National News from Yahoo

Democrat who beat Nate Silver takes on spending

Politics Confidential Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., defied the odds in November when she won the closest senate race in the country, and now that she's arrived in Washington, she's defiant as ever. But now, instead of defying the pollsters, she's defying the Democratic caucus by taking divergent opinions on issues central to the President Obama's [...]


Tuesday in politics: Obama talks immigration in Vegas, and more

Immigration remains at the top of the Washington agenda Tuesday, as President Obama travels to Las Vegas to rally public support for his proposals for reforming the nation's immigration system. The president will deliver remarks in a campaign-style event this afternoon at Del Sol High School. White House officials said Obama would largely endorse an [...]

Wash. vows to try to keep weed in state -- but how?

So far, no one is suggesting checkpoints or fences to keep Washington state's legal pot within its borders. But Gov. Jay Inslee insists there are ways to prevent the bulk smuggling of the state's newest cash crop.


20 believed dead in Kazakhstan plane crash

ALMATY, Kazakhstan (AP) — A passenger plane crashed Tuesday near Kazakhstan's principal city, Almaty, likely killing all 20 on board, Kazakhstan airline SCAT said.

Miss. River remains closed after barge accident

VICKSBURG, Miss. (AP) — The Coast Guard says nearly four dozen vessels are stacked up on the Mississippi River near Vicksburg, awaiting clearance as crews work around the clock to clean up an oil spill.


Arsonist gets death sentence for heart attacks

A decade after a raging fire swept through Southern California's San Bernardino foothills, an arsonist was sentenced to death for causing the deaths of five men who died of heart attacks.


Doctor shot dead in exam room; man in custody

A doctor was fatally shot in an examination room of an Orange County medical office, and the man who police believe shot him was taken into custody without a struggle, authorities said.


Focus turns to Brazil club safety after fire

SANTA MARIA, Brazil (AP) — There was no alarm, no extinguishers, no sprinklers and almost no escape from the nightclub that became a death trap for more than 200 Brazilian college students.


Report: States force jobless to pay needless fees

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jobless Americans are paying millions in unnecessary fees to collect unemployment benefits because of state policies encouraging them to get the money through bank-issued payment cards, according to a new report from a consumer group.

Under pressure, Boy Scouts may ease no-gays policy

NEW YORK (AP) — Facing diverse and ceaseless protests, the Boy Scouts of America is signaling its readiness to end the nationwide exclusion of gays as scouts or leaders and give the sponsors of local troops the freedom to decide the matter for themselves.


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