Former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows referred to Justice Department over Jan. 6 subpoena

To ensure delivery to your inbox add email@mail.nbcnews.com to your contacts Today's Top Stories from NBC News WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     Today we look at possible criminal charges for a former White House chief of staff, questions over a candle factory devastated by the Kentucky tornado, and some homesick zebras.   Here's the latest on that and everything else we're watching this Wednesday morning.     House finds Mark Meadows in contempt over defiance of Jan. 6 committee subpoena Donald Trump's former chief of staff could face criminal charges after the House voted Tuesday to refer him to the Justice Department over his refusal to answer questions about the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.   Lawmakers passed the measure largely along party lines in a 222-208 vote.    Meadows, a former House member from North Carolina, initially provided numerous documents to the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot before deciding against further engagement, claiming executive privilege.   The investigative panel voted unanimously Monday night to advance the contempt of Congress measure, saying Meadows should face a criminal charge for defying the panel's subpoena to testify.   The Jan. 6 committee's chairman, Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said Meadows' actions left the panel with "no choice."   "This isn't about any sort of privilege or immunity. This is about Mr. Meadows refusing to comply with the subpoena to discuss the records he himself turned over," Thompson said in floor debate Tuesday ahead of the House vote.   Read the full story here. Wednesday's Top Stories State to probe Kentucky candle factory where workers say they were threatened with firing Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Tuesday that state investigators will probe the Mayfield candle factory where eight people died in a catastrophic tornado and workers said they were threatened with termination if they left their shifts early. READ MORE Black leaders to push Biden White House for more voting rights muscle As the president tries to drive his $1.75 trillion Build Back Better bill through the Senate, he has been reluctant to raise pressure on Democrats. READ MORE House votes to raise debt ceiling by $2.5 trillion, sends bill to Biden to avoid default The House passed legislation early Wednesday to raise the federal debt limit by $2.5 trillion, sending the bill to President Joe Biden for his signature. READ MORE OPINION The South Dakota viral teachers cash grab video is too on the nose, a teacher writes For Anne Lutz Fernandez, a high school English teacher, the South Dakota 'dash for cash' video was nothing short of a punch in the gut. READ MORE Also in the News Federal judge tosses Trump lawsuit to block income taxes from being released to Congress Earliest female human infant burial found in cave in Europe NYPD expected to be led by female commissioner for first time Javier Ambler's family to receive $5 million settlement in wrongful death lawsuit, Texas county says  Fire at Hong Kong's World Trade Centre traps scores on rooftop, injures 12 Editor's Pick The rise of the online Asian grocery store These retailers are filling a need left by many traditional supermarkets, whose "ethnic" aisles are unable to cater to the fastest-growing racial group in the U.S. READ MORE Select From desk organizers to gift boxes, these thoughtful presents are our picks for your favorite teacher. One Fun Thing Two zebras return to Maryland farm after missing for 4 months Two zebras that escaped from a Maryland farm four months ago have returned to the property and reunited with their herd, officials said Tuesday.   The zebras, which had been roaming "at large" since August, returned to the 300-acre private farm in Upper Marlboro last week, the Prince George's County Department of the Environment said in a news release.   The release said the farm's owner alerted federal officials about their return. A lawyer for the owner, Jerry Lee Holly, said in an email that Holly's employees captured and "humanely" returned them to the herd.   Read the full story here. Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: patrick.smith@nbcuni.com.  If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Patrick Smith     FOLLOW US     Want to receive NBC Breaking News and Special Alerts in your inbox? SIGN UP HERE Check out all of NBC Newsletters here.     Get the NBC News Mobile App   30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 View in browser | Unsubscribe | Manage Subscription | Contact | Privacy