U.S. plans raids to deport families who surged across border  —  The Department of Homeland Security has begun preparing for a series of raids that would target for deportation hundreds of families who have flocked to the United States since the start of last year, according to people familiar with the operation.

Did Trump impugn fifth-grader's question to Clinton?  —  KEOTA, Ia.  — The morning after Hannah Tandy made national news with a poignant question to presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, rival candidate Donald Trump appeared to imply that the scene was phony.

Dave Barry's 2015 Year in Review  —  Was 2015 the worst year ever?  Yes, yes it was. … Sometimes we are accused — believe it or not — of being overly negative in our annual Year in Review.  Critics say we ignore the many positive events in a given year and focus instead on the stupid …

Ben Carson plans staff shake-up in coming days  —  Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson is seeking to take control of his struggling presidential campaign, saying in an interview that his drop in the polls is the fault of his advisers and that he plans to shake up his staff in the coming days.

Facebook page linked to Taliban and Al Qaeda was registered to same address as British Muslim father whose Disneyland trip was blocked by Homeland Security  —  A British Muslim father whose planned Disneyland trip was ruined when he and his family were barred from boarding a flight to the U.S …

Americans Held Hostage in Iran Win Compensation 36 Years Later  —  WASHINGTON — After spending 444 days in captivity, and more than 30 years seeking restitution, the Americans taken hostage at the United States Embassy in Tehran in 1979 have finally won compensation.

If Trump wins the nomination, prepare for the end of the conservative party  —  If you look beyond Donald Trump's comprehensive unpleasantness — is there a disagreeable human trait he does not have? — you might see this: He is a fundamentally sad figure.  His compulsive boasting is evidence of insecurity.

Conservatives' biographies show that history can move right  —  Share Tweet Reddit Digg Mail Print SMS More  —  Biography is one way — often the most vivid way — in which people understand history.  The beautifully written biographies of Franklin Roosevelt that rolled off the presses …

Chris Christie, gunning for votes  —  Just when you thought New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie could stoop no lower in pursuit of the Republican presidential nomination than vowing to spurn a Syrian refugee toddler, he cavalierly puts his constituents in the crosshairs of gun violence through calculated exploitation of a woman's murder.

It's a very Trump Christmas  —  Donald Trump may be getting the best gift of all this holiday season, as he enters 2016 firmly on top in the Republican race for the White House.  —  The GOP presidential hopeful has proved the doubters wrong, solidifying a double-digit lead in national polls …