Government auditors have found that mismanagement in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration can cost taxpayers $22 billion on critical satellite systems because of wasteful delays and technical challenges.

The Obama administration goes to great pains to moderate language used in referring to Islamic terrorists for fear of offending Muslims. That's not a concern of "El Chapo", the Mexican cartel leader who made an astounding prison escape. He declared war on the Islamic State for interfering with drug shipments. "My men will destroy you," the drug lord said. "The world is not yours to dictate."

Members of the Senate got into the spirit of the season at a "Secret Santa" event organized by Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn. They drank eggnog and exchanged gifts. Some examples: Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., gave Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, some Cabot cheese and a cheeseboard shaped like Texas. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., received some Japanese mossballs from Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., who said they can live for 200 years.