4 winners and 3 losers from the second night of the July Democratic debates  —  Democratic presidential hopefuls on stage ahead of the second night of Democratic primary debate in Detroit, Michigan, on July 31, 2019.  Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images  —  One big loser: the DNC.

Jeffrey Epstein Hoped to Seed Human Race With His DNA  —  Jeffrey E. Epstein, the wealthy financier and accused sex trafficker, had an unusual dream: He hoped to seed the human race with his DNA by impregnating women at his vast New Mexico ranch.  —  Mr. Epstein over the years confided …

Trump Orders Navy to Strip Medals From Prosecutors in War Crimes Trial  —  WASHINGTON — President Trump intervened Tuesday once again on behalf of a Navy SEAL who was charged but acquitted of war crimes in the death of a captured Islamic State fighter in Iraq, ordering the military to punish …

Democrats Are Not Up To Their Historic Responsibility  —  Defeating Trumpism means abandoning the politics of extremes.  —  To adapt a line from Huey Lewis, I want a new party — one that won't make me sick.  —  I have written so often (and so recently) about the ways Donald Trump's G.O.P. makes …

Only 7 Candidates Have Qualified for the Next Democratic Debate  —  While 20 presidential candidates debated this past week, far fewer are assured the chance of doing so again in September.  —  So you made it through the second set of Democratic debates.  Congratulations!  Ready to talk about the next ones?

U.S. has intel that Osama bin Laden's son and heir Hamza is dead, say officials  —  The officials would not provide details of how Hamza bin Laden died, or if the U.S. played a role.  It is unclear if the U.S. has confirmed his death.  —  WASHINGTON — The U.S. has obtained intelligence …

James Comey's next reckoning is imminent — this time for leaking  —  The Justice Department's chief watchdog is preparing a damning report on James Comey's conduct in his final days as FBI director that likely will conclude he leaked classified information and showed a lack of candor …

No more debate.  Impeachment inquiry is underway  —  Although Special Counsel Robert Mueller's testimony may not have been a summer blockbuster, it confirmed the damning conclusions of his report.  The investigation revealed substantial evidence that President Trump obstructed justice.

What America Gets Wrong About Tracy Flick  —  In “Election,” she's preyed upon by a teacher and almost cheated out of her rightful victory.  But somehow she's the villain.  —  Even if you've never seen “Election,” Alexander Payne's 1999 comedy about high school politics run amok, you probably know something about Tracy Flick.

NH Primary Source: Talk at RNC meeting of recruiting Lewandowski to run for US Senate  —  LEWANDOWSKI FOR SENATE?  Don't look now but.....  GOP sources tell New Hampshire Primary Source that President Donald Trump's former campaign manager is the subject of serious discussion about being recruited …

RNC chair defends GOP donor platform in tense meeting  —  Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel grew visibly emotional during a meeting with senior GOP officials on Wednesday, as she insisted that she isn't personally profiting off a new, President Donald Trump-endorsed small-donor platform.

‘How the hell is this not inciting violence?’  Gun store erects billboard with minority lawmakers' faces … The sign warns of the “4 Horsemen” — typically a reference to biblical imagery symbolizing the end of the earth: conquest, war, famine and death.  —  But the North Carolina billboard …

After ‘Send her back!’ chant, Ohio rally a test for Trump  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — President Donald Trump's latest rally will be a test for both candidate and crowd.  —  The Cincinnati gathering Thursday night will be Trump's first since his audience chanted “Send her back!” …

US President Donald Trump, in phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, offered assistance to Moscow in fighting wildfires in Siberia, the Kremlin press-service said Wednesday.  —  According to the statement, Putin has informed the US president that a large air group has been deployed …

Change in New York State law to usher in ‘tidal wave’ of child sex abuse lawsuits  —  (Reuters) - Thousands of child sexual abuse lawsuits are expected to flow into New York State courts in the coming weeks exposing decades-old misconduct at schools, hospitals, churches and youth clubs, according to lawyers for victims.

Charlotte Is Starting To Regret Hosting Trump's Renomination Convention  —  President Donald Trump's racist and xenophobic statements have drawn official condemnation from a city that is now predominantly black and Latino.  —  CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Republican Party leaders scoping out locations …

Dying Gasp of One Local Newspaper  —  The Warroad Pioneer, a pillar of its small Minnesota town, ended its 121-year run with bloody marys, bold type and gloom about the void it would leave behind.  —  WARROAD, Minn. — Whenever she thought her small staff would be facing a particularly stressful deadline …

‘Constant chaos’: Senate Republicans eye summer exit  —  Senate Republicans' long, hot summer of Trump is finally ending.  And for many in the GOP, it can't come soon enough.  —  In just the month of July, the party has weathered a flurry of racist tweets from President Donald Trump attacking …