'Spare the lives of the remaining hostages.  Like Jim they are innocents': Brave mother of beheaded American journalist calls on ISIS to cease killing as she pays tribute to her ‘extraordinary son’  — A masked and robed member of ISIS speaking English in what is thought to be a British accent addresses the camera as well

McConnell's plan to shut down Obama  —  HENDERSON, Ky. — Mitch McConnell has a game plan to confront President Barack Obama with a stark choice next year: Accept bills reining in the administration's policies or veto them and risk a government shutdown.  —  In an extensive interview here …

‘SNL’ Political Secrets Revealed: Hillary's “Entitlement,” the Sketch Obama Killed and the Show's “Karl Rove”  —  In an exclusive book excerpt, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and even Sarah Palin recount the inner battle between the left and right … Lorne Michaels, executive producer …

Why Obama can't go there  —  It's a paradox of Barack Obama's presidency: The first African-American to run the country finds himself in the tensest racial confrontation of his tenure, but is constrained from addressing the nation's original sin in anything but the loftiest, most dispassionate terms.

Missouri's Capt. Johnson Flashes Fraternity Sign, Gets Called A ‘Gang Member’  —  Missouri Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson, the highway patrol captain placed in charge of security in Ferguson Missouri, was photographed making hand signs that some quickly thought were gang signs.

Shooting Accounts Differ as Holder Schedules Visit to Ferguson  —  FERGUSON, Mo. — As a county grand jury prepared to hear evidence on Wednesday in the shooting death of a black teenager by a white police officer that touched off 10 days of unrest here, witnesses have given investigators sharply conflicting accounts of the killing.

WATCH: Chris Christie spars with N.J. woman over Bruce Springsteen  —  LONG BRANCH — Gov. Chris Christie and Bruce Springsteen haven't always been on the same page.  —  But don't tell the governor he can't play his idol's music ahead of his town hall events.

Who Will Stand Up for the Christians?  —  WHY is the world silent while Christians are being slaughtered in the Middle East and Africa?  In Europe and in the United States, we have witnessed demonstrations over the tragic deaths of Palestinians who have been used as human shields by Hamas, the terrorist organization that controls Gaza.

Rick Perry's flimsy indictment: Our view  —  Let voters, not jurors, judge Texas governor's politics.  —  Politics as usual should not be a violation of criminal law.  This ought to be obvious to anyone in a democratic society.  But it does not seem to be well understood in Texas …

Mitt Romney: Obama worse than even I expected … BECKLEY, W.Va. — When Mitt Romney stumped here Tuesday for a trio of Republican candidates for Congress, the event had all the trappings of a “Romney for President” rally.  —  The crowd chanted, “Mitt!  Mitt!  Mitt!”