The Crisis in U.S.-Israel Relations Is Officially Here  —  The Obama administration's anger is “red-hot” over Israel's settlement policies, and the Netanyahu government openly expresses contempt for Obama's understanding of the Middle East.  Profound changes in the relationship may be coming.

The Red Cross' Secret Disaster  —  IN 2012, TWO MASSIVE STORMS pounded the United States, leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless, hungry or without power for days and weeks.  —  Americans did what they so often do after disasters.  They sent hundreds of millions of dollars to the Red Cross …

The Deep Cynicism Of ‘Nationalizing’ Or ‘Localizing’ Midterm Elections  —  One of the great debates surrounding every midterm election is whether the many congressional and state contests have been “nationalized” or are instead subject to “local factors.”  This question is to some extent …

Hackers breach some White House computers  —  Hackers thought to be working for the Russian government breached the unclassified White House computer networks in recent weeks, sources said, resulting in temporary disruptions to some services while cyber teams worked to contain the intrusion.

Ferguson police chief expected to step down, officials say  —  (CNN) — The police chief in Ferguson, Missouri, is expected to step down as part of the effort by city officials to reform the police department, according to government officials familiar with the ongoing discussions between local, state and federal officials.

Important Announcement  —  I regret to announce that after several weeks of discussions, Matt Taibbi has left First Look.  We wish him well.  —  Our differences were never about editorial independence.  We have never wavered from our pledge that journalistic content is for the journalists to decide, period.

Jeb Bush talks presidential run, Common Core in Nashville  —  Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, speaking in Nashville on Tuesday as he weighs a run for president, discussed his positions on Common Core and immigration, two stances that might complicate his candidacy in a GOP primary.

Senate Update: The Momentum Mirage  —  You might be hearing that Democrats or Republicans have “momentum” heading into the final week of the 2014 campaign.  On Tuesday, for example, a Washington Post headline asserted “Midterm momentum belongs to GOP.”  That was based on a generic ballot poll showing …

It's time for an “American jihad”  —  Among the many definitions of jihad are a “war or struggle against unbelievers” and “a crusade for a principle or belief.”  Given those definitions, I believe it's time for an American jihad.  —  An American jihad would reawaken in American citizens …

Homeownership in America Has Collapsed—Don't Blame Millennials  —  Homeownership Rate, Seasonally Adjusted  —  The U.S. homeownership rate has fallen to a 19-year low.  Why?  —  Let's begin with the youths, as we must.  It is a truth universally acknowledged that a journalist in possession …

To Republicans: Watch out for traps after midterms  —  Most pundits are predicting a Republican takeover of the U.S. Senate next Tuesday.  I am ready to go on record against the conventional wisdom: I predict Democrats will surprise the pundits on election night and hold the Senate …

The Big Role of Black Churches in Two Senate Races  —  Early voting on Sundays has been one of the biggest fronts in the voting wars of recent years.  Some of this past Sunday's early voting numbers make the reason quite clear.  —  Data from two states that permit Sunday early voting …

Lobbyists, Bearing Gifts, Pursue Attorneys General  —  When the executives of the company that makes 5-Hour Energy, the popular caffeinated drinks, learned that attorneys general in more than 30 states were investigating allegations of deceptive advertising — a serious financial threat …

Mississippi, burned  —  How the poorest, sickest state got left behind by Obamacare.  —  By SARAH VARNEY NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 … The first year of the Affordable Care Act was, by almost every measure, an unmitigated disaster in Mississippi.  In a state stricken by diabetes, heart disease …

Toward Better Teachers  —  More than halfway through Joel Klein's forthcoming book on his time as the chancellor of New York City's public schools, he zeros in on what he calls “the biggest factor in the education equation.”  —  It's not classroom size, school choice or the Common Core.

Investigator in Secret Service Prostitution Scandal Resigns  —  WASHINGTON — The investigator who led the Department of Homeland Security's internal review of the Secret Service's 2012 prostitution scandal quietly resigned in August after he was implicated in his own incident involving a prostitute …

BREAKING: Court Refuses To Intervene In Case of 40,000 Missing Voters In Georgia  —  Dr. Francys Johnson with the NAACP leads an occupation of the Georgia State Capitol to protest voter suppression.  —  CREDIT: Alice Ollstein  —  ATLANTA, GEORGIA—On Tuesday, Judge Christopher Brasher …

Outside Spending Shows How Few of the House Races Are Competitive  —  How small is the field of competitive House races?  So narrow that just 25 contests account for 80 percent of all reported outside spending in the general election.  —  The Cook Political Report rates 38 seats either …

Why U.S. green groups are talking about abortion this election  —  DENVER (Reuters) - Green billionaire Tom Steyer vowed to make the November congressional elections about climate change.  Now he's talking about abortion and the economy to get his candidates across the finish line.