Clinton surges to big lead in McClatchy-Marist poll  —  WASHINGTON  —  Hillary Clinton has surged to a 15-point lead over reeling, gaffe-plagued Donald Trump, according to a new McClatchy-Marist poll.  —  Clinton made strong gains with two constituencies crucial to a Republican victory …

Officials: George Zimmerman punched in face for allegedly bragging about killing Trayvon Martin  —  SANFORD, Fla. —  The man who said he shot unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin in self-defense said he was punched in the face while he was talking to people at a restaurant in Sanford over the weekend.

Trump repeats claim about nonexistent Iran footage  —  Despite Donald Trump's claim of having seen video footage of the $400 million cash delivery to Iran having been acknowledge as false by his own campaign, the Manhattan billionaire kicked off a rally Thursday afternoon by repeating the tall tale.

Clinton pauses ads in Virginia in sign of confidence  —  Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign has left Virginia off its upcoming battleground-state television ad buy beginning next week — the second state to be dropped in recent weeks as Clinton holds a significant lead over Donald Trump nationally and in key states.

President Barack Obama on Feminism, Michelle, and His Daughters  —  There are a lot of tough aspects to being President.  But there are some perks too.  Meeting extraordinary people across the country.  Holding an office where you get to make a difference in the life of our nation.  Air Force One.

Ex-GOP senator: Trump's a sociopath  —  Former Sen. Gordon Humphrey (R-N.H.) says he is considering voting for Hillary Clinton  —  Humphrey, who served in Congress from the '70s to 1990, told NBC News on Thursday he is confident that Trump has major psychological issues …

Gaps in Melania Trump's immigration story raise questions  —  Nude photographs published this week are raising fresh questions about the accuracy of a key aspect of Melania Trump's biography: her immigration status when she first came to the United States to work as a model.

Donors losing patience with Trump  —  's campaign could cost him money — potentially a lot of it.  —  Trump fundraisers say that large donors are holding back checks because they can't trust that the businessman will stay disciplined enough to run a serious campaign.

A blind eye to sex abuse: How USA Gymnastics failed to report cases  —  THE PROMINENT OLYMPIC ORGANIZATION FAILED TO ALERT AUTHORITIES TO MANY ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE BY COACHES.  —  Top executives at one of America's most prominent Olympic organizations failed to alert authorities …

Mike Pence Endorses John McCain and Kelly Ayotte  —  After beginning the day by siding with his running mate and declining to explicitly endorse Sens. John McCain and Kelly Ayotte, Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence subsequently reversed course, with an aide confirming he would in fact offer his support for them.

Trump Declines To Name Women He'd Put In His Cabinet Besides Daughter Ivanka  —  Donald Trump declined to name any possible women he would name to his cabinet as president on Wednesday, instead naming his daughter Ivanka and the woman interviewing him as possible cabinet members.

Harvard Republican Club Will Not Support Party Nominee Donald Trump  —  The Harvard Republican Club announced it would not support Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump, and called for Republican leaders to withdraw their support of the candidate they called a “threat to the survival …

Wearing 'Don't Tread on Me' insignia could be punishable racial harassment  —  The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, among its other functions, decides “hostile work environment” harassment claims brought against federal agencies.  In doing so, it applies the same legal rules …

This 30 second video is absolutely devastating for Donald Trump  —  John McCain — one of the most respected voices in the Republican Party on national security — was asked a direct question: Are you comfortable with Donald Trump possibly having control of our nuclear arsenal?

How the Trump Presidential Campaign is Affecting Trump Businesses  —  At Foursquare, our data scientists are often called upon to analyze real world trends; we use Big Data to determine how commercial fortunes are rising or falling.  This year, politics and business are intersecting …

Trump Proves Republican Obama Hate Was Never About Obama's Ideas  —  This week, largely drowned out on the stump by his succession of own goals, Donald Trump returned to a theme he has mentioned before in the campaign — his infrastructure plan, which would amount to either half a trillion dollars …

Sasha Obama lands summer job at Vineyard seafood joint  —  Sasha Obama, who has lived eight of her 15 years in the luxurious confines of the White House, is learning how the other half lives this summer.  The First Daughter is working the takeout window at Nancy's, a seafood restaurant on Martha's Vineyard.

CNN LIVE EVENT/SPECIAL  —  THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT.  THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.  —  ABDERSON COOPER, CNN: Good evening and welcome to the second CNN Libertarian Town hall, I'm Anderson Cooper.  Tonight, your chance to meet the candidates behind …