Kansas Votes to Preserve Abortion Rights Protections in Its Constitution  —  OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Kansas voters resoundingly decided against removing the right to abortion from the State Constitution, according to The Associated Press, a major victory for the abortion rights movement in one of America's reliably conservative states.

Ex-White House counsel subpoenaed by federal grand jury investigating Jan. 6 attack  —  Pat Cipollone spoke to the House Jan. 6 Select Committee last month.  —  A federal grand jury has subpoenaed former Trump White House counsel Pat Cipollone in its investigation into the Jan. 6 assault …

Election-denier Mark Finchem wins Arizona GOP secretary of state primary, NBC News projects  —  Mark Finchem, a prominent 2020 election denier and an Arizona state legislator, has won the Republican secretary of state primary, NBC News projects.  —  With 99% percent of the expected vote in …

First look: Former Treasury secretaries push Manchin bill  —  Five former Treasury secretaries — including Hank Paulson, who served under President George W. Bush — signed a statement strongly backing the “Inflation Reduction Act” brokered by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).

Nancy Pelosi's Taiwan award: What is the Order of Propitious Clouds?  —  The US house speaker was given Taiwan's highest civilian order during her visit to Taiwan, a 'symbol of America's strong and enduring friendship'  —  Nancy Pelosi has been awarded Taiwan's highest civilian order during …

Scoop: 2024 GOP hopefuls back Trump's plan to purge civil servants  —  Several possible 2024 Republican presidential candidates tell Axios they support former President Trump's plan to make it easier for the president to purge federal workers. … Democrats, increasingly concerned, are scrambling to block that possibility.

Alex Jones concedes Sandy Hook attack was ‘100% real’  —  AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones testified Wednesday that he now understands it was irresponsible of him to declare the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre a hoax and that he now believes it was “100% real.”

Giuliani Is Unlikely to Face Criminal Charges in Lobbying Inquiry  —  A federal investigation into Donald Trump's former lawyer over his work in Ukraine during the 2020 campaign is winding down with no indictment expected.  —  As Rudolph W. Giuliani comes under intensifying scrutiny …

A TikTok rival promised millions to Black creators.  Now some are deep in debt.  —  Triller made its name recruiting talent with lavish perks.  Now, dozens of influencers are struggling to get paid.  ‘We were made to look like fools,’ one creator said.  —  Last fall, David Warren seemed to be on the verge of a breakthrough.

Dems Gain Slightly in Congress Support  —  Midterm issue picture largely unchanged; Biden rating stabilizes  —  West Long Branch, NJ - The latest Monmouth ("Mon-muth") University Poll finds the Democrats making small gains in preference for Congressional control and the year-long slide …

John Fetterman's parents gave him money into his 40s.  Republicans say that undercuts his blue collar image.  —  In his ads, and much of the public imagination, John Fetterman is a tattooed everyman from a rugged steel city outside Pittsburgh.The phrase “blue collar tough guy” …

How the Claremont Institute Became a Nerve Center of the American Right  —  They made the intellectual case for Trump.  Now they believe the country is in a cultural civil war.  —  To hear more audio stories from publications like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android.

Georgia says ‘unborn child’ counts as dependent on taxes after 6 weeks  —  Pregnant residents will qualify for a $3,000 state tax deduction  —  Under Georgia law, fetuses now have “full legal recognition” as living people.  That means their parents can claim them as dependents on their tax returns — even before delivery.

Paul Pelosi allegedly slurred speech, had drug in system and handed over police privilege card during DUI bust  —  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband, Paul, was arrested on suspicion of DUI on May 28  —  Fox News Flash top headlines for August 2  —  Paul Pelosi, the multimillionaire husband …

Answering Bill Maher's concerns on traffic and One Billion Americans  —  Solve the problem, don't shy away from growth  —  Bill Maher wants the United States of America to stop kowtowing to China and worries that we are losing to China because it's too hard to get things built in this country.

DeSantis launches first TV ad of his Florida gubernatorial re-election campaign  —  DeSantis showcases ‘Dear Governor’ letters in his first TV ad of his re-election  —  DeSantis calls for crackdown on China for buying up massive tracts in Florida  —  EXCLUSIVE: Republican …

Abortion Issue Top Factor Urging Americans to Protest  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nearly four in 10 Americans, 39%, say they have felt the urge to organize or join a public demonstration.  This is statistically similar to the previous 36% reading in 2018 but much higher than the 10% who said the same in 1965.

Live Updates: Even as It Mounts Its Own Offensive, Ukraine Braces for a Russian Attack in the South  —  As tensions rise in Asia, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine offered careful words on China, saying he would like it to join the “unified world” against Russia while praising its “neutrality.”