Exclusive: Former Republicans and Democrats to form new third U.S. political party  —  Dozens of former Republican and Democratic officials will announce on Wednesday a new national political third party to appeal to millions of voters they say are dismayed with what they see as America's dysfunctional two-party system.

US economy shrank 0.9% last quarter, its 2nd straight drop  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy shrank from April through June for a second straight quarter, contracting at a 0.9% annual pace and raising fears that the nation may be approaching a recession.

Manchin says he has reached deal with Democrats on economy, climate bill  —  Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) on Wednesday said he had reached a deal with Democrats to advance economic legislation that aims to lower health-care costs, combat climate change and pay down the deficit.

Jan. 6 committee deepens probe into Trump cabinet: Sources  —  Ex-Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin recently sat an interview, sources said.  —  The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol is working to secure testimony from a growing number of officials …

How local journalists proved a 10-year-old's abortion wasn't a hoax  —  Many doubted the story of a young rape victim who had to cross state lines for an abortion.  But journalists on the ground kept reporting.  —  It felt like half the country doubted the case existed.

Doug Mastriano Faces Criticism Over His Backing From Antisemitic Ally  —  The founder of Gab, a far-right social media network, recently made bigoted remarks defending his ties with Mr. Mastriano, the Republican nominee for governor of Pennsylvania.  —  Doug Mastriano, the Republican nominee …

House Rating Changes: More Movement Toward Republicans  —  KEY POINTS FROM THIS ARTICLE  — We are making 10 House rating changes, 9 of which benefit Republicans.  — Our overall best guess at the net change in the House — a GOP gain somewhere in the 20s — remains unchanged.

The Fake Electors Scheme, Explained  —  The plan to reverse the outcome of the 2020 election by creating slates of electors pledged to Donald Trump in states he had lost was expansive, long-running and often confusing.  —  The brazen plan to create false slates of electors pledged …

Trump has never been patriotic or defensible.  It shouldn't take a coup to figure that out.  —  Ever since he smeared immigrants and belittled John McCain, Trump has been showing us he's unfit.  He showed it again Tuesday.  The mystery is why most Republicans pretend not to notice.

Exclusive — Whistleblower: Same FBI Boss Who Shut Down Hunter Biden Dirt Also Pressured Agents to Juice Domestic Violent Extremism Stats  —  The same senior FBI agent who allegedly shut down investigative activity related to Hunter Biden also allegedly sought to pad the FBI's number of …

Yes, Social Media Really Is Undermining Democracy  —  Within the past 15 years, social media has insinuated itself into American life more deeply than food-delivery apps into our diets and microplastics into our bloodstreams.  Look at stories about conflict, and it's often lurking in the background.

It's official: The attack on McMorrow backfired.  —  The numbers are in and it's official: The attack on Democratic Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow backfired.  —  The Michigan Republican state senator who falsely described McMorrow as a “groomer” in an April fundraising email raised less …

Where Do Trump's Donations Go?  —  He can't spend his PACs' millions on 2024 and isn't using much in midterms.  —  1x  —  What will Donald Trump do with his campaign cash?  —  The former president controls four political-action committees—Save America; Make America Great Again, Again!

Former Covington Catholic Student Nick Sandmann Loses Defamation Lawsuits Against CBS, ABC, NYT, and Others  —  After years of politically charged litigation, former Covington Catholic High School student Nick Sandmann has lost a round of high-profile defamation lawsuits against five mainstream media companies …

States With Abortion Bans Are Among Least Supportive for Mothers and Children  —  They tend to have the weakest social services and the worst results in several categories of health and well-being.  —  In Mississippi, which brought the abortion case that ended Roe v. Wade before the Supreme Court …

Adam Schiff is jockeying to lead House Democrats.  It won't be easy.  —  If he can amass enough interest in his candidacy, the Democrat from California would upend a race that was considered largely set, challenging a variety of Democrats gunning for the top spot.

They Can't Let Him Back In  —  The people who really run the United States of America have made it clear that they can't, and won't, if they can help it, allow Donald Trump to be president again.  In fact, they made this clear in 2020, in a series of public statements.

Durbin tests positive for COVID-19  —  Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), the No. 2 Senate Democrat, announced on Thursday he has tested positive for COVID-19, making him the latest senator to contract the virus.  —  “This morning, I tested positive for COVID-19.  Thankfully, I am fully vaccinated …

New benefits for burn pit victims in limbo after Senate Republicans block plan  —  A surprise deal on health care and environmental policies announced by Senate Democratic leaders Wednesday afternoon produced an unexpected casualty: the comprehensive toxic exposure legislation veterans advocates expected to pass this week.

Jared Kushner alleges chief of staff shoved Ivanka Trump at White House  —  In a forthcoming memoir, the former presidential son-in-law and adviser portrays John F. Kelly as having a bullying, “Jekyll-and-Hyde” demeanor.  Kelly denies the allegations.  —  In a forthcoming memoir …