From the Wire

VA Head Says 18 Vets Left Off Wait List Have Died

In a new revelation in the growing VA scandal, the organization's acting head says that an additional 18 veterans whose names were kept off an official electronic Veterans Affairs appointment list have died.

Pentagon Has Protocol for Returned Captives

Once released from captivity, a soldier like Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl enters a series of debriefings and counseling sessions, all carefully orchestrated by the U.S. military, to ease the soldier back into normal life.

World Honors D-Day's Fallen, 70 Years On

On Friday, a sun-splattered Normandy celebrated peace, with silent salutes, tears and international friendship marking 70 years since the D-Day invasion helped change the course of World War II and modern history.

$700K Award in Jackson Chase Case Upheld

The Mississippi Supreme Court has upheld a $700,000 damage award related to an accident during a Jackson police chase in 2001 in which two women were injured and a third killed.

McDaniel, Cochran Readying for Round 2 in Epic Primary 'Fight'

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Republicans huddled Thursday over the slow-motion showdown of the Mississippi Senate runoff, with allies of Sen. Thad Cochran aiming to sharpen his message and supporters of tea party-endorsed challenger Chris McDaniel exploiting his opponent's vulnerabilities. Cash, campaign help and advice flowed into a titanic clash of the factions splitting the GOP.

3 People Shot at Seattle Pacific University, Suspect in Custody

SEATTLE (AP) — Three people were shot Thursday afternoon on the campus of Seattle Pacific University and a suspect was in custody, police said.

Tea Party Leader, 2 Others, Trapped in Courthouse

A tea party officer and two others representing the challenger in a Senate primary became trapped in a courthouse in the middle of the night, hours after officials had gone home from counting votes, authorities said.

Senate Moves Toward Vote on VA Health Care

The Senate is moving forward on a compromise bill to help veterans avoid long waits to see a doctor and make it easier to fire administrators who falsify records to cover up long wait times.

GM: Incompetence, Negligence Led to Delayed Recall

General Motors says a pattern of incompetence and neglect, not a larger conspiracy or cover-up, is to blame for a long-delayed recall of defective ignition switches.

Witnesses: Boko Haram Militants Slaughter Hundreds

Boko Haram militants dressed as soldiers slaughtered at least 200 civilians in three villages in northeastern Nigeria and the military failed to intervene even though it was warned that an attack was imminent, witnesses said on Thursday.

Obama Encourages Russia to Open Talks with Ukraine

President Barack Obama on Thursday encouraged Russia to open talks with the new government coming into power in Ukraine or face continuing costs imposed by the world's leading economies if its provocations continue.

Runoff in Mississippi for GOP Senate Nomination

Forced into a Mississippi runoff, challenger Chris McDaniel and veteran Sen. Thad Cochran plunged into a three-week campaign Wednesday to pick a Republican candidate for the fall and settle the tea party's last, best attempt of the year to topple a pillar of the establishment.

Ellington