Ben Carson tumbles in national poll  —  Ben Carson took a tumble in the latest national poll, falling 7 points from last month in the Quinnipiac University survey, after weathering heavy criticism for his lack of foreign policy expertise and scrutiny about his personal tale of redemption.

Donald Trump is a bigot and a racist  —  Let's not mince words: Donald Trump is a bigot and a racist.  —  Some will think this an outrageous label to apply to the frontrunner for a major party's presidential nomination.  Ordinarily, I would agree that name-calling is part of what's wrong with our politics.

Photo of birthday cake decorated at Meijer goes viral for good reasons … GAINES TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A picture of a cake decorated at the Gaines Township Meijer is making the rounds on social media as people learn the story behind who created it.  —  Over the weekend, Lisa Aldrich posted a photo of a cake she purchased at Meijer.

Trump on terrorists: ‘You have to take out their families’ … Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump suggested Wednesday that the families of terrorists ought to be targeted in the fight against Islamic militants.  —  Trump made the remark during an interview on “Fox and Friends …

The GOP at breaking point  —  The biggest political story of 2015 will also be the biggest political story of 2016: The Republican base has divorced the Republican establishment.  —  The rupture has paralyzed Congress and polarized voters, both inside and outside GOP ranks.

A letter to our daughter  —  Your mother and I don't yet have the words to describe the hope you give us for the future.  Your new life is full of promise, and we hope you will be happy and healthy so you can explore it fully.  You've already given us a reason to reflect on the world we hope you live in.

Ted Cruz Vows to Put Hard-Core Conservatives on Supreme Court  —  In an exclusive interview, the former Supreme Court litigator reveals how he would reshape the bench if elected to the White House.  —  Ted Cruz says Republicans have “an abysmal record” when it comes to picking Supreme Court justices …

Iraqis think the U.S. is in cahoots with the Islamic State, and it is hurting the war  —  BAIJI, Iraq — On the front lines of the battle against the Islamic State, suspicion of the United States runs deep.  Iraqi fighters say they have all seen the videos purportedly showing U.S. helicopters …

Twitter threats to black Kean students made by black alum, police say  —  ELIZABETH — A recent Kean graduate has been charged with being responsible for a series of tweets threatening black students at the school two weeks ago, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced Tuesday.

“I was speechless:” Man charged with felony for passing out jury rights fliers in front of courthouse … MECOSTA COUNTY, Mich. — A Mecosta man is charged with a felony for obstruction of justice and misdemeanor of tampering with a jury for passing out fliers about jury nullification rights …

Planned Parenthood Shooting Suspect Robert Dear Targeted Agency Before: Ex-Wife  —  The man charged with killing three people at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has targeted the agency before, his ex-wife said Tuesday.  —  Robert Lewis Dear, 57 …

The Walrus and the New York Times  —  As part of its cheerleading for the U.N. climate convention in Paris, the New York Times is running a series on What Climate Change Looks Like.  First up are the walruses: … The Times is peddling ignorance here.  Actually, the congregation of walruses …

Leaked Documents Reveal Dothan Police Department Planted Drugs on Young Black Men For Years, District Attorney Doug Valeska Complicit … HUNDREDS OF CASES PROSECUTED WITH PLANTED EVIDENCE, MANY WRONGLY CONVICTED STILL IN PRISON  —  The Alabama Justice Project has obtained documents that reveal …

Sandy Berger, former national security adviser, dies  —  Former National Security Adviser Sandy Berger, who served under President Bill Clinton, has died at the age of 70 from cancer.  —  “V sad start to day; just learned Sandy Berger passed away during the night,” Richard Haass …

Cameron Barr named a managing editor at The Washington Post  —  Martin Baron, executive editor, made the following announcement today:  —  I am pleased to announce that Cameron Barr will become managing editor overseeing news and features.  —  All of you know Cameron as a driven, focused, and super-smart journalist.

Obama loses gift of speech in Paris; time to invoke 25th Amendment  —  ANALYSIS/OPINION:  —  Is it now time to invoke Section 4 of the 25th Amendment?  —  Has our president officially lost his ability to discharge the powers and duties of his office?  —  Anyone who listened …

Hamilton Students Deliver List of 83 ‘Demands’ to College President  —  From limiting freedom of speech to discouraging white faculty from leading departments, Hamilton College's ‘The Movement’ wants radical action across swaths of campus life.  —  A group of students at Hamilton College …

UnitedHealth CEO regrets entering ObamaCare  —  The CEO of UnitedHealthCare on Tuesday said he regretted the decision to enter the ObamaCare marketplace last year, which the company says has resulted in millions of dollars in losses.  —  “It was for us a bad decision,” …

California student pleads guilty to terrorism charge  —  Federal authorities said Nicholas Teausant, 20, of Acampo, Calif., told a confidential source that he and friends had discussed “hitting” Los Angeles on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day, specifically targeting the subway.

Chelgren is running for Congress  —  Iowa State Senator Mark Chelgren of Ottumwa has announced his intentions to seek the Republican nomination for Iowa's Second Congressional District.  —  Chelgren is in his second term in the State Senate, and when he ran for that office, he was hoping to change the State system.

New Jersey Muslims Feel Sense of Betrayal by Christie  —  The invitation arrived by email, bearing the seal of the State of New Jersey and the name of its new governor, Chris Christie.  It asked a select group of Muslim leaders to break the daily Ramadan fast at Mr. Christie's home, and began with a traditional Muslim salutation.

Sandra Bullock Is a Mom Again!  Meet Her Adorable Daughter, Laila  —  Oscar winner Sandra Bullock opens up for the first time about fostering and adopting her 3½-year-old daughter, Laila.  Subscribe now for instant access to the exclusive interview, plus the adorable family photos …