Together, You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation  —  Though I may not be here with you, I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe.  —  Mr. Lewis, the civil rights leader who died on July 17, wrote this essay shortly before his death, to be published upon the day of his funeral.

U.S. Economy Contracts to Record 32.9%, Jobless Claims Rise to 1.43 Million  —  Economists expected nearly 35% contraction in GDP in latest quarter following coronavirus shutdowns  —  The U.S. economy contracted at a record 32.9% annual rate last quarter and weekly jobless claims rose to 1.43 million, amid signs of a slowing recovery.

Colleagues feared U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert would catch COVID-19.  Sure enough, he did.  —  Gohmert's colleagues were afraid the mask-avoiding congressman from Northeast Texas might get infected with the coronavirus.  On Wednesday, their fears came true.  —  Copy link  —  WASHINGTON — It was a shock, but no surprise.

Turning Point USA co-founder dies of coronavirus-related complications  —  The co-founder of conservative student group Turning Point USA, Bill Montgomery, has died from complications of the coronavirus, according to two friends of his.  —  Montgomery, who started it in 2012 …

Trump Plays on Racist Fears of Terrorized Suburbs to Court White Voters  —  President Trump painted a false picture of suburbs under siege, saying he was protecting them from the perils of low-income housing, as he seeks to win over white voters who were key to his 2016 victory.

Biden allies wage shadow campaign to stop Kamala Harris from becoming vice president  — A group of Biden allies, including a few of his top donors, initiated a campaign against Harris close to a month ago, just weeks before a decision is expected.  — The concerns focus on her attacks …

A baseless US conspiracy theory found a foothold in Europe.  New research shows how  —  London (CNN)A baseless claim about a child sex-trafficking ring, a Washington, DC pizzeria, and Hillary Clinton has been passed around among conspiracy theorists for more than three years.

Trump raises idea of delaying election  —  President Trump on Thursday suggested delaying the 2020 elections, something he does not have the power to do unilaterally, as he levied fresh attacks against mail-in voting.  —  Trump, who is badly trailing presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden …

Born-again fiscal conservatives are sign of Trump's weakening hand in Congress  —  A growing number of Senate conservatives have provided the latest sign of President Trump's weakening hand on Capitol Hill.  —  From the presidentially ambitious Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) …

Obama Unleashes on Trump Privately as He Raises $24 Million for Biden  —  Barack Obama has spoken candidly about President Trump to party donors, bringing up the sexual assault allegations against Mr. Trump and warning of his efforts to push “nativist, racist, sexist” fears.

Senate hearing for controversial Pentagon nominee Anthony Tata canceled just before it was set to begin  —  The nomination of a retired Army general for a senior civilian position in the Trump administration was cast into doubt Thursday morning when his confirmation hearing was canceled …

Barr says he won't wait until after election to reveal Durham's findings.  Democrats fear a campaign-altering surprise.  —  Attorney General William P. Barr reiterated this week that he will not wait until after November's election to release whatever U.S. Attorney John Durham finds …

Lawmakers, United in Their Ire, Lash Out at Big Tech's Leaders  —  The chiefs of Amazon, Apple, Google and Facebook faced withering questions from Democrats about anti-competitive practices and from Republicans about anti-conservative bias.  —  WASHINGTON — The chief executives of Amazon …

The voters who are still backing Trump  —  Moderator: Here's what swing voters are saying about Trump  —  Rich Thau is the president and co-founder of the research firm Engagious, which specializes in message testing and message refinement for trade associations and advocacy groups.

Pelosi endorses Rep. Tlaib in primary fight, moves to help members of the ‘Squad’  —  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is moving to help two members of the so-called “Squad” who suddenly find themselves facing difficult primaries.  —  Pelosi endorsed freshman Rep. Rashida Tlaib on Wednesday …

Biden campaign launches first TV ads in Ohio  —  WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign is expanding its paid media effort into Ohio with a message focused on his new economic agenda, a sign of the campaign's increasingly bullish view of the battleground map and a shot …

He held a BLM sign in what he called 'America's most racist town.' The result?  A viral video of abuse.  —  As a gray Buick SUV approached the man holding a Black Lives Matter sign on a street in Harrison, Ark., the driver slowed down.  —  “What about White lives?” the woman in the passenger's seat yelled out.

The Disinfomercial: How Larry King Got Duped Into Starring in Chinese Propaganda  —  ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power.  Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they're published.  —  Jacobi Niv had paid Larry King a few thousand dollars apiece …

A Half-Century After Wallace, Trump Echoes the Politics of Division  —  Trump and George Wallace Share a Speaking Style  —  President Trump's statements about demonstrations across the country have much in common with George Wallace's infamously inflammatory rhetoric, echoing tones, themes and even specific phrases.

ESPN investigation finds coaches at NBA China academies complained of player abuse, lack of schooling  —  LONG BEFORE AN October tweet in support of Hong Kong protesters spotlighted the NBA's complicated relationship with China, the league faced complaints from its own employees …

Teachers Are Wary of Returning to Class, and Online Instruction Too  —  Unions are threatening to strike if classrooms reopen, but are also pushing to limit live remote teaching.  Their demands will shape pandemic education.  —  As the nation heads toward a chaotic back-to-school season …

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hospitalized after bile duct procedure  —  The 87-year-old justice underwent a “minimally invasive” procedure in New York.  —  Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who recently announced that she is battling a recurrence of liver cancer …