safely. No passengers were on board, and the aircraft was being ferried to Victorville, California, where Southwest is storing the airplanes.

Patriots Owner Kraft Pleads Not Guilty, Requests Jury Trial

(AP) – New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft on Tuesday entered a not guilty plea to two counts of solicitation of prostitution and requested a jury trial.

His attorneys submitted the paperwork in Palm Beach County, Fla., and the filing cancels Kraft’s arraignment, which was scheduled for Thursday.

Kraft is in Phoenix, attending the NFL’s annual meetings.The 77-year-old billionaire was charged last month for allegedly receiving sex acts at a day spa in Jupiter, Fla. He has pleaded not guilty, and on Friday, his attorney said they intended to vehemently fight the charges as well as the release of two tapes that purportedly show Kraft receiving services at the spa.