Asked by Ed O'Keefe why Biden did not participate in meeting with Gov. Kathy Hochul yesterday on migrant crisis, @presssec notes that WH Chief of Staff & Homeland Security Sec. Mayorkas were on hand. 'I think that shows how important the president thought this meeting was.'

.Governor Kathy Hochul tells me she understands the migrant influx is 'exasperating' for New Yorkers.

After her 2.5 hr meeting w/ White House officials, she tells me, 'We're not done with this ... It's not the end, it's not the beginning. It's maybe the end of the beginning.'

Spectrum News NY1

🚨 New video: Students spotted at UNC-Chapel Hill jumping out of buildings after reports of active shooter on campus. The first news conference is scheduled for 5 PM today. WRAL confirmed 1 death. WRAL NEWS in NC

This is how Nikki Haley's first event since her appearance at the debate stage looks like.

Per my colleague Cara Korte, the line goes out the door and there is no more room inside.

NEW: My dispatch from New York Young Republican Club’s presidential debate watch party where the host opened the event by thanking everyone for coming to “the debate for the next vice president.” semafor.com/newsletter/08/…

Former Rep. Will Hurd (R-Tx.) on CNN said last night’s primary debate resembled a Real Housewives reunion instead of a debate. Asked how so — Hurd who is also running for nomination and didnt qualify for 1st debate — said majority of candidates didn’t take on Trump.

DC tourists vs DC residents

Chris Christie on Trump: 'Someone has got to stop normalizing this conduct…Whether or not you believe the criminal charges are right or wrong, the conduct is beneath the office of President of the United States.'

.Ron DeSantis is asked what he would tell donors who thinks his 'heartbeat bill' banning abortions after 6 weeks goes too far. He says he got elected with a wide margin, doesn't mention that 6-week ban passed after re-election, or how he and avoided it during his campaign.

Two different views of America on the GOP debate stage >>
Pence: 'We don’t have an identity problem…we just need government as good as our people.'
Ramaswamy: 'We have to confront the fact that we're sort of [in a] cold cultural Civil War.'

Vivek Ramaswamy was not misquoted in my story. Here is the unedited audio and a transcript of our exchange about 9/11 and January 6: theatlantic.com/politics/archi…

In today’s PRINCIPALS newsletter,
I asked the menswear guy what’s trending this fall.

ICYMI : Newsday health care reporter David Olson interviewed new Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Director Dr. Mandy Cohen >>

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor on the passing of former NYC Deputy Mayor Carol Robles-Román : “Carol Robles was a dynamo her entire life. She devoted herself to public service and made a noteworthy difference both in the lives of Latinos and all New Yorkers…”

Deputy Mayor Carol Robles-Román was a compassionate and outspoken leader.

As City Hall's highest ranking Latina at the time, she was a trailblazer who fought for a more equitable city and inspired future leaders, especially young women.

New York City joins her family and…

Carol Robles-Román dedicated her life to public service and to making our city and country more equal and just. For twelve years we sat across from each other in City Hall, and her legal guidance was instrumental in advancing our agenda across a broad range of issues. She was a…

NEWS: The House Freedom Caucus is refusing to vote on a CR unless certain demands are met effectively making them a NO on temporarily funding the government. Looking forward to September!

As Los Angeles residents prepare for Hurricane Hilary, they’re clearing the shelves. All the bread is sold out at this Trader Joe’s, except the white bread…Angelenos don’t eat that.

A huge loss for NYC — she served deputy mayor for legal affairs under Bloomberg, later as general counsel for Hunter College, and was a tireless advocate for women’s equity issues.

Wild story: Samuel Miele, under indictment for impersonating a top McCarthy aide to solicite donations for Santos, once faked being a donor to meet w/ Santos after they cut ties.

Plot twist: He used McCarthy’s aide’s name again this time—but backwards. semafor.com/article/08/18/…