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Gay marriage battlegrounds: 12 states to watch

In the states, the battle over gay marriage is far from over. As many as 10 could move to legalize same-sex marriage over the next three years. One may be moving toward a stronger defense of traditional marriage. Here's the state-by-state rundown.

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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.
Ash borer beetle shows up in Iowa (again)

Ash borer beetle, first spotted in Iowa three years ago, has now appeared in a second location in the state, officials announced Tuesday. Most ash borer beetle infestations have been caused by people unknowingly moving infested firewood, nursery plants and sawmill logs across county and state lines.
Officer pulls over car, delivers passenger's baby

An officer pulls over a car for speeding and blowing through red lights, realizes the pregnant female passenger is in the throes of labor, and helps her deliver the child – and all in five minutes.
Readers Write: Teaching isn't one directional; Steve Jobs' misunderstood graduation speech

Letters to the Editor for the July 8, 2013 weekly print edition:Articles on the transformation of higher learning too often mis-portray professors as performing static, scripted lectures. Rather, teaching is dynamic communication.Steve Jobs's 2005 message to Stanford graduates wasn't about the pursuit of selfish interest over service to mankind. Rather, using your unique gifts will naturally encompass service to the world.
Year after drought, wettest Midwest spring in 40 years delays crop planting

Last year, Midwest farmers struggled with drought; this year, it's heavy rain and sodden farmlands, which have pushed back the planting season. By contrast, farmers in the South worry about too little rain.
Gay marriage battlegrounds: 12 states to watch

In the states, the battle over gay marriage is far from over. As many as 10 could move to legalize same-sex marriage over the next three years. One may be moving toward a stronger defense of traditional marriage. Here's the state-by-state rundown.
Monitor Breakfast 'Major accountability issues' for IRS, Congress's tax chairmen say

The Internal Revenue Service may need to be restructured after the agency was found improperly targeting conservative groups seeking nonprofit status, say Rep. David Camp (R) and Sen. Max Baucus (D), chairmen of congressional tax-writing committees.
Supreme Court sends Texas affirmative action case back to lower court

The 7-to-1 Supreme Court decision requires the lower court to apply a new, tougher test to the case: Schools challenged on race-based admissions policies must show that there are no workable, race-neutral alternatives to achieve diversity.
10 biggest US foundations and what they do

What are the 10 biggest foundations in the United States? Here they are in ascending order, based on their assets, along with a little bit about what social problems each addresses.
USA Update FBI hunting for Jimmy Hoffa again, 38 years after his disappearance

The FBI is again hunting for the body of former Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa, whose 1975 mysterious disappearance remains unsolved. This time: a grassy field in Oakland Township, Mich.
Carpe diet? Chinese firm's plan to export Asian carp could help US waterways.

A Chinese firm says it's seizing on the explosion in the population of invasive Asian carp, which environmentalists say threatens the Great Lakes, and will open a fishery dedicated to its export.
Monitor Breakfast IRS controversies boost chances for tax reform, key Republican says

Rep. Tom Price, a major conservative voice in the House, sees 'a greater opportunity' for tax reform in the wake of IRS controversies. He made the comments at a Monitor breakfast Wednesday.
Apple 'tax gimmicks': rotten to the core or sensible business? (+video)

Two senators on Tuesday plan to grill Apple CEO Tim Cook about the company's tax practices, which they say cheat the US out of billions of dollars. Apple says it's playing within the rules.
Oklahoma braces for more tornadoes, as severe storm system lingers (+video)

Oklahoma, northwest Arkansas, and southern Missouri faced a new series of tornadoes, heavy rain, and hail on Monday, as a massive storm system takes longer than usual to move through the nation's midsection.
IRS scandal becomes Republican battering ram against Obamacare (+video)

Republican lawmakers say the scandal over Internal Revenue Service scrutiny of conservative groups raises new doubts about President Obama’s health-insurance reform law.
Can Democrats find moderate candidates in time for midterms?

Democrats may struggle to recruit moderate and conservative-leaning candidates for the 2014 midterm elections in states with the most competitive Senate races.
Hearing on IRS: What ousted chief offers, Republicans don't buy

Steven Miller, who resigned as acting IRS head this week, argued that the extra scrutiny for conservative groups amounted to ‘foolish mistakes.’ House Republicans see some problems reaching the White House.
Playing the IRS card: Six presidents who used the IRS to bash political foes

Since the advent of the federal income tax about a century ago, several presidents – or their zealous underlings – have directed the IRS to use its formidable police powers to harass or punish enemies, political rivals, and administration critics. Here are six infamous episodes.
Former IRS commissioner apologizes on Capitol Hill: 'Foolish mistakes were made'

Stephen Miller, the ousted acting commissioner of the IRS, appeared before the House Ways and Means committee Friday and apologized for the agency's inappropriate investigation of tea party and other conservative organizations.
Pop-Tarts' new flavors: Will they woo adults?

Pop-Tarts' new flavors may be part of the Kellogg corporation's efforts to win back adults, who have drifted away from the breakfast market, by piling on the nutrition.
IRS tea party scandal is 'un-American' and a 'travesty,' lawmakers fume

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are vowing to hold people accountable and explore legislative changes to ensure the IRS mends its ways after singling out tea party and other conservative groups.
House prioritizes bills to pay if US hits debt ceiling. Is default averted?

The bill would allow the federal government to pay interest on the nation’s debts, even if the US does not raise the debt ceiling. But some say the effect would be different from what is envisioned.
Chapter & Verse Is the unabridged 'Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl' too much of a good thing?

The unabridged version of 'Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl' includes passages in which Frank writes about her own anatomy – leading to a call for the book's removal from a 7th-grade classroom.
In Gear The six biggest driving distractions for parents behind the wheel

Child-care ranks high on a list of top driving distractions for parents behind the wheel, Read writes, but it wasn't number one.
Focus Big Three automakers, reinvented, eye consumers worldwide

GM, Ford, and Chrysler have reinvented themselves in the years since the Great Recession almost spelled the demise of two of the Big Three automakers. Their 'transformative' evolution puts them in a position to compete globally.