Topic: David Grant

Immigration reform: Farm-worker compromise brings bill a step closer to Senate floor

Farmer and labor groups are voicing support for a deal on farm workers, but it’s just one piece of the complicated effort by both political parties to craft an immigration reform bill this year.

Editor's Blog Why we're hard-wired for best practices

Whether on Capitol Hill or in isolated desert communities, people tune into each other to find out what works. The adoption of "best practices" seems to be embedded in human nature.

Jacob Lew: Is 'safe' choice for Treasury also a good choice? (+video)

Jacob Lew is valued by Obama as a Beltway numbers guy able to endure high-stakes budget fights. But some critics worry he won't tackle fast-rising debt. And the Treasury job could demand big duties beyond fiscal strategizing.

'Fiscal cliff' road trip: Obama talks Scrooge as GOP stews

President Obama went back into campaign mode Friday at a toy factory near Philadelphia, while Republicans back in Washington declared fiscal cliff negotiations are in a stalemate.

Editor's Blog Of bargains: grand and not so much

Bargaining is a big part of life. It is how prices are set, business deals get made, and political differences are hashed out. Sometimes you get the advantage, sometimes not -- and often it's the bargain itself that's memorable.

Obama or Romney? How 5 undecided voters are making up their minds.

Last month, the Monitor profiled five undecided voters whose allegiances were especially prized because they live in swing states. Now, less than two weeks before Election Day, we check in with them to see what they’re thinking now.

Obama or Romney? Why 5 undecided voters are still on the fence.

The presidential election will be decided by a tiny fraction of American voters – those in swing states who have not made up their minds. What are these 1 million people waiting for? The Monitor talked to five undecided voters to find out.

Mitt Romney: His super PAC burn rate soared in January

Mitt Romney had the biggest super PAC donations, and was the biggest spender. Can Rick Santorum's super PAC keep pace in Michigan and Arizona?

Obama, seeking to quell birth control furor, shifts cost to insurers

President Obama, yielding to pressure from religious groups and others, withdrew a mandate that religiously affiliated institutions include free birth control in health insurance plans for employees. Now, insurers will pay.

Why Mitt Romney isn't worried about Rick Santorum, yet

Rick Santorum's wins in Minnesota, Colorado, and Missouri aren't going to mean much unless Santorum can raise more money, says DCDecoder.

Mitt Romney then and now: 2008 vs. 2012 presidential run

Mitt Romney dropped out of the 2008 GOP primary race on this date in 2008, after winning 11 states. What did Romney say then?

Thirty ideas from people under 30: The Change Agents

They are explorers and activists, artists and educators, farmers and faith leaders – even mayors. And they have trenchant suggestions on how to improve the world.

Thirty ideas from people under 30: The Politicians

They are explorers and activists, artists and educators, farmers and faith leaders – even mayors. And they have trenchant suggestions on how to improve the world.

Virginia quake: What was the damage on the East Coast? [VIDEO]

Virginia quake caused the evacuation of many buildings and triggered the shutdown of two nuclear reactors. Cellphone call volume spiked as people rushed to call loved ones after the Virginia quake.

Could federal budget cuts unravel Afghanistan war?

With Congress looking for ways to cut spending, the Afghanistan war is increasingly in the sights of federal budget cutters. Washington is taking sides on the scheduled drawdown of US troops.

US covert attacks in Yemen: A better template for the war on terror?

The new campaign follows US concerns about a fortified Al Qaeda in conflict-torn Yemen. It’s very likely a harbinger of things to come, some national security experts say.

12 great books for Father's Day

Looking for a good book for a Father's Day gift? Here are a handful of recommendations that run the gamut from quality nonfiction to fascinating history to page-turning thrillers.

Every Man in This Village Is a Liar

Journalist Megan K. Stack peers into the lives of ordinary Middle Easterners caught between despotic rulers, the dream of freedom, and American foreign policy.

Matterhorn

If you have any interest in Vietnam, don’t miss this novel.

Son of Hamas

The autobiography of 32-year-old Mosab Hassan Yousef, the eldest son of Hamas co-founder Sheikh Hassan Yousef, is packed with real-life drama.

Behind the Wall

A series of vignettes tell the stories of ordinary Palestinians and life behind the West Bank barrier.

Nexus One gets patched, censored, not sold at Wal-Mart

The Google Nexus One smart phone is getting a software update to help with 3G coverage, its speech recognition won't pass along swear words, and it's most definitely not coming to your local big-box.

Haiti earthquake 2010: When disasters hit third world, speed up your donations

Developing nations typically don't have emergency supplies stockpiled for disasters like the Haiti earthquake.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology: It takes a corporation to raise a great school

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology tops US News public high schools list with a little corporate help.

UK bonus tax proposal: Three reasons it won't happen in US