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.

Democrats could see a bruising clash with Sanders over economic bill  —  Democrats are bracing for a grueling weekend of vote-a-rama in the hopes of finally passing their long-sought economic bill, known as the Inflation Reduction Act.  —  Republicans have vowed to force a series of tough votes in opposition of the plan.

Indiana Governor Signs First Post-Roe Abortion Ban, With Limited Exceptions  —  The law passed despite dividing Republicans.  Some of them said the measure was too restrictive; others objected to limited exceptions for rape and incest.  —  INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana lawmakers passed …

In Senate Battle, Democrats Defy Biden's Low Standing (for Now)  —  “The billion-dollar question,” as one Republican pollster put it, is whether Democratic candidates in crucial Senate races can continue to outpace the president's unpopularity.  —  PHOENIX — In a Senate split 50-50 …

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.

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.

Alex Jones must pay more than $45 million in punitive damages to the family of a Sandy Hook massacre victim, jury orders  —  Alex Jones ordered to pay $45.2 million in punitive damages in defamation trial  —  A Texas jury on Friday ordered Alex Jones to pay $45.2 million in punitive damages …

Washington DC lightning strike that killed two offers climate warning  —  Scientists say that climate change is increasing the likelihood of lightning strikes across the United States, after lightning struck at a square near the White House, leaving two people dead and two others in critical condition.

Top scientist admits ‘space telescope image’ was actually a slice of chorizo  —  A French scientist has apologized after tweeting a photo of a slice of chorizo, claiming it was an image of a distant star taken by the James Webb Space Telescope.  Étienne Klein, a celebrated physicist …

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.

Dems near pivotal vote with climate agenda intact, prescription-drug plan dinged  —  Democrats have survived the vetting of the Medicare portions of their prescription drug reform plan, but lost ground on a separate pillar that penalizes drug companies for raising prices on individuals …

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.

Tracking the Faceless Killers who Mutilated and Executed a Ukrainian POW  —  Editor's note: this article contains descriptions of sexual violence and murder which readers may find disturbing.  —  On July 28, a series of horrifying videos circulated on pro-Russian social media which depicted …

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.

Snickers Maker Apologizes to China for Referring to Taiwan as Its Own Country  —  Mars Wrigley said it respects China's national sovereignty and conducts its business operations in ‘strict compliance’ with local laws and regulations  —  Mars Wrigley, the manufacturer of the Snickers candy bar …

CDC: Consider fewer sexual partners to avoid monkeypox  —  Sexually active Americans should consider limiting partners and avoiding sex parties to reduce the risk of contracting monkeypox until they get vaccinated, according to updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Friday.