Democratic mischief in Michigan  —  Washington (CNN) - It's no secret that most Democratic strategists consider Mitt Romney the GOP contender who poses the biggest threat to President Obama.  It's also no secret that Michigan, the state where Romney grew up, is a must win for him.

TransCanada Corp. to begin construction of Keystone pipeline  —  TransCanada Corp. said Monday it plans to begin building a major portion of the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline despite the Obama administration's decision to reject a key permit for the project.

Santorum: Gas Prices Caused The 2008 Recession  —  Dubiously claims gas prices prevented people from paying their mortgages.  —  LANSING, Michigan—Rick Santorum sharpened his attack on President Barack Obama over rising gas prices, saying high energy prices caused the 2008 recession.

1 student killed, several hurt in shooting at Chardon High School; suspect in custody  —  One student died after the shooting this morning at Chardon High School, police said.  —  Police are not releasing names.  But Junior Nate Mueller, who said his ear was grazed by a bullet, identified the shooter as T. J. Lane.

2012 or Never  —  Republicans are worried this election could be their last chance to stop history.  This is fear talking.  But not paranoia.  —  Of the various expressions of right-wing hysteria that have flowered over the past three years—goldbuggery, birtherism, death panels at home …

Supreme Court Refuses To Humor Anti-Gay Group's Self-Victimization Meme  —  The Supreme Court has decided not to hear the National Organization for Marriage's challenge to Maine's campaign finance laws: … Though this may be perceived as a non-event, it represents a huge defeat …

Alabama Bill Could Require Women To Undergo Invasive Ultrasound To Convince Them ‘To Keep The Child’  —  When a woman in Alabama seeks an abortion procedure, she already has to sign that her doctor has performed an ultrasound and that she either viewed the ultrasound image or rejected seeing it.

Gingrich to Afghanistan: ‘Figure Out How to Live Your Own Miserable Life’  —  NASHVILLE — Newt Gingrich said it is impossible to “fix” Afghanistan and suggested the U.S. should to tell Afghan citizens to “figure out how to live your own miserable life.”

Sex-tape stunner in Nadia Lockyer case  —  There's a shocking twist in the saga of Alameda County Supervisor Nadia Lockyer and the incident at a Newark hotel that landed her in the hospital and a male acquaintance under police scrutiny.  —  We're told that a sex tape of Nadia Lockyer …

Media Matters boss paid former partner $850G ‘blackmail’ settlement  —  Media Matters chief David Brock paid a former domestic partner $850,000 after being threatened with damaging information involving the organization's donors and the IRS - a deal that Brock later characterized as a blackmail payment …

Trashing Tricare  —  The Obama administration's proposed defense budget calls for military families and retirees to pay sharply more for their healthcare, while leaving unionized civilian defense workers' benefits untouched.  The proposal is causing a major rift within the Pentagon, according to U.S. officials.

Marijuana-legalization initiative qualifies for ballot  —  An initiative to legalize limited possession of marijuana in Colorado for adults has become the first measure to qualify for the November ballot.  —  The Colorado Secretary of State's office announced this afternoon that the campaign turned …

Bob Kerrey changes his mind, will run for Senate, source says  —  Former senator Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.) has changed his mind and plans to run for the open Senate seat in Nebraska, according to a senior Democratic aide.  —  The aide said Kerrey has called Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to inform him of his plans.

Rep. Issa Concedes His All-Male Anti-Contraception Hearing Was Not ‘My Greatest Success’  —  Eight days after getting roundly-chastised for holding an all-male anti-contraception, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) admitted on Friday that the episode did not go as well as he expected.