All USA
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How did a potential Whitey Bulger witness die? Boston buzzing.
Stephen Rakes, who claimed he and his then-wife were forced to sell their liquor store to reputed mobster James 'Whitey' Bulger, was found dead the day after prosecutors removed him from their witness list.
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Zimmerman won't get his gun back yet, per Justice Department. What's up?
The US Justice Department wants the George Zimmerman gun and other physical evidence in the Trayvon Martin shooting to be held intact, pending its civil rights probe. That might signal stepped-up activity by the feds, but analysts see reason to doubt they will ultimately file charges.
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Why Liz Cheney may be riding for a fall in Wyoming Senate race
True, Liz Cheney will be able to raise scads of money, given her connections, to vie against incumbent Sen. Mike Enzi in Wyoming's GOP primary. But does money for ads matter in a state without a major media market? Skeptics cite other reasons, as well, that she could lose.
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Laurel plane crash leaves pilot injured, mobile homes destroyed in Md.
Laurel plane crash: State police say 70-year-old Ronald Dixon crashed his single-engine Beechcraft Musketeer plane shortly after taking off from Suburban Airport in Laurel on Thursday morning.
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How well do you know the world of spying? Take our CIA and NSA quiz.
The history of US espionage can be as fascinating and mysterious as any spy novel. Think you’re a regular John Le Carré when it comes to this stuff? See if D.C. Decoder can stump you.
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Jimmy Carter: Unchecked campaign contributions are 'legal bribery'
'It's accepted fact,' Carter said during a speech in Atlanta. 'It's legal bribery of candidates. And that repayment may be in the form of an ambassadorship...'
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Stand Your Ground protesters meet with Florida governor
Stand Your Ground protest: Gov. Scott met with seven protesters, part of a group into its third day of a sit-in at Scott's office. They discussed racial profiling, stand your ground legislation, and more.
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Wrong house demolished: Homeowners billed, condemned house still there (+video)
Wrong house demolished: A Texas contractor skipped past a condemned house to demolish the three-bedroom home next door – and then billed for the demolition.
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World Trade Center: 9/11 lawsuit can't continue, says judge
World Trade Center owners can't sue the airlines for the events of 9/11, a judge ruled Thursday. The World Trade Center owners have already received $5 billion in insurance payments, but sought $3.5 billion more from the airlines' insurers.
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Obamacare rebates? 8.5 million get health care rebates, says Obama (+video)
Obamacare rebates: A provision of Obamacare requires insurers to spend at least 80 cents of every premium dollar on medical care or reimburse the difference. Standing in front of rebate recipients, Obama said rebates are being sent for 8.5 million Americans this summer, averaging $100 each.
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Should Congress restore key part of Voting Rights Act? House hears both sides.
A House subcommittee hosted an exchange of views Thursday about the meaning of and potential fallout from the US Supreme Court’s decision last month that struck down a portion of the Voting Rights Act.
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Detroit bankruptcy: Governor authorizes filing, declaring 'no viable alternative' (+video)
The Detroit bankruptcy filing, which follows a decades-long decline in city finances that led to $18 billion in debt, sets the stage for a showdown with 43 public sector unions facing a drastic cut in pensions.
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In California's Mountain fire, lessons of Yarnell tragedy are everywhere
The Mountain fire in California is burning 'some of the more treacherous terrain in the US,' and the memory of last month's Yarnell Hill fire is leading to an abundance of caution.
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Feds target 'stand your ground' laws, but what can they do?
Neither Congress nor the executive branch can force states to change their laws, and courts have been skeptical about attempts to strike down stand your ground legislation. At least one juror has said this law was a key factor in the George Zimmerman verdict.
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Cory Monteith overdose spotlights surge in heroin addiction and death
The number of heroin addictions and deaths among young people, many of whom previously abused prescription drugs, has risen dramatically, experts say. Cory Monteith battled addiction for years.
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Wendy Davis goes to Washington: Did Texas abortion fight create a new star?
Wendy Davis gained national fame for her staunch opposition of a Texas abortion bill. Now, she's coming to D.C. to raise money and sounding like someone who might run for governor.
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'Rifleman' Flemmi's opening salvo: Whitey Bulger was FBI informant (+video)
The former crime partner of James 'Whitey' Bulger testified Thursday that the two were FBI informants – and that Bulger took the lead in managing the relationship with the bureau. Meanwhile, in a bizarre twist, a potential witness turns up dead.
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New York heat wave: So hot, even ice cream can't tempt people outside
New York is making it through its heat wave with minimal disruptions so far. But suit jackets have been dispensed with, shawarma isn't selling, and even ice cream vendors want things to cool off.
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Snowden leaks give new life to lawsuits challenging NSA surveillance programs
Documents Edward Snowden leaked about sweeping NSA surveillance programs have emboldened privacy advocates and government watchdog groups to file a new round of lawsuits challenging the programs' constitutionality.
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Bradley Manning trial: 'Aiding the enemy' charges stand, but hard to prove
The judge in the military trial of Bradley Manning ruled Thursday she would not dismiss the 'aiding the enemy' charges. But prosecutors so far have proved neither intent nor harm, observers say.
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