CNN deletes, retracts story linking Trump and Russia  —  On Thursday evening, CNN investigative reporter Thomas Frank published a potentially explosive report involving an investigation of a Russian investment fund with potential ties to several associates of President Donald Trump.

Big cases, retirement rumors as Supreme Court nears finish … WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court enters its final week of work before a long summer hiatus with action expected on the Trump administration's travel ban and a decision due in a separation of church and state case that arises from a Missouri church playground.

Senate GOP expected to add new penalties for the uninsured into their health bill  —  Senate Republicans are expected to revise their health bill early next week, adding in a provision that could lock Americans out of the individual market for six months if they fail to maintain continuous insurance coverage.

Why ‘Mattis in charge’ is a formula for disaster  —  “It's all under control: Mattis is in charge.”  That, or words to that effect, is what U.S. national security officials have been telling European allies in recent days.  Don't worry.  There won't be any surprises.

Bernie and Jane Sanders, under FBI investigation for bank fraud, hire lawyers  —  Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and his wife, Jane Sanders have hired prominent defense attorneys amid an FBI investigation into a loan Jane Sanders obtained to expand Burlington College while she was its president, CBS News confirms.

California won't be passing a single-payer healthcare system any time soon — the plan is dead for this year  —  A high-profile effort to establish a single-payer healthcare system in California sputtered on Friday when Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) decided to shelve the proposal.

‘Trump Is What Happens When a Political Party Abandons Ideas’  —  Almost two years ago, I wrote an article for Politico endorsing Donald Trump for president.  It was a tongue-in-cheek effort—I “supported” Trump only because I thought he would lose to Hillary Clinton, disastrously …

Trump called Cruz to press him on ObamaCare repeal bill: report  —  President Trump has joined the effort led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell  —  (R-Ky.) to get the 50 votes needed for the Senate GOP bill to repeal ObamaCare, according to a new report.

Trump Adviser Who Called For Killing Hillary Clinton Gets Front-Row Seat At White House  —  Really?  —  An adviser to Donald Trump's campaign who said Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton should be shot for treason was given a prime seat at a White House bill-signing ceremony on Friday.

How Twitter Pornified Politics  —  This is the column in which I formally forswear Twitter for good.  I'll keep my Twitter handle, and hopefully my followers, but an editorial assistant will manage the account from now on.  I'll intercede only to say nice things about the writing I admire, the people I like and the music I love.

T r u m p ' s L i e s  —  Many Americans have become accustomed to President Trump's lies.  But as regular as they have become, the country should not allow itself to become numb to them.  So we have catalogued nearly every outright lie he has told publicly since taking the oath of office.

Illinois Catholic bishop decrees no Holy Communion, funerals for same-sex couples  —  The bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Ill., is calling on priests there to deny Holy Communion and even funeral rites to people in same-sex unions unless they show “some signs of repentance” for their relationships before death.

Dallas officer charged with aggravated assault for killing of 21-year-old woman  —  Genevive Dawes was shot and killed in January when police officer Christopher Hess fired into her moving vehicle  —  A grand jury has indicted a Dallas police officer on a charge of aggravated assault …

There's a Health Care Lesson for Republicans in the Shooting of Steve Scalise  —  The GOP is attempting to expose millions of Americans to the kind of financial ruin that he has avoided—for now.  —  It has been nine days since a gunman opened fire on Republican members of Congress during …

Dems push leaders to talk less about Russia  —  Frustrated Democrats hoping to elevate their election fortunes have a resounding message for party leaders: Stop talking so much about Russia.  —  Democratic leaders have been beating the drum this year over the ongoing probes …

Frustrated Dems say Obama botched Russia response  —  The Obama administration is under fresh scrutiny for its response to Russian meddling in the election after new details emerged this week about how the White House weighed its actions against the 2016 political environment.

The Gulf's Demands on Qatar Look Designed to Be Rejected  —  Now, Qatar has a list.  —  On Thursday evening, news reports surfaced of 13 demands from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and four other nations that, if fulfilled by Doha, will resolve their ongoing standoff with the tiny Gulf nation.