Midday Roundup: Palin-vision coming to a computer near you

Small screen star. Can’t get enough Sarah Palin? For $9.95 a month, consumers can access her new online channel, billed as a “direct connection” between the former Alaska governor and GOP vice presidential candidate and her supporters. “Are you tired of the media filters?” Palin asks in a promotional video on the site. “Well, I am. I always have been. So we’re gonna do something about it.” Her site features a rolling total of the national debt and a to-the-second countdown of how long President Barack Obama has left in office.

Last-minute fix. GOP leaders are working against the clock on a measure to address the immigration crisis before Congress goes into recess at the end of the week. The Republicans’ list of proposed changes includes sending National Guard troops to the border, increasing the number of U.S. immigration judges, and modifying the law so migrant youths can be sent home more quickly. The changes would cost less than $1 billion, in contrast to the $3.7 billion Obama requested for immigration changes. More than 57,000 children and other illegal immigrants have arrived in the United States since October, mostly from El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.

Starting lineup. The Baseball Hall of Fame inducted its 2014 class on Sunday, adding three managers, two pitchers, and a super slugger to its ranks. Managers Bobby Cox, Joe Torre, and Tony La Russa; pitchers Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux; and hitter Frank Thomas gave emotional acceptance speeches in front of tens of thousands of fans in Cooperstown, N.Y. “To all you kids out there, just remember one thing from today,” Thomas said. “There’s no shortcuts to success. Hard work, dedication, commitment, stay true to who you are.”

An $8 billion bargain? Dollar Tree will buy rival store Family Dollar, giving it a new advantage in the war for America’s cheapest customers. The $8.5 billion deal will give Dollar Tree more than 13,000 stores in the United States and Canada. The current leading discounter, Dollar General Corp., has more than 11,300 stores in the U.S. So far, it looks like the two stores will maintain their differing business models. Dollar Tree charges only $1 for all its merchandise, while Family Dollar offers a broader range of products and prices. Both companies have struggled as major retailers like Walmart have increased their deep-discount offerings to draw in more low-income customers.

On trial. Jury selection begins today in the corruption trial of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen. McDonnell was a rising star in the Republican party and was considered a possible running-mate for Mitt Romney before being indicted. The McDonnells are accused of accepting more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from the CEO of a dietary supplements company in exchange for helping promote his products. He and his lawyers have argued that prosecutors are trying to criminalize routine and long-accepted political courtesies, like hosting receptions and arranging meetings, that fall short of more tangible rewards historically associated with bribery.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.