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 rides the backlash  —  Sen. Ted Cruz is hoping to ride the conservative backlash on gay marriage to the front of the Republican presidential pack.  —  The Texas Republican has hit the Supreme Court with repeated rhetorical barbs in the wake of its ruling Friday that allowed …

Chris Christie's Challenge: He No Longer Looks Like Mr. Electable  —  First Read is a morning briefing from Meet the Press and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.  —  Chris Christie's Challenge: When Mr. Electable no longer looks so electable

A college balks at Hillary Clinton's fee, 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 of the names that came to mind was Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Walmart Apologizes for Making ISIS Cake for Man Denied Confederate Flag Design … A man in Louisiana is asking for an explanation from Walmart after his request for a Confederate flag cake at one of its bakeries was rejected, but a design with the ISIS flag was accepted.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

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.