Free Republic

Residents across Europe suffered from a second day of record-setting heat on Thursday, as the second heat wave of the summer continues to bake the region. Hot and dry air, originating from northern Africa, trapped between cold stormy systems, was the culprit for the miserable conditions in northern Europe, which hit the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany. Germany recorded its highest temperature ever, measuring 42.6 degrees Celsius (108 Fahrenheit) in the northwestern town of Lingen, according to the German Weather Service. Air-conditioning is the problem, not the solution Nothing feels nicer than walking into an...

NEW YORK, NY – Today the Donald J. Trump Campaign for President announced historic totals from September’s fundraising efforts. The $100 million haul (inclusive of TMAGA/Trump Victory) came mostly from small donors and includes a monthly $2 million dollar contribution from Mr. Trump. Mr. Trump’s contribution more than covered the costs of any reimbursements to him (or his related entities) for his plane and office rent; which the law mandates to be reimbursed. He has contributed an unprecedented amount to his campaign. This brings total raised to date (inclusive of his contributions) to 360 million dollars. The Campaign and both...

SARASOTA, Florida—The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) just held its winter meeting here, and the wealthy beachfront communities that dot the coast are typically considered one of the beating hearts of the Establishment GOP's donor community. Tonight, though, it's Cruz country. An event originally scheduled as a small rally for potential 2016 presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) mushroomed into a major political event after nearly 2,000 people RSVP'd online. “We are shocked at the level of interest that we’ve received for doing this rally,” Sarasota GOP chairman Joe Gruters told Breitbart News. “It’s obvious that the state is aware...

The record was shattered today in the Half Moon Bay World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off, with the winning gourd weighing in at 1,524 pounds. The grower, Thad Starr, takes home the first prize of $9,144 or $6 per pound. The 40-year-old from Pleasant Hill, Ore., beat more than 70 competitors, including three-time winner Joel Holland, who came in second with a 1,384-pound pumpkin.

Rail collisions worrisome The crash rate between MetroRail trains and vehicles has far exceeded that of other cities with new rail lines, prompting Metro officials Tuesday to consider more safety modifications. Since Friday, there have been three crashes involving Metropolitan Transit Authority light rail trains, including incidents Monday and Tuesday where drivers made illegal left turns. A collision Tuesday marked the 10th wreck since testing began in the fall. Five occurred during the testing phase and five more have taken place since passenger service commenced Jan. 1. Those numbers are much higher than recent experiences in Salt Lake City and...