Good morning. Here are some of the headlines we're following this morning:
1. Flying Phelps Hits Gold Again and Again
Revenge, redemption, whatever you want to call it — the greatest of all time did it again. American swimmer Michael Phelps returned to the Olympics to win his 20th and 21st gold medals — and his 25th Olympic medal overall — in a triumphant display of determination Tuesday that has made him the most decorated Olympian of all time. And he's not done yet. Read more in SPORTS.
2. U.S. Women Win Second Straight Team Gold
If there was any question that the U.S. has the best women's gymnastics team in the world, it was answered Tuesday for the fifth time in recent international competition. After the final score was announced during the team finals in Rio, the women huddled together and cheered in unison, "We are the Final Five!" Read more in SPORTS.
3. Trump Gun Rights Comment Seen as Veiled Threat
Donald Trump's comments Tuesday suggesting that "2nd Amendment people" could stop Hillary Clinton from making judicial nominations sparked outrage from opponents — but the campaign defended the remarks by arguing that Trump was referring to the group's considerable political power. Read more in POLITICS.
4. Paul Ryan Fends Off Wisconsin Primary Opponent
Ryan easily fended off a challenge in his primary race Tuesday against recent Wisconsin transplant Paul Nehlen, who contested the House Speaker with the same positions and talking points espoused by Republican presidential nominee Trump. Read more in POLITICS.
5. Polls: Clinton Increases Lead Over Trump in Key States
Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, leads Trump in three key battleground states after the conclusion of the political conventions, including in all-important Ohio, according to a trio of new NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist polls. Read more in POLITICS.
6. Woman Killed in ‘Unimaginable’ Accident at Police Academy
Florida investigators are looking into how a civilian was fatally shot during a volunteer citizen police academy as about 35 people looked on — an incident police are calling an "unimaginable" accident. Read more in NEWS.
7. Gunfire Reported at Michael Brown Anniversary March
The confrontation came Tuesday night after a police officer ordered a small group of protesters to clear the street as they marched in downtown Ferguson, Missouri, from the site of Brown's shooting in August 2014. Read more in NEWS.
8. Police Look for Links in Slayings of Joggers in 2 States
The unsolved killing of Massachusetts' Vanessa Marcotte is similar to that of New York City's Karina Vetrano, whose body was found outdoors last week. A suspect was not caught in her murder, police said. Read more at NEW ENGLAND CABLE NEWS.