Republicans take 4 of 6 in recall elections, hold Senate  —  Both sides see victories in hard-fought contests  —  By Tom Tolan and Patrick Marley of the Journal Sentinel  —  Democrats won two state Senate seats in Tuesday's historic recall elections, but failed to capture a third seat …

Harry Reid super-committee picks in place  —  In the first of what will be a closely watched selection process for a powerful new deficit panel, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced he will appoint Democratic Sens. Patty Murray (Wash.), Max Baucus (Mont.) and John Kerry (Mass.) …

Jon Huntsman for President  —  In 2008, Florida and the presidency went to Barack Obama because he offered hope.  To defeat the President in 2012, we need a candidate who will offer solutions.  That man is Jon Huntsman.  —  Today at 11:15 a.m. at Scotty's Landing in Miami …

Pawlenty to headline town hall in SC  —  Columbia, South Carolina (CNN) - Republican presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty has added a South Carolina visit to his campaign schedule later this month to participate in a town hall sponsored by a leading tea party figure, CNN has learned.

For immediate release  —  Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in June indicates that economic growth so far this year has been considerably slower than the Committee had expected.  Indicators suggest a deterioration in overall labor market conditions in recent months, and the unemployment rate has moved up.

A New Strategy for Economic Growth  —  Growth is not just about economics.  Growth unleashes human potential.  —  As the economy continues to struggle, we are reminded of a course offered at Yale University titled “Grand Strategy.”  Drawing on a weighty curriculum of history and philosophy …

Police calm London, but riots flare across UK  —  LONDON (AP) — Thousands of extra police officers flooded into London Wednesday in a bid to end Britain's worst rioting in a generation.  An eerie calm prevailed in the capital, but unrest spread across England on a fourth night of violence driven …

Dem spokesman accuses GOP of dirty tricks in Waukesha vote count  —  By Larry Sandler of the Journal Sentinel  —  A state Democratic Party spokesman accused a Republican official Tuesday night of tampering with votes in the tight 8th Senate District recall race.

Single Mother from St. Louis Flying Banner Over Lower Manhattan: 'Thanks For The Downgrade.  You Should All Be Fired.' (UPDATED)  —  YOU SHOULD ALL BE FIRED."  Pictures and more sightings are beginning to emerge.  Full image below:  —  The S&P offices are in the McGraw Hill building at 96 Water Street …

How to make the best of the long malaise  —  The only good thing about the continuing barrage of bad economic news is that it could have been worse: all three rating agencies could have downgraded the US, stock markets could have fallen further and the US could have defaulted on its debt.

Why the President Doesn't Present a Bold Plan to Create Jobs and Jumpstart the Economy  —  Americans are deeply confused about why the economy is so bad - and their President isn't telling them.  In fact, the White House apparently has decided to join with Republicans and blame it on the long-term budget deficit.

Romney's Covert Iowa Campaign  —  DES MOINES — Mitt Romney will dip his big toe in the Iowa waters on Wednesday, even as he continues to treat the political activity here like an sideshow that he can afford to ignore, at least for now.  —  The front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination …

The Rick Perry that Texans know  —  The biggest guessing game in Republican politics today is what kind of presidential candidate Texas Gov. Rick Perry will be.  Is he a heavyweight ready to contend seriously for the nomination, or someone who stumbles when he steps onto the big stage?

China's Economy Is Headed for a Slowdown  —  Beijing's export-oriented strategy can't continue forever.  —  As China fitfully tries to rebalance its economy, a small but rising number of Chinese economists are beginning to predict sharply lower annual growth rates of 6% to 7% over the next few years.

New York City Will Mandate Sex Education  —  For the first time in nearly two decades, students in New York City's public middle and high schools will be required to take sex-education classes beginning this year, using a curriculum that includes lessons on how to use a condom and the appropriate age for sexual activity.

Looking Like Dems Come Up Short  —  As of just after 12:30 on the east coast it's looking like Sen. Alberta Darling (R) is pulling out a win in Wisconsin's 8th senate district.  If so, that means that state Democrats picked up two recall victories but fell short of the three needed to take control of the senate.