BETO O'ROURKE

This isn't the first time the NRA has held its convention days after a nearby mass shooting. Some politicians and musicians are dropping out, and gun control advocates are preparing protests.

The National Rifle Association begins its annual convention in Houston on Friday, and leaders of the powerful gun-rights lobbying group are gearing up to “reflect on” — and deflect any blame for — the deadly shooting earlier this week of 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

"If we do nothing, we will continue to see this," O'Rourke said, "year after year, school after school, kid after kid."

Local and state officials in Texas release more information, while Americans across the nation continue to express shock and grief at the massacre.

A father whose fourth-grade daughter was killed in the attack, said he raced to the school and raised the idea of charging into the school with several other bystanders.

The small community of Uvalde, Texas is grieving one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history as assistance — and the national political spotlight – descends on the area.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke has blamed Republican Gov. Greg Abbott for inaction on gun control.

A news conference about the shooting at a Texas elementary school broke into shouting Wednesday as Democratic gunbernatotrial candidate Beto O'Rourke blamed Republican Gov. Greg Abbott for inaction ahead of the latest in a long string of mass shootings in the state. As the Republican governor was finishing his remarks, O’Rourke approached the stage, pointed to the governor and said, “This is on you.” As officers escorted O'Rourke out of the auditorium, some in the gathered crowd jeered him while one woman chanted, “Let him speak.”

One of the officials on stage told O'Rourke, "You are out of line" and called him a "sick son of a b****."

One of the officials on stage told O'Rourke, "You are out of line" and called him a "sick son of a b****."

"I would normally say in a moment like this — we would all say, naturally, that our hearts break. But our hearts keep getting broken," Vice President Kamala Harris said.

"I would normally say in a moment like this — we would all say, naturally, that our hearts break. But our hearts keep getting broken," Vice President Kamala Harris said.

Police believe the woman was trying to cross the street when she may have fallen into the roadway. CBS2's Natalie Duddridge reports.

A Texas oil pipeline billionaire is suing Beto O'Rourke for defamation after the Democrat criticized his $1 million donation to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's campaign following last year's deadly winter blackout. O'Rourke, who won the Democratic nomination for governor last week, called the lawsuit frivolous during a news conference Monday. Court records show it was filed in February in rural West Texas.

What happened in Texas, fresh primary polls from swing states and the Ohio Democrat using a whiteboard to attack gerrymandering.

One House Democrat faces his toughest primary yet and the GOP governor faced far-right challengers.

Both easily won their party's nomination for governor on Tuesday.

Both easily won their party's nomination for governor on Tuesday.

O'Rourke is likely to face incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, whose primary contest against several far-right opponents has not been decided.

After Texas, primaries in other states won't resume until May. The results could be viewed for months as a measure of the nation's political mood.

Flavorful bacon end strips are the secret weapon in this rich weeknight pasta.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott will face Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke after voters in Texas opened what could be a lengthy, bruising primary season.

The 2022 midterm election season opens Tuesday in Texas.

A surge of Republican candidates in South Texas, how candidates are talking about Ukraine, and a TV ad that asks some questions about manhood.

Early voting in the first primary of the 2022 midterm elections are underway in Texas.

Two months ago, Texas Gov. Abbott guaranteed that power will stay on during another deep freeze.

President Joe Biden will appear in Pittsburgh on Friday as an opening step in a broader campaign to promote the White House’s achievements in key states before the midterm elections.

President Joe Biden has visited the bridge in Pittsburgh that collapsed just hours before his previously scheduled trip to promote his infrastructure package — a new law that aims to prevent just such disasters.

Running for governor, Democrat Beto O'Rourke said in a November rally that 70% of Texas fourth graders cannot read at grade level. Is he right?

Money is pouring fast into the Texas governor’s race headlined by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Democrat Beto O’Rourke.

Medicaid expansion would insure many more Texans and bring billions of federal dollars. But, the effect to the state's economy would be even greater.

After months of speculation, Oscar-winning actor calls bid for governorship a "humbling and inspiring path to ponder," but one he's "choosing not to take at this moment."

O'Rourke's announcement kicks off a third run for office in as many election cycles.

Democrat Beto O’Rourke is running for governor of Texas.

Texas Republicans are trying to shore up their slipping dominance in America’s biggest red state with redrawn voting maps.

McConaughey leads Abbott in Texas poll as O'Rourke inches closer

Nelson helped close out the rally with a short set, which included the 88-year-old's 2018 song, "Vote 'Em Out."

Texas Republicans have advanced bills that would make voting harder in a state that already has some of the nation’s toughest restrictions after hundreds spoke against the proposals.

Some Texas Democrats say they're ready to stage a second walkout to again stop one of America’s most restrictive voting measures.

The possibility of Texas Democrats staging a second walkout to again stop one of America's most restrictive new voting measures grew louder Saturday, as hundreds of people waited hours to rail against the GOP's plan in the largest turnout this year at the state Capitol. As Republicans made clear they intended this weekend to advance a new election bill — which would prohibit 24-hour polling places, ban drop boxes and stop drive-thru voting — some Democrats who broke quorum in May are now describing it as their best, if not only, option again. Texas is among several states with GOP-controlled statehouses where Republicans have rushed to enact strict voting laws in response to former President Donald Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him.

Former Florida Congressman Allen West says he’ll challenge Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for the Republican nomination next year.

Matthew McConaughey has the best favorability numbers of any potential Texas gubernatorial challenger

"Why should we have to be cornered? Why should we have to feel guilty, like we have to prove we are innocent? America is bigger than that"

They have delayed the passage of a GOP-sponsored voting bill.

Rep. Travis Clardy claimed on NPR that the line in Senate Bill 7 limiting Sunday voting after 1 pm was meant to say 11 am instead.

Democrats pulled an unprecedented move to defeat the bill for now, but Texas Republicans are likely to bring it back up in a special session.

Former Texas congressman and presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke is contemplating a new political decision.

Buddy was found injured and burned last week.

The ranks of big corporations now criticizing GOP efforts to restrict voting access are spreading to Texas.

Former Democratic congressman Beto O'Rourke speaks against new proposed voting restrictions at the Texas Capitol on Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Austin, Texas. Proposed legislation before the GOP-led state Senate and House mirrors a nationwide campaign by Republicans that aims to restrict voting even more, with rules Democrats say disenfranchise racial and ethnic minorities. AdAmy Litzinger, of Austin, is among Texans who say the very health issues keeping her from testifying before lawmakers in person will also penalize her if stricter voting legislation becomes law. Brian Kemp drew protests Thursday when he signed into law a sweeping GOP-sponsored overhaul of state elections — and the fights will undoubtedly end up in the courts. AdBack in Austin, Jose Colon Uvalles was back at the Capitol again Friday to advocate against voting restrictions.

Former Democratic congressman Beto O'Rourke speaks against new proposed voting restrictions at the Texas Capitol on Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Acacia Coronado)AUSTIN, Texas – A procedural gaffe on Thursday forced the abrupt end of a Texas House hearing on a Republican-backed voting restrictions bill and at least temporarily deprived more than 100 people of the chance to testify about it, including some who said they had driven hundreds of miles to be there. The bungled end to the hearing stunned an overflow room of people who had waited hours to address lawmakers, including some who said they had traveled for hours to speak against the measure known as House Bill 6. That Democrat was state Rep. Nicole Collier, the chairwoman of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus. “Any delay is good," said Emily Eby, an attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project who had traveled from Houston for the hearing.

Some Texans wondering if Beto O'Rourke is eyeing 2022 run for Texas governor Some Texas leaders are facing criticism after a major winter storm left millions of Texans without power, water, or heat. Meanwhile, former presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke was raising money for storm victims and delivering water to hard hit areas, leaving some to wonder if he's eyeing a run for governor in 2022. Abby Livingston, the Washington bureau chief for The Texas Tribune, joins CBSN to discuss the chances that O'Rourke runs and the challenges he might face.

"Team AOC is launching relief efforts for Texas starting today," Ocasio-Cortez tweet on Thursday, linking to the fundraising page. "Our first effort is a partnership w/ 5 Texas orgs getting on-the-ground relief to Texans ASAP. Our Texas relief mobilization has already raised $325k for food, housing, elder care & direct relief straight to vulnerable Texans. The congresswoman then gave donors an incentive to give: "I feel like I should do something if we hit $1M in Texas relief. Castro did his own fundraising, surpassing $100,000 for Feeding Texas food banks, he tweeted.

The Texas grid failure that's left millions struggling without power in freezing conditions has ignited a feud between Democrats and the GOP over Republicans' decades-long oversight of the energy industry and prompted calls for a system more resilient to extreme weather conditions. Texas has avoided federal regulation by establishing its own power grid that's nearly cut off from the rest of the country — an isolated system that conservatives in power have long praised. "Going back to the deregulation of our electricity grid in Texas, which has created an incentive to actually not weatherize or protect against these events." "The energy capital of North America cannot provide enough energy to warm and power people's homes," O'Rourke continued. "We are nearing a failed state in Texas.

As the hour slipped past 2 a.m. on the East Coast, Democrat Raphael Warnock beat Republican Kelly Loeffler. King and MSNBC's Kornacki dominated their networks with headache-inducing number crunching. Warnock and Ossoff jumped to early leads, but as more votes came in, the Republicans swung in front. After midnight, the Times judged both Warnock and Ossoff had a better than 95% chance of winning. Fox News spent less time on raw numbers to showcase their prime-time stars, Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham.

“There is no exaggeration here, the Texas state House is the key to future power in America. Holder's group has given money to 261 state legislative candidates who could influence redistricting in 11 states. Democrats are being countered financially by the Republican State Leadership Committee, which also coordinated the GOP's successful effort a decade ago. But Democrats need to flip just nine seats to take control of the state House for the first time since 2002. “If we flip the Texas House, redistricting is coming up!

A campaign sign for Biden Harris is displayed outside an early voting polling location for the 2020 Presidential elections in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. Callaghan O'Hare | Bloomberg | Getty Images"Texas is a state that Biden doesn't need to win, but it is clear that it's more competitive than ever," Cook's Amy Walter wrote. The Lone Star State has voted for the Republican nominee in every presidential race since 1976. Democrats have long had their eye on Texas. Former Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke, for instance, raised jaw-dropping sums of money in his 2018 Senate race against incumbent GOP Sen. Ted Cruz.

Ann Grannan puts a flag on her car before a Ridin' With Biden event Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Plano, Texas. Democrats in Texas are pressing Joe Biden to make a harder run at Texas with less than three weeks until Election Day. (AP Photo/LM Otero)AUSTIN, Texas – The whispers about Texas are picking up again. “They've stuck their toes in the water and they figured out that it's pretty warm,” said Gilberto Hinojosa, the longtime chairman of the Texas Democratic Party. And Texas is just one Sun Belt state where Biden is making an unusual late push.

(Bob Daemmrich/Nexstar/KXAN via AP, Pool)WASHINGTON – Buoyed by massive fundraising success, Democratic Senate candidates are mounting a push in Republican states that few would have thought possible just a few months ago, placing continued GOP control of the chamber at risk. MJ Hegar in Texas reported raising over $13 million during the same period for her race against Republican Sen. John Cornyn. In deep-red Kentucky, Amy McGrath has posted strong fundraising numbers against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. In Mississippi, Mike Espy reported raising $4 million in his rematch against Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. O'Rourke was criticized for being too stingy with his cash, only reluctantly aiding other Democrats, though he eventually donated large amounts to the Texas Democratic Party.

For Graham, the Republican Senate majority and Trump himself, the hearings three weeks before Election Day could be a last stand. But they're also a real-time test of whether that's enough to counter a jaw-dropping $57 million fundraising haul by Graham's Democratic opponent in the South Carolina race, Jaime Harrison. He once vowed to oppose any Supreme Court confirmation hearings in presidential election years. But the days leading up to the Barrett hearings were particularly challenging for Graham. Back then, Trump had called Graham a “lightweight” and a “liberal,” and famously made public the senator's cell phone number.

Jaime Harrison, a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, speaks during a 'Rural Hope Agenda' event in Rowesville, South Carolina, U.S., on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. WASHINGTON — The campaign of South Carolina Democrat Jaime Harrison said Sunday it had raised a colossal $57 million in the past three months, a record-breaking sum aimed at unseating Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham. The impressive $57 million Harrison raised from July through September shatters the previous record of $38.1 million then-Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke raised in the third quarter of 2018. Later that evening he told Fox host Sean Hannity that he needed financial help with his Senate race. "I'm getting overwhelmed," Graham told Hannity, adding: "Help me.

Biden's status as Democratic presidential nominee-in-waiting means the party will choose another man for an office never held by a woman. I understand.”Kate Bedingfield, an adviser the same age as Biden's youngest daughter, was first to propose a direct-to-lens declaration. She joined forces with Anita Dunn, an alumna of President Barack Obama’s West Wing and relative newbie to Biden's orbit. Together with two of Biden's longest-serving confidants – Steve Ricchetti and Mike Donilon – they convinced the almost-candidate it was the right course. Dunn said Jill Biden and Valerie Biden Owens are now elevated as “principals in their own right” — veritable extensions of the candidate.

The Democratic National Committee has increased its requirements for participating in the March 15 debate in Arizona, hosted by CNN and Univision, the next Democratic debate of the primary season. The new requirements mean Tulsi Gabbard will not be on the stage. Under the new requirements, candidates must have at least 20% of the total number of pledged delegates, a requirement only Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders have met. The previous rules only required candidates to secure one delegate, which Gabbard did in American Samoa. Since Super Tuesday, Sanders and Biden have ramped up their attacks on each other, with Biden calling Sanders' plans unrealistic and costly, and Sanders suggesting Biden is beholden to corporate interests.

He will claim victory in the Texas Democratic primary, according to an NBC News projection. Biden will win at least 56 delegates, while Sanders will win at least 47, according to an early projection from NBC. As in other states, Biden dominated among older voters, while Sanders showed strength with young voters, according to exit polls. Bloomberg, who appeared to cut into Biden's support among older Texas voters, used his billions to blanket the state with television ads. Along with Texas, Biden will win North Carolina, Virginia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Tennessee, Alabama, Oklahoma and Arkansas, NBC projects.

Former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg endorses former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's campaign at Chicken Scratch in Dallas, Texas, U.S., March 2, 2020. On the eve of the South Carolina primary, she called longtime Biden aide Steve Ricchetti, telling him she would endorse Biden if he won the race. Boxer then wrote up her own endorsement statement, sent it to the Biden campaign, and said the campaign could release it in the event of a victory. People both inside and outside the Biden campaign said that while the effort to garner endorsements involved calls from Biden aides asking for help, most decided on their own. Biden had a strong showing in South Carolina, and that will resonate in the South, Cisneros said.

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks to supporters at a campaign event on March 2, 2020 in Houston, Texas. Democratic megadonor Marc Lasry downplayed concerns about Joe Biden's fundraising abilities on Tuesday, arguing this week was critical to the former vice president's ability to stay in the primary. A lot of it will depend over the next couple days," the billionaire investor said on CNBC's "Fast Money Halftime Report." But the state of the race shifted after South Carolina. The campaign also said it raised $5 million online within 24 hours of the South Carolina victory.

FILE PHOTO: Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke speaks before a Democratic Party fundraising dinner, the Liberty and Justice Celebration, in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. November 1, 2019. REUTERS/Eric ThayerDALLAS (Reuters) - Former Texas Congressman Beto ORourke endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for Democrats presidential nomination, as moderate Democrats rallied around the former vice president to strengthen his challenge to front-runner Bernie Sanders.

FILE PHOTO: Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke talks to reporters in the Spin Room after the fourth Democratic U.S. 2020 presidential election debate at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio October 15, 2019. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk/File PhotoLOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Former Democratic presidential candidate Beto ORourke was set to endorse Joe Bidens White House bid, according to the New York Times, joining dozens of current and former Democrats who rushed to endorse the former vice president on Monday. ORourke, a former Texas congressman, endorsed Biden as a swathe of the Democratic Party fell in line behind Bidens bid in an apparent attempt to try to block the candidacy of the frontrunner, Vermont U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, a progressive.

Gates, meanwhile, received the support of Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott and partially self-funded his campaign, pouring about $1.5 million of his own money into the race. "Win or lose in this district, there's a clear path to a Democratic majority in November in the Texas State House." After Gates' win in House District 28, and Democratic wins in House District 100 and 148, the state House remains nine seats away from flipping. On Monday, the Texas Democratic Party and Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee unveiled a list of 22 state House seat targets, all of which had single-digit margins in the 2018 midterm elections. The Republican State Leadership Committee launched their "Right Lines 2020" redistricting campaign in September, and raised at least $19 million in 2019.

Democratic presidential hopeful former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the sixth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by PBS NewsHour & Politico at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California on December 19, 2019. A longtime fundraiser for President Barack Obama who recently helped former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke in his bid for president is opening his donor network to former Vice President Joe Biden. Louis Susman, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom under Obama, told CNBC in an interview that he's going to start fundraising for Biden in the wake of O'Rourke dropping out of the race in November. "I'm committed to defeating President Donald Trump, and I think he's [Biden] the most capable person to defeat Trump and to be president," Susman said late Friday. He said he does not know yet when he is going to host his first event for Biden.

The crowded field of Democrats running for the White House has offered a variety of proposals to curtail gun rights. The NICS system was created after passage of the Brady Bill, which mandated background checks to buy a firearm. In 1999, the first full year the system was used, just over 9 million background checks were conducted. Background checks declined under President George W. Bush but picked up again in 2006 and have mostly risen since then, except for 2014 and 2017. In 2018, there were 26.18 million background checks.

The next Democratic debate is scheduled for November 20. Ten of the top primary candidates for the Democratic nomination for president take the stage on Wednesday in Atlanta for the fifth Democratic debate of the 2020 campaign season. The debate is co-hosted by MSNBC and The Washington Post and is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. How to watch the next Democratic debateDate: Wednesday, November 20, 2019Wednesday, November 20, 2019 Time: 9 p.m. The Democratic National Committee raised the polling and donor criteria that candidates must meet to qualify for the November debate.

At the same time, in front of a crowd in northeast Mississippi, Trump was mocking the Democratic Party as "completely insane" -- and mocking several of its candidates. And the candidates each took their turns trying to show Democrats they were the best prepared to take on Trump. "This is a moment where we have to be prepared to fight for the best of our country," Harris said. He complained about the House's impeachment proceedings, saying Democrats were trying to delegitimize his 2016 victory, and spent much of the night airing grievances against Democrats. "The Democrats voted to potentially nullify the votes of 63 million Americans, disgracing themselves and bringing shame upon the House of Representatives," Trump said.

Beto O'Rourke announced Friday that he is ending his 2020 presidential campaign, hours ahead of a marquee dinner in Iowa. Distributed by LAKANA. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Former Congressman Beto O'Rourke of Texas announced Friday he is dropping out of the presidential race. President Trump mocked O'Rourke in a tweet, writing "Oh no, Beto just dropped out of race for President despite him saying he was 'born for this.' A spokesman for O'Rourke told The New York Times that O'Rourke will not be running for a Senate seat. "Beto will not be a candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas in 2020," Rob Friedlander, an aide to O'Rourke, told The Times. O'Rourke, who was a fundraising superstar in the Texas Senate race, refused to accept PAC money for the presidential race, meaning he relied heavily on grassroots support although he did hold some private fundraisers.

The Thursday prime-time event in Los Angeles, airing live on the eve of National Coming Out Day, will feature the largest-ever audience for a Democratic presidential town hall devoted to LGBTQ issues. What time is the town hall? The town hall will air from 7:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. Invitations to participate in the town hall were extended to Democratic presidential hopefuls who met the DNC's qualifications for the October 2019 primary debate. How can I watch the town hall?

Copyright 2019 CNN(CNN) - The CNN/New York Times Democratic presidential debate in October will occur on one night, the Democratic National Committee told campaigns Friday. The party's most recent debate in September featured 10 candidates debating on a single night. "Our goal has always been to expand viewership, and we also believe that one night worked well for this last debate," said the official, speaking on background. This is the second DNC-sanctioned debate CNN will broadcast in 2019. The debate will air exclusively on CNN, CNN International, CNN en Espaol, and stream on CNN.com's homepage and NYTimes.com's homepage.

Smith made an initial appearance in Kansas federal court Monday afternoon. He is scheduled to appear again in federal court for a detention hearing on Thursday in Topeka. According to court documents, Smith also mentioned O'Rourke, a former Texas congressman, in a chat with an undercover FBI agent on September 20. Then, about a month ago, Smith started speaking to the FBI's confidential source and an undercover federal agent. Army Lt. Col. Terence Kelley, the director of public affairs for the 1st Infantry Division in Kansas, confirmed Smith is an active duty soldier.

Mike Coppola/Getty Images(CNN) - The Democratic National Committee announced Friday that CNN and The New York Times will co-host the party's fourth presidential debate next month in Westerville, Ohio. CNN anchors Anderson Cooper and Erin Burnett, as well as New York Times National Editor Marc Lacey will serve as the debate moderators. This is the second DNC-sanctioned debate CNN will broadcast in 2019. It has also hosted 37 presidential town halls this year, and is partnering with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation to air a live, multi-candidate Democratic presidential town hall on October 10 in Los Angeles. The debate will air exclusively on CNN, CNN International, CNN en Espaol, and stream on CNN.com's homepage and The New York Times' homepage.

(CNN) - Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke on Friday defended his support for a mandatory gun buyback program of assault-style weapons, saying he believes it's an issue that resonates with voters, including some conservatives. During the presidential debate Thursday night, O'Rourke said that, if elected president, he would issue a mandatory buyback program for assault-style rifles, saying, "Hell, yes, we're going to take your AR-15, your AK-47." "I don't think a majority of the Senate or the country is going to embrace mandatory buybacks," he said. On Friday, O'Rourke also spoke about Republican Texas state Rep. Briscoe Cain's tweet in which he threatened O'Rourke with an AR-15. Kamala Harris of California and Cory Booker of New Jersey, to support mandatory buybacks for certain guns.

HOUSTON (CNN) - Presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke reiterated his support for a mandatory gun-buyback program of assault-style rifles on Thursday and said, "Hell, yes, we're going to take your AR-15, your AK-47." Twitter threatRepublican Texas state Rep. Briscoe Cain threatened O'Rourke on Twitter Thursday night in response to the buyback comments, tweeting, "My AR is ready for you Robert Francis." O'Rourke was quick to respond over the same social media platform, and characterized Cain's words as "a death threat." O'Rourke's press secretary Aleigha Cavalier told CNN's Leyla Santiago that the campaign was reporting the tweet to the FBI. O'Rourke told CNN's DJ Judd early Friday that Cain's tweet constituted a threat.

Democrats met for their third debate of the 2020 presidential primary Thursday night in Houston. And he argued it's "the most cost-effective approach to providing health care" to everyone in the country. It was a notable shift in the tenor of a health care debate that had, to this point in the race, largely been dominated by the progressive candidates. And in the second debate, Warren and Sanders stood side-by-side and batted away criticism from candidates who didn't qualify for the third debate. She tried to be a unifying voice during the health care debate.

Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg are shown on television monitors in the press room of the Democratic Presidential Debate at the Fox Theatre July 30, 2019, in Detroit. Thursday will be the first time they'll share a debate stage -- a reality that could offer Democratic voters a stark view of the contrasts in how the two approach politics. This is exactly the debate we want to have," Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir said. And headed into the third debate, Harris' campaign is suggesting the risk isn't worth repeating. But it looks like an 11th, billionaire investor and Democratic activist Tom Steyer, will meet the Democratic National Committee's qualifying threshold for the October round.

(CNN) - Joe Biden leads the Democratic presidential primary but a tight race for second place has formed behind him as Sen. Elizabeth Warren leads Sen. Bernie Sanders by one point, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS. The former vice president is at 24%, Warren at 18% and Sanders at 17% are once again the only candidates to reach double-digit support. Warren (23%) and Biden (21%) are about even among white potential Democratic voters, with Sanders not far behind at 15%. In that poll, 35% of those who favored someone who can beat Trump backed Biden, 15% Warren and 14% Sanders. Now, that group splits almost evenly between Biden (26%) and Warren (21%), with Sanders at 11%.

Democrat Beto O'Rourke became the first candidate to visit our area this campaign season and likely the first candidate to ever visit Bland County. Once inside the main hall, O'Rourke dove right into his topics of gun violence, climate change, health care and more. Before visiting Virginia Tech, O'Rourke spent time in Roanoke County and Wine Gourmet, a locally owned wine store. He likely made history, however, when he started the morning in Bland County as the first presidential candidate to ever visit the county, let alone a democratic presidential candidate. He answered all the questions really well, and it was really nice seeing him here," Virginia Tech freshman Luke Somers said.

ROANOKE, Va. - Democratic presidential hopeful Beto O'Rourke is returning to Virginia for his fourth visit to the state as a 2020 candidate. His campaign will stop in Roanoke and Blacksburg on Friday and Charlottesville on Saturday. O'Rourke will also be holding a town hall at Hancock Hall auditorium on Virginia Tech's campus Friday. According to the BETO for America campaign, he is coming to visit communities impacted by "Trump's failed leadership." After his visits in Virginia, O'Rourke will travel to Pennsylvania.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia. Presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke will make a campaign stop in Blacksburg. He will hold a town hall at Hancock Hall Auditorium on the Virginia Tech campus. This is his fourth visit to the Commonwealth as a presidential candidate. There's a grand opening tonight at Highlander Stadium at Glenvar High School.

ROANOKE, Va. - Democratic presidential hopeful Beto O'Rourke is returning to Virginia for his fourth visit to the state as a 2020 candidate. His campaign will stop in Blacksburg on Friday and Charlottesville on Saturday. O'Rourke will be holding a town hall at Hancock Hall auditorium on Virginia Tech's campus Friday. According to the BETO for America campaign, he is coming to visit communities impacted by "Trump's failed leadership." After his visits in Virginia, O'Rourke will travel to Pennsylvania.

In honor of National Dog Day (annually on August 26), meet the canines vying to become America's next First Pup. Elizabeth Warren and BaileyAfter losing her beloved golden retriever Otis in 2012, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren feared she wouldn't be able to love another dog. It seems even when it comes to her dog, she's got a plan for that. Michael Bennet and PepperThe Colorado senator promised his three daughters if he won his first campaign, he'd get them a dog. Vermont senator Bernie Sanders has admitted he does not own a dog, missing an opportunity to name a St. Bernard after himself.

(CNN) - The third round of Democratic primary debates, hosted by ABC and Univision, will take place the second week of September. Presidential candidates have until late August to reach polling and grassroots fundraising thresholds set by the Democratic National Committee. Candidates must receive contributions from at least 130,000 individuals, coming from at least 400 unique donors in 20 or more states. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, billionaire Tom Steyer and author Marianne Williamson have reached the fundraising threshold, but still need to hit their polling minimum to qualify. Steyer has received three of his four necessary polls, Gabbard has two and Williamson has one.

Cell phone video taken by hospital staff in El Paso shows President Donald Trump bragging about his earlier rally there and insulting El Paso native and presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke. Distributed by LAKANA. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

(CNN) - Twenty people were killed and more than two dozen were injured in a mass shooting at an El Paso shopping center on Saturday, according to Texas and local authorities. FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie said more investigative work was needed before determining whether there was a possible hate crime. "Today's shooting in El Paso, Texas was not only tragic, it was an act of cowardice," the President wrote. "We know there is a lot of injury, a lot of suffering in El Paso right now," he said. "But I'll tell you, El Paso is the strongest place in the world," he added.

Police responded Saturday to an active shooter at a sprawling shopping complex in El Paso, Texas. How many victims there areMultiple people have been killed, though there is no concrete number yet, El Paso Mayor Dee Margo and Police Sgt. Thirteen people were taken to the University Medical Center of El Paso, where one later died, medical center spokesman Ryan Mielke said. "Today, the El Paso community was struck by a heinous and senseless act of violence," his statement said. "The state of Texas and the Department of Public Safety are assisting the El Paso Police Department as they conduct their investigation.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) speaks while former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) listen during the Democratic Presidential Debate at the Fox Theatre July 31, 2019, in Detroit. Hide Caption