HHS chief: President didn't know of Obamacare website woes beforehand  —  (CNN) — President Barack Obama didn't know about the problems with the Affordable Care Act's website — despite complaints from insurance companies and the site's crashing during a test run — until days …

Exclusive: White House Official Fired for Tweeting Under Fake Name  —  A White House national security official was fired last week after being caught as the mystery Tweeter who has been tormenting the foreign policy community with insulting comments and revealing internal Obama administration information for over two years.

HealthCare.gov pricing feature can be off the mark  —  (CBS News) CBS News has uncovered a serious pricing problem with HealthCare.gov. It stems from the Obama administration's efforts to improve its health care website.  A new online feature can dramatically underestimate the cost of insurance.

Saudi Arabia severs diplomatic ties with US over response to conflict in Syria  — Saudi diplomats now promise a ‘major shift’ in relations with the U.S. over inaction in the conflict in Syria  — Secretary of State John Kerry says he is committed to keeping a good relationship with the Saudis

Durbin: House leader told Obama ‘I cannot even stand to look at you’  —  A top Senate Democrat said that a leading House Republican told President Obama that they could not ‘even stand to look at you’ during negotiations over the government shutdown.  —  Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) …

In Utah, tea party favorite Sen. Lee faces GOP backlash over government shutdown  —  SALT LAKE CITY — When Mike Lee toppled longtime Republican Sen. Robert F. Bennett here in 2010, it was the tea party's first big triumph.  But now, after a 16-day government shutdown, it's Lee who faces a revolt within his own party.

The hidden room inside Mitt Romney's new Utah house  —  Holladay » The front door of Mitt Romney's soon-to-be-constructed Holladay house opens to a massive living room, and to your left, around the fireplace, lies a study.  —  If you look closely at the bookshelves there, you find something interesting: a secret door.

Alan Greenspan's Bank Capital Fraud  —  I'm a little surprised to find myself saying this, but I think David Dayen's managed to be too soft on Alan Greenspan in his take on Greenspan's new book The Map and the Territory.  It's true that Greenspan's 2004-vintage pimping for adjustable-rate mortgages …

Craigslist makes turning food stamps into cash a SNAP  —  Food stamp recipients are turning the government handouts into quick cash with ads on Craigslist, despite efforts to stem fraud.  —  The federally-funded grocery assistance coupons — which are issued by states in the form …

Unsecured AR-15 Stolen from Pro-Gun Congresswoman's Home  —  According to her website, U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers “believes that gun owners must be responsible for the use and care of their guns.”  Maybe she should listen to her own advice.  —  An AR-15 rifle was reportedly stolen from her home …

Bill de Blasio and the New Urban Populism  —  In an era of Clintonesque caution, when Democrats typically mute any expression of their leftward leanings, Bill de Blasio, who will almost certainly be elected mayor of New York City two weeks from now, does not concede an inch to the right.

No Reason, Just Hate: That's a Modern Liberal  —  The Left's hatred for conservatives has become so obsessive that it is hard to engage a liberal in rational discussion of any public policy issue.  Take the Keystone XL pipeline: I think it is obviously a good idea, but if a liberal wants to argue to the contrary, fine.

BREAKING: Judge Refuses to Dismiss Case Challenging Obamacare Subsidies  —  UPDATE: The judge will not issue an injunction to stop the IRS from issuing subsidies, meaning Obamacare can move forward as planned.  However, the lawsuit will also move forward and depending on the outcome, could limit IRS power to issue Obamacare subsidies.

Report: U.S. Spent $3.7 Trillion on Welfare Over Last 5 Years  —  New research from the Republicans on the Senate Budget Committee shows that over the last 5 years, the U.S. has spent about $3.7 trillion on welfare.  Here's a chart, showing that spending versus transportation, education, and NASA spending:

Will Ryan cut a deal?  —  Washington is wondering: Will Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) cut a deal?  —  Ryan faces a crucial moment in his political career as the formal House-Senate budget conference gets underway.  —  Those who want to see a deal — a group that includes deficit hawks …