Republicans Begin Adjusting to a Fierce Abortion Backlash  —  After Kansans voted to preserve abortion access, Republicans who once said the economy reigns supreme are acknowledging the issue will be a centerpiece in the fall campaigns.  —  Republican candidates, facing a stark reality check …

Sinema Agrees to Climate and Tax Deal, Clearing the Way for Votes  —  The Arizona Democrat had been her party's last remaining holdout on the package, now slated to move forward on Saturday and pass the Senate within days.  —  WASHINGTON — Senator Kyrsten Sinema, Democrat of Arizona …

US employers add 528,000 jobs; unemployment falls to 3.5%  —  Defying anxiety about a possible recession and raging inflation, America's employers added a stunning 528,000 jobs last month, restoring all the jobs lost in the coronavirus recession.  Unemployment fell to 3.5%, lowest since the pandemic struck in early 2020.

China halts climate, military ties over Pelosi Taiwan visit  —  China on Friday said it is canceling or suspending dialogue with the United States on a range of issues from climate change to military relations and anti-drug efforts in retaliation for a visit this week to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Trump PAC formed to push debunked voter fraud claims paid $60K to Melania Trump's fashion designer  —  The payments to Hervé Pierre Braillard offer a window into the many ways Trump, who is not a candidate for office, is allowed to use his PAC money.  —  The fund affiliated …

How Republicans Are ‘Weaponizing’ Public Office Against Climate Action  —  A Times investigation revealed a coordinated effort by state treasurers to use government muscle and public funds to punish companies trying to reduce greenhouse gases.  —  Nearly two dozen Republican state treasurers around …

The New Right Finds a Home at the Intersection of Populism and Elitism  —  Rising stars of the new right publicly bash elites for being disconnected from ‘real America’ while privately maintaining exclusive social lives.  —  Georgetown cocktail parties have long been a quick and easy target on the right …

How right-wing commentators like Alex Jones ride mainstream media outlets to fame and fortune  —  When mainstream media outlets decide to interview right-wing trolls like Jones, they're paving the way for the fringe's future success.  —  I was on mushrooms the first time I heard Alex Jones's voice.

The Leader of the Opposition  —  Will conservatives look back on the last two years and longer and recognize that DeSantis was their leader even while Trump was still in office?  —  By announcing the suspension of a state attorney who publicly pledged not to enforce state laws …

‘Realists’ have it wrong: Putin, not Zelensky, is the one who can end the war.  —  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gets a lot of advice on how he can end the war in his country, and most of it pushes in one direction: Swap some sovereignty for peace.  If only Zelensky would give Russian …

Lightning strikes near White House kills 2, injures 2 others  —  A couple from Janesville, Wisconsin, died after a lightning strike in Lafayette Square, the public park right next to the White House.  —  Two others were were left with critical injuries Thursday night.  —  D.C. police tell WTOP the couple died overnight.

A Very Dangerous Place to Be Pregnant Is Getting Even Scarier  —  Once a week, Adrian Billings drives his white Chevy pickup from his home in Alpine, Texas, to Presidio, a city along the Mexican border.  This summer he's been taking his son Blake, who's home from college, with him.

Amazon and iRobot sign an agreement for Amazon to acquire iRobot  —  Since introducing the Roomba vacuum in 2002, iRobot has continued to delight customers with every product generation, saving customers valuable time previously spent on household chores  —  The team at iRobot …

Fetterman to hold first campaign rally since suffering a stroke in May  —  Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, the Democratic Senate nominee, will hold his first public rally next week since suffering a near-deadly stroke four days before the May 17 primary election, his campaign announced Friday.

Brittney Griner's sentence is a disgrace, but Viktor Bout must not be released  —  Russia's sentencing of WNBA star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison is an outrage.  This ruling shames Russian honor and crystallizes the utter rot of its justice system.

How Democrats' beefed-up IRS could hurt low-income Americans  —  GOP lawmakers warn extra IRS funding could have ramifications for lower-income Americans  —  The newest health care and climate spending bill from Democrats includes an $80 billion boost to the Internal Revenue Service …

Five House Rating Changes: Bacon Moves to Toss Up, MI-03 Moves to Lean Democrat  —  Kansas's emphatic rejection of an amendment to roll back abortion protections confirmed House Democrats' fall message: they'll use Dobbs to squeeze pro-life Republicans in Biden-won seats like Rep. Don Bacon …

4,500 Tips About Kavanaugh Sexual Assault Were Punted to Trump White House, FBI Director Admits  —  Bama RushTok Is Back, Baby  —  Alex Jones Must Pay Sandy Hook Parents Over $4 Million, Jury Decides  —  Ron DeSantis Suspended a County Prosecutor Who Pledged Not to Go After Abortion Providers

Kellyanne's Comeback  —  Last month I reported that veteran G.O.P. strategist (and former DeSantis hand) Susie Wiles was the lead contender to run Trump's 2024 campaign.  Wiles, who currently oversees his political operation, was a natural contender.  She's a steady presence whom Trump trusts implicitly …

First Texas bus of migrants arrives in NYC  —  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has previously sent thousands of migrants to Washington DC  —  Fox News Flash top headlines for August 5  —  The first busload of illegal migrants from Texas has been dropped off in New York City.