Suspected killer in Ottawa shootings had a disturbing side  —  Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, the slain 32-year-old suspected killer of a Canadian Forces soldier near Parliament Hill, was a labourer and small-time criminal - a man who had had a religious awakening and seemed to have become mentally unstable.

GOPer Ernst Promises To Use Her Gun If Gov't Decides Rights Aren't ‘Important’  —  During an National Rifle Association event in Iowa in 2012, state Sen. Joni Ernst, now the Republican nominee for Senate in the state, said she carries a 9-millimeter gun around everywhere and believes in the right …

Baby girl killed in Jerusalem is an American, US official says  —  Terrorist kills infant, wounds several, after ramming...  Watch: Car drives into crowd at light rail station in...  Netanyahu blames Abbas incitement for Jerusalem terro...  Shimshon Halperin, mourns the loss of his granddaughter Chaya Zissel Braun.

Justice Department condemns Ferguson leaks as effort to influence opinion  —  With a grand jury decision looming on whether a white police officer should face charges in the killing of an unarmed black 18-year-old in Ferguson, Mo., the investigation has sprung a few leaks.

Behind the numbers: ‘Kills’ against ISIS  —  Is the United States killing enough Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants?  —  It may be a macabre question but it is also a necessary one, according to some defense experts.  They wonder whether the military efforts by the U.S.-led coalition …

Mormon Underwear, Revealed  —  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released an informational guide to “temple garments” on their website.  Why have these clothes been such a source of fascination in American culture?  —  Mormonism has long been a source of cultural fascination—and sometimes suspicion—in America.

The Kind Of Racism That ‘Dear White People’ Overlooks  —  This post contains spoilers.  —  If you haven't seen Dear White People, you should.  It's the first film in years to really confront black identities, of which there are many, in a sharp and funny way.

Richardson Reacts to New Poll Indicating Swing in His Favor  —  PORTLAND, Ore.- A dramatic shift in poll numbers has taken place since Governor John Kitzhaber's campaign became riddled with scandal.  A poll commissioned by KATU has Dennis Richardson with a surprising double-digit lead.

9 percent of likely 2014 voters are ‘enthusiastic’ about President Obama  —  We've written plenty on this blog about Democrats' enthusiasm deficit in the 2014 election.  This gap was, is and will almost definitely continue to be real through Nov. 4.  —  But while it's well understood …

The Truth about the “Palin Brawl” - The Media Reveals Its Bias Against Conservative Women Once Again  —  First, the media said Trig was not really my mom's kid.  —  Then, they claimed my mom said “I can see Russia from my house.”  —  Recently, they said my parents are giving a divorce.

Tribune poll: Rauner, Quinn in dead heat  —  With less than two weeks until Election Day, the race for Illinois governor is a dead heat as Republican challenger Bruce Rauner has made significant inroads among suburban voters, especially women, a new Chicago Tribune poll shows.

Young stands behind Wasilla High School comments, adds government to suicide blame list  —  WASILLA — An unapologetic U.S. Rep. Don Young on Wednesday wasn't backing down from statements he made Tuesday at Wasilla High School that suicide shows a lack of support from friends and family.

FEC votes suggest gridlock is easing  —  Ravel also is launching a tour Thursday to solicit public opinion on the state of campaign finance in the era of super PACs.  The outreach is a rare attempt by an FEC leader to engage ordinary Americans on a subject that's typically the province of political insiders, consultants and lawyers.

Canada's Coverage of the Ottawa Shootings Put American Cable News to Shame  —  The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation today gave a master class in calm, credible breaking news reporting.  —  Anchored by the unflappable Peter Mansbridge, news of the shootings in Ottawa unfolded live on the CBC …

Key Barack Obama aides eye White House exits  —  White House chief of staff Denis McDonough has asked senior aides to tell him if they're going to stick around for President Barack Obama's final two years in office, with a West Wing restructuring after the midterms possible.

‘Calibration error’ changes GOP votes to Dem in Illinois county  —  CHICAGO — Early voting in Illinois got off to a rocky start Monday, as votes being cast for Republican candidates were transformed into votes for Democrats.  —  Republican state representative candidate Jim Moynihan went …