Beto O’Rourke, Closing in on Ted Cruz, Faces Off With Him in First Texas Debate

Sen. Ted Cruz faced off against Rep. Beto O'Rourke , the El Paso Democrat running a spirited campaign against him, in their first of three debates on Friday. The moment arrived as recent polls have shown a too-close-for-comfort contest and Republicans in Washington D.C. have been concerned that O'Rourke's massive fundraising prowess and personal appeal could lead to an upset.

Cancelling Georgia nuclear plant could cost owners billions

The federal government is warning the owners of a troubled nuclear power plant in Georgia that any move to cancel a planned expansion would lead to demands for quick repayment of nearly $6 billion in federal loans. In a letter to the plant's three owners, the Department of Energy said late Friday that if the construction project is cancelled, the government is "prepared to move swiftly to fully enforce its rights under terms of the loan guarantee agreements, including the repayment provisions."

US agency endorses plan to block new mining near Yellowstone

U.S. officials recommended approval on Friday of a plan to block new mining claims for 20 years on the forested public lands that make up Yellowstone National Park's mountainous northern boundary. Regional Forester Leanne Marten submitted a letter to the Bureau of Land Management endorsing the plan to withdraw 30,000 acres in Montana's Paradise Valley and the Gardiner Basin from new claims for gold, silver, platinum and other minerals, U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Marna Daley said.

Lawmakers question Google over kids’ privacy on YouTube

Google says YouTube isn't for children under 13, which is why it created a separate app for them, YouTube Kids. Rep. David Cicilline, a Rhode Island Democrat, and Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, a Nebraska Republican, sent a letter this week to Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai asking for more details about how the service collects data.

Obama turns focus on Pennsylvania, hopes to boost Democrats Source: AP

Barack Obama was turning his political attention Friday to a state that Donald Trump won as the former president prepared to campaign Friday in Philadelphia with two leading Pennsylvania Democrats running for re-election, Gov. Tom Wolf and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey. In the Nov. 6 contests, Democrats are trying to oust Republicans in four U.S. House districts and more than a dozen state legislative seats in the Philadelphia area alone.

Donald Trump delays FBI document release after objections from Justice Department, U.S. allies

Donald Trump delays FBI document release after objections from Justice Department, U.S. allies President Donald Trump said Justice Department and foreign allies raised concerns about release of FBI documents Check out this story on USATODAY.com: https://usat.ly/2zmwihM WASHINGTON - Reversing course, President Donald Trump delayed the release of classified FBI documents on Friday after the Justice Department and foreign allies objected amid concerns that their publication may damage the investigation of Russian election interference. The Department of Justice Inspector General "has been asked to review these documents on an expedited basis," Trump tweeted.

Expansion of Alabama lumber company to add dozens of jobs

Officials say an Alabama lumber company will add dozens of new jobs following the approval of a tax abatement package. The Tuscaloosa News reports the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority approved the tax abatement package as part of a $28.2 million capital investment at KyKenKee Inc. during its Thursday meeting.

This Supreme Court fight will only deepen our divisions

The political maneuvering required to get Judge Brett Kavanaugh confirmed to the Supreme Court is probably the most important and consequential since the Florida recount in 2000, so deftly navigated by the old Republican hand Baker on behalf of George W. Bush. I tip my hat to the Democrats for how they have played a lousy hand.

California Democrat Meets With Kavanaugh Accuser

The California congresswoman who met with the woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her decades ago says the accuser "should not be underestimated." Democratic Rep. Anna Eshoo told The Associated Press on Friday accuser Christine Blasey Ford "has an inner strength."

Congressmen question Google over kids’ privacy on YouTube

Rep. David Cicilline, a Rhode Island Democrat, and Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, a Nebraska Republican, sent a letter this week to Google CEO Sundar Pichai asking for more details about how the service collects data. Their letter comes months after privacy advocates filed a complaint about YouTube with the Federal Trade Commission.

Trump questions timing of Christine Blasey Forda s allegation: – Why…

President Donald Trump expressed public confidence in Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Thursday, calling him "a great gentleman" with an "impeccable reputation" as the judge's fate remained unclear in his Senate confirmation process. At a campaign rally here, Trump took care not to mention Christine Blasey Ford, who has accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her at a party when they were in high school more than three decades ago.

Why Colorado’s 6th district is 2018 battleground

In the past, Democrats have poured millions of dollars in Colorado's 6th District to unseat incumbent Rep. Mike Coffman , with little success. Now, Democratic challenger and combat veteran Jason Crow is on the ballot, and strategists say if he can win, Democrats can feel confident about taking back the House.

White House authorises – offensive cyber operations’ against adversaries

The White House has "authorised offensive cyber operations" against US adversaries, in line with a new policy that eases the rules on the use of digital weapons to protect the nation, National Security Adviser John Bolton said Thursday. "Our hands are not tied as they were in the Obama administration," Bolton said during a news briefing to unveil a new national cyber strategy.

Telling men to ‘step up,’ Sen. Hirono strides into spotlight

Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., left, is applauded by demonstrators as the arrive to speak to reporters in support of professor Christine Blasey Ford, who is accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of a decades-old sexual attack, during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018.

President Donald Trump speaks during a rally in Las Vegas on Sept. 20, 2018.

President Donald Trump expressed public confidence in Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Thursday, calling him "a great gentleman" with an "impeccable reputation" as the judge's fate remained unclear in his Senate confirmation process. At a campaign rally here, Trump took care not to mention Christine Blasey Ford, who has accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her at a party when they were in high school more than three decades ago.

Trump’s self-serving declassification

In announcing that President Donald Trump had ordered the declassification of several documents related to the investigation of possible ties between his 2016 campaign and Russia, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders made it sound like there was no politics involved. The disclosures were designed, Sanders said, "for reasons of transparency" and to accommodate requests from Congress.

Anti-Kavanaugh voices Hirono, Feinstein took campaign cash from Dem…

Speaking at a press conference Tuesday evening, Hawaii Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono urges men to 'do the right thing' amid allegations of misconduct against President Trump's Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
 U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, who told men to "just shut up and step up" in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, might have some explaining to do about her campaign cash. U.S. Sen. Tom Carper's First State PAC donated $1,000 to Hirono's political campaign in June, despite the Delaware lawmaker's confession of abuse.