Statement from Senator Kirk on Same-Sex Marriage  —  When I climbed the Capitol steps in January, I promised myself that I would return to the Senate with an open mind and greater respect for others.  —  Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage.  Our time on this Earth is limited, I know that better than most.

‘Illegal immigrant’ no more  —  The AP Stylebook today is making some changes in how we describe people living in a country illegally.  —  Senior Vice President and Executive Editor Kathleen Carroll explains the thinking behind the decision:  —  The Stylebook no longer sanctions the term …

Lawmakers Charged in Plot to Buy Spot on Mayoral Ballot  —  State Senator Malcolm A. Smith, a contractor and real estate developer who rose to become the first black president of the State Senate, and City Councilman Daniel J. Halloran III were arrested early Tuesday on charges of trying …

Ben Carson blasts ‘vicious,’ white liberal critics as ‘the most racist out there’  —  Dr. Ben Carson on Tuesday blasted his critics for heat he's taken recently over controversial remarks on gay marriage, calling his white liberal detractors “the most racist out there.”

KAREN FINNEY NAMED MSNBC WEEKEND HOST  —  Karen Finney has been named host of a new MSNBC program to air on weekends from 4-5 p.m. ET.  More details about the program, including the launch date, will be announced in the coming weeks.  —  “Karen's rich background in both education policy …

Conspiracy Theory Poll Results  —  On our national poll this week we took the opportunity to poll 20 widespread and/or infamous conspiracy theories.  Many of these theories are well known to the public, others perhaps to just the darker corners of the internet.  Here's what we found:

Obama Names Himself ‘Scientist-in-Chief’  —  At a speech this morning at the White House to outline a new science initiative, President Barack Obama named himself “Scientist-in-Chief.”  —  “I'm glad I've been promoted Scientist-in-Chief,” Obama said to laughter at the White House.

Outrage 101: Radical jailed in slay now Columbia prof  —  Former Weather Underground radical Kathy Boudin — who spent 22 years in prison for an armored-car robbery that killed two cops and a Brinks guard — now holds a prestigious adjunct professorship at Columbia University's School of Social Work, The Post has learned.

Louie Gohmert Opposes Gun Control Because Gay Marriage Leads to Bestiality  —  Earlier this year, Rick Scarborough of Vision America launched a new organization called Tea Party Unity, which seeks to become a “unique clearinghouse and town hall forum where various existing Tea Party leaders …

Airline to charge overweight passengers more  —  Samoa Air has become the world's first airline to implement “pay as you weigh” flights, meaning overweight passengers pay more for their seats.  —  “This is the fairest way of travelling,” chief executive of Samoa Air, Chris Langton, told ABC Radio.

Apple to Begin iPhone Production This Quarter  —  Apple Inc. plans to begin production of a refreshed iPhone similar in size and shape to its current one in the second quarter of the year, according to people familiar with the device's production, teeing up a possible summer launch for the next version of its flagship device.

Unemployment in Euro Zone Reaches a Record 12%  —  PARIS — While the euro zone has been transfixed lately by the Cyprus meltdown, another and potentially bigger European crisis has continued to simmer: record-high unemployment.  —  Spending cuts and tax increases aimed at trimming debt …

Obama's continued use of the claim that 40 percent of gun sales lack background checks  —  “Why wouldn't we want to close the loophole that allows as many as 40 percent of all gun purchases to take place without a background check?”  —  “FACT: Nearly 40% of all gun sales don't require a background check under current law.

Pat Robertson Blames Ivy League Schools For Lack Of Miracles In America  —  It may have been April 1st yesterday, but televangelist Pat Robertson wasn't kidding when he told a viewer that Americans aren't experiencing God's miracles because they are too “sophisticated.”

Sequestration Effects: Cuts Sting Communities Nationwide  —  WASHINGTON — It's now an article of faith that dire sequestration warnings were overblown.  —  New studies downsize potential job losses because of the federal budget cuts.  Agencies have figured ways to ensure that the more alarming effects …

Keystone XL Pipeline Draws Broad Support  —  Continuing Partisan Divide in Views of Global Warming  —  OVERVIEW  —  As the Obama administration approaches a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline, a national survey finds broad public support for the project.

Chuck Hagel to give back some of his salary to DOD  —  Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will give back a portion of his salary this fiscal year in solidarity with his department's workers who are facing 14 days of furloughs, the Pentagon said Tuesday.  —  As a political appointee …

Cruz to test 2016 waters with South Carolina trip  —  Cambridge, Massachusetts (CNN) - He's been in Washington only three months, but U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is already planning a pilgrimage to a critical presidential primary state.  —  The outspoken Cruz, a conservative attorney …

Democrats push bill in Congress to require gun insurance under penalty of fine  —  A New York Democratic lawmaker is behind a national push that would force gun owners to buy liability insurance or face a $10,000 fine.  —  The Firearm Risk Protection Act, pushed by Rep. Carolyn Maloney …

Keyes: Marriage Equality is the ‘Archetype of all Crimes Against Humanity’  —  Alan Keyes once again appeared on Stan Solomon's talk show, this time to discuss their stringent opposition to marriage equality.  —  After host, Steve Davis, claimed that just because they “oppose homosexual marriage …

NRA plan: Let teachers carry guns  —  An NRA-backed task force on Tuesday recommended allowing teachers to carry weapons in school, while avoiding any discussion of Congress' most-talked about gun control proposals.  —  “Teachers should teach,” said former Rep. Asa Hutchinson (R-Ark.), the chair of the task force.

Tennessee's Colossally Bad Plan to Change Its Primary System  —  You can hear bad ideas almost every day.  But only occasionally do you hear a colossally bad, ill-conceived idea, one that leaves you wondering who dreamed it up.  —  Tennessee state Sen. Frank Nicely, a Republican from Strawberry Plains …