Strauss-Kahn Case Faces Test in Hearing  —  The sexual assault case against Dominique Strauss-Kahn is on the verge of collapse as investigators have uncovered major holes in the credibility of the housekeeper who charged that he attacked her in his Manhattan hotel suite in May, according to two well-placed law enforcement officials.

Minnesota government begins historic shutdown  —  Dayton renewed his call to tax the rich; GOP pointed to harm of long-term debt.  The governor and legislative leaders worked into the evening in a last-ditch bid for resolution.  —  Talks imploded Thursday between DFL Gov. Mark Dayton …

Fact checking a claim on tax breaks  —  'I think it's only fair to ask an oil company .... to give up a tax break,' Obama said.  —  AP Photo  —  President Obama used oil barons and corporate jet owners to anchor his opposition to Republicans' demands on taxes in his press conference on Wednesday.

Senate GOP mocks president with video of Obama on golf course  —  Senate Republicans on Friday said President Obama should look in the mirror before questioning their work ethic.  —  The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), the Senate GOP's campaign arm, released a Web video …

Section 4 Of The 14th Amendment Was Designed To Stop Boehner  —  Kevin Drum is skeptical that the Obama administration would really be within its rights to ignore the debt ceiling: … Jack Balkin delves into the legislative history and shows why the 14th Amendment has a provision guaranteeing …

Union curbs rescue a Wisconsin school district  —  “This is a disaster,” said Mark Miller, the Wisconsin Senate Democratic leader, in February after Republican Gov. Scott Walker proposed a budget bill that would curtail the collective bargaining powers of some public employees.

Employees had been increasingly troubled by Gingrich's Tiffany purchases  —  Employees of presidential candidate Newt Gingrich grew increasingly concerned in recent years about their boss's purchases from luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co., worried that if he followed through on plans to run …

White House Sees Date for Budget Deal or Bust  —  WASHINGTON — The White House believes it must strike a budget deal with Congress by July 22 to avoid a risk of defaulting on the national debt, Democratic officials briefed on the negotiations said Thursday, as Senate leaders canceled …

To the Limit  —  In about a month, if nothing is done, the federal government will hit its legal debt limit.  There will be dire consequences if this limit isn't raised.  At best, we'll suffer an economic slowdown; at worst we'll plunge back into the depths of the 2008-9 financial crisis.

Firefighters union throws cold water on 9-11 float  —  These days, almost anything can get caught in the blender of Wisconsin's union politics.  —  It can even happen to a Fourth of July parade float honoring firefighters and cops killed on Sept. 11, 2001.

Glenn Beck to move to Texas; rents $20,000-a-month house  —  New Yorkers better get their heckling in fast, because Glenn Beck is headed for the Lone Star State.  —  The TV host and commentator recently sold his New Canaan, Conn., mansion, to Maura Abeln Smith, recently named general counsel of PepsiCo, for $3.6 million.

The Peril of Deep Defense Cuts  —  Our country has taken an axe to the national security budget after every war of the 20th century.  And every time we later regretted it.  —  Today Leon Panetta will take the oath to become our nation's 23rd secretary of defense.

Thad McCotter to join W.H. race Friday  —  Thaddeus McCotter will file paperwork on Friday to become the eighth Republican candidate for president, a McCotter adviser told POLITICO.  —  McCotter spent four days in Iowa this week and came away “feeling positive” about his reception, the adviser said.

Two Rulings Find Cuts in Public Pensions Permissible  —  Judges in Colorado and Minnesota have dismissed court challenges by retired public workers whose pensions had been cut — developments that may embolden other states and cities to use pension reductions as a tool to help balance their budgets.

Cory Maye To Be Released From Prison … MONTICELLO, Miss. — After 10 years of incarceration, and seven years after a jury sentenced him to die, 30-year-old Cory Maye will soon be going home.  Mississippi Circuit Court Judge Prentiss Harrell signed a plea agreement Friday morning …

Ohio governor signs law allowing guns in bars  —  (Reuters) - Ohio Republican Governor John Kasich on Thursday signed into law a bill that allows gun owners in the state to carry concealed weapons into bars and other places where alcohol is served.  —  The measure, which was forwarded …