Winnebago County vote-count change alters Supreme Court race  —  By Sharif Durhams of the Journal Sentinel  —  The latest vote count in the state Supreme Court race in Winnebago County indicates incumbent David Prosser is leading Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg in votes.

Senate Dems craft short-term stopgap  —  Senate Democrats said Thursday they're working on their own short-term spending resolution to avert a government shutdown, a response to the Republican House-passed bill that President Barack Obama has threatened to veto.

Obama: I'll veto funding for the troops  —  Consider this a trap well set and sprung.  Frustrated that the Senate won't pass any budget bill while the House continues to negotiate to the brink of a government shutdown, John Boehner proposed a one-week CR to keep government open for a week …

Riders Caused The Storm: Government Shutdown Looms Over Anti-Abortion And Anti-EPA Measures  —  If a government shutdown happens, it'll be because Republicans are demanding policy restrictions in addition to spending cuts before agreeing to fund the government through September.

The Trouble With Taxing Exclusively The Rich  —  In their sketch version of a budget (PDF) the Congressional Progressive Caucus makes a heroic effort to finance progressive government basically exclusively by raising taxes on rich people.  —  Specifically:

Breaking down Trump's numbers  —  There's been a lot of coverage of Donald Trump's good poll numbers with Republicans over the last week- what's gotten less attention is that Trump's popularity with GOP voters is a brand new development.  —  We did a national poll asking about Trump …

Video: The greatest press conference of all time  —  Schadenfreude.  —  Alternate headline via Mary Katharine Ham, ever mindful of developing media narratives: “Small, state-wide election with vital national implications soon to have no national implications whatsoever.”

Tea Party senator: Obama might have planned shutdown with ‘malicious’ intent  —  Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) suggested Thursday that President Obama might have begun planning a government shutdown last year with “malicious” intent.  —  “Why was it that a few months ago ... when the president …

FAA sets up no-fly zone for Obama's planned trip to Williamsburg  —  The leader of the free world may be coming to Williamsburg for some rest and relaxation if Congress is able to come to agreement on the budget.  President Obama and the First Family are planning to visit the area this weekend …

General: U.S. may consider troops in Libya  —  Army Gen. Carter Ham says ground forces wouldn't be ideal, but may be a possible way to aid rebels; Says current operation largely stalemated  —  WASHINGTON - The United States may consider sending troops into Libya with a possible international ground force …

Idaho Rejects Rape Exception In Abortion Bill Because ‘The Hand Of The Almighty’ Was At Work  —  Marching in step with the GOP's nationwide war on a woman's right to choose, the Idaho legislature gave final approval to a bill that would outlaw abortions after 20 weeks.