Former IRS commissioner heads to Hill amid scandal

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers are getting their first chance to question the former head of the Internal Revenue Service, the man who ran the agency when agents were improperly targeting tea party groups.

Policy, discretion guide media sources probes

WASHINGTON (AP) — It was a rare moment in relations between the media and the government: In 2008, FBI Director Robert Mueller called the top editors at The New York Times and The Washington Post to apologize because the bureau had improperly obtained reporters' telephone records four years …

Former IRS commissioner heads to Hill amid scandal

FILE - In this Aug. 2, 2012, file photo, then-Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Douglas Shulman testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. Shulman heads to Capitol Hill on May 21, 2013, giving lawmakers their first opportunity to question the man who ran the agency when agents were imprope…

Policy, discretion guide media sources probes

FILE - In this May 13, 2013, file photo, the screen on the phone console is seen at the reception desk at The Associated Press Washington bureau. The Justice Department’s latest effort to examine who journalists are talking to _ the secret subpoena of Associated Press phone records from Apri…

More Obama aides knew of IRS audit; Obama not told

FILE - In this May 15, 2013 file photo, President Barack Obama speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington. It might have seemed a no-win situation to the White House: either keep President Barack Obama in the dark about a looming investigation into political targeting by the In…

More Obama aides knew of IRS audit; Obama not told

FILE - In this May 10, 2006 file photo, then-federal prosecutor, now White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler is seen in Houston. It might have seemed a no-win situation to the White House: either keep President Barack Obama in the dark about a looming investigation into political targeting by t…

More Obama aides knew of IRS audit; Obama not told

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney gestures as he speaks during his daily news briefing at the White House in Washington, Monday, May, 20, 2013. Carney spoke on various subjects including the recent scandals involving the IRS and Justice Department. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

More Obama aides knew of IRS audit; Obama not told

FILE - In this Oct. 15, 2010 file photo White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer walks on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. It might have seemed a no-win situation to the White House: either keep President Barack Obama in the dark about a looming investigation into pol…

More Obama aides knew of IRS audit; Obama not told

FILE - In this May 9, 2013 file photo, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. It might have seemed a no-win situation to the White House: either keep President Barack Obama in the dark about a looming investigation into political targeting by the Internal Revenue Se…

More Obama aides knew of IRS audit; Obama not told

WASHINGTON | White House chief of staff Denis McDonough and other senior advisers knew in late April that an impending report was likely to say the IRS had inappropriately targeted conservative groups, President Barack Obama's spokesman disclosed Monday, expanding the circle of top officials…

Brown v. Board site to mark anniversary of ruling

The Brown v. Board of Education National Historic site will display a black doll used in a series of famous race studies to mark the 59th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that ended legal segregation in public schools.

High court rules against Indiana farmer in patent case

WASHINGTON | The Supreme Court said Monday that an Indiana farmer violated Monsanto Co.'s patents on soybean seeds that are resistant to its weed-killer by growing additional crops without buying new beans.

Sheriff proposes Cook County concealed-carry ordinance

CHICAGO | Cook County's sheriff is proposing a countywide concealed-carry ordinance, saying if state lawmakers don't pass a law by next month as a federal court has ordered, Illinois could turn into the "Wild West."

Chicago district disappointed in ex-congressman

CHICAGO | Residents in this swath of sprawling Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs have brimmed with loyalty to Jesse Jackson Jr. over the past 17 years, giving him an enthusiastic majority each election — even after questionable links to ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich, reports of an extramarital aff…

NFL lifts suspension of Saints coach Sean Payton

NEW YORK | Sean Payton is back as coach of the New Orleans Saints.

NFL lifts suspension of Saints coach Sean Payton

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has reinstated New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton following a season-long suspension for his role in the team's bounty scandal.

Goodell: Bounty players should be punished

IRVING, Texas | NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he "fundamentally disagrees" with former league boss Paul Tagliabue's decision not to discipline players in the New Orleans Saints' bounty scandal.

Goodell: Bounty players should be punished

NFL executive vice president and general counsel Jeff Pash speaks about the decision not to discipline players in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal while meeting with reporters outside the NFL owners meeting, Wednesday in Irving, Texas.

Panel vacates bounty suspensions for 4 NFL players

The suspension of New Orleans' Jonathan Vilma (51) and three other players in the NFL's bounty investigation were lifted Friday by a three-member appeals panel. The league reinstated those players a few minutes later. The ruling does not permanently void their suspensions.