RNC pulls out of NBC debate  —  The Republican National Committee has pulled out of a planned Feb. 26 debate with NBC News after widespread criticism of this week's CNBC debate from both the party and campaigns.  —  “We are suspending the partnership with NBC News for the Republican primary debate …

The Not Ready for Prime Time Bush  —  Like Scott Walker, Jeb couldn't rise to the demands of the national stage.  —  We'll begin with what went wrong with the Republican debate in Boulder, Colo., then look at what went wrong with Jeb Bush.  —  CNBC's debate moderators have famously come under fire …

U.S. to deploy small number of special forces to Syria in advisory role  —  U.S. President Barack Obama plans to deploy a small number of special operations forces to Syria to advise rebels Washington deems moderate, U.S. sources said on Friday, a step he has long resisted to avoid getting dragged into another war in the Middle East.

Chief Operating Officer Leaves Jeb Bush Campaign  —  The highest-ranking official known to lose her job in Jeb Bush's flagging campaign is Christine Ciccone, the campaign's chief operating officer.  —  News of Ms. Ciccone's departure comes a week after the Bush campaign announced a re-organization …

Policy and Character  —  David Brooks writes a pro-Marco-Rubio column, and in passing says this: … It won't surprise you to learn that I disagree deeply.  My experience is that the best way to figure out a candidate's true priorities — and his or her character — is to look hard at policy proposals.

‘Shell-shocked’ CNBC staffers had long flight home  —  For the CNBC employees who boarded a charter plane right after Wednesday's bruising GOP debate, the redeye flight was physically smooth but emotionally turbulent.  —  People were exhausted, but also rattled and worried.

Storm gusts blow giant, inflatable pumpkin through Peoria  —  Halloween came early for drivers and pedestrians as a giant, inflatable pumpkin emerged from a group of trees before bouncing through a Peoria intersection and down the roadway in video captured on Thursday.

SXSW Announces March 12 Online Harassment Summit  —  Earlier this week we made a mistake.  By cancelling two sessions we sent an unintended message that SXSW not only tolerates online harassment but condones it, and for that we are truly sorry.  —  The resulting feedback from the individuals involved …

Alabama Teacher of the Year who left Mountain Brook for Birmingham is resigning  —  Ann Marie Corgill, 2015 National Teacher of the Year finalist and 2014-2015 Alabama Teacher of the Year, has submitted a letter of resignation to Birmingham City Schools.  —  Corgill, a fifth-grade teacher …

If You're Black, Lead the Pack  —  Ben Carson shows that being a minority and a conservative is not a contradiction.  —  H  —  ere's something you may not know: Dr. Ben Carson is black.  —  Of course, I'm being a little cute here.  The only way you wouldn't know he's black is if you were blind and only listened to the news.

Clinton allies shout ‘sexism’ at Sanders  —  The once respectful Democratic primary has devolved into a slugfest about gender, with Hillary Clinton surrogates expressing outrage over how Bernie Sanders is conducting his campaign — even calling for him to fire his staff over alleged sexist remarks.

NASA Adds to Evidence of Mysterious Ancient Earthworks  —  High in the skies over Kazakhstan, space-age technology has revealed an ancient mystery on the ground.  —  Satellite pictures of a remote and treeless northern steppe reveal colossal earthworks — geometric figures of squares …

Iranian-American Executive Arrested in Iran  —  Siamak Namazi's arrest adds to signs that hard-liners are trying to block foreign investors in wake of nuclear deal  —  Iranian security forces have arrested an Iranian-American businessman who had promoted improved ties between the two countries …

Speaker Paul Ryan Dodges Hug from Nancy Pelosi  —  The newly elected Speaker Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) may have called for bipartisanship in the House of Representatives, but his respect for the Democratic minority does not appear to include hugs.  —  Ryan received the gavel from Pelosi after winning the majority of the votes for Speaker.