Prospects dim for Congress repealing military policy on gays soon

Senate Republicans showed little sign Thursday that they would support repeal of the law prohibiting homosexuals from serving openly in...

White House accused of urging businesses to quit Chamber of Commerce

Since taking office nearly two years ago, President Obama has frequently clashed with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a major business group...

School lunch bill awaits Obama's signature

The first legislation in 30 years to significantly increase the number of needy children who can receive subsidized meals at school was on...

Connecticut man gets death penalty for home invasion killings

A Connecticut man sentenced to death Thursday in the killings of a woman and her two daughters said his execution would be "a welcome...

Chesapeake watermen try fishing for tourists

David Whitelock stood in the open stern of the workboat and reveled in the nearly pristine view as the vessel cruised the Nanticoke River. A...

GOP holds reins in debate over tax cut extension

A day after agreeing to work with President Obama to end a stalemate over expiring tax cuts, congressional Republicans flexed their newfound...

Obama administration withdraws offshore drilling plan

Citing the lessons of the BP oil spill, the Obama administration reversed course Wednesday and pulled plans to open the eastern Gulf of...

Even a little extra weight can be detrimental

Doctors and public health officials have been admonishing us for years that it's unhealthful to carry around extra pounds. A new study...

Deficit commission report leaves many members leery

A proposed final report by President Obama's deficit commission warned Wednesday of a fiscal "reckoning" unless major sacrifices are made,...

Sen. Ensign won't face criminal charges, attorney says

Federal officials have determined that Sen. John Ensign will not face criminal charges in connection with his efforts to find lobbying...

Erasing traumatic memories may soon be possible

Soldiers haunted by scenes of war and victims scarred by violence may wish they could wipe the memories from their minds. Researchers at...

Astronauts considered in NASA budget cuts

With NASA's budget under pressure and the space shuttle program set to retire, even the agency's most sacred cow — the 64-member...

School lunch bill stalls in the House

Legislation to increase the number of needy children who get free or subsidized school lunches stalled Wednesday in the House after...

Lawyers who investigated Maxine Waters' ethics case are suspended

The ethics case against Rep. Maxine Waters took a new turn Wednesday when it was learned that two House Ethics Committee lawyers who...

Illinois Legislature votes to legalize civil unions for gay couples

Gay rights advocates celebrated Wednesday as the Illinois Legislature voted to legalize civil unions, although some wondered whether the...

Obama White House ready for Christmas

Bo's paw prints are all over Christmas at the White House this year.

Infrared observatory jet gets off the ground

A U.S.-German infrared observatory mounted in a jumbo jet has flown its inaugural science flight, a mission to better understand how stars...

Pentagon study finds few drawbacks to dropping 'don't ask, don't tell'

Armed with a long-awaited Pentagon study that foresees little negative impact from gays serving openly in the military, President Obama and...