The Greatest Show on Earth: Our National Political Conventionsby Lee…

Conventions matter - to the presidential nominees, to every candidate, national and local, running in 2016, to the party faithful, and to the public seeking the right leadership. A national convention is a combination of things - it's a political rally, a Fourth of July celebration, an evangelical tent meeting.

The Brief: At Least 5 Officers Killed in Dallas Attack

A Dallas Police Department officer crouches behind a patrol car with a still-active shooter on the scene in downtown Dallas on July 7, 2016. Downtown Dallas erupted into chaos late Thursday night when at least five police officers were shot and killed and another six were injured by two snipers who interrupted a march organized in protest of recent police-involved shootings in other cities.

Rising Star Julian Castro Being Vetted for Clin…

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro is being vetted as a potential running mate for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, according to a Democratic source familiar with the process. Castro, 41, would be the first Hispanic candidate on a presidential ticket.

Unsung volunteers

"You never learn her first name, which kind of adds to her mystery," said Vanessa Ponder, who plays the fictional character in an otherwise historical and compelling story that Things Unseen Theatre is bringing to its Altoona stage later this month. Ponder doesn't have to know how to actually pilot a plane to play her character - the plot reveals the struggle for dignity and equality that the 1,000 WASPs endured during the two years that the program existed, including 38 who were killed.

Clinton aide: Not aware of any email deletions by boss

The Latest on President Barack Obama's summit Wednesday with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto : The Latest on U.S. President Barack Obama's summit Wednesday with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto : The news tore across Twitter: A beloved Baltimore rapper was gunned down in broad daylight, moments after promoting peace on the streets at a charity fundraiser. The news tore across Twitter: A beloved Baltimore rapper was gunned down in broad daylight, moments after promoting peace on the streets at a charity fundraiser.

New Yorker cartoon pokes fun at Texas slogan after SCOTUS abortion…

Pro-abortion rights and anti-abortion protesters rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, June 27, 2016. The court is expected to finish its term today with a decision on abortion - a case deciding the constitutionality of two provisions of a Texas law regulating abortion could affect access to abortions for millions of women in several states.

LeBron a free agent after declining option on contract

The Latest on President Barack Obama's summit Wednesday with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto : North America's leaders, at their summit in the Canadian capital, are confronting a rising tide of economic protectionism and nationalism. Three crew members were missing and one was hurt after a head-on train collision in the Texas Panhandle that caused several box cars to erupt in flames and led authorities to evacuate residents in the area.