National Headlines 3-15-18

Mueller witness is convicted pedophile with shadowy past (Associated Press)

US gets tougher on Russia; new sanctions, accusations (Associated Press)

In a first, U.S. blames Russia for cyber attacks on energy grid (Reuters)

Trump decides to remove national security adviser, and others may follow (Washington Post)

In a first, an undocumented immigrant is appointed to a statewide post in California (Washington Post)

Trump to roll out opioid plan Monday, including tougher punishment (NBC News)

Little legal recourse for FBI’s McCabe if fired right before retirement (Politico)

Jeff Flake in New Hampshire: Potential presidential bid brings mixed reactions from Arizona Republicans (Arizona Republic)

Democrats’ Abortion Problem (Slate)

Peter Thiel Is Bullish on Bitcoin, the Heartland and Trump (Bloomberg)

Federal court tosses out Obama-era rule requiring financial advisers to act in customers’ best interests (The Hill)