Campaign Finance

California: “Ex-Election Watchdog Urged to Probe Donation to Newsom Recall Bid” by Nathan Solis for Courthouse News Service

New York: “Three Men Gave $250 Each to a Candidate for City Comptroller – and Say They Never Heard of Him” by Clifford Michel for The City

Elections

Georgia: “Raphael Warnock Wins Georgia Runoff Election Against Sen. Loeffler, Lifting Democratic Hopes of Claiming Senate Majority” by Reis Thebault, Michael Scherer, and Cleve Wootson Jr. for Washington Post

Ethics

National: “‘Covid Can Kill’: Lawmakers issue fresh warnings about virus after death of Rep.-elect Luke Letlow” by David Nakamura and Fenit Nirappil (Washington Post) for MSN

California: “Former Oakland Building Inspector Accused of Bribery Fined $55,000 by Ethics Commission” by Annie Sciacca for San Jose Mercury News

Pennsylvania: “Ex-House Speaker John Perzel Wins 3rd and Likely Final Bid to Avoid Paying $1M for Corruption Conviction” by Matt Miller for PennLive.com

South Carolina: “Magistrate Judges Took Bribes, Stole Money and Mishandled Cases. South Carolina Officials Now Want Reform” by Joseph Cranney (Charleston Post and Courier) for ProPublica

Legislative Issues

National: “House Approves Rules Package for New Congress” by Juliegrace Brufke and Cristina Marcos for The Hill

Lobbying

North Dakota: “North Dakota Lobbyist Gift Ban Takes Effect; Ethics Bills Set in Legislature” by Jack Dura for Bismarck Tribune