Playbook: Kristi Noem shoots at ‘lone wolf’ Nikki Haley  —  With help from Eli Okun, Garrett Ross and Bethany Irvine  —  DRIVING THE DAY  —  WORTH YOUR TIME THIS MORNING — “What's Really Happening on College Campuses, According to Student Journalists,” by Catherine Kim

NYPD Officer Fired Gun Inside Columbia's Hamilton Hall, Manhattan DA's Office Confirms  —  An officer inside Columbia University's Hamilton Hall Tuesday evening to break up a pro-Palestinian student demonstration fired his gun, in an incident that is now under review by Manhattan District …

Biden Says Japan ‘Xenophobic’ Along With China, Russia  — Remarks come weeks after Biden welcomed Japan's PM Kishida  — Immigration inches up in Japan, population still shrinking  —  US President Joe Biden included ally Japan along with rivals China and Russia in a list of countries he called …

How one text exchange gave Trump an ominous day in court  —  Editor's Note: Norman Eisen is a CNN legal analyst and editor of “Trying Trump: A Guide to His First Election Interference Criminal Trial.”  He served as counsel to the House Judiciary Committee for the first impeachment and trial of then-President Donald Trump.

Sen. Lindsey Graham's phone being investigated for potential hack  —  The South Carolina senator said on Wednesday that the FBI was in possession of his phone.  —  WASHINGTON — Sen. Lindsey Graham said on Wednesday that the FBI was in possession of his phone after he received a message …

Schumer poised to join Johnson invite for Netanyahu address to Congress  —  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is poised to join Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) in inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver an address to Congress, despite tensions between …

Lawmakers announce dog lovers caucus in wake of Noem news  —  Bipartisan lawmakers on Tuesday announced the start of a dog lovers caucus on Capitol Hill in the wake of a story about South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) shooting and killing a family dog.  —  “In light of recent events …

Former Michigan House leader, wife plead not guilty to misusing political funds  —  The former leader of the Michigan House and his wife pleaded not guilty Thursday to financial charges arising from an investigation of how they spent money from unregulated political funds.

Man who bragged that he ‘fed’ an officer to the mob of Capitol rioters gets nearly 5 years in prison  —  Jack Whitton expressed remorse for his ‘horrible’ actions.  —  A Georgia business owner who bragged that he “fed” a police officer to a mob of rioters storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 …

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signs repeal of 1864 abortion ban  —  The near-total abortion ban is still likely to go into effect for a period of time due to unique aspects of state law.  —  Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed on Thursday a repeal of the state's near-total abortion ban …

Alarm in Israel at reports of possible ICC legal action over Gaza  —  Israeli officials are increasingly concerned that the UN's top criminal court is planning to seek arrest warrants for their military and political leaders on suspicion of war crimes.  —  Reports suggest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be among them.

Biden Extends Obamacare Access to ‘Dreamers’ Lacking Health Care  — White House expects 100,000 people to qualify for health plans  — Change comes as Biden has lost ground with Latino voters  —  President Joe Biden will allow a group of undocumented US residents to access health insurance under …

Biden to award Medal of Freedom to Nancy Pelosi, Al Gore, Katie Ledecky and more  —  Washington — President Biden will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, to 19 recipients, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former Vice President Al Gore and Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky.

Extremist Militias Are Coordinating in More Than 100 Facebook Groups  —  After lying low for years in the aftermath of January 6, exclusive reporting shows, militia extremist groups and profiles have been quietly reorganizing and ramping up recruitment and rhetoric on Facebook.

Arkansas governor says state won't comply with new federal rules on treatment of trans students  —  Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared Thursday that the state won't comply with a federal regulation that seeks to protect the rights of transgender students in the nation's schools …

Wyoming voids 28% of its voter registrations in mandatory purge  —  Thousands of Wyoming residents could be surprised on Election Day when they show up to cast a ballot only to discover they're no longer registered to vote.  —  There are currently about 83,500 fewer registered voters …

Young voters are mad about Gaza.  But many don't see it driving their 2024 vote.  —  Focus groups of Wisconsin students exposed intense feelings about Israel's military campaign in Gaza — and how it fits into other issues that matter in the election.  —  Young people are deeply critical …