[U.S.] Jesse Jackson Jr. guilty plea: 'For years I lived off my campaign' (+video)

Jesse Jackson Jr. guilty plea: 'For years I lived off my campaign' (+video)
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2013/0220/Jesse-Jackson-Jr.-guilty-plea-For-years-I-lived-off-my-campaign-video
Former US Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D) of Illinois and his wife, former Chicago alderman Sandi Jackson, pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to charges related to the use of $750,000 in campaign funds for a personal seven-year spending spree.

Big pay cut contemplated for civilian defense workers
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/20/3244822/without-a-budget-accord-pentagon.html
Big pay cut contemplated for civilian defense workers. Defense Department plans weekly furloughs if sequestration cuts hit; Md. to see one of the biggest hits.

Former New Orleans mayor pleads not guilty in corruption case
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57570367/ray-nagin-former-new-orleans-mayor-pleads-not-guilty-to-corruption-charges/
Former New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin, whose lambasting of the federal government's response after Hurricane Katrina helped make him the face of his city's post-disaster tenacity, pleaded not guilty in federal court Wednesday to bribery, money ...

Civil Rights Leaders are Watching Challenge to 1965 Voting Rights Act Closely
http://mpbonline.org/News/article/civil_rights_leaders_are_watching_challenge_to_1965_voting_rights_act_close
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments next week that claims Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act is an undue burden on states and should be overturned.

The conservative conference, seeking a fresh new start, invites…Mitt Romney
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/report-mitt-romney-to-speak-at-cpac-87865.html?hp=l2
Since Mitt Romney's loss in November, the GOP has admitted it must broaden its appeal, especially to women, minorities, and younger voters.

1 in 5 Passed Advanced Placement Tests
http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Politics/latino-students-science-tech-ap-classes/story?id=18546380
Nearly a third of the nation's 2012 public high school graduates took at least one of the College Board's Advanced Placement tests, according to the program's annual report on Wednesday.

NCAA sues over law to keep $60M in Penn State fines in Pa.
http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20130220_ap_ncaasuesoverpalawtokeeppsufineinstate.html
The NCAA sued Gov. Corbett and other state officials Wednesday to stop them from keeping $60 million in Pennsylvania State University fines for use in the state.

Cruz deserves cheers, not jeers
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/cruz-deserves-cheers-not-jeers-87882.html
Imagine a new senator who ran a campaign of “no more business as usual.” No more special interest politics, no more backroom deals - and he won.

NYC Cardinal Dolan deposed about Wis. abuse cases
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/20/3244669/cardinal-dolan-deposed-in-connection.html
NEW YORK - Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, was deposed Wednesday about abuse cases against Roman Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, which he led from 2002 until 2009.

Minnesota Republican May Be First to Sponsor Gay Marriage
http://www.sfgate.com/news/politics/article/Obama-considers-weighing-in-on-gay-marriage-case-4294760.php
A Republican senator in Minnesota's legislature is poised to co-sponsor a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. Branden Petersen would be the first lawmaker from his party in any state to do so.

White House unveils first lady's new official portrait
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57570403/white-house-unveils-first-ladys-new-official-portrait/
The White House today uncloaked the new official portrait of first lady Michelle Obama, taken Feb. 12 in the Green Room by White House photographer Chuck Kennedy.