Latest Headlines

How Sanford spent state money on last year's Argentina trip

The governor stayed at the Hilton Hotel in Buenos Aires' Puerto Madero district, an old port area known for its swank night life, tony shops and world-class restaurants. Included in Sanford's bill was a mini-bar tab of about $40 and $200 in fees for a 6½-hour late departure. His interpreter ($100) and driver ($170) say they never saw him with his lover, Maria Belen Chapur. » read more

Alaska health director says she was forced out by Palin

One of Alaska's top public health officials says she was forced out of office because Gov. Sarah Palin felt she wasn't in step on social issues. Beverly Wooley ended her stint as state public health director on Wednesday, the second state health official to leave within days. The key source of tension was the recent abortion legislation, Wooley said Thursday. » read more

Sanford may weather storm as wife offers 'forgiveness'

Jenny Sanford’s forgiveness is politically important to South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, some lawmakers say, because it helps cast the governor as a wayward husband working to save his marriage. That's in contrast to the Mark Sanford who on Tuesday called his Argentine lover his soul mate. Jenny Sanford did not say the couple would remain married, however. » read more

Florida governor told he must pick judge from all-white list

The ruling by the Florida Supreme Court commended Gov. Charlie Crist's effort to diversify court positions when he rejected a list of recommendations for an appeals court post because it included no African-American or Hispanic candidates. But the court said the state's constitution doesn't give the governor that discretion. The ruling was written by a Crist appointee, Justice Jorge Labarga. » read more

White House

• · U.S. plans coordinated response if North Korea fires missile
• · U.S. taking cautious approach to Honduras political crisis
• · How hard will Obama press Israel on settlements?

Congress

• · White House close to deal with hospitals on cost cuts
• · Sens. Kennedy, Dodd unveil cheaper health care bill
• · Congress' apology for slavery just proves it's hard to say sorry

State & Local

• · Alaska gives go-ahead to supporters of teen abortion measure
• · Florida governor told he must pick judge from all-white list
• · Missouri governor vetos letting motorcyclists ride helmetless

Opinion

• · As U.S. troops pull back in Iraq, wars' toll falls now on Obama
• · They're taking our Kodachrome away
• · Sanford not fit to lead