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.

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.

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.

Taxes: A Defining Issue  —  Barack Obama knows taxes define worldview.  The GOP should offer voters an alternative.  —  If the Obama presidency didn't exist, we would have to invent it.  —  At a time when the American people need to make some decisions about the nation's purpose …

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 …

House GOP leaders: 9/11 first responders aid bill ‘a massive new entitlement program’  —  House Republican leadership is advising its members to vote against a bipartisan bill that would, among other things, bolster medical support to Sept. 11 victims.  —  The James Zadroga 9/11 Health …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Republicans focus on tax cuts for recess  —  House Republican leaders largely avoid mentioning former President George W. Bush in their August recess package to GOP members.  —  Instead of calling for an extension of Bush's tax cuts, which House Republican leaders support, they refer to the looming “Democrats' tax hikes.”

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.

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 …

An Arizona Morgue Grows Crowded  —  TUCSON — Dr. Bruce Parks unzips a white body bag on a steel gurney and gingerly lifts out a human skull and mandible, turning them over in his hands and examining the few teeth still in their sockets.  —  The body bag, coated with dust …

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|