American Family Association repudiates chief spokesman's racist and anti-LGBT statements before hosting Israel trip for RNC members  —  In a letter to SPLC officials, the American Family Association (AFA) has disavowed a series of racist and bigoted statements made by its chief spokesman in recent years.

Administration Official Criticizes Israeli Ambassador Over Netanyahu Visit  —  WASHINGTON — The Obama administration, after days of mounting tension, signaled on Wednesday how angry it is with Israel that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted Republican leaders' invitation to address Congress …

Comcast thinks my husband is an a**hole - and they put it in writing  —  Warning: This post contains language that may not be appropriate for a family audience.  —  It's no secret that employees sometimes feel their customers are jerks.  But I've never seen one put it in writing — until now.

Rep to Staff: Ask Muslim Visitors to Pledge Allegiance … *Editor's note: This story has been updated throughout.  —  Freshman state Rep. Molly White, R-Belton, is not in Austin today to celebrate Texas Muslim Capitol Day.  But she left instructions for the staff in her Capitol office …

Republicans Are At A Loss On What To Do If SCOTUS Nixes Obamacare Subsidies  —  Many Republicans would view it as a dream come true if the Supreme Court were to slash a centerpiece of Obamacare by the end of June.  But that dream could fade into a nightmare as the spotlight turns …

The New Republic's Legacy on Race  —  A historical reflection  —  Legacies are never simple; they create victims as well as beneficiaries.  The more substantial the legacy, the more heated the disputes are over who has title of ownership, who gets to enjoy an inheritance, and who is left out in the cold.

Sharyl Attkisson's full statement at Lynch hearing  —  Former CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson testfied during Loretta Lynch's Senate Judiciary committee confirmation hearing about the federal government's treatment of journalists.  01/29/2015 10:53 AM EDT

WATCH: Cop Pepper-Sprays Teacher Who Was Talking On A Cell Phone  —  A Seattle teacher is suing the city after a police officer allegedly pepper-sprayed him while he was walking by and talking to his mother on the phone, KOMO reported on Thursday.  —  Teacher and activist Jesse Hagopian …

Exclusive: Hillary Clinton may delay campaign  —  Top Democrats give a new date for the campaign's likely start.  —  Hillary Clinton, expecting no major challenge for the Democratic nomination, is strongly considering delaying the formal launch of her presidential campaign until July …

Iowa's David Kochel goes all in for Jeb Bush  —  “I'd encourage Gov. Bush to take his record of accomplishment and dynamic, conservative ideas to the whole nation,” Kochel tells The Des Moines Register in an exclusive interview  —  Jeb Bush has successfully recruited a key political strategist …

Rand Paul Wins Support in Cruz, Perry Backyard  —  Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) is stealing political support from his rivals' backyard.  —  Texas GOP Chairman Steve Munisteri is set to announce Friday that he is resigning his party post in early March and joining Mr. Paul's team of advisers for a possible 2016 presidential campaign.

Officials: Detainee swapped for Bergdahl suspected of militant activities  —  Qataris open up about Bergdahl deal 04:01  —  Washington (CNN) The U.S. military and intelligence community now suspect that one of the five Taliban detainees released from Guantanamo Bay in return for Sgt Bowe Bergdahl …

Oklahoma worries over swarm of earthquakes and connection to oil industry … GUTHRIE, Okla. - The earthquakes come nearly every day now, cracking drywall, popping floor tiles and rattling kitchen cabinets.  On Monday, three quakes hit this historic land-rush town in 24 hours, booming and rumbling like the end of the world.

Bill Would Allow Texas Teachers To Kill Students  —  People who are concerned about the use of excessive force by law enforcement may have to deal with another fatal can of worms.  If Texas state Rep. Dan Flynn (R) gets his way, teachers will have the right to use deadly force against students in Texas classrooms, in the near future.

Senator John McCain Calls Out Protesters Who Swarmed Henry Kissinger … Sen. John McCain earned some applause inside a Senate Armed Services hearing this morning after he erupted at protesters of former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, calling them “low-life scum.”

Senate Passes Keystone XL Oil Pipeline Bill  —  WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday passed a bill to force approval of the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline, which President Obama is certain to veto in his first official clash with the new Republican-majority Congress.

Dem Senator Slams GOP For Using AG Hearings As ‘Soundbite Factory For Fox’  —  Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) accused his Republican colleagues on Thursday of turning the confirmation hearings for the next attorney general into “a soundbite factory for Fox News and conspiracy theorists everywhere.”

Lindsey Graham 2016: Now John McCain-Approved  —  The dark horse has a herd.  —  Arizona Senator John McCain looked overjoyed to see reporters blocking his path to Thursday's Republican lunch.  —  “I know what you're going to ask about!” said McCain.  Indeed: The press wanted to talk …

PA State Treasurer Rob McCord under federal investigation  —  Pa. Treasurer Rob McCord resigns from post  —  Action News confirms that Pennsylvania State Treasurer Rob McCord, who announced Thursday he is stepping down from the job, is currently under federal investigation.

Federal judge blasts DOJ lawyers in case of ATF whistle-blower  —  Jay Dobyns is suing the Department of Justice, claiming it retaliated against him and damaged his reputation after he blew the whistle on the ATF's treatment of agents.  (Fox Business News)  —  A federal judge angrily accused …

Public and Scientists' Views on Science and Society  —  Scientific innovations are deeply embedded in national life — in the economy, in core policy choices about how people care for themselves and use the resources around them, and in the topmost reaches of Americans' imaginations.

NYPD Plans To Equip New ‘Anti-Terror’ Unit With Rifles And Machine Guns  —  The New York City Police Department announced on Thursday it plans to introduce an anti-terror strike force armed with rifles and machine guns, television station WCBS reported.  —  The force will be …

Pence kills Just IN news site  —  Gov. Mike Pence, in a phone call early this afternoon, told me that he is killing plans to launch the highly controversial Just IN news website.  —  The Just IN project quickly became a huge public relations nightmare for the governor after The Star's Tom LoBianco reported …