Dramatic scenes of large-group smash-and-grabs have been documented across the U.S. in recent years, but it's unclear whether such crimes are actually increasing.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy still faces a bloc of conservatives who oppose any short-term funding bill to avoid a shutdown. He's trying to muscle through a partisan stopgap bill with border security.

Service members would work without pay, and many civil servants are likely to be furloughed. Congress has yet to pass a separate bill to guarantee military pay as it did in previous shutdowns.

The Republican Party held its second debate of the 2024 campaign on Wednesday night in California. Here, some of the night's more memorable moments.