[U.S.] Republicans run out the clock

Republicans run out the clock
http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/02/20/its-the-obama-sequester-according-to-boehner/
The deficit that should concern us most right now has to do with time, not money. Money can be recouped. Time just disappears. And time is what Washington is wasting on an utterly artificial crisis, driven not by economics but by ideology, partisan interest and ...

Gas leak reported before blast leveled Kansas City restaurant, killing 1
http://nation.time.com/2013/02/20/cadaver-dogs-search-after-kansas-city-gas-blast/
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A day after a natural gas explosion leveled a popular restaurant, investigators raced to search the rubble and tried to understand how the blast happened despite suspicions that flammable fuel had been leaking, maybe for weeks, ...

Tearful ex-congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. admits fraud
http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/02/20/tell-everybody-back-home-im-sorry-jackson-jr-pleads-guilty-to-fraud/
By David Ingram. WASHINGTON | Wed Feb 20, 2013 7:01pm EST. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Onetime Democratic Party rising star Jesse Jackson Jr.

White House correspondents' dinner: Conan O'Brien too safe for 'nerd prom'? (+ ...
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2013/0220/White-House-correspondents-dinner-Conan-O-Brien-too-safe-for-nerd-prom-video
Orange-haired late-night funnyman Conan O'Brian will perform at this year's White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

Jodi Arias Finishes Testimony Describing Killing and Her Lies
http://abcnews.go.com/US/jodi-arias-finishes-testimony-describing-killing-lies/story?id=18548065
Jodi Arias stepped down from the witness stand today after mounting an emotional effort to save herself from death row, insisting to the Arizona jury that an explosive fight with ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander led to his death, and that her lies about killing him ...

1 in 5 Passed Advanced Placement Tests
http://blog.pe.com/schools/2013/02/20/education-ap-test-participation-performance-continue-to-improve/
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.

WCBS-TV Anchor Resigns After Arrest
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/rob-morrison-infidelities-led-2008-nbc-ouster-article-1.1268734
Rob Morrison, a news anchor for WCBS-TV in New York, said on Wednesday that he had resigned from his job after his weekend arrest on charges of choking his wife during a domestic dispute at their home in Darien, Conn.

GOProud, Log Cabin Republicans Won't Participate In CPAC This Year
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/romney-speak-cpac-report-article-1.1268983
WASHINGTON -- Though the Republican Party's stance on same-sex marriage faced criticism from within its own ranks following the 2012 election, this year's session of the top conservative gabfest will not include the two leading conservative gay rights ...

White House Defends Biden's 'Double-Barrel' Self-Defense Advice
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/02/solemn-biden-consoles-victims-of-gunned-down-cops-after-call-for-shotguns/
The White House today defended Vice President Joe Biden's provocative suggestions that those concerned about an intruder in their home should “get a double-barrel shotgun” and “fire two blasts outside the house.

New Mexico: Former Senator Admits Having Son With Colleague's Daughter
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Domenici-acknowledges-having-son-outside-marriage-4293126.php
Former Senator Pete V. Domenici disclosed Wednesday that he fathered a child in the 1970s with the 24-year-old daughter of one of his fellow Republican senators.

UPDATE 3-Panetta notifies Congress of Pentagon plan to furlough civilians
http://www3.wdtn.com/dpps/military/pentagon-notifies-congress-of-likely-furloughs-nd13-jos_5588868
Wed Feb 20, 2013 6:43pm EST. * Move due to looming $46 billion cut in defense spending. * Plan would reduce costs by up to $5 billion.

Kerry Presses Congress on Budget Deal
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2013/02/20/kerry-presses-congress-to-reach-budget-deal/
Associated Press: Secretary of State John Kerry gestures as he delivers his first foreign policy speech, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va.

Ex-New Orleans mayor pleads not guilty in kickback case
http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/ray-nagin-ex-new-orleans-mayor-pleads-not-guilty-to-bribery-1.4681534
By Stephanie Grace. NEW ORLEANS | Wed Feb 20, 2013 4:45pm EST. NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who chided federal officials for their slow response after Hurricane Katrina inundated the city, pleaded not guilty in ...

Justices tussle over interstate FOIA rights
http://www.abc6onyourside.com/template/inews_wire/wires.national/30eace3d-www.abc6onyourside.com.shtml
Freedom of Information laws were before the Supreme Court Wednesday, but the issue wasn't the usual one of what is and isn't off limits.

White House could name Gina McCarthy to EPA Wednesday
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/mccarthy-moniz-top-picks-for-epa-doe-87872.html?hp=r3
Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, Gina McCarthy (Melina Mara - The Washington Post) Looks like it could be Gina McCarthy's big day.

Elder abuse mandatory reporting bill clears Colorado Senate committee
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Wyo-Senate-committee-recommends-amending-gun-bill-4292935.php
A bill requiring people in certain occupations ranging from medical care to the clergy to report abuse of seniors cleared a Colorado Senate committee on Wednesday.

Michelle Obama's Bangs Still Look Great, In Case You Were Wondering
http://www.hollywood.com/news/celebrities/55001817/michelle-obama-bangs-official-portrait
Michelle Obama's official White House portrait Michelle Obama's arms are out. It's all about the bangs now. The First Lady made headlines for her new hairdo before the inauguration, but now that time has passed, we can officially rule that the look is a win ...