…And the World:

We begin today in Egypt, where The New York Times has word that a judge has ordered former President Hosni Mubarak released from jail.  The Guardian says the release could be as soon as 48 hours away.  This comes as the US must weigh what its next step might be after the brutal crackdown on supporters of deposed President Mohammed Morsi this month.  And according to the Los Angeles Times, the ordeal has left Egypt’s peace partner, Israel, in the lurch.

In the United Kingdom, condemnation is coming from all sides after David Miranda, the partner of Glenn Greenwald, the Guardian journalist/columnist who told Edward Snowden’s story, was detained by British authorities as he changed planes in London.  Scotland Yard is mum about why it detained Miranda, but did so under a controversial law that gives authorities the right to detain someone for up to nine hours…on suspicion of terrorism charges?  The Times reported that Miranda was ferrying documents between Greenwald and filmmaker Laura Poitras, who has also helped tell Snowden’s story.

The Feds:

As Congress’s wheels continue to spin on immigration and the Affordable Care Act (namely whether Republicans will take the nation hostage over it), we are starting to hear what it looks like from the ground.  One congressman basically told a girl, whose father could remain here if immigration reform passed, tough luck.  Meanwhile, John McCain tries to sell the issue to his fellow skeptical Arizonans.  Meanwhile, the right is threatening to “erupt” if Republicans do not destroy the country to save it from Obamacare.

Better late than never.  California repealed a law aimed at requiring subversive organizations to register with the state.  Gov. Jerry Brown signed the “outdated” and “ineffective” statute, under which, it seems nobody ever registered.  Meanwhile, Democrats launch a new effort to fight back the modern era’s recently passed, undemocratic law, namely those that restrict voting.

In Maine, Democratic Congressman Mike Michaud launched his campaign for Governor.  Meanwhile, top members of the Governor Paul LePage’s party, are quitting the GOP.  Elsewhere in governors, The Washington Post reports the Governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell, and his wife, both at the center of a gift-scandal, are essentially bargaining with federal prosecutors over when, not if, they will charge him.

And a dramatic story from Salon.com reporter Brian Beutler and how getting shot did not turn him into a racist.

The State of Things:

The Boston Globe had a front page story over the weekend about the spending excesses of Westfield State University President Evan Dobelle.

State Senator Dan Wolf tells Paul Tuthill at Northeastern Public Radio that he will not end his campaign without a fight and plans to contest the Ethics Committee ruling that said he must resign and end his campaign or sell off his airline, Cape Air.

Seems likely that the Boston Mayoral race is going to become a fixture here.  So it goes!  The Boston Globe looks at how the massive field of candidates is complicating the ability of the gay community to support any one (or even a few) candidates.  Also in The Globe, some analysis of the race’s campaign slogans.  The Boston Herald reports on Mike Ross’s press conference that capped his “car-free” week.  The Dorchester Reporter elaborates, noting Ross and other mayoral aspirants started training their fire at Rep. Marty Walsh, one of the perceived frontrunners to replace Tom Menino.  WBUR notes that business leaders in the city appear to be hedging their bets on the race.  David Bernstein adds his two cents with dollar figures from lobbyist contributions.

Holyoke activists continue their pushback against the construction of a Wal-Mart in the Paper City according to The Reminder.  Among the cities in Hampden County, Holyoke is the only one without the retail giant.

City Slickers:

Mayor Domenic Sarno endured a fusillade of criticism after his sudden request for help from US State Department of Refugee resettlements.  Groups demanded a meeting.  Paul Tuthill reports that Sarno and groups that provide housing for refugees have agreed to meet and discuss the matter.  Meanwhile, The Republican looked at the conditions that started all of this.

The City Council will vote tonight (barring some delay) to override Mayor Domenic Sarno’s veto of an ordinance that would limit the use of waivers to the residency requirements for residents.  Our briefing is here and analysis of the mayor’s legal rationale here.

The Republican takes another look at the allegations that have dogged MGM behind the scenes and forced it out of New Jersey’s gambling industry.

Twitter Chatter:

One story we deliberately avoided in the main headlines was word that Scott Brown is going to Iowa.  Yes, that Iowa, where presidential candidate are born.  He’s curious is anybody there is interested in his brand of leadership.  Whatever that means, it got some buzz, but more than a little analysis of ridicule.  Responding to a post written and tweeted by The Post’s Chris Cillizza, advising Brown not to run, one observer quite familiar with Brown makes a point.  It may not be about 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.  Today we award the tweet prize to David Bernstein, a prior winner, for noting that Brown’s “run” for President, whether real or not, may not be about actually getting elected.  Rather, it could be a great way to set himself up for something that pay better.

You assume elected office is the end goal. RT @TheFix: Scott Brown shouldn't run for president in 2016. Here's why. http://t.co/RsooR6iHqD

— David S. Bernstein (@dbernstein) August 19, 2013