U.S. Added 192,000 Jobs in February; Rate at 8.9%  —  America's job engine picked up some steam last month.  —  The nation's employers added 192,000 jobs in February, after having added just 63,000 the previous month, the Labor Department reported on Friday.  —  The February number was about what economists had been forecasting.

Hiding senators held in contempt; layoff notices to go out today  —  By Patrick Marley and Jason Stein of the Journal Sentinel  —  Madison — Pressure ratcheted up on absent Senate Democrats on Thursday, as they were found in contempt by GOP senators and Gov. Scott Walker …

Sam Arora speaks: I'm now against same-sex marriage but I'll vote for the bill anyway  —  A bizarre statement just released by Maryland Delegate Sam Arora, who, up until a few weeks ago, was an ardent supporter of marriage equality and regularly bragged to constituents about his support.

Soldier in Leaks Case Was Jailed Naked, Lawyer Says  —  WASHINGTON — A lawyer for Pfc. Bradley Manning, the Army intelligence analyst accused of leaking secret government files to WikiLeaks, has complained that his client was stripped and left naked in his cell for seven hours on Wednesday.

Presidential hopefuls Huntsman, Romney share Mormonism and belief in themselves  —  IN SALT LAKE CITY — Jon Huntsman Jr. and Mitt Romney go way back.  —  In the Huntsman Corp. headquarters below Red Butte Canyon, Peter Huntsman, the younger brother of Jon Huntsman Jr. …

How to Kill a Recovery  —  The economic news has been better lately.  New claims for unemployment insurance are down; business and consumer surveys suggest solid growth.  We're still near the bottom of a very deep hole, but at least we're climbing.  —  It's too bad that so many people …

State says damage to marble at Capitol could hit $7.5 million  —  Madison - State officials said Thursday that damage to the marble inside and out the State Capitol would cost an estimated $7.5 million.  —  Cari Anne Renlund, chief legal counsel for the state Department of Administration …

Few Winning Scenarios for Gingrich  —  About a year ago, back at the old FiveThirtyEight, I had a very skeptical take on Newt Gingrich's potential candidacy for president.  The issue I highlighted is that Mr. Gingrich is neither especially well-liked by Republicans — his numbers among Republicans are fine …

Public Broadcasting Should Go Private  —  If these outfits can afford to pay lavish salaries to their heads, they don't need taxpayer help.  —  When presidents of government-funded broadcasting are making more than the president of the United States, it's time to get the government out of public broadcasting.

TRENDING: Huckabee's problem with Natalie Portman  —  (CNN) - Mike Huckabee is highlighting what he considers a symbol of degraded American values: Oscar winner Natalie Portman.  —  The former Arkansas governor and possible Republican presidential candidate criticized the actress this week …

Newt Gingrich's rough week  —  And so it didn't begin.  —  Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was supposed to make big news in Atlanta Thursday, announcing a major step toward running for president in 2012.  —  What he announced instead was a website, the oddly named NewtExplore2012.com.

GOP Aims to Tame Benefits Programs  —  Boehner Promises Entitlement Review  —  WASHINGTON—House Speaker John Boehner said Thursday that he's determined to offer a budget this spring that curbs Social Security and Medicare, despite the political risks, and that Republicans will try to persuade voters that sacrifices are needed.

Agent: I was ordered to let U.S. guns into Mexico  —  ATF agent says “Fast and Furious” program let guns “walk” into hands of Mexican drug cartels with aim of tracking and breaking a big case  —  WASHINGTON - Federal agent John Dodson says what he was asked to do was beyond belief.

James Franco Straddles Two Roles at Yale  —  On Sunday night he was in Hollywood, as co-host of the Oscar telecast in black tie.  At 9 the next morning, he was in a Starbucks in New Haven, hunched over a book and barely recognizable in a gray sweatshirt, but still wearing his tuxedo pants.

Why Washington Doesn't Care About Jobs  —  This article appeared in the March 21, 2011 edition of The Nation.  —  Recommended by  —  Remember when everyone agreed that what the American people wanted from Washington was, in John Boehner's words, a “relentless focus on creating jobs”?

House Republicans to fine Democrats $250 a day for avoiding votes  —  House Republicans voted Thursday to begin fining Democrats $250 a day for their absence, starting Monday.  —  Democratic representatives have not been on the House floor since Feb. 21, when they walked out to stop a series …