GOP debate: Early numbers suggest record audience  —  Early overnight Nielsen ratings suggest that Thursday's Republican debate was not just the most-watched primary debate in history — it may have been twice as big as the previous record-holder.  —  The debate on Fox News …

From Trump on Down, the Republicans Can't Be Serious  —  This was, according to many commentators, going to be the election cycle Republicans got to show off their “deep bench.”  The race for the nomination would include experienced governors like Jeb Bush and Scott Walker …

My Position on the Iran Deal  —  Every several years or so a legislator is called upon to cast a momentous vote in which the stakes are high and both sides of the issue are vociferous in their views.  —  Over the years, I have learned that the best way to treat such decisions is to study …

Recordings: State rep asked aide to hide relationship  —  Lansing — State Rep. Todd Courser planned the distribution of a fictional email alleging he had sex with a male prostitute in a bid to conceal his relationship with Rep. Cindy Gamrat, according to audio recordings obtained by The Detroit News.

Firefox exploit found in the wild  —  Yesterday morning, August 5, a Firefox user informed us that an advertisement on a news site in Russia was serving a Firefox exploit that searched for sensitive files and uploaded them to a server that appears to be in Ukraine.

Judge sentences East Texas man to get married or face jail time  —  An East Texas couple says their choice to marry when they wanted to was taken away by a criminal court judge.  —  In July, a Smith County judge sentenced Josten Bundy to get married to his 19-year-old girlfriend as part of his probation …

The Big Dog That Didn't Bark in the Republican Debate  —  Pop quiz: what's the biggest strategic decision facing the Republican Party over the next two months?  If you answered “whether to shut down the federal government over Planned Parenthood, climate change regs, immigration, Obamacare …

18-Year-Old Sentenced to Five Years for Robbing Man, 84, She Met on Dating Site  —  A teenager who with her twin sister robbed an octogenarian they met on an Internet dating site was sentenced on Thursday to five years in prison.  —  The woman, Shaina Foster, 18, had pleaded guilty to one count …

Don't disrespect our president, black lawmakers tell Netanyahu  —  The audience for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress on March 3 is shaping up to be largely Republican — and almost completely white.  —  Many members of the Congressional Black Caucus …