GOP congressman: Rate of pregnancies from rape is ‘very low’  —  Another Republican congressman ventured into the realm of rape and pregnancy Wednesday, saying at a committee hearing that incidences of pregnancy from rape are “very low.”  —  Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) …

Democratic Sen. Tester: Snowden Didn't Compromise National Security (VIDEO)  —  Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) on Wednesday rejected the notion that Edward Snowden compromised the country's security when he leaked details of top secret National Security Agency surveillance programs.

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden says U.S. government has been hacking Chinese universities, businesses and politicians for FOUR YEARS as he finally breaks cover  —  Edward Snowden, the former CIA analyst behind the NSA leaks, has claimed that the U.S. government has been hacking Hong Kong and Chinese networks for at least four years.

First look: The amendment that could upend the immigration debate … Sen. John Cornyn, the second-ranking Republican in the Senate, has just released his much-discussed amendment to the Gang of Eight comprehensive immigration reform bill.  The amendment is extensive — 134 pages …

Dear 2016 Democratic Upstart  —  To: 2016 White House Candidates (Democrats Only)  —  Since you have time to read an unsolicited memo with such a provocative subject line, it is safe to assume that your name is not Hillary or Joe.  —  That's good because I am not writing for the establishment types …

Darrell Issa On IRS Investigation: Releasing Full Transcripts Now Would Be ‘Reckless’  —  WASHINGTON — One week after he released partial transcripts of interviews with IRS officials involved in the scandal surrounding the targeting of conservative groups, the chair of the House Oversight …

The Obama Surveillance Revelations Are Pushing Liberals Over the Edge  —  Progressives aren't going to give the president a pass on civil liberties anymore.  —  The email went out shortly after midnight Thursday, a few hours after the news broke about the Obama administration's large-scale monitoring …

Walker says he will sign abortion ultrasound bill  —  Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said Tuesday he will sign a measure that's quickly working its way through the Republican-controlled Legislature that would require women seeking an abortion to undergo an ultrasound.

Secret Service “Visits” Outspoken Critic of Obama - Because of Twitter?  —  I know, RIGHT?  —  After you read this- you will wonder what country we are in.  —  Tom Francois is an outspoken critic of Barack Hussein Obama- and has a robust Twitter presence.  He also likes to dabble with his “paint” program to create funny cartoons.

Interns Win Huge Victory in Labor Lawsuit Against Fox  —  UPDATED: Fox says it is “very disappointed” after two interns who worked on “Black Swan” are granted a summary judgment win, while another intern who worked in Fox's corporate department will now be leading a class action suit.

Bloomberg Urges No Gifts to Democrats Who Blocked Gun Bill  —  Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, in a sharp escalation in the battle over gun control, is seeking to punish Democratic senators by taking away the one thing they most need from New Yorkers: money.  —  On Wednesday, Mr. Bloomberg …

CBS anchor snubs sex scoop  —  CBS anchor Scott Pelley was furious after John Miller's scoop about the State Department sex scandal broke not on his “CBS Evening News,” but early Monday on “This Morning” hosted by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Norah O'Donnell, network sources tell Page Six

CIA's deputy director to be replaced with White House lawyer  —  The CIA's deputy director plans to resign and will be replaced by White House lawyer and agency outsider Avril D. Haines, Director John O. Brennan said Wednesday.  —  Haines, who will succeed career officer Michael Morell on Aug. 9 …

Challenging Obama-knows-best  —  “Trust-me” is President Barack Obama's preferred mode of action in times of crisis — and his go-to comment to nervous staffers has always been some version of “Relax, I got this.”  —  But that message is an increasingly hard sell for Obama in his second term …

Health Care's Overlooked Cost Factor  —  When the Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Corporation merged its two hospitals with the neighboring Highland Park Hospital just north of Chicago 13 years ago, the deal was presented as an opportunity to increase efficiency and improve the quality of patient care.

Clear city's name in IRS scandal  —  Congressman Charles Rangel said, “There's a cancer in Cincinnati.”  That is just another example of how our region is taking collateral damage in IRS scandal.  The Cincinnati area is being portrayed as a hotbed of rogue, corrupt IRS employees.