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Anchored by Jake Tapper, The Lead airs at 4 p.m. ET on CNN.
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Author: We're pushing the planet into an unknown 'climate regime'
(CNN) – Secretary of State John Kerry announced Tuesday that the State Department will host a two-day conference on protecting oceans, on the heels of President Barack Obama pledging $1 billion to help communities prepare for climate change.
With a Congress that shows little inclination to deal with this issue, the Obama administration has been trying to combat climate change on its own, through executive actions.
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politics lead
A White House goodbye to Harold Ramis, the 'Buddha of comedy'
(CNN) – A White House goodbye to the zen master of comedy.
Harold Ramis could find humor in every aspect of life, even death. And now, even the Obamas are paying their respects to the actor, writer, director and all around comic genius who died Monday at the age of 69, after giving viewers such classics as "Ghostbusters," "Animal House," "Groundhog Day," and of course, "Caddyshack."
"When you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness," Bill Murray's "Caddyshack" character Carl Spackler said. "So I got that goin' for me, which is nice."
The Obamas alluded to that famous line in their statement on Ramis's passing: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Harold's wife, Erica, his children and grandchildren, and all those who loved him, who quote his work with abandon, and who hope that he received total consciousness."
We here at "The Lead" hope so, too.
politics lead
Roundtable: McConnell in the middle – Senator faces challenges from both sides
(CNN) – Control of the U.S. Senate is up for grabs this year – Republicans need six seats, and the races are on.
Radio and TV airwaves are already cluttered with campaign ads in some places. Establishment Republicans are fending off attacks from their tea party rivals. And Democrats in purple states are working feverishly to put a Grand Canyon-sized gap between themselves and President Barack Obama.
In Kentucky, the man from Hope was out on the trail Tuesday. Former President Bill Clinton is rallying support for the Democrat running against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in one of the hottest races of the midterm season.
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world lead
Clinton campaigns in Kentucky race, stumping for McConnell's foe
(CNN) – Former President Bill clinton's favorite season is starting: campaign time.
Clinton made his 2014 trail debut in Louisville, Kentucky to help – who else? – an old friend: Alison Lundergan Grimes, daughter of donor and former Kentucky Democratic chair Jerry Lundergan.
CNN's Erin McPike reports.
national lead
Former GOP Arizona congressman: Controversial bill is 'morally indefensible'
(CNN) – It's just one bill in just one state, and yet it has divided a country.
But now, it's looking increasingly like the controversial bill to amend Arizona's Religious Freedom Restoration Act will not become law. Sources tell CNN that Arizona's Republican Governor Jan Brewer will likely veto the bill, which would protect business owners from lawsuits if they cite religious beliefs in refusing service to certain customers.
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