Poll: Nine weeks out, a near even race  —  Washington (CNN)Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton start the race to November 8 on essentially even ground, with Trump edging Clinton by a scant two points among likely voters, and the contest sparking sharp divisions along demographic lines in a new CNN/ORC Poll.

Fox Settles with Gretchen Carlson for $20 Million—and Is Expected to Offer an Unprecedented Apology  —  Act II of the Ailes saga may have just begun.  —  It has been exactly two months since Gretchen Carlson, a former Fox News anchor, sued her old boss, Roger Ailes, for sexual harassment.

Flake fires back at Trump, warns GOP  —  Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake is firing back against Donald Trump with a warning for the Republican Party at large.  —  The Republican presidential nominee denounced Flake as “very weak and ineffective,” particularly with respect to illegal immigration …

Trump Camp Walks Back His Claim That He ‘Never’ Spoke With FL AG Pam Bondi  —  The Donald Trump campaign Tuesday walked back remarks the GOP nominee made Monday denying any communications with Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi before his 2013 donation in support of her campaign.

Clinton Turns Coughing Fit Into Trump Comedy Bit  —  Clinton Turns Coughing Fit Into Joke About Trump 0:38  —  Hillary Clinton struggled to fight back a coughing fit while campaigning in Cleveland, Ohio, on Monday.  —  “I've been talking so much,” Clinton said with a hoarse voice.

13 people killed in Chicago over Labor Day as homicides climb over 500  —  Photos from Labor Day weekend crime scenes.  —  Deanese Williams-Harris, Rosemary Regina Sobol, Peter Nickeas and Elvia Malagon Contact Reporters  —  Thirteen people were shot to death in Chicago over the Labor …

Media Circus: Troy Aikman sounds off on Fox Sports signing Skip Bayless  — “I believe success is achieved by acquiring and developing talented, respected and credible individuals,” Aikman said, “none of which applies to Skip Bayless.”  —  Troy Aikman has worked for Fox Sports for 15 years …

Press, lies and Hillary's campaign: Years of smears have created a fictional version of Clinton.  They're also a disservice to voters.  —  Many Americans think Clinton is a congenital liar — that's because of the right and the media, not her … That tweet from Chris Cilizza …

Trump Living Large On Donors' Dime  —  The GOP nominee's campaign is spending lavishly on Trump businesses instead of cheaper alternatives.  —  S.V. Date  —  WASHINGTON - On the night of this spring's Florida primary, the pastor giving the invocation at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago victory party prayed …

Democrats Go Nuclear in New Ad Targeting Donald Trump  —  With a mushroom cloud and at least $5 million worth of TV airtime behind it, the new ad from the pro-Hillary Clinton super PAC Priorities USA is sure to stand out in a crowded political landscape.  —  The spot, “I Love War,” …

Trump won't talk about being a birther — or many other controversial comments  —  Donald Trump was the mainstream face of a fringe movement five years ago that questioned Barack Obama's place of birth and qualifications for office, eventually prompting the president to release a long-form certificate proving his birth in Hawaii.

House Majority Leader Says Democrats Will Be Punished For Gun Control Protest  —  WASHINGTON — House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters on Tuesday GOP leaders will move to formally punish House Democrats for staging a sit-in over gun control in June.

ITT Educational Services, Inc. to Cease Operations at all ITT Technical Institutes Following Federal Actions  —  CARMEL, Ind., Sept. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Today, ITT Educational Services, Inc. released the following statement:  —  “It is with profound regret that we must report …

With Koch Brothers U, Conservatives Settle In for Long War  —  ARLINGTON, Va. — The rise of Donald J. Trump, with his hostility toward free trade and vow to protect entitlements, is a sharp rebuke to the free-market principles long championed by the billionaire brothers Charles G. and David H. Koch.

USA Freedom Girls Sue Trump Campaign for Stiffing Them  —  The pre-teen dance troupe that briefly became a national sensation after they performed for Donald Trump are suing the self-proclaimed billionaire's presidential campaign for stiffing them.  —  The USA Freedom Kids went viral …