ISIS Demanded Ransom From U.S. Before Killing Reporter  —  Kneeling in the dirt in a desert somewhere in the Middle East, James Foley lost his life this week at the hands of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.  Before pulling out the knife used to decapitate him, his masked executioner explained …

Clintonphobia: Why No Democrat Wants to Run Against Hillary  —  Strong frontrunners have drawn challengers before.  But given the Clintons' reputation for retaliating for betrayals, it's just not worth it in 2016.  —  The mystery of the 2016 Democratic presidential race isn't why Hillary Clinton seems likely to run.

Missouri National Guard to Withdraw From Ferguson as Tensions Ease  —  FERGUSON, Mo. — As tensions on the streets here seemed to ease on Thursday, Gov. Jay Nixon ordered the Missouri National Guard to begin withdrawing from the city.  —  “I greatly appreciate the men and women …

‘Orange is the New Black’ fight sparks new House Wikipedia ban  —  For the third time this summer, computers in the House have been blocked from editing Wikipedia due to a string of controversial edits.  —  Anonymous users operating from an Internet Protocol (IP) address linked to the House …

Convicting Darren Wilson Will Be Basically Impossible  —  You can thank Missouri law for that  —  On Wednesday, amid continued protests demanding “Justice for Michael Brown” prosecutors will bring evidence before a grand jury as they determine whether to indict Brown's killer, Officer Darren Wilson.

By Any Means Necessary  —  The Affordable Care Act — Obamacare — has endured so many near-death experiences that digging into the details of still another effort to demolish it is admittedly not an inviting prospect.  (My own reaction, I confess, to hearing some months back about the latest legal challenge …

Hook-Up Culture at Harvard, Stanford Wanes Amid Assault Alarm  —  As former social chair of the Sigma Chi fraternity at Harvard University, Malik Gill wants to appear especially welcoming to girls who come to the house for parties.  —  Yet, Gill, who starts his junior year in a few weeks …

A question for Washington pollsters: How wrong must you be to never work again?  —  Just how wrong does someone have to be to lose their job in Washington, D.C.?  For John McLaughlin, even historically wrong wasn't enough.  —  If the name doesn't ring a bell, maybe you know his work.

10 Questions With Paul Ryan  —  The congressman on how to fix America, why Rand Paul is wrong and evading John Boehner's toxic smoke  —  Your book is called The Way Forward: Renewing the American Idea.  What exactly is the American idea?  —  The condition of your birth doesn't determine the outcome of your life.

UPDATED: Teacher suspended after lesson on shooting  —  A sixth grade Brantley Elementary teacher was put on paid administrative leave Wednesday after a Facebook post revealed the teacher allegedly instructed the students Tuesday to reenact a Ferguson, Mo. shooting known nationwide.

In D.C., defiant Rick Perry sounds off  —  Texas Gov. Rick Perry might be under indictment but he sure isn't shying away from the limelight.  —  A defiant Perry appeared at the Heritage Foundation on Capitol Hill Thursday to deliver a talk on immigration reform and border security.

US DIPLOMATS BARRED FROM ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The charity stunt has lured athletes, celebrities, politicians and rock stars and gone viral on the Internet, but don't look for U.S. diplomats to get in on the fun.  —  Lawyers at the State Department have banned American ambassadors …

Giant flag in support of Palestinians draped on side of Manhattan Bridge  —  In the latest breach of security on New York City bridges, a large banner in the colors of the Palestinian flag was hanging on the south edge of the East River span, reading ‘Boycott,’ ‘Divest,’ ‘Sanction.’ It reads ‘Gaza in our hearts’ in the center.