For GOP candidates the question is: To Trump or not to Trump?

With summer bearing down on us , it seemed like a good idea to take one quick snap shot of the local political scene before moving into our summer hiatus , sensing something of a politics overload for you, the reader). As this could well be the final edition of PAU until - gasp - August, it's a good time to take inventory of the local political situation before everyone bails for the beach .

Both Trump, critics find things to like in watchdog report

From left, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, respond to the Justice Department's internal 18-month review of the FBI's handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, June 14, 2018.

GQR: Cruz 49, O’Rourke 43

A new poll of likely voters, commissioned by End Citizens United and conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, shows a single digit contest in the Texas Senate election with Representative Beto O'Rourke trailing Senator Ted Cruz by just six points, 43 to 49 percent with eight percent undecided. Click here to read the full polling memo .

Ohio’s House of Representatives gets back to work

Last Wednesday, June 6, State Representative Ryan Smith of southeast Ohio was selected as the Speaker of the House following a grueling 11 rounds of voting by the legislature. The political jockeying among Republicans, who hold the majority in the state's legislature, began on Tuesday, April 10, when former Speaker Cliff Rosenberger announced his resignation amid an FBI probe into alleged favors given to Rosenberger by representatives of Ohio's payday loan industry.

The Latest: White House says Trump backs immigration effort

The White House says President Donald Trump does indeed support an immigration bill crafted by House leadership that he said he wouldn't sign in a morning interview. Trump had said in the interview with "Fox & Friends" Friday that he was looking at two House immigration bills, but that he "certainly wouldn't sign the more moderate one."

White House says Trump would sign either Republican immigration bill

The White House scrambled on Friday to clarify President Trump's position on a Republican immigration bill, with a spokesman saying the president supports the GOP leadership proposal despite Trump's own remarks saying he would not sign it. On Friday morning, Trump said he was looking at the two Republican immigration bills set for a House vote next week.

Nearly 2,000 minors split from parents at border in six weeks: US

Critics of a Trump administration policy that separates children from their parents when they are detained after crossing the US border are demanding changes to the policy, as this protest in Los Angeles. WASHINGTON: Nearly 2,000 minors were separated from their parents or adult guardians who illegally crossed into the United States over a recent six-week period, officials said on Friday , as debate raged over how to end the deeply controversial practice.

Ap Fact Check: Trump assails Dems for his own migrant policy

The Capitol is seen in Washington, Friday, June 15, 2018. President Donald Trump ignited eleventh-hour confusion Friday over Republican efforts to push immigration through the House next week, saying he won't sign a "moderate" package, an apparent damaging blow to GOP lawmakers hoping to push legislation through the House next week.

Do political party conventions matter in Minnesota?

It's a reasonable question when candidates ignore the major business of the conventions - the endorsements - and just move on to the primary. That's happening this year in the race for Minnesota governor for both major parties.

Dem Rep Hammers Trump For Joke About Wanting North Korean-Like Fealty …

To Rep. John Yarmuth , absolutely nothing was funny about a "joke" President Donald Trump made about wishing Americans would "sit up at attention" when he speaks , like the citizens of North Korea do for leader Kim Jong Un . "You don't understand sarcasm," Trump told a reporter who asked him to explain what he meant by this, and then asked who the journalist worked for.

US House immigration bill plans in turmoil following Trump opposition

WASHINGTON: Republican efforts to debate immigration legislation next week in the U.S. House of Representatives were in turmoil on Friday after President Donald Trump blasted one of two delicately crafted proposals that had a better chance of passing. House Speaker Paul Ryan's leadership team cancelled plans on Friday to build support for a draft bill protecting 1.8 million "Dreamers" from deportation and allowing them a path to citizenship.

Congress Wants to Ban Sex Dolls That Look Like Kids

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives approved a squeamish ban on the importation of sex robots and sex dolls that resemble children, claiming that they "normalize sex between adults and minors." Now the bill-named the Curbing Realistic Exploitative Electronic Pedophilic Robots, or CREEPER, Act -is moving through the Senate.

The Latest: Inspectors checked ride hours before derailment

Florida officials say a roller coaster passed a state inspection only hours before it derailed and sent two riders plummeting to the ground. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said Friday that the Sand Blaster at the Daytona Beach Boardwalk had been seen Thursday by inspectors from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

5 commentary Jennifer Rubin: Departing Republicans confess they have…

There is something refreshing about having the Republican Party's cowardice out in the open, acknowledged by its own members. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., speaks to reporters after meeting with Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 13, 2018.

Rep. Jim Jordan Calls for Shield Law to Protect Journalists

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, the leader of the House Freedom Caucus, said he would pursue legislation to protect journalists in the wake of the Justice Department seizing a New York Times reporter's private email and phone records. "When you think about the context of the last several years, you've seen the IRS target conservatives for their political beliefs.

End of West Milford blood drive hurts region

The Monthly Blood Drive of West Milford will hold its final collection day on June 17, after 19 years in operation. Bergen-based blood bank losing most consistent supplier in West Milford drive The Monthly Blood Drive of West Milford will hold its final collection day on June 17, after 19 years in operation.