Obama's approval rating grows following memorable week  —  Story highlights  —  Washington (CNN)Could Barack Obama's great week mark a turning point in his poll numbers?  —  After months of stagnant approval ratings, a new CNN/ORC poll finds that for the first time in more than two years …

Ted Cruz: States should ignore gay-marriage ruling  —  Ted Cruz has some unsolicited advice for the states not specifically named in last week's Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage: Ignore it.  —  “Those who are not parties to the suit are not bound by it,” the Texas Republican told NPR News' Steve Inskeep …

At the Supreme Court, a Win for Direct Democracy  —  IN 2000, voters in Arizona adopted a state constitutional amendment that created an independent commission to draw congressional districts.  But the commission immediately faced a legal challenge: the United States Constitution gives …

Betting it all on New Hampshire  —  Never before have so many White House hopefuls had so much riding on a single primary.  —  As soon as he makes his presidential announcement tomorrow, Chris Christie will race to New Hampshire for a town hall.  The embattled New Jersey governor has little choice …

The Next Culture War  —  Christianity is in decline in the United States.  The share of Americans who describe themselves as Christians and attend church is dropping.  Evangelical voters make up a smaller share of the electorate.  Members of the millennial generation are detaching themselves from religious institutions in droves.

A college balks at Hillary Clinton's fee, so books Chelsea for $65,000 instead  —  When the University of Missouri at Kansas City was looking for a celebrity speaker to headline its gala luncheon marking the opening of a women's hall of fame, one name came to mind: Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Republicans Begin Planning to Nuke Filibuster and Repeal Obamacare  —  Jeb Bush and Scott Walker are onboard; other candidates will follow.  —  Shares … The pairing of Supreme Court decisions last week, on same-sex marriage and health care, created an impression that the fate of the two issues …

Apple Music First Look: Rich, Robust — But Confusing  —  Paid streaming music has arrived on Planet Apple, where it was regarded as unworthy for years.  Today, the tech giant has entered the streaming music business with its much-anticipated Apple Music subscription service.

Justice Department faults Ferguson protest response  —  FERGUSON  • Police trying to control the Ferguson protests and riots responded with an uncoordinated effort that sometimes violated free-speech rights, antagonized crowds with military-style tactics and shielded officers from accountability …

The only prudent way forward for Greece  —  GREEK PRIME Minister Alexis Tsipras chose an academic expert on game theory as finance minister, so it's fitting that his left-wing government has now decided to play games with the fate of Europe and the global economy.  Alas, it's no theoretical exercise.

Ku Klux Klan to protest removal of Confederate flag on July 18 at Statehouse  —  The Ku Klux Klan has been approved to hold a protest rally at the Statehouse next month against removing the Confederate battle flag, with the group calling accused mass murderer Dylann Roof a “young warrior.”

Donor Says Girl Scouts Can't Use $100K Gift for Transgender Girls  —  So the organization gave the money back.  And now they want your help.  —  Courtesy Girl Scouts of Western Washington  —  A $50,000 donation is cause for celebration at the Queen Anne offices of the Girl Scouts of Western Washington.

Arkansas Clerk Plans To Resign To Avoid Issuing Same-Sex Marriage Licenses  —  A county clerk in Arkansas plans to resign on Tuesday due to a moral objection to issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, ArkansasOnline reported on Monday.  —  Dana Guffey, who served as a clerk …

Supreme Court overturns landmark EPA air pollution rule  —  The Supreme Court dealt a blow to the Obama administration's landmark air quality rule on Monday, ruling the Environmental Protection Agency did not properly consider the costs of the regulation.  —  In a 5-4 ruling …

Back to the Future remake?  Over my dead body, says Robert Zemeckis … In news that will either come as a crushing disappointment or a soaring relief for fans of the classic 1985 blockbuster, Hollywood won't be going back to Back to the Future...for the foreseeable future, at least.

Rand Paul Meets With Cliven Bundy on Nevada Campaign Stop  —  Republican presidential candidate Sen. Rand Paul met with southern Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy on Monday during a question-and-answer session in the town of Mesquite with about 50 supporters and activists interested in land rights.