National

Politics Sally Jewell, CEO of REI, to lead Interior Department Sally Jewell, CEO of REI, to lead Interior Department
By JULIE PACE AP White House Correspondent Published: Feb 6, 2013 at 3:18 PM PDT
President Barack Obama has picked Sally Jewell, a business executive who has earned national recognition for her support of outdoor recreation and habitat conservation, to lead the Interior Department, the White House said Wednesday.
Politics Effort building to change U.S. marijuana laws Effort building to change U.S. marijuana laws
By GENE JOHNSON Associated Press Published: Feb 4, 2013 at 12:57 PM PDT Last Updated: Feb 4, 2013 at 2:32 PM PDT
An effort is building in Congress to change U.S. marijuana laws, including moves to legalize the industrial production of hemp and establish a federal pot tax.
Politics Three vie to lead Oregon Republicans back to power Three vie to lead Oregon Republicans back to power
By Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press Published: Jan 28, 2013 at 11:59 AM PDT
Relegated to the margins of power, the Oregon Republican Party will get a new leader next weekend to take a fresh stab at putting the party on a path back to relevance.
Politics Senate confirms Kerry nomination for State Dept. Senate confirms Kerry nomination for State Dept.
By DONNA CASSATA Associated Press Published: Jan 29, 2013 at 2:37 PM PDT Last Updated: Jan 29, 2013 at 4:42 PM PDT
The Senate overwhelmingly confirmed President Barack Obama's choice of five-term Sen. John Kerry to be secretary of state, with Republicans and Democrats praising him as the ideal successor to Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Politics House votes to defuse debt limit crisis House votes to defuse debt limit crisis
By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press Published: Jan 23, 2013 at 12:04 PM PDT Last Updated: Jan 23, 2013 at 12:51 PM PDT
The House overwhelmingly passed a bill Wednesday to permit the government to borrow enough money to avoid a first avoid default for at least four months, defusing a crisis looming next month and setting the stage for a springtime debate over taxes, spending and the deficit.
Politics Obama weighing executive action on guns Obama weighing executive action on guns
By ERICA WERNER Associated Press Published: Jan 15, 2013 at 7:46 AM PDT Last Updated: Jan 15, 2013 at 10:35 AM PDT
Facing powerful opposition to sweeping gun regulations, President Barack Obama is weighing 19 steps that could be taken through executive action alone, congressional officials said.
Politics Obama taps Hagel for Pentagon, Brennan for CIA Obama taps Hagel for Pentagon, Brennan for CIA
By JULIE PACE AP White House Correspondent Published: Jan 7, 2013 at 12:22 PM PDT Last Updated: Jan 7, 2013 at 2:35 PM PDT
President Barack Obama announced Monday he will nominate former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel as his next defense secretary, calling him "the leader our troops deserve."
Politics Lawmakers postpone tough decisions on spending, debt Lawmakers postpone tough decisions on spending, debt
By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER AP Economics Writers Published: Jan 2, 2013 at 7:57 AM PDT Last Updated: Jan 2, 2013 at 10:31 AM PDT
Another standoff is likely to arrive as early as February, when Congress will need to raise the $16.4 trillion federal borrowing limit so the government can keep paying its bills.
Politics Despite deal, taxes to rise for most Americans Despite deal, taxes to rise for most Americans
By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER Associated Press Published: Jan 2, 2013 at 8:03 AM PDT Last Updated: Jan 2, 2013 at 1:46 PM PDT
While the tax package that Congress passed New Year's Day will protect 99 percent of Americans from an income tax increase, most of them will still end up paying more federal taxes in 2013.
Politics Cliff avoided: Congress staves off tax hikes Cliff avoided: Congress staves off tax hikes (Video)
By ALAN FRAM and DAVID ESPO Associated Press Published: Jan 1, 2013 at 3:46 PM PDT Last Updated: Jan 2, 2013 at 12:15 AM PDT
Past its own New Year's deadline, a weary Congress sent President Barack Obama legislation to avoid a national "fiscal cliff" of middle class tax increases and spending cuts late Tuesday night in the culmination of a struggle that strained America's divided government to the limit.