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jected Washington's demand that its troops be granted immunity for prosecution while in the country.
• In the absence of the Americans, the fast-moving Sunni insurgency of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has prevailed over Iraqi security forces, conquering several cities, and is threatening the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, described for Congress on Wednesday how some Iraqi security forces abandoned the fight against the ISIL.
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Divided House GOP choosing between stability and change as it prepares to pick new leaders
• WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Republicans are meeting Thursday to fill vacancies in their leadership team in the aftermath of last week's unexpected primary defeat of their No. 2 leader, Virginia congressman Eric Cantor.
• Right now, California congressman Kevin McCarthy looks likely to win that No. 2 post of majority leader.
• He's being challenged by a conservative rebel, second-term Idaho congressman Raul Labrador, who says Cantor's defeat shows voters think Congress is out of touch and its leaders must be replaced.
• But the race to replace McCarthy as the third-ranking Republican -- the majority whip -- seems unpredictable.
• The contenders are Reps. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, leader of an organization of House conservatives; Peter Roskam of Illinois, McCarthy's deputy whip; and Marlin Stutzman of Indiana, who may attract votes from tea party lawmakers.
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Texas gas town in revolt: City that has long drawn lifeblood from drilling might ban fracking
• DENTON, Texas (AP) -- Natural gas money has been good to this Texas city: It has new parks, a new golf course and miles of grassy soccer fields. The business district is getting a makeover, and the airport is bustling, too.
• For more than a decade, Denton has drawn its lifeblood from the huge gas reserves that lie beneath its streets. The gas fields have produced a billion dollars in mineral wealth and pumped more than $30 million into city bank accounts.
• But this former farming center north of Dallas is considering a revolt. Unlike other communities that have embraced the lucrative drilling boom made possible by hy (Continued on page 28)
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