Matt Lauer Fields Storm of Criticism Over Clinton-Trump Forum  —  It was a high-stakes political moment, far from the chummier confines of the “Today” show and, for Matt Lauer, NBC's stalwart of the morning, a chance to prove his broadcasting mettle on the presidential stage.  —  The consensus afterward was not kind.

‘What Is Aleppo?’  Gary Johnson Asks, in an Interview Stumble  —  Gary Johnson, the former New Mexico governor and Libertarian Party presidential nominee, revealed a surprising lack of foreign policy knowledge on Thursday that could rock his insurgent candidacy when he could not answer …

Was Hillary Wearing an Earpiece During Last Night's Presidential Forum?  —  Conservative actor James Woods: “She can't even lie without help”  —  Was Hillary Clinton wearing an earpiece during last night's presidential forum?  That's the latest question swirling around the Internet …

What Really Happened at Donald Trump's Intelligence Briefing  —  What ‘body language’ is Trump talking about?  —  As U.S. officials cast doubt on Donald Trump's claim he read the “body language” of intelligence officials at a recent briefing, NBC News has learned exclusive details …

Suffolk University Poll of North Carolina Shows Trump at 44 Percent to Clinton's 41 Percent  —  With two months to go before the November general election, Republican Donald Trump (44 percent) leads Democrat Hillary Clinton (41 percent), by 3 points in North Carolina, according …

Veteran confronts Clinton on handling of classified info  —  A veteran confronted Hillary Clinton about her handling of classified information as secretary of state during a presidential forum on Wednesday.  —  An Air Force and Navy veteran, who said he held “the top secret sensitive …

Inside the collapse of Trump's D.C. policy shop  —  The Trump campaign built a large policy shop in Washington that has now largely melted away because of neglect, mismanagement and promises of pay that were never honored.  Many of the team's former members say the campaign leadership never took …

Are Clinton's memory lapses a health issue, or just dishonest dodging?  —  THE STORIES ABOUT Hillary Clinton's failing health at first glance seemed like more vapors from the gaseous swamp of this year's toxic presidential race.  The coughing fits, a photo showing her being assisted in walking …

Why ISIS Supports Donald Trump  —  Matt Olsen is the former head of the National Counterterrorism Center  —  ‘Hillary Clinton is the clear choice for national security’  —  Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump took the same stage for the first time on Wednesday to address crucial questions …

Donald Trump: How I'd Run the Country (Better)  —  This is what it felt like to be Donald J. Trump in 2004, when The Apprentice was on the air, and he was bros with Regis, and the Iraq War was still at the top of America's collective consciousness.  Funnily enough, what he said 12 years ago helps us understand his (il)logic today.

Summer haze!  Malia Obama is pictured ‘near a large bong at UPenn frat house’ wearing her ‘Smoking Kills’ T-shirt... weeks after she puffed on a suspicious cigarette at Lollapalooza  —  A picture circulating on social media appears to show Malia Obama near an item that resembles a large bong.

Trump's shrinking swing state map  —  Two months from Election Day, Donald Trump's swing state map is shrinking.  —  Interviews with more than two dozen Republican operatives, state party officials and elected leaders suggest three of the 11 battleground states identified by POLITICO …

Hawaiian seafood caught by foreign crews confined on boats  —  HONOLULU (AP) — Pier 17 doesn't even show up on most Honolulu maps.  Cars whiz past it on their way to Waikiki's famous white sand beaches.  Yet few locals, let alone passing tourists, are aware that just behind a guarded gate …

Texas high school shooting: 1 shot; 2 on loose, police say  —  (CNN)One person has been shot at Alpine High School in western Texas, and two shooters are believed to be on the loose, the Brewster County Sheriff's office said Thursday.  —  CNN Map  —  The school has been placed on lockdown, the school district said.

Murder numbers don't tell the story in Chicago.  Shootings do.  —  A 71-year-old man was shot in Marquette Park after he refused to give up his wallet, according to Chicago police.  Sept. 7, 2016.  (Surveillance video provided by Willie Askew)  —  Chicago hit 500 homicides the other day …

Fear of a Female President  —  Except for her gender, Hillary Clinton is a highly conventional presidential candidate.  She's been in public life for decades.  Her rhetoric is carefully calibrated.  She tailors her views to reflect the mainstream within her party.