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.

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 …

Sen. Cruz: Obama trying to ‘scuttle’ immigration reform  —  Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) on Wednesday charged that President Obama was seeking to “scuttle” efforts at immigration reform by pushing for a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country.

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 …

Release Detail  —  February 21, 2013 - Donor Controversy Takes Toll On NJ Senator, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Booker Tops Rivera 2-1 In 2014 Senate Race  —  New Jersey voters disapprove 41 - 36 percent of the job U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez is doing, a 15-point drop in less than a month …

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 …

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.

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 …

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?

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 …

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.

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 …