‘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 …

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:

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.

Justin Timberlake, Queen Latifah to perform at White House  —  President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will host a handful of celebrated musicians next Tuesday for an event the White House is describing as a “celebration of Memphis Soul music.”  —  Among the acts on the lineup …

Ben Carson To Levin: White Liberals Are ‘The Most Racist People,’ They Don't Want Me To Leave ‘Plantation’  —  On his radio show last night, Mark Levin had on newfound conservative “hero” Dr. Ben Carson to discuss all the lashings he's received from the “left-wing media” over his views on gay marriage and religion.

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 …

Mark Sanford wins South Carolina House GOP primary runoff  —  Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) has won his House primary runoff, setting up a high-profile special election against businesswoman Elizabeth Colbert Busch (D).  —  Sanford led attorney Curtis Bostic (R) by 55 to 45 percent …

Freedom Loses One  —  I don't think we've paused sufficiently to celebrate the wonderful recent defeat for the cause of personal freedom.  After all, these sorts of defeats don't happen every day.  —  Over the past 40 years, personal freedom has been on a nearly uninterrupted winning streak.

Ben Carson's next misstep: Catering to extreme Illinois Family Insitute  —  Readers who have followed my coverage of the Illinois marriage debate know how over-the-top the Illinois Family Institute is.  The IFI—one of the few state-level anti-gay groups, I should note upfront …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Tight gun laws ahead for Connecticut  —  Newtown parents, including Mark Barden, spoke at the state capitol building on Monday to call for a complete ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines  —  Lawmakers in the state of Connecticut will vote on a sweeping set of gun restrictions, including a ban on new high-capacity magazines.

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 …

Apple Preps iPhones  —  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.

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.

France's former tax tsar admits having undeclared Swiss bank account  —  François Hollande's former tax tsar begged for “forgiveness” after admitting to having an undeclared Swiss bank account for the past 20 years, as he was placed under formal investigation for tax fraud.