Forget Oregon's Gunman.  Remember the Hero Who Charged Straight at Him.  —  No amount of murder seems likely to result in gun control any time soon.  So let's do what we can to stop the lunacy—by reserving the limelight for the vet who rushed Thursday's shooter.

CNN Exclusive: Pope met privately with gay couple - CNN.com  —  The day before Pope Francis met anti-gay clerk Kim Davis in Washington, he held a private meeting with Yayo Grassi, an openly gay man.

Contrasting Partisan Perspectives on Campaign 2016  —  In a Shift, Republicans Now Prefer ‘New Ideas’ to ‘Experience’  —  With four months to go before the first presidential nomination contests, Republican and Democratic voters have sharply different perspectives on their parties' campaigns …

Chaffetz prepares long-shot bid for House speaker  —  <p>House Oversightand Government Affairs Chairman Jason Chaffetz is planning to run for House speaker, taking on Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy in what appears to be a long-shot bid to lead House Republicans, according to multiple sources.</p><p …

Sheriff In Charge Of Oregon Massacre Probe Posted Sandy Hook Truther Video  —  The sheriff investigating a mass shooting at an Oregon community college that left at least nine people dead posted a video to Facebook in 2013 that raised questions about the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

Voodoo Never Dies  —  So Donald Trump has unveiled his tax plan.  It would, it turns out, lavish huge cuts on the wealthy while blowing up the deficit.  —  This is in contrast to Jeb Bush's plan, which would lavish huge cuts on the wealthy while blowing up the deficit, and Marco Rubio's plan …

I'm Trying to Run for President, but the Democrats Won't Let Me  —  <p>I'm running for President.  Or trying.  After raising $1 million in less than 30 days, I entered the primary on September 9 as the Democrat's only non-politician.  My platform is simple: end the corrupting influence …

Who Is Alleged Oregon College Gunman Chris Harper Mercer?  (UPDATED)  —  Multiple news outlets tonight have confirmed the identity of the Oregon college shooter as Chris Harper Mercer, and already there are some details coming out from social media accounts believed to be his.

Employment Situation Summary  —  Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until USDL-15-1912 8:30 a.m. (EDT) Friday, October 2, 2015  —  Technical information:  —  Household data: (202) 691-6378  • cpsinfo@bls.gov  • www.bls.gov/cps

Jeb Bush Turns Sights on Marco Rubio, Who Seeks to Stay Above the Fray  —  The ex-governor's swipes are designed to highlight one of Rubio's biggest vulnerabilities in the primary: Striking similarities to President Obama.  —  Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush opened a new front …

Dem economists attack Elizabeth Warren over Brookings firing  —  Five top Democratic economists are criticizing Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and the left-leaning Brookings Institution for forcing one of its nonresident economic fellows to resign.  —  Warren raised concerns earlier this week …

Disapproval of Supreme Court Edges to New High  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Half of Americans (50%) disapprove of the job the U.S. Supreme Court is doing, while slightly fewer (45%) approve.  Although the high court's approval rating is similar to what it has been in recent years, the current disapproval rating is at a new high.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan stepping down, returning to Chicago … Education Secretary Arne Duncan will step down in December, a White House official said Friday.  —  Duncan is the former Chicago Public Schools chief.  He has served as U.S. education secretary since President Barack Obama took office in 2009.