National News

GSA set to announce new federal cafeteria contracts

The General Service Administration will announce this week the winner of the first in a series of new federal cafeteria contracts that encourage the use of healthier food, organic and locally procured food, and advanced recycling and waste management programs. The effort is part of an administrat...

Tuesday February 9, 2010 5:00AM | washingtonpost.com

FTC probing CVS Caremark's prescription drug practices

The Federal Trade Commission is investigating allegations of improper business practices by a firm that provides prescription drug services for health insurance companies that cover most federal employees.

Tuesday February 9, 2010 5:00AM | washingtonpost.com

John P. Murtha Dies at 77; Ex-Marine Was Iraq War Critic in Congress

The Pennsylvania Democrat served 35 years in Congress and was alternately respected and feared by colleagues.

Monday February 8, 2010 10:09PM | nytimes.com

US to commit $78.5M to try to halt Asian carp

Navigational locks and gates in Chicago-area waterways crucial for commercial shipping may be opened less frequently than usual in a stepped-up campaign to prevent Asian carp from overrunning the Great Lakes, federal officials said Monday.

Monday February 8, 2010 9:30PM | boston.com

News Analysis: For Human Spaceflight, Can Measured Beat Bold?

The Obama administration is trying to keep humans flying in space, but will its measured proposals succeed where others fell short?

Monday February 8, 2010 8:29PM | nytimes.com

Blacks Question Obama’s Approach to Race

A quiet observation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday last month was typical of the president, whose low-key stance on race is frustrating some black leaders and scholars.

Monday February 8, 2010 7:45PM | nytimes.com

Managing the 2010 Census and planning for 2020

The 2010 decennial census is just getting underway, but Daniel Weinberg is already thinking about 2020 and how the Internet might be used to collect the nation's population data.

Monday February 8, 2010 2:31PM | washingtonpost.com

Tebow ad falls short of the hype

Sponsored by Focus on the Family, the antiabortion message takes an understated approach, though some criticize Tim Tebow's 'tackle' of his mother, Pam. Boy tackles mom. That was about it.

Monday February 8, 2010 8:00AM | latimes.com

Obama to invite GOP to healthcare summit

The president hopes both parties work out differences in televised talks. Republicans say they will participate but want the health bills tossed. In a high-stakes bid to revive his healthcare overhaul, President Obama announced during a pre-Super Bowl television interview that he would convene a bipartisan s ...

Monday February 8, 2010 8:00AM | latimes.com

Obama official accuses GOP of using terrorism as 'political football'

John Brennan, deputy national security advisor, says Republicans` criticisms about the handling of the airplane attack suspect are `not anchored in reality.` President Obama`s deputy national security advisor accused Republicans on Sunday of using national security as a "political football" a ...

Monday February 8, 2010 8:00AM | latimes.com

'The View' gets political -- viewers love it (and so does D.C.)

Once, the topic would have been off-limts on daytime TV, but not anymore. And the Beltway`s paying attention. It was the morning after President Obama`s first State of the Union, which typically wouldn`t mean much for daytime television shows and their menu of celebrity interviews, cooking tips a ...

Monday February 8, 2010 8:00AM | latimes.com

In Virginia, offshore drilling a bipartisan goal

The Republican governor is `eager to get started,` and the state`s Democratic senators are urging the Obama administration to begin selling leases next year. The plan has raised concern from NASA. Virginia could become the first state on the Eastern Seaboard to open its coast to energy exploratio ...

Monday February 8, 2010 8:00AM | latimes.com

Sarah Palin won't rule out 2012 run

In a `Fox News Sunday` interview, the former Alaska governor says she`d consider running for president if it`s `the right thing to do for our country and for the Palin family.` Fresh off her speech to the Tea Party Convention, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Sunday left open the pos ...

Monday February 8, 2010 8:00AM | latimes.com

Fiorina and DeVore appeal for the women's vote

Both speak to the Federation of Republican Women as they prepare for the GOP primary and the chance to run against Sen. Barbara Boxer in the fall. Two of the major Republican candidates aiming to unseat U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer made their case this weekend to the party`s most active women, arguing that bo ...

Monday February 8, 2010 8:00AM | latimes.com

Palin tells Fox News she might run for president in 2012

ED REINKE Associated Press Sarah Palin addresses the National Tea Party Convention. WASHINGTON – Sarah Palin said Sunday that she might run for president in 2012 if she decides it`s good for her family and country. Fresh from a speech to conservative activists at a "tea party" gathering in Nashville, the former Alaska governor said President Barack Obama could be defeated in 2012, that sh ...

Monday February 8, 2010 8:00AM | sacbee.com

Palin brings out crowd for Perry rally near Houston

Monday February 8, 2010 5:07AM | dallasnews.com

NRA, onetime ally feud over next big guns case to go before Supreme Court

The National Rifle Association was on the outside looking in when the Supreme Court handed gun rights activists a landmark victory in 2008.

Monday February 8, 2010 5:00AM | washingtonpost.com

5 workers killed in explosion at Middleton, Conn., power plant

CONNECTICUT An explosion that sounded like a sonic boom blew out the walls of an unfinished power plant in Connecticut and set off a fire during a test of natural gas lines Sunday, killing at least five workers, injuring a dozen or more, and leaving crews picking through debris for more possible...

Monday February 8, 2010 5:00AM | washingtonpost.com

Obama invites Republicans to summit on health care

President Obama moved to jump-start the stalled health-care debate Sunday, inviting Republicans in Congress to participate in a bipartisan, half-day televised summit on the subject this month.

Monday February 8, 2010 5:00AM | washingtonpost.com

David Plouffe advising White House on 2010 midterm elections

Ask David Plouffe how Democrats can recover from their electoral setbacks over the past few months and he has a simple answer: Republicans.

Monday February 8, 2010 5:00AM | washingtonpost.com