Gov. Rick Scott, feds reach Medicaid deal  —  TALLAHASSEE — Hours after the federal government agreed to grant Florida a conditional waiver to privatize Medicaid statewide, Gov. Rick Scott appears ready to endorse a plan to conditionally expand the health care program to about 1 million Floridians or more.

Obama Rated at 3-Year High in Poll, Republicans at Bottom  —  President Barack Obama enters the latest budget showdown with Congress with his highest job- approval rating in three years and public support for his economic message, while his Republican opponents' popularity stands at a record low.

Stuff gets in the way  —  Why would a couple risk so much — respect and even their freedom — for furs, furniture and a fedora?  —  This was the question that came to my mind when I read the federal charges against Jesse L. Jackson Jr., the former congressman from Illinois.

Ex-Sen. Domenici discloses son born in secrecy  —  Former New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici told the Journal on Tuesday he fathered a son outside of his marriage over 30 years ago, revealing a secret kept for decades.  —  Statements given to the Journal by Domenici and the son's mother …

The More Things Change ...  Despite spending a lot of time reading and thinking about the Voting Rights Act case the Supreme Court will hear next week, there's a puzzle I'm still trying to crack:  —  How can it be that one of the crowning achievements of the civil rights movement …

Majority of U.S. citizens say illegal immigrants should be deported  —  (Reuters) - More than half of U.S. citizens believe that most or all of the country's 11 million illegal immigrants should be deported, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday that highlights …

Ashley Judd meets with DSCC  —  Actress Ashley Judd privately met with officials at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in Washington earlier this week, as she continues to weigh whether to mount a Senate run against Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, according to two sources familiar with the session.

George Galloway in anti-Israel storm  —  Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.  —  To view the video directly, please click here  —  Video: Eylon Aslan-Levy  —  George Galloway, the Respect MP for Bradford West, has been accused by Oxford students of anti-semitism.

Ted Cruz a Lifeline for the Conservative Party?  —  HOUSTON — Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is one of the few Republicans these days described as a potential “rock star” for the party.  As a freshman, he is already starting to shake things up in Washington.  —  So, what makes this Lone Star lawmaker tick?

First on EWN: Pistorius cop facing ‘drunken’ shooting charges  —  JOHANNESBURG - Eyewitness News has learnt that the investigating officer in Oscar Pistorius' criminal case is in fact facing seven counts of attempted murder.  —  The charges are related to a shooting incident which occurred …

State reps propose repealing 17th Amendment  —  The 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was adopted on May 31, 1913, and provided for the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote.  —  Now, 100 years later, a group of Georgia state representatives would like to repeal the 17th Amendment …

G.O.P. Resisting Obama on Tax Increase  —  WASHINGTON — House Republicans, shrugging off rising pressure from President Obama, are resolutely opposing new tax increases to head off $85 billion in across-the-board spending reductions, all but ensuring the cuts will go into force March 1 …

Lawyers on Abuse Suits in Milwaukee Depose Dolan  —  A week before Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan is set to leave New York for Rome, where his name is being floated as a candidate for pope, he was questioned for three hours on Wednesday behind closed doors in a legal deposition concerning the sexual abuse of children by priests.

New study badly undermines GOP position on sequester  —  In a rational world, a new study that came out today on income equality would constitute a major blow to the GOP argument on the sequester.  —  The new study was performed by Thomas Hungerford of the non-partisan Congressional Research Service.

Sen. Graham: I Support Drone Strikes  —  Senator Lindsey Graham on judicial approval of drone use: “We're not fighting a crime, we're fighting a war.”  —  Senator Lindsey Graham said he supports the president's use of drone strikes in the Middle East.  —  Graham spoke to Easley Rotary …

AAA reports largest increase in gasoline prices in three years  —  The 44-cent jump in gasoline prices over the past four weeks was the largest in well over three years, according to AAA.  —  “The 44-cent month-over-month increase is the most dramatic since June 2009.

The GOP star you've never heard of  —  You haven't seen a YouTube video of Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam berating a constituent at a town hall meeting.  You probably haven't watched him on Fox News.  In fact, if you search the headlines for his name, you're just as likely to turn up coverage of his brother …