Let's be honest about the dishonest attack on Planned Parenthood  —  Far-right Republicans in Congress are threatening to shut down the federal government rather than pass a budget that allows Planned Parenthood to continue receiving federal funds to provide women with healthcare.

Trump: My tax plan is ‘going to cost me a fortune’  —  <p>NEW YORK — Billionaire businessman Donald Trump took to the lobby of his famed Trump Tower on Monday morning and pledged to slap himself with a huge tax hike.</p><p>" It's going to cost me a fortune, which is actually true …

Megyn Kelly doesn't want to talk about Donald Trump  —  <p>Fox News anchor and show host Megyn Kelly, who has been lambasted by presidential frontrunner Donald Trump since the first Republican national debate, said she was done talking about her feud with the candidate during a one-on-one discussion …

Question for Hillary?  Leave it below-\-\she'll be back soon to start a live Facebook Q&A on everything from health care to college affordability.  —  ***Thanks for joining me, Facebook.  Let's do this!  -H

A theory of how American politics is changing  —  Most weeks in American politics bring few surprises.  But recent weeks have brought four.  —  First, Scott Walker, who looked to be the conservative establishment's pick for the GOP nomination, dropped out of the race.

Paul Ryan endorses Tom Price over Steve Scalise for House majority leader  —  <p>House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan is throwing his weight behind Rep. Tom Price for majority leader, a significant boost for the Georgia Republican, and a blow to Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) …

Rush Limbaugh pans evidence of water on Mars as part of ‘leftist agenda’  —  <p>Flowing water on Mars?  That's just part of the liberal agenda, Rush Limbaugh says. </p><p>The conservative radio talk show host addressed NASA's announcement on Monday that it had found evidence of flowing water …

Carly Fiorina defends Bush-era torture and spying, calls for more transparency  —  Positioning herself as a steely advocate of aggressive counterterrorism programs, Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina offered a vigorous defense of CIA waterboarding as a tactic that helped “keep our nation safe” in the aftermath of 9/11.

“They Told Me It Never Happened” … TRENDING  —  Lara McLeod never wanted to report her rape.  In those first few hours, the 19-year-old was barely able to put what had happened to her into words.  Joaquin Rams, Lara's older sister's fiancé, had forced Lara to have sex with him …

Debate organizers to Biden: We'll keep the podium warm for you  —  Vice President Biden could qualify to participate in the first Democratic debate even if he did not decide to enter the race until debate day, according to participation criteria released by host organization CNN on Monday.

Paul takes break to raise funds for Senate campaign  —  Struggling to gain traction in the Republican presidential race, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) this week will turn his attention to fundraising for his Senate reelection efforts.  —  Paul, who is running for president and reelection …

Iran President Hassan Rouhani Blames U.S. For Spread of Mideast Terror  —  Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Monday blamed the United States for the spread of terrorism in the Middle East, saying America's dual post-9/11 wars — and its alliance with Israel — allowed extremist ideologies to flourish.

Mayor, police pledge more officers near Busch Stadium after shooting  —  ST. LOUIS  • A Cardinals fan shot and possibly paralyzed after he left Busch Stadium last weekend has police and the mayor promising to keep downtown safe as October baseball looms once again in St. Louis.

The Jack Kemp Model for Republicans  —  GOP candidates in 2016 would do well to echo his message of growth, prosperity and hope.  —  Jack Kemp never became president, but the country desperately needs a leader like him now.  When Kemp died in 2009, two themes dominated tributes to his career …

Modern Immigration Wave Brings 59 Million to U.S., Driving Population Growth and Change Through 2065  —  Views of Immigration's Impact on U.S. Society Mixed  —  Fifty years after passage of the landmark law that rewrote U.S. immigration policy, nearly 59 million immigrants have arrived in the United States …

Lawyers for Dennis Hastert in plea negotiations with prosecutors … Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert is negotiating a possible guilty plea to charges he agreed to make $3.5 million in hush-money payments to cover up wrongdoing from decades ago.  —  The plea negotiations …

Govt. workers have right to refuse gay marriage licenses: pope  —  Pope Francis said on Monday government officials have a “human right” to refuse to discharge a duty, such as issuing marriage licenses to homosexuals, if they feel it violates their conscience.

Taliban overrun Afghan city of Kunduz  —  The Taliban have overrun the northern Afghan city of Kunduz, taking control of most areas and freeing hundreds of prisoners from its jail.  —  Hundreds of militants stormed the city before dawn, quickly seizing key buildings and advancing on the airport.