Rand Paul: We Must Demilitarize the Police  —  Anyone who thinks that race does not skew the application of criminal justice in this country is just not paying close enough attention.  And the root of the problem is big government.  —  The shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown is an awful tragedy …

St. Louis County Police to Be Removed From Ferguson: Clay  —  Missouri Governor Jay Nixon will announce that St. Louis County law enforcement will be relieved of duty in Ferguson, which has been roiled by protests after the shooting death by police of an unarmed teenager, according to Representative William Lacy Clay.

“Meet the Press:” Gregory out, Todd in  —  NBC will name Chuck Todd the new host of “Meet the Press” as soon as Thursday afternoon, according to people with direct knowledge of the network's plans.  —  The sources confirmed widespread speculation that David Gregory, who moderated the show …

TV crews hit by bean bags, tear gas  —  AL JAZEERA AMERICA TV crews were overcome with tear gas fired near their vehicle in Ferguson, Missouri, Wednesday night.  Minutes later, police took down the crew's light kit, and pointed their camera at the ground.  KSDK  —  CONNECT

Where We Came From, State by State  —  Charts showing how Americans have moved between states for 112 years.  —  BLURRING PARTY LINES |  AUGUST 14, 12:23 AM  —  Welcome to Rhode Island, America's Least Polarized State  —  Wonder what Washington might look like if it were less polarized?

Police chief rips Obama remarks  —  The executive director of the Fraternal Order of Police criticized President Obama Thursday for his remarks about law enforcement in Ferguson, Mo.  —  “I would contend that discussing police tactics from Martha's Vineyard is not helpful to ultimately calming the situation …

Steve King: Since Ferguson Rioters Are All Of The Same ‘Continental Origin,’ Racial Profiling Is Not A Concern  —  Rep. Steve King appeared on Newsmax TV yesterday, where host J.D. Hayworth asked him about the rising tensions in Ferguson, Missouri and the call by members of the Congressional Black Caucus …

Maliki Agrees to Relinquish Power in Iraq  —  BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki said Thursday night that he had agreed to relinquish power, state television reported, potentially ending a crisis in which his deployment of extra security forces around the capital had raised worries of a military coup.

Maliki finally steps aside as Iraq Sunni leader sees U.S. help  —  (Reuters) - Nuri al-Maliki finally bowed to pressure with Iraq and beyond on Thursday and stepped down as prime minister, paving the way for a new coalition that world and regional powers hope can quash a Sunni Islamist insurgency that threatens Baghdad.

As Work Shifts Vary, Family's Only Constant Is Chaos  —  Like increasing numbers of low-income mothers and fathers, Ms. Navarro is at the center of a new collision that pits sophisticated workplace technology against some fundamental requirements of parenting, with particularly harsh consequences for poor single mothers.

Israel Outflanks White House Over Gaza  —  The Obama administration has tightened control on arms transfers to Israel since learning last month that the Israeli military had been securing supplies of ammunition from the Pentagon without its approval.