Rand Paul: Confederate Flag “Inescapably A Symbol Of Human Bondage And Slavery”  —  “... I think to every African-American in the country it's a symbolism of slavery to them and now it's a symbol of murder for this young man and so I think it's times to put it in a museum.”  —  Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Exclusive — Ted Cruz: Obamatrade Enmeshed in Corrupt, Backroom Dealings  —  The American people do not trust President Obama.  And they do not trust Republican leadership in Congress.  And the reason is simple: for far too long, politicians in Washington have not told the truth.

NH GOP Poll Shows Bush the Early Leader, While Trump Advances  —  Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (14 percent) leads businessman Donald Trump (11 percent) in the New Hampshire Republican presidential primary contest, according to a poll from the Suffolk University Political Research Center.

Reid seeks expanded gun background checks  —  Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) called Tuesday for Congress to expand background checks for gun purchases in the wake of a shooting in Charleston, S.C., last week that left nine dead.  —  “The United States is the only advanced country …

The Roberts Court's Surprising Move Leftward  —  This term so far shows potential for a greater percentage of liberal decisions than any since 1969.  —  Decisions … The Supreme Court under Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. has been a conservative court.

Charleston Dad's Viral Photo Captures Love In The Aftermath Of Tragedy  —  On Sunday June 21, local parishioners from churches across the Charleston area took part in “Charleston United,” an emotional prayer and worship gathering to honor the victims of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church shooting.

WSJ/NBC Poll Finds Hillary Clinton in a Strong Position  —  She has firm grip on Democratic nomination and leads three GOP rivals, new survey shows  —  Hillary Clinton has emerged from the rocky launch of her second presidential bid with a firm grip on Democratic voters and leads …

Obama Ordering Changes in U.S. Hostage Policies  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama on Wednesday will announce that the government will no longer threaten criminal prosecution of the families of American hostages who are held abroad by groups like the Islamic State if they attempt to pay ransom for the release of their loved ones.

Pampers shows how smiling babies bring out the best in people  —  Pampers wants to highlight the way babies can brighten the days of everyone around them.  —  The diaper company's new ad, entitled “Better for Baby” is a two-and-a-half-minute montage of warm smiles, thoughtful gestures …

EIGHT IS ENOUGH ACTOR DICK VAN PATTEN HAS DIED  —  Dick Van Patten, the star of TV's Eight is Enough, has died.  He was 86.  —  “I am sorry to report this sad news,” his rep said in a statement released to media Tuesday.  “His family will not be doing any press at this time.”

Prison Worker Joyce Mitchell to Husband: ‘I Was Over My Head’  —  New York prison worker Joyce Mitchell told her husband she was in over her head as part of a plot to free two killers who remain on the run, he told NBC News in an exclusive interview.  —  Speaking to TODAY's Matt Lauer …