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 …

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 …

Transcript: Read the Full Text of the Primetime Republican Debate  —  Ten Republican presidential candidates met in Cleveland for a primetime debate on Fox News.  —  At the debate, real estate mogul Donald Trump, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio …

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 …

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 …

Schumer, White House at war over Iran  —  Senator's opposition to Iran deal riles Obama allies, as both sides quarrel over timing.  —  The White House lit into Sen. Chuck Schumer on Friday for his decision to vote no on the Iran deal and suggested that he's put his clear path to be the next Democratic leader in doubt.

Life Sentence for James Holmes, Aurora Theater Gunman  —  CENTENNIAL, Colo., — In a decision that surprised many in this community, a jury sentenced James E. Holmes to life in prison with no chance of parole on Friday, rejecting the death penalty for the man who carried out a 2012 shooting rampage …

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 …

Writers at Vice Media Vote to Unionize … Writers at Vice Media have voted to unionize, said people familiar with the matter, giving organized labor its biggest foothold yet in digital media newsrooms.  —  The writers will be joining the Writers Guild of America, East, and Vice's management has been informed, the people said.

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 …

EPA accidently releases water; Durango residents warned to cut back on water use as health officials evaluate river  —  DURANGO — A spill that sent 1 million gallons of wastewater from an abandoned mine into the Animas River, turning the river orange, set off warnings Thursday …

Chattanooga Shooting: Navy Plans Armed Guards for Reserve Centers  —  After a gunman killed four Marines and a sailor at a Navy Reserve Center in Chattanooga last month, the Navy plans to station armed guards at all of its reserve centers across the country, NBC News has learned.