First on CNN: Biden expected to skip first Democratic debate  —  Washington (CNN)Vice President Joe Biden has extended his window for deciding whether to jump into the 2016 presidential campaign, several Democrats say, allowing the contest to play out even longer before he answers …

Alabama to stop issuing driver's licenses in counties with 75% black registered voters  —  DON'T MISS STORIES.  FOLLOW RAW STORY!  —  The state of Alabama, which requires a photo ID to vote, announced this week that it would stop issuing driver's licenses in counties where 75 percent of registered voters are black.

House Republicans repudiate McCarthy comments on Benghazi probe  — McCarthy said Tuesday night that the GOP-led Congress had succeeded by bringing down Clinton's poll numbers because of the Benghazi probe  —  Washington (CNN)House Republicans on Wednesday sharply repudiated …

Putin wants to humiliate Obama with airstrikes in Syria  —  Barack Obama extends his hand to Vladimir Putin during their meeting at the United Nations General Assembly.  —  The first thing to understand about Vladimir Putin is that he's not content just to win.  He has to destroy his opponents, foreign or domestic.

Donald Trump in New Hampshire: Syrian Refugees Are ‘Going Back’  —  KEENE, N.H. — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said Wednesday that he would send Syrian refugees “back” if he were elected to the White House.  —  In New Hampshire for the first time since he failed to correct …

Sweet Cakes owners who refused to make same-sex wedding cake now refuse to pay $135,000 damages  —  “They are entitled to ... review of the case, but do not have the right to disregard a legally binding order.”  —  The Oregon couple who made national headlines when they refused to bake …

It's the Abortion, Stupid  —  <p>If there's one thing Republicans established at this week's Planned Parenthood hearing it is that the organization's CEO, Cecile Richards, makes more than $500,000 — and probably deserves a raise. </p><p>Judging by the hearing, the only thing more painful …

Cougar sightings rattle residents  —  Big cats seen in Lucerne Valley, Hesperia

A Chief Justice Without a Friend  —  Lest anyone suppose that the beating Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. is taking from Republican candidates might cause liberals to enfold him in a comforting embrace, the current issue of The Nation puts that thought to rest.

Why Pope Francis' Meeting With Kim Davis Is Such a Disaster  —  I woke up this morning to reports that during his recent U.S. visit, Pope Francis met with Kim Davis, a Kentucky county clerk best known for refusing to issue lawful marriage licenses, interfering with the ability of her deputies …

Trump Cancels Virginia Rally Due To Hurricane With His Own Humblebrag  —  Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump regrets to inform you that his Friday rally in Virginia has been canceled on account of some inclement weather.  —  But he wants you to know that he called the whole thing off …

Improving Mobile Profiles  —  People visit Facebook profiles more than four billion times per day, and we're continually looking for ways to make profiles the best place for people to curate their online identities and connect with others.  —  Today, we're unveiling some new, mobile-friendly features for Facebook profiles.

Kissinger Biography Is Great, Says Pal of Author and Kissinger in New York Times  —  This Sunday, the New York Times Book Review will publish a review of the first volume of Niall Ferguson's authorized biography of Henry Kissinger, Kissinger: The Idealist.  The reviewer is Andrew Roberts.

Exclusive: Obama brushed off Reid's plea on Palestinian state  —  <p>Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid on two different occasions this year went to White House chief of staff Denis McDonough seeking a public commitment from President Barack Obama that he would veto any U.N. resolution calling …