AFL-CIO leader tries to quell pro-Sanders revolt  —  The labor federation's rules don't allow its state and local leaders to endorse presidential candidates, Richard Trumka says as the Vermont senator surges.  —  Richard Trumka has a message for state and local AFL-CIO leaders tempted to endorse Bernie Sanders: Don't.

A few fans have written wondering whether I intended to utter a racist remark by referring to Justice Thomas as a “clown in blackface.”  —  “Blackface” is a lesser known theatrical term for a white actor who blackens his face to play a black buffoon.  In traditional theater lingo, and in my view and intent, that is not racist.

State Silences Bakers Who Refused to Make Cake for Lesbian Couple, Fines Them $135K  —  Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian finalized a preliminary ruling today ordering Aaron and Melissa Klein, the bakers who refused to make a cake for a same-sex wedding, to pay $135,000 in emotional damages to the couple they denied service.

Smaller Majority “Extremely Proud” to Be an American  —  Story Highlights  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — As Independence Day approaches, most in the U.S. say they are proud to be an American, including a slight majority, 54%, who are “extremely proud.”  The percentage saying they are “extremely proud” …

Romney to host the Christies, Rubios at his New Hampshire home  —  BEDFORD, N.H. — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's comeback journey begins here in New Hampshire, so the Republican presidential candidate is paying a visit to the last winner of the state's first-in-the-nation primary and one of its most famous summertime residents.

Courtroom school reunion between judge, suspect  —  Judge Mindy Glazer, suspect Arthur Booth attended middle school together  —  Author: Jeff Tavss, Executive Producer, jtavss@local10.com … MIAMI -  —  While most school reunions are held in hotel ballrooms or local gymnasiums …

State chemist's addiction may have affected more drug cases than previously known  —  For years, Sonja Farak was addicted to cocaine, methamphetamine, and amphetamines, the kind of drugs usually bought from street dealers in covert transactions that carry the constant risk of arrest.

Why Is Donald Trump Polling So Well?  —  Name ID and support from the GOP base may be boosting Trump for now, but it will fade.  —  Macy's is ditching him, NBC has let him go, and Univision refuses to broadcast his famed beauty pageant.  But American voters are still entertaining the idea of President Donald Trump.

Bubba Watson Says He Will Paint Over Confederate Flag On ‘Dukes Of Hazzard’ Car  —  As the tide continues to turn against Confederate flags, two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson said Thursday that he too would remove the flag from one of its most visible cultural likenesses.

3 reasons the American Revolution was a mistake  —  This July 4th, I'm celebrating by taking a plane from the US to the United Kingdom.  The timing wasn't intentional, but I embrace the symbolism.  American independence in 1776 was a monumental mistake.  We should be mourning the fact that we left the United Kingdom, not cheering it.

Koch-Backed Group Calls For No More National Parks  —  Claire Moser is the Research and Advocacy Associate with the Public Lands Project at the Center for American Progress.  You can follow her on Twitter at @Claire_Moser.  —  Just in time for the Fourth of July — when millions of people across …

Scott Brown's Newest Campaign: Shady Diet Pills  —  The short-lived senator from Massachusetts wants the world to know about his new weight-loss scheme via some very strange supplements.  —  Last night, shirtless pictures of former Senator Scott Brown appeared in my inbox.  —  He sent them.