EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Boston Marathon bomb  —  The bomb that exploded at the finish line of Monday's Boston Marathon sent shock waves across the country.  Crime scene photos obtained exclusively by FOX 5 Atlanta are the first look at what is left of the first deadly device.

Suspicious letter addressed to Obama  —  (CNN) - A letter addressed to President Barack Obama that contained a “suspicious substance” has been intercepted at the White House's off-site mail facility, a Secret Service spokesman said Wednesday.  The letter arrived Tuesday …

Sen. Manchin: Background Checks Won't Survive Today's Vote  —  Potential GOP supporters out front on immigration won't risk second battle with conservative base on guns, Manchin tells NBC News..  —  In this April 10, 2013 file photo, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., left, and Sen. Patrick Toomey …

Let's hope the Boston Marathon bomber is a white American  —  There is a double standard: White terrorists are dealt with as lone wolves, Islamists are existential threats  —  As we now move into the official Political Aftermath period of the Boston bombing — the period that will determine …

AP: Ex-wife says former SC Gov. Sanford trespassed  —  You are here  —  Home » United States House of Representatives » AP: Ex-wife says former SC Gov. Sanford trespassed  —  CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford must appear in court two days …

Why Republicans Suddenly Became Afraid Of Their Own Budget Shadow  —  Republicans spent the last four years criticizing Senate Democrats for failing to pass a budget resolution, and for operating outside of what's known as “regular order” on Capitol Hill, resorting instead to informal processes and “back room deals.”

New Zealand's Parliament votes to legalize same-sex marriage  —  (CNN) — New Zealand is set to become the one of the latest nations to allow same-sex marriage after the country's Parliament passed a bill legalizing the practice Wednesday.  —  Parliament voted 77-44 on the bill's third reading …

Harry Reid's Emotional Plea For Gun Safety: ‘I Choose To Vote My Conscience’  —  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) became emotional on the Senate floor Wednesday as he urged senators to support a gun safety bill that, in part, expands background checks to individuals who purchase guns at gun shows or online.

Further Further Thoughts On Death By Excel  —  A few somewhat unrelated notes on the Reinhart-Rogoff fiasco:  —  1. I thought I remembered another recent Excel disaster — and sure enough, spreadsheet coding played a role in the London Whale disaster at JP Morgan:

NBC News: More Search Warrants Could Be Issued Wednesday  —  Federal prosecutors are preparing more search warrants in the investigation of the Boston Marathon bombings, and those warrants could be issued as early as Wednesday, NBC News' Michael Isikoff reported Wednesday on MSNBC's “The Daily Rundown.”

How influential was the Rogoff-Reinhart study warning that high debt kills growth?  —  New research suggests that an influential study showing that high debt levels can hurt economic growth overstated the risk, and thus the importance of speedy debt reduction during a recession.

Paul considering White House bid  —  Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a star among Tea-Party voters, said Wednesday that he is considering a presidential bid in 2016 and will decide next year.  —  “I want to be part of the national debate.  Being considered is something that allows me to have a larger microphone …