memeorandum: Trump's photo op play: Facing impeachment, the president strives to look hard at work (Philip Rucker/Washington Post)

Jeffrey Epstein, Blackmail and a Lucrative ‘Hot List’ — The man who called himself Kessler first contacted a Florida lawyer, Bradley J. Edwards, who was in the news for representing women with claims against Mr. Epstein. It was late August, about two weeks after the financier killed himself …

Sarah Marsh / The Guardian:

Narwhal tusk and fire extinguisher used to tackle London Bridge attacker — Members of the public, including a convicted murderer, bring terrorist to the ground — A convicted murderer was among ex-prisoners and members of the public who grappled with and eventually grounded the London Bridge knife attacker before police arrived.

Discussion: New York Post, Slate, UPI, Vanity Fair, Althouse, Al Jazeera and Instapundit

Gregory Katz / Associated Press:

UK police: Suspect in attack had served time for terrorism — 1 of 29 — LONDON (AP) — UK counterterrorism police on Saturday searched for clues into how a man imprisoned for terrorism offenses before his release last year managed to stab several people before being tackled by bystanders and shot dead by officers on London Bridge.

Discussion: Slate and The Guardian

Washington Post:

How a fight over health care entangled Elizabeth Warren — and reshaped the Democratic presidential race — In mid-November, a few dozen of the country's most influential advocates of Medicare-for-all were reviewing details of Sen. Elizabeth Warren's plan to finance the proposed government-run program …

Discussion: The Hill

Mark Leibovich / New York Times:
2020 Democratic Candidates Wage Escalating Fight (on the Merits of Fighting)

Discussion: Althouse, HuffPost, Mediaite, Breitbart and Slate

Trevor Hunnicutt / Reuters: Biden to blitz Iowa back roads by bus in 800-mile hunt for support

Washington Post:

Trump's talk of Afghanistan cease-fire appears to surprise the Taliban, Afghan government — President Trump's confident assertion that the Taliban is ready and even eager for a cease-fire demanded by the United States in Afghanistan's 18-year-old war may be more wishful thinking than reality.

Discussion: Raw Story, The Week, POLITICUSUSA and New York Times

Philip Rucker / Washington Post:

Trump's photo op play: Facing impeachment, the president strives to look hard at work — PALM BEACH, Fla. — As Democrats in Congress push to impeach him, President Trump has toured a manufacturing plant in Texas, boasted about economic gains and signed numerous bills.

Discussion: Talking Points Memo, Raw Story and No More Mister Nice Blog

Jessica Campisi / The Hill:

Presidential historian predicts public support for Trump will collapse — Presidential historian Douglas Brinkley on Friday predicted that public support for President Trump will collapse as House Democrats continue their impeachment inquiry against him. — “It just tells you what deep …

Discussion: POLITICUSUSA and New York Times

Catie Edmondson / New York Times:

Where's Lindsey? After G.O.P. Outcry, Graham Emerges as a Trump Defender — After initially resisting calls to lead Republicans' impeachment counteroffensive, the senator has now taken on the role with zeal. — WASHINGTON — Late last month, as damaging revelations about President Trump began piling …

Discussion: CANNONFIRE and HotAir

Stephen Cunningham / Yahoo Finance:

U.S. Posts First Month in 70 Years as a Net Petroleum Exporter — (Bloomberg) — The U.S. solidified its status as an energy producer by posting the first full month as a net exporter of crude and petroleum products since government records began in 1949. — The nation exported 89,000 barrels …

Tal Axelrod / The Hill:

Poll: Majority of Republicans say Trump better president than Lincoln — A majority of Republicans say President Trump is a better leader than former President Abraham Lincoln, according to this week's Economist/YouGov weekly tracking poll. — Fifty-three percent of Republicans said Trump …

Zac Anderson / Sarasota Herald-Tribune:

Hispanic tennis players allege racist comment by Sarasota City Commission candidate Martin Hyde — Hyde allegedly told some Hispanic players to cut the grass — Sarasota City Commission candidate Martin Hyde appears to have been banned from Sarasota's Bath & Racquet Club after a confrontation …

Phil McCausland / NBC News:

Trump administration proposals could cause millions to lose food stamps — “SNAP is related to hunger and getting people the nutrition they need,” one food bank representative said. “Food shouldn't be a luxury.” — Three proposed rule changes by the Trump administration could cause millions …

Discussion: PJ Media Home and The Guardian

Nancy Benac / Associated Press:

July 25 forecast: Sunny, with cloud of impeachment for Trump — 1 of 9 — WASHINGTON (AP) — The forecast for July 25 was typical for Washington: sunny, mid-80s. President Donald Trump had good reason to be feeling bright and sunny himself. — It was the morning after Robert Mueller's …

Nick Corasaniti / New York Times:

A Pennsylvania County's Election Day Nightmare Underscores Voting Machine Concerns — How “everything went wrong” in Northampton County. — EASTON, Pa. — It was a few minutes after the polls closed here on Election Day when panic began to spread through the county election offices.

Discussion: Raw Story

Adeel Hassan / New York Times:

Witness in Hard Rock Hotel Collapse Is Deported — A construction worker who became a witness in a federal safety investigation into lapses at the New Orleans construction site was deported to his native Honduras. — A construction worker who became a witness in a federal workplace safety investigation …

Kate Sullivan / CNN:

House GOP members are ‘absolutely disgusted and exhausted’ by Trump's behavior, former GOP congressman says — (CNN)Former Republican congressman Charlie Dent said Thursday some of his former colleagues in the House of Representatives have privately told him they are “absolutely disgusted and exhausted by the President's behavior.”