Scott Walker, eyeing 2016, faces fallout from probes as ex-aide's e-mails are released  —  MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who has been eyeing a 2016 presidential run since his battles with labor unions made him a Republican star, is in the midst of dealing with the fallout …

Ukraine Puts ‘Extremists’ on Notice After Deadly Clashes  —  KIEV, Ukraine — The security authorities in Ukraine offered the first indication on Wednesday that the deadly political violence afflicting Kiev had spread far beyond the city limits, announcing a crackdown on what the Interior Ministry called …

Who are the real thugs?  —  Let's play a game.  It's called: “Who's the Thug?”  —  It's the day after Thanksgiving 2012, and four teenagers are sitting in a Dodge Durango outside a convenience store in Jacksonville, Fla.  —  The Durango is red, which is unimportant.  The teenagers are black, which is important.

Early-Term Abortions and the Anti-Choicers  —  In a New Yorker column on the lack of enthusiasm of the anti-choice movement about statistics showing signficantly reduced abortion rates in 2008-2011, Margaret Talbot focuses on RTL unhappiness with the inability to take credit for the reduced rates:

Scott Brown no longer under contract with Fox News  —  Ex-senator mum on whether he will run in N.H.  —  Former US senator Scott Brown, a frequent presence on Fox News, is no longer under contract with the widely watched cable station, a development sure to fan flames of speculation about his potential US Senate bid in New Hampshire.

CBO report: Minimum wage hike could cost 500,000 jobs  —  Th new non-partisan report provides ammunition for both sides in an increasingly heated political fight over the minimum wage.  —  SHARE11  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama's call to raise the federal minimum wage could help lift 900,000 workers …

Blair advised Brooks on phone-hacking scandal, court hears  —  Former prime minister suggested setting up ‘Hutton style’ inquiry, according to email from former News International chief  —  Read Rebekah Brooks's email to James Murdoch in full (PDF)  —  Tony Blair advised Rebekah Brooks to launch a …

Homeland Security is seeking a national license plate tracking system  —  The Department of Homeland Security wants a private company to provide a national license-plate tracking system that would give the agency access to vast amounts of information from commercial and law enforcement tag readers …

The IRS targets political speech again  —  Discouraging debate and curbing information … The Internal Revenue Service is used to being universally disliked every April 15.  But this year, the widespread denunciations have started early, and for good reason.

With a focus on creating jobs, Hardy targets Horsford's seat  —  Republican Assemblyman Cresent Hardy wants voters in the northern Las Vegas Valley and much of rural Nevada to pick him as their congressman this November.  —  The 56-year-old businessman from Mesquite formally launched …

Baca apologizes for calling Negrete McLeod a ‘bimbo’  —  Former Rep. Joe Baca (D-Calif.) is apologizing for calling Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Calif.) “some bimbo” after the woman who defeated him last year announced her retirement.  —  In an interview earlier Tuesday with The Hill …

Mississippi 2014 Senate election: Anatomy of a takedown  —  Part of an occasional series on the hottest races of the 2014 midterm election.  —  OXFORD, Miss. — As Sen. Thad Cochran faces a potentially career-ending primary challenge, his strategy for victory is straightforward …

Nestlé USA Announces Voluntary Recall of HOT POCKETS® brand Philly Steak and Cheese  —  Nestlé USA's Prepared Foods Division today announced the voluntary recall of HOT POCKETS® brand Philly Steak and Cheese in three different pack sizes and HOT POCKETS® brand Croissant …

GOP Lawmakers Want To Define Anti-Gay Discrimination As ‘Religious Freedom’  —  The growing specter of legalized gay marriage, which has been advanced by numerous court decisions starting with the Supreme Court's overturning of the federal Defense of Marriage Act last year, seems to have put a scare in GOP lawmakers.

Release Detail  —  February 19, 2014 - Ohio Gov Can't Break Free Of Unknown Challenger, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Divided On Death Penalty  —  Watch Video: Assistant Director Tim Malloy discusses poll results  —  Ohio Gov. John Kasich has a 51 - 36 percent job approval rating …

Jim Crow laws for gays and lesbians?  Column  —  Kansas legislation could make discrimination easy.  —  What's the matter with Kansas?  A bill protecting the religious freedom of businesses and individuals to refuse services to same-sex couples passed the state House of Representatives last week.

Fourth Georgia hospital closes due to Obamacare payment cuts  —  The fourth Georgia hospital in two years is closing its doors due to severe financial difficulties caused by Obamacare's payment cuts for emergency services.  —  The Lower Oconee Community Hospital is, for now …

Greg Abbott says he's campaigning with Ted Nugent “to expose” Wendy Davis on gun rights  —  Republican Greg Abbott touted Ted Nugent today as a political comrade in arms.  He largely avoided questions about Democrats who have singed out Nugent's outspoken comments calling President Obama …

Soldier convicted in rape, murder of Iraqi girl is found hanged  —  Steven Dale Green in a booking mug shot taken at the Mecklenburg County Jail in Charlotte, N.C., in July 2006.  (Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office / July 3, 2006)  —  This post has been updated.  See below for details.

Candidate For Orange County GOP Chairman Arrested On Assault Charge After Dispute At Polling Place  —  ORANGE COUNTY - A candidate for Orange County GOP Chairman was arrested Tuesday and released from jail on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond after he was charged with assaulting a man at an early voting location.