Democrats near key vote on signature climate, tax and health care proposal  —  Democrats expect to advance their signature health care, climate and tax bill as early as Saturday afternoon after the Senate's rules referee OK'd most of their legislation's protection from a filibuster.

State Legislatures Are Torching Democracy  —  Even in moderate places like Ohio, gerrymandering has let unchecked Republicans pass extremist laws that could never make it through Congress. … As the Supreme Court anticipated when it overturned Roe v. Wade, the battle over abortion rights is now being waged state by state.

Biden spokeswoman slams Indiana abortion law as ‘radical’ Republican move  —  White House press secretary reiterates Democrats' long-shot strategy of codifying abortion rights via congressional legislation  —  Biden making a ‘big mistake’ by speaking for all women on abortion: Mercedes Schlapp

GOP Lawmakers Lobby Oil Industry to Denounce Tax-and-Climate Bill  —  Democrats' plan includes measures lauded by some in the oil-and-gas industry, frustrating Republicans  —  WASHINGTON—Congressional Republicans are ramping up pressure on the oil-and-gas industry to take an aggressive stance …

Tim Ryan turned his race into a surprise Senate battleground.  Now comes the hard part.  —  Tim Ryan may be running ahead of J.D. Vance in Ohio.  But the cavalry is coming to Vance's rescue.  —  Whether Ryan can survive the coming ad onslaught and keep Ohio's Senate race surprisingly competitive is an open question.

Drop Box for Babies: Conservatives Promote a Way to Give Up Newborns Anonymously  —  After Roe, groups are seeking to expand safe haven laws, which allow women to surrender babies with minimal interference.  But these laws pose their own problems.  —  The Safe Haven Baby Box at a firehouse in Carmel …

WATCH: Gleeful Jeanine Pirro Says Britney Griner Won't be Taking a Knee Anymore  —  WNBA star Britney Griner was sentenced this week to 9 years in prison.  The United States is working on getting her freed from jail and has discussed prisoner exchanges.  —  Since Griner has dabbled in activism …

How ‘Loyal Dog’ Sean Hannity Went From King of Fox News to Has-Been  —  Hannity was once Fox's most-watched host, but now he's fallen all the way to fourth place.  What happened?  —  Oh, how the mighty have fallen.  —  During the Trump administration, Sean Hannity was on top of the world.

In Turbulent Times, Xi Builds a Security Fortress for China, and Himself  —  Taiwan, Covid, “color revolutions,” the classroom: everywhere, China's leader sees threats that foreign forces can exploit, and he has enlisted the whole nation to resist.  —  Over informal, private meals with American leaders …

Old problem for new governor - the distraction of ambition  —  On Wednesday evening, favor-seeking business people, lobbyists and activists, having stroked checks for four and five figures to Glenn Youngkin's political action committee, streamed into the former Tredegar Iron Works …

Eric Greitens lost the Missouri Senate primary.  He won't disappear from politics  —  Whatever you want to call the two-minute speech former Gov. Eric Greitens made on election night, it wasn't a concession.  —  He did not congratulate Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt on winning the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

Greg Abbott appoints Austin officer charged with aggravated assault to agency that regulates Texas law enforcement  —  Justin Berry was among 19 Austin police officers indicted earlier this year, accused of using excessive force against people protesting the murder of George Floyd.  —  Copy link

Health Authorities Issue New Advice for Avoiding Monkeypox  —  CDC says sexually active people should limit number of sex partners, after finding the disease mainly in men who have had sex with several men  —  Why Monkeypox Is a Global Health Threat

Florida officials speak out after state attorney Andrew Warren suspended  —  “Does my vote not count?” a sign read outside at a protest outside the Hillsborough County Courthouse Thursday evening.  — The question echoed throughout Tampa Bay, and Democrat politicians voiced their outrage.

Turkish Banks Are Adopting Russian Payments System, Erdogan Says  —  Five Turkish banks have adopted Russia's Mir payments system, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on his return from talks with President Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.