'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 …

A message to the people of Ferguson  —  Since the Aug. 9 shooting death of Michael Brown, the nation and the world have witnessed the unrest that has gripped Ferguson, Mo. At the core of these demonstrations is a demand for answers about the circumstances of this young man's death …

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 …

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.

‘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 the Media Is Siding With the Protesters  —  It isn't simply because of tear gas and rubber bullets.  —  Anyone tuning in to the nightly coverage of the protests in Ferguson has seen the reporters on the ground becoming part of the story.  On Monday night, they could watch …

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!”

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.

Missouri Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson is not a gang member.  He's just a Kappa.  —  Today in Ferguson, Mo., news, The Washington Post takes on the assertion that Missouri Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson has been photographed flashing gang signs with members of the community.  —  He has not.