Rank-and-file Republican activists hear Trump rail against Clinton on trade

State Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Horn described the group of 150 Granite Staters who sweltered in a vacant, crumbling asphalt lot outside of a shuttered lightbulb factory to hear Donald Trump as "good, solid New Hampshire voters." Horn was the highest-ranking state GOP official to attend the event at the former Osram Sylvania facility, along with a few state representatives and a group of well-known veterans leaders.

Trump naming seasoned GOP hands to Pa. field effort

Donald J. Trump plans to name two respected Republican operatives to run his effort in Pennsylvania amid criticism that the real-estate developer has lagged in building the organization required of a presidential campaign. David Urban will be senior adviser and Ted Christian will be the state director, according to sources close to the Trump campaign who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to announce the move.

Ted Cruz & Jeh Johnson Square Off Over “Islamic Extremism” “Jihad” Characterizations

A contentious exchange took place between DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson and Texas Senator Ted Cruz Thursday during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing into DHS oversight. Cruz went after Secretary Johnson over the administration's alleged "scrubbing" of any references to Islamic extremism or the term "jihad" from DHS counterterrorism literature.

Spotify accuses Apple of anti-competitive behavior

Apple is "causing grave harm to Spotify and its customers," by rejecting an update to Spotify's iOS app, goes a letter sent by Spotify's general counsel to Apple's top lawyer, reports Re/Code . The letter suggests the streaming service intends to use the issue in its fight over Apple's rules governing subscription services using its App store, and copies of it went to - among others - Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who yesterday said, "Apple has long used its control of iOS to squash competition in music."

Top StoryCongress clears Puerto Rico rescue bill, sends to president

Congress delivered relief to debt-stricken Puerto Rico on Wednesday, sending President Barack Obama a last-minute financial rescue package to help the U.S. territory of 3.5 million Americans. The Senate passed the bill on a bipartisan 68-30 vote, three weeks after the House overwhelmingly backed the measure .

Congress approves Puerto Rico debt rescue package

Congress approved a rescue package Wednesday to help Puerto Rico escape a sea of debt, tossing a lifeline to the island territory just two days before it faces default on a $2 billion bond payment. Senators approved the rescue package, 68-30, turning back vociferous objections from liberal lawmakers who said the bill imposes colonial rule on average Puerto Ricans, and from conservatives who said the legislation will end up stiffing the bondholders who bought the territorial government's debt.

David Vitter files bill to zero out Obamacare ‘exemption’; maintains hold on nominee

President Obama's pick to lead the federal personnel office won't get a vote until the Congress cancels its special access to Obamacare health plans, Sen. David Vitter said Wednesday in a rebuke of his colleagues from the chamber floor. Mr. Vitter , the Louisiana Republican who is retiring at the end of this year, is using his senatorial privileges to put a hold on Beth Cobert 's nomination as director the Office of Personnel Management .

McConnell bids to shelter GOP senators from Trump upheaval

In this Nov. 13, 2014 file photo, Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., right, followed by Senate Minority Whip John Cornyn of Texas, center, and Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., leave after McConnell was chosen to be the new majority leader, on Capitol Hill in Washington. McConnell faces a nearly impossible task this election year: protecting Senate Republicans from the political upheaval of Donald Trump's presidential campaign.

Two transgender candidates win primaries: Today’s number in politics

Democratic candidate for senate Misty Snow poses for a photograph Tuesday, June 28, 2016, in Salt Lake City. Primary voters in Utah and Colorado Tuesday selected transgender women, both named Misty, to run for spots in Congress next fall, reports Politico.

Sessions: Clinton’s Foreign Student Plan Would Hurt U.S. Grads

Democratic Candidate Hillary Clinton's plan to "staple" a green card to the diplomas of foreign students graduating with masters and PhDs in the Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics fields would hurt the job prospects and wages of American graduates already struggling in a glutted labor market, according to Sen. Jeff Sessions . "Although there are more college graduates in the U.S. today than at any point in our history, many have trouble finding meaningful work in their field of study.

Idaho’s glass ceiling

A place for the writings and the ideas of the people in and around the Ridenbaugh Press. Now that Hillary Clinton is about to shatter the glass ceiling hanging over the White House' Oval Office, one has to ask when is Idaho going to get with the program? All of the states touching Idaho's border save Nevada, have had at least one female governor.

Herbert, Chaffetz cruise to wins in high turnout primary

Incumbent Republicans Gov. Gary Herbert and U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz are headed toward November as heavy favorites after primary voters turned out in record numbers and overwhelmingly endorsed their re-election bids. On the Democratic side of Utah's primary election Tuesday, Misty Snow, a grocery store cashier making her first foray into politics, faces a far steeper challenge against incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Lee as she tries to become the state's first openly transgender elected official.

Anthem Says Deal To Buy Cigna Still On Track

As questions grow about Anthem's proposed acquisition of Cigna, the Indianapolis-based company says the completion of the deal remains "the highest priority." "Anthem and Cigna are not in discussions regarding a termination of the merger agreement or the payment of a break-up fee," said Anthem spokeswoman Jill Belcher.