National News

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is staying out of the gun debate for now.

The justices on Monday declined to hear a challenge to a strict New York law that makes it difficult for residents to get a license to carry a concealed handgun in public

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DENVER (AP) — Thousands of people are expected to join an unofficial counterculture holiday celebrating marijuana in Colorado and Washington this coming weekend.

And the events and crowds will likely test the limits of new laws permitting pot use by adults

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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A cool, rainy spring is easing dry conditions in parts of the nation's farm belt that saw the worst of last year's drought.

But optimism is being tempered, as that weather pattern has kept anxious farmers in most of Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, and Wisconsin from planting

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Jack Lew is meeting on Capitol Hill Friday with House Speaker John Boehner and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

The Treasury Department says Lew is updating the House leaders separately on the state of the economy, both in the U

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Top U.S. intelligence officials say North Korea's new leader is trying to show the world and his people that he is in charge, rather than trying to trigger military conflict.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper tells Congress Thursday that his analysts believe North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is using rhetoric to gain recognition, and to maneuver the international community into concessions in future negotiations

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Storms packing rain, snow and dangerous winds have raked the Midwest, spawning a possible tornado outside of St. Louis that prompted an emergency declaration from Missouri's governor

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Authorities in northwest Georgia say a barricaded man is holding five firefighters hostage.

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Two pivotal senators have announced a bipartisan deal on expanding background checks to more gun buyers.

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he Air Force is grounding about a third of its active-duty combat aircraft because of automatic spending cuts.

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Last night's exciting men's NCAA Tournament final, in which Louisville defeated Michigan, 82-76, drew a 14.3 rating, up 18 percent over last year's final. Tonight in New Orleans is the women's final between the University of Connecticut and those same Louisville Cardinals.

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