'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 the Fires in Ferguson Won't End Soon  —  The tensions have been building for a long time, and even justice for Michael Brown won't change that.  —  FERGUSON, Missouri—Talk to anyone in Ferguson and you'll hear a story about the police.  “One of my friends had a son killed …

Suffolk University/USA TODAY NC Poll Shows Incumbent Sen. Hagan Up by 2 Points  —  Incumbent Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan is clinging to a 2-point lead over Republican challenger and North Carolina General Assembly Speaker Thom Tillis, according to a Suffolk University/USA TODAY poll of likely general-election voters.

BREAKING: Supreme Court blocks Virginia same-sex marriages  —  The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked same-sex marriage from taking place this week in Virginia.  (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)  —  The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to a stay Wednesday on a federal appeals court's ruling …

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.

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 …

Oklahoma Gets Hit With 20 Earthquakes In One Day  —  In this Nov, 6, 2011 photo, Chad Devereaux examines bricks that fell from three sides of his in-laws home in Sparks, Okla., following two earthquakes that hit the area in less than 24 hours.  —  CREDIT: AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

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!”