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 …

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 …

Oops: Jeb's Website Publishes, Then Deletes, Attacks on Walker, Rubio  —  The former Florida governor's campaign describes the attacks as “draft pages.”  —  Jeb Bush's official campaign website on Thursday briefly featured two separate sections attacking two top Republican rivals …

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 Voting Rights Act is 50 years old.  In North Carolina, its legacy hangs in the balance.  —  The Voting Rights Act turned 50 years old this week, and while the violent turmoil of that era's struggles now seem part of the distant past, the battle over access to the franchise continues a half century later.

Baby dies after being rescued from car at Austin Waffle House  —  Related Coverage  —  AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin police are investigating the death of a baby boy at a Waffle House location in Southeast Austin.  —  Police were called out to 7809 E Ben White Blvd. around 2:45 p.m. after receiving …

24 Million Watch GOP Debate on Fox News; Most-Watched Cable News Program Ever  —  In the estimation of many reporters who cover the political and media beats, Fox News was the winner of the first GOP debate.  And with the just-released ratings we can confirm that.

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 …