CNN’s POLITICAL GUT CHECK | for June 6, 2014 | 5 p.m.
—  n. a pause to assess the state, progress or condition of the political news cycle

D-DAY: OBAMA, PUTIN MEET IN FRANCE ... A much anticipated encounter between President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, came on the sidelines of a lunch held Friday to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day ... During their informal aside, Obama told Putin that to reduce tensions in Ukraine, Russia must recognize Poroshenko as the country's legitimate leader and stop supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine. Obama also told Putin that Russia must stop the flow of weapons across the border into Ukraine, Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said ... The talk lasted 10 to 15 minutes. – Laura Smith-Spark and Ray Sanchez

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CNN’s POLITICAL GUT CHECK | for June 4, 2014 | 5 p.m.
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MISSISSIPPI MUD: PRIMARY HEADED FOR RUNOFF: The race between longtime U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran and conservative challenger Chris McDaniel was too close to call early Wednesday. Both candidates appeared to be just short of the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff, making it hard to project a clear winner. If the numbers hold up and neither candidate gets more than half of the vote, Cochran and McDaniel will face off for a second time in a primary runoff on June 24. – Paul Steinhauser, Ashley Killough and Dana Bash

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CNN’s POLITICAL GUT CHECK | for June 3, 2014 | 5 p.m.
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IT’S PRIMARY DAY: 5 RACES TO WATCH ... Tuesday is the biggest single day of primary voting this year, with eight states holding contests from coast to coast. Here are five contests worth watching:

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CNN’s POLITICAL GUT CHECK | for June 02, 2014 | 5 p.m.
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OBAMA’S BIG GREEN GAMBLE: DEMANDING CARBON EMISSIONS CUTS ... President Barack Obama is using his executive authority to take his strongest action yet against climate change – proposing new EPA regulations. The chief of the Environmental Protection Agency will announce a proposal Monday that would require power plants to cut their carbon emissions by 30% by 2030, a source briefed on the matter told CNN. -Josh Levs, Kevin Bohn and Erin McPike

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CNN’s POLITICAL GUT CHECK | for May 22, 2014 | 5 p.m.
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DOWN TO THE FINAL FOUR … VEGAS AND CINCINNATI OUT OF RNC SWEEPSTAKES: The Republican National Committee announced Thursday that Las Vegas and Cincinnati are no longer in the running as potential hosts for the 2016 GOP convention. Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, and Kansas City are still in contention to host the convention where Republicans will officially choose their presidential nominee. Site Selection Committee Chairwoman Enid Mickelsen said that Cincinnati and Las Vegas withdrew their bids.- Mark Preston and Ashley Killough

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CNN’s POLITICAL GUT CHECK | for May 20, 2014 | 5 p.m.
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GAME DAY: FIVE PRIMARIES TO WATCH

IN KENTUCKY ... Tuesday's marquee battle is in Kentucky, where Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell is being challenged by businessman Matt Bevin, who enjoys strong support from many tea party groups and influential conservative anti-establishment organizations. While this race has seen big spending by the campaigns and outside groups, McConnell is expected to cruise to re-nomination for a sixth term.

See HOT SOTS: Final pitches are in for the Kentucky primary contenders

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CNN’s POLITICAL GUT CHECK | for May 19, 2014 | 5 p.m.
—  n. a pause to assess the state, progress or condition of the political news cycle

U.S. CHARGES CHINA WITH CYBERSPYING … Attorney General Eric Holder announced Monday that members of the Chinese military have engaged in the hacking of American businesses and entities, including U.S. Steel Corp., Westinghouse, Alcoa, Allegheny Technologies, the United Steel Workers Union and SolarWorld. The victims operate in Pennsylvania, and a grand jury there returned an indictment against members of the Chinese military, accusing them of hacking to spy and steal secrets, Holder said. – Ashley Fantz

CARNEY: “We have consistently and candidly raised these concerns with the Chinese government and today’s announcement reflects our growing concern that this Chinese behavior has continued.”

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CNN's GUT CHECK | for April 30, 2014 | 5 p.m.
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A WINDOW FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM? House Democrats and Republicans who have been pushing for action on immigration reform view the period right before the August recess as the latest possible time they could get any immigration measures to pass. A number of GOP primaries will be over by then, and despite continued conservative resistance, reform proponents believe Speaker Boehner wants to go on record before November. Publicly, of course, Boehner continues to say President Obama is the biggest obstacle to moving forward.

One senior House GOP member tells CNN recent discussions with members across the conference have made him feel more optimistic about the chances of getting something done before the election. One factor that could motivate House Republicans to act is the threat that Obama will cite congressional inaction as an excuse to use his executive powers to halt all deportations. Many Hill Republicans believe it's a question of when - not if - the President will make this move. And those involved in the immigration talks now believe both sides have an incentive to broker some form of a deal - even a more limited measure that links a form of legalization to tough, measurable enforcement mechanisms. – Deirdre Walsh

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CNN's GUT CHECK | for April 29, 2014 | 5 p.m.
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NBA BANS STERLING FOR LIFE … Basketball Commissioner Adam Silver slapped Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling with a lifetime ban from the sport and a $2.5 million fineTuesday over racist remarks attributed to Sterling. Silver said the National Basketball Association "will begin immediately" the process to force Sterling to sell the team, which he has owned since the 1980s.

Asked about his message to Clippers fans, Silver said, “This league is far bigger than any one owner.” – Steve Almasy and Ashley Fantz

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CNN's GUT CHECK | for April 28, 2014 | 5 p.m.
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DEVELOPING … INDICTMENT: GRIMM HID $1M IN RESTAURANT SALES, WAGES … Rep. Michael Grimm, R-New York, failed to report more than $1 million in sales and wages at a Manhattan restaurant he once ran, using unreported cash to pay workers off the books, evade taxes, and “keep more money for himself," according to federal prosecutors. Grimm pleaded not guilty on Monday to 20 counts, including mail fraud, wire fraud, filing false tax returns, hiring unauthorized aliens and perjury.

The two-term congressman was released on a $400,000 bond, but forced to surrender his guns and passport. He told reporters he will remain in office while fighting the charges. "I'm going to fight tooth and nail ... until I am fully exonerated," he said. – Jason Hanna, Evan Perez and Shimon Prokupecz

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