Judge Blocks Key Parts of Immigration Law in Arizona  —  PHOENIX — A federal judge, ruling on a clash between the federal government and a state over immigration policy, has blocked the most controversial parts of Arizona's immigration enforcement law from going into effect.

White House proposal would ease FBI access to records of Internet activity  —  The Obama administration is seeking to make it easier for the FBI to compel companies to turn over records of an individual's Internet activity without a court order if agents deem the information relevant to a terrorism or intelligence investigation.

Dem memo: No, we won't lose the House  —  In another sign that House Dem leaders are eager to silence talk about them losing the House, top Democrats are circulating a memo on Capitol Hill that lays out a detailed case for why Republicans will come up short this fall.

Court Upholds Expulsion of Counseling Student Who Opposes Homosexuality  —  A federal judge ruled schools can expel students, like Julea Ward, who believe homosexuality is morally wrong.  Ward's lawsuit against Eastern Michigan University was dismissed.  —  A federal judge has ruled in favor …

Schwarzenegger declares California fiscal emergency  —  (Reuters) - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency over the state's finances on Wednesday, raising pressure on lawmakers to negotiate a state budget that is more than a month overdue and will need to close a $19 billion shortfall.

The BP Spill: Has the Damage Been Exaggerated?  —  An extensive network of oil booms surround marsh lands off the coast of Louisiana.  July 18, 2010.  —  Mario Tama / Getty Images  —  President Obama has called the BP oil spill “the worst environmental disaster America has ever faced,” and so has just about everyone else.

Obama not invited to Chelsea Clinton's wedding  —  Plus: Unknown actresses in the running for ‘Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’ lead  —  President Barack Obama made a visit to the ladies of “The View” Wednesday afternoon to tape an episode that airs Thursday.  And although all five hosts …

Simmons will again face McMahon in Conn. Senate GOP primary  —  Less than two weeks before the Aug. 10 Republican primary, the Senate campaign of former Rep. Rob Simmons (R-Conn.) is back on.  —  After calling himself a candidate for Senate in a debate with businessman Peter Schiff Tuesday night …

Manufacturing and Other Business Activity  —  Manufacturing activity in most Districts continued to move up since the last report, although the pace of activity slowed or activity leveled off in the New York, Cleveland, Kansas City, Chicago, Atlanta, and Richmond Districts.

Poll shows opposition to health care overhaul declining  —  Opposition to the landmark health care overhaul declined over the past month, to 35 percent from 41 percent, according to the latest results of a tracking poll, reported Thursday.  —  Fifty percent of the public held a favorable view of the law …

Rearranging Deck Chairs on the Titanic of American Education-Related Social Stratification  —  Peter Beinart, like all good heterodox liberals, thinks we should curb race-based affirmative action in college admissions in favor of something more focused on class.

Drugs, Discipline Dog Afghan Army  —  Afghan soldiers in training this month.  U.S. soldiers complain poor discipline among the Afghans could undermine the campaign.  —  KHADAKALAY, Afghanistan—It took a few tense seconds for U.S. and Afghan soldiers to realize that a sudden burst of gunfire …

Gov. Christie on Saving Money & the Hard Decisions We Have to Make  —  Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy  —  NJ Gov. Chris Christie on “Morning Joe”: This teacher complaining, they're getting four-to-five percent salary increases a year …

Rep. Rangel digs in for a fight ahead of Thursday ethics trial  —  Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) is ready to lay out his case to the public and thinks he can win, barring a last-minute deal in his showdown with the House ethics committee.  —  “[Thursday] is D-Day and he's digging in for a fight …

Congress Rethinks Its Ban on Internet Gambling  —  WASHINGTON — With pressure mounting on the federal government to find new revenues, Congress is considering legalizing, and taxing, an activity it banned just four years ago: Internet gambling.  —  On Wednesday, the House Financial Services …

What's So Strange About Socialism?  — By: Stanley Kurtz  —  What is so strange about the idea that President Obama might be a socialist?  True, it would be a big deal if the president of the United States considered himself an opponent of the capitalist system, especially …

Ben Chandler starts with double-digit lead over Andy Barr but 21% undecided, cn|  2 Poll shows  —  Democratic U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler begins the general election season with a 14-point lead over Republican challenger Andy Barr, although 37% of those surveyed have yet to form an opinion of Barr, the latest cn|

Juggling the Sherrod Chainsaw  —  While Jim Treacher enjoys the weather in Acapulco, other people will be trawling.  Like John Hayward, AKA Doctor Zero.  Follow the good Doc on twitter, and read him at his home and in the Hot Air Greenroom.  —  Shirley Sherrod ended up as the star …

Haphazard Firefighting Might Have Sunk BP Oil Rig … The Coast Guard has gathered evidence it failed to follow its own firefighting policy during the Deepwater Horizon disaster and is investigating whether the chaotic spraying of tons of salt water by private boats contributed to sinking …

Rod Blagojevich: Not Guilty  —  It is impossible when covering a trial as a journalist not to start thinking like a juror.  The jobs are not all that different to begin with: sifting facts, weighing sides, judging trustworthiness, trying to be objective about it all.