Feds prepare corruption charges against Sen. Menendez 01:41  —  People briefed on the case say Attorney General Eric Holder has signed off on prosecutors' request to proceed with charges, CNN has learned exclusively.  An announcement could come within weeks.

Ferguson judge behind aggressive fines policy owes $170,000 in unpaid taxes  —  Ronald J Brockmeyer, who is accused of fixing traffic tickets for himself and associates, was a driving force behind using fines and fees to generate revenue  —  The judge in Ferguson, Missouri …

Why did Hillary Become the Obama Administration's Bête Noire This Week?  One Word: Iran  —  The Obama Administration dispatched its big guns this week to take out a major political rival whose mere presence poses a threat to a hoped-for breakthrough with Iran.

'You're Not Wrong, You're Just an A**hole'  —  The Washington Redskins is a name that is offensive and perpetuates racism against Native Americans.  Should it be changed?  Yes.  But should the government get to make that call?  As we told a federal district court yesterday, the answer is no …

Obama Administration Urges Nationwide End To Same-Sex Marriage Bans  —  “There is no adequate justification for such a discriminatory and injurious exercise of state power,” the Obama administration urges the Supreme Court.  More than 200 congressional Democrats also weigh in to support marriage equality.

U. California students remove offensive American flag from ‘inclusive’ space  — The Associated Students of University of California, Irvine voted to ban hanging flags in its main lobby.  —  The Associated Students of University of California, Irvine (ASUCI) voted Tuesday to remove all flags …

I Don't Love Spock  —  “I loved Spock,” said President Obama, reacting to the death of actor Leonard Nimoy.  Why?  Because Spock reminds him of himself.  The galaxy's most famous Vulcan, the president wrote, was “Cool, logical, big-eared, and level headed, the center of Star Trek's optimistic, inclusive vision of humanity's future.”

At the mercy of the lynch mob: New pictures show how thousands joined gang which kidnapped ‘rapist’ from Indian prison - then stripped him naked and beat him to death  —  Thousands of furious Indians swarmed the streets to publicly - and violently - kill a man who was suspected of being a rapist.

Could viral fame keep the best cup holder you've ever seen from coming to your car?  —  KIRKLAND — Maksim Ghyvoronosky is trying to catch lightning in a bottle.  Again.  —  But this time, he promises, he'll be ready.  —  Ghyvoronsky is the owner and creator of Maksimatic, a Kirkland based start-up that specializes in cup holders.

Bush touts his ‘Florida record’, says Clinton's private email decision ‘baffling’ (AUDIO)  —  Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush is making his first trip to Iowa since making it clear he's laying the groundwork for a 2016 presidential campaign.  —  “The possibility of running is daunting …

Under Obama, 4 in 10 say race relations worsened  —  Feds find racial bias in Ferguson 02:56  —  (CNN)Four in 10 Americans say race relations in the United States have gotten worse under the nation's first black president, according to a new CNN/ORC poll.  And 50 years after the Bloody …

In U.C.L.A. Debate Over Jewish Student, Echoes on Campus of Old Biases  —  LOS ANGELES — It seemed like routine business for the student council at the University of California, Los Angeles: confirming the nomination of Rachel Beyda, a second-year economics major who wants to be a lawyer someday, to the council's Judicial Board.

Harry Reid Endorses Chris Van Hollen For Senate  —  Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) swiftly endorsed Rep. Chris Van Hollen to be the next U.S. senator from Maryland, wasting little time as Democrats hope to lock up the seat vacated by retiring Sen. Barbara Mikulski.

Charlie Rangel: Current GOP Has “Big A Tradition...Of Hating Slaves And Black Folks”  —  “What you have to keep reminding people is that these Dixiecrats who have just as big a tradition out of hating slaves and black folks—they just changed their party and became Republicans.  They come for the same communities.

Wellesley College to accept transgender women  —  Wellesley College said Thursday that it would begin accepting transgender women, a major shift in its admissions policy applauded by professors, students, and graduates even as some said it does not go far enough.