Senate passes first budget in four years  —  The Senate early Saturday passed its first budget in four years by a vote of 50 to 49.  —  The close vote was a big victory for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Budget Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who had to overcome …

NRA, Joe Manchin in talks on background checks  —  Sen. Joe Manchin and the National Rifle Association are quietly engaged in private talks on a proposal to broaden background checks on purchasers of firearms.  —  That the NRA is even talking with Manchin suggests there's at least some room …

On third anniversary, Obama touts health law's benefits  —  President Obama on Saturday touted his landmark healthcare reform law on its third anniversary, but cautioned that there was “more work to do to implement” its provisions.  —  “Three years ago today, I signed into law the principle …

Taxpayer money finances IRS “Star Trek” parody  —  PLAY CBS NEWS VIDEO … Thus begins a six-minute “Star Trek” parody starring IRS employees and paid for with your tax dollars.  It's not likely to go over well with some Americans and members of Congress, especially since federal agencies …

Man Freed From Prison Has a Heart Attack  —  On his second day of freedom after serving 23 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, David Ranta suffered a serious heart attack Friday night, his lawyer said.  —  Mr. Ranta was taken to a New York hospital — his family did not wish …

Girls Outnumbered in New York's Elite Public Schools  —  In the United States, girls have outshined boys in high school for years, amassing more A's, earning more diplomas and gliding more readily into college, where they rack up more degrees — whether at the bachelor's, master's or doctoral levels.

Going rouge: Sarah Palin proudly wears a red Chick-fil-A shirt to Phoenix Suns game  —  Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin continued to show her support for the controversial chicken sandwich chain by donning a Chick-fil-A shirt at an NBA game in Phoenix on Friday.

Apple Acquires Indoor Location Company WifiSLAM  —  Apple has acquired indoor-GPS company WifiSLAM, a sign that the war over indoor mobile location services is heating up.  —  Apple paid around $20 million for the Silicon Valley-based company, according to a person familiar with the matter who said the deal closed recently.

Actress hints at Senate run in speech  —  CINCINNATI (AP) - Actress and Kentucky native Ashley Judd made a rare public reference to her possible run for the seat held by Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.  —  WXIX-TV says Judd gave the keynote speech Friday …

Biden: Republican Party is leaderless  —  Vice President Joe Biden attacked the GOP as a leaderless party on Saturday afternoon at the third-annual House Democratic Issues Conference in New York City.  —  “There is no leadership,” Biden told a roomful of donors, prospective candidates …

Senate votes 53-46 to stop US from joining UN Arms Trade Treaty  —  In the last batch of amendment votes to the budget, the Senate voted on several foreign policy proposals.  —  Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) introduced an amendment that would prevent the United States from entering …

NRA Robocalls In Newtown Spark Outrage From Local Gun Control Group  —  WASHINGTON — The National Rifle Association came under fire late Thursday from members of a gun-control advocacy group in Newtown, Conn., after reports surfaced of Newtown residents receiving robocalls and pro-gun postcards from the NRA.

Walking While Black in New York  —  The New York City Police Department has a long history of violating constitutional rights by stopping, questioning or frisking people on the streets without legal justification.  The city has steadfastly denied that the detentions — made under …