U.S. asylum officers say Trump's ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy is threatening migrants' lives, ask federal court to end it  —  Asylum officers urged a U.S. appeals court Wednesday to block the Trump administration from forcing migrants to remain in Mexico while they await their immigration court hearings in the United States.

Most of the 2020 Democratic candidates are already doomed  —  Political reporters, whose powers of analysis and prediction have been not so reliable in the Trump era, have learned to lean on what editors call the “to be sure” paragraph.  These are like the fine print in a legal contract …

Booker and Castro Thrive, Warren Coasts, and Beto Crashes  —  The short version: Elizabeth Warren treaded water, Cory Booker and Julian Castro found their grooves, Bill de Blasio vented his anger and may have created some buzz, Beto O'Rourke had a terrible night, and everybody else on the bottom stayed on the bottom.

How Mueller's testimony could expose one of Trump's biggest crimes  —  Now that Robert S. Mueller III has agreed to testify before Congress, some commentators are rushing to declare that “expectations” could be dashed.  And some Democrats are also downplaying expectations …

Woman indicted in shooting death of her unborn child; charges against shooter dismissed  —  A woman whose unborn baby was killed in a 2018 Pleasant Grove shooting has now been indicted in the death.  —  Marshae Jones, a 27-year-old Birmingham woman, was indicted by a Jefferson County grand jury on a manslaughter charge.

What Happened to America's Political Center of Gravity?  —  The Republican Party is farther right than U.K.I.P. and France's National Rally, according to an analysis of their platforms.  —  Editorials  —  Are You Ready for Weapons That Call Their Own Shots?

Senate passes border spending package, setting up fight with House  —  Both the Senate and House have now passed legislation delivering billions of dollars to address the growing humanitarian crisis at the southern border.  But lawmakers have no agreement on how to reconcile those bills before a recess set to start on Friday.

USWNT's Ali Krieger says Donald Trump is angered by women he ‘cannot control or grope’  —  USWNT defender Ali Krieger issued a strong rebuke to President Donald Trump after he tweeted about teammate Megan Rapinoe on Wednesday.  —  “In regards to the 'President's' tweet today …

Trump ready for tariff truce with China  —  This story is being published as part of a content partnership with the South China Morning Post.  It originally appeared on scmp.com on June 26, 2019.  —  The U.S. and China have tentatively agreed to another truce in their trade war in order …

Investigators Found Immigrant Kids And Families Locked In Disgusting Conditions In Border Camps  —  When Department of Homeland Security inspectors visited several border facilities in the Rio Grande Valley earlier this month, they found adults and minors with no access to showers …

Reddit Restricts Pro-Trump Forum Because of Threats  —  The subreddit The_Donald was “quarantined” for threats of violence toward police officers and politicians in Oregon.  —  Reddit limited access to a forum popular with supporters of President Trump on Wednesday, saying that its users …

Hoping to stand out (and stand tall), three candidates will use risers  —  With 10 candidates on stage Wednesday night, it may be hard for some to rise to the occasion.  —  But luckily, the candidates can use risers.  And three are taking advantage of that.

NRA's top lobbyist resigns amid chaos at the gun rights organization  —  The National Rifle Association plunged further into chaos Wednesday as its top lobbyist resigned, its television arm shut down and the organization severed all business ties with its longtime advertising agency.

Fact-checking the first night of the first Democratic presidential debate  —  (CNN)The first 2020 Democratic presidential debate kicked off in Miami with 10 candidates trying to stand out in a crowded field.  They took on taxes, equal pay, health insurance and immigration reform.  —  Here are the facts.

Who Is the Republican Heir to Trump?  —  Some ambitious politicians are setting themselves up to run in the 2024 election — or perhaps earlier.  —  Ms. Mair is a Republican campaign strategist.  —  For the kickoff of his 2020 re-election campaign in Florida last week …

Claiming to be Cherokee, contractors with white ancestry got $300 million … Two years ago, when the mayor's office in St. Louis announced a $311,000 contract to tear down an old shoe factory, it made a point of identifying the demolition company as minority owned.  —  That was welcome news.

Is Trump a Rapist?  —  America needs to give these women, and the accusations they've brought forth, the full attention they deserve.  —  I am simply disgusted by what's happening in America.  —  My political differences with this president and his accomplices in Congress …

Farewell to NPR's Peter Overby  —  Senior Director of Special Projects Beth Donovan and Chief Washington Editor Shirley Henry announced the retirement of long-time NPR correspondent Peter Overby.  Read the full note below.  —  All - With some sadness for the newsroom and much happiness for Peter …

Attorney General William Barr wows Justice Dept crowd with bagpipe playing  —  Attorney General William Barr took a break from his day job to showcase one of his hidden talents during an event with U.S. attorneys.  Seated on stage Wednesday during the Justice Department event …

‘Unmasker in Chief’ Samantha Power spewed anti-Trump bias in government emails  —  Former United Nations Ambassador Samantha Power may share an unflattering stage with a text-loving FBI agent and his Donald Trump-hating paramour from the bureau.  —  Fired agent Peter Strzok and ex-FBI lawyer Lisa Page …