Some Republicans See Racism As a Factor in Immigration Stalemate  —  “I hate to say this, because these are my people — but I hate to say it, but it's racial,” says a Republican congressman.  —  Jason Reed / Reuters  —  WASHINGTON — For more than a year House Republican leaders have insisted …

MSNBC Fires Employee Responsible for Cheerios Tweet  —  “The tweet was outrageous and unacceptable,” says MSNBC president Phil Griffin.  —  MSNBC has fired the employee who sent out a controversial Tweet involving a Cheerios commercial that features a biracial family.

Sandra Fluke may seek Henry Waxman House seat  —  Sandra Fluke, who became an instant celebrity when she was denied the opportunity to testify at an all-male hearing on Obamacare's contraception requirements, is “strongly considering” a bid for Rep. Henry Waxman's congressional seat …

U.S. Is Seeking Death Penalty in Boston Case  —  WASHINGTON — The Justice Department said Thursday that it would seek the death penalty against Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, the man accused of killing and maiming people with homemade bombs at the Boston Marathon finish line last year.

Why I Was Wrong About Chris Christie  —  He wasn't so smart or post-partisan, and may pay the price as a presidential hopeful.  —  A year ago, I wrote: “The smartest move in politics today is to move against Washington and the two major parties.  And the smartest man in politics may be Chris Christie.”

Fox News once again most and least trusted name in news  —  PPP's 5th annual poll about trust in TV news continues to find what it does every year: Fox News is both the most trusted and least trusted name in news.  —  35% of Americans say they trust Fox News more than any other TV news outlet …

Jed Udall, son of Sen. Mark Udall, arrested on heroin, vehicular-trespassing charges  —  Sheriff: Udall, 26, broke into cars in Eldorado Springs  —  Jed Udall, the 26-year-old son of Colorado Sen. Mark Udall, was arrested Wednesday after Boulder County sheriff's deputies say he broke …

Maher Wants His Show to Decide a House Race  —  Bill Maher makes little effort to hide his own contempt for many politicians, most of them Republicans.  Now, he wants to take it to the next level: finding one he might be able to help oust from office.  —  On his weekly HBO talk show …

Facebook Turns 10: The Mark Zuckerberg Interview  —  Mark Zuckerberg doesn't usually observe sentimental anniversaries.  This year he's confronted by three of them.  On Feb. 4, Facebook (FB), the company he co-founded in a Harvard University dorm, turns 10 years old.  The prodigy himself turns 30 in May.

More Uninsured Planning to Get Insurance From Exchanges  —  Fifty-six percent plan to use an exchange, first time above majority  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Fifty-six percent of uninsured Americans who plan to get health insurance say they will do so through a government health insurance exchange.

CNN exclusive: Obama says Walmart, Apple, others to help jobless  —  Program note: Watch the entire exclusive interview with President Barack Obama on CNN's “New Day” Friday at 6 a.m. ET and “The Lead With Jake Tapper” at 4 p.m. ET  —  (CNN) — The White House has secured commitments …

The Inside Story Of The Charlatan Who Duped The Nation's Top Conservatives  —  On New Year's Eve, I learned FEMA's “Dirty Little Secret.”  —  It was the title of a fascinating email, one that had somehow dodged my spam filter.  The message was suffused with breathless concern …

‘U’ Students Want Crime Alerts To Avoid Using Racial Descriptions  —  MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - School officials at the University of Minnesota are working with black student and facility organizations after they wrote a letter to the school's president about the racial descriptions given in crime alerts.

Bestiality one step closer to being a crime in Alabama  —  MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Bestiality is one step closer to being illegal in Alabama after the Alabama Senate today passed a bill to criminalize sexual contact with animals.  —  Senate Bill 151 would criminalize sexual contact with animals …