Tom Howell Jr.

House passes modest modification to D.C.’s Height Act

The House easily passed legislation Monday that allows the nation's capital to use more of its rooftop space without spoiling the city's iconic views. Published April 28, 2014

Oregon abandons state Obamacare exchange; first to do so

Oregon has become the first state to ditch its Obamacare exchange, opting Friday to abandon the $245 million state-run portal and rely on the federal HealthCare.gov site for private health policies when enrollment starts again in November. Published April 25, 2014

Oregon may ditch Obamacare portal

Oregon may drop its glitch-laden Obamacare portal and rely on the federally run HealthCare.gov website instead, a stark turnaround for a state that embraced the health care law but failed to deliver a fully functioning exchange. Published April 24, 2014

FDA extends its reach to e-cigarettes in proposal

Five years in the making, the Obama administration’s move Thursday to regulate electronic cigarettes and other tobacco products left many anti-smoking advocates waiting to exhale. Published April 24, 2014

Obamacare class-action suit opens a new legal front

Lawrence Basich is on the hook for $400,000 in medical bills that would have been paid by his insurer had his application been processed correctly by Nevada's Obamacare exchange. Published April 23, 2014

Most Americans OK with Obamacare contraception mandate: study

More than two-thirds of Americans support an Obamacare rule requiring employers to insure birth control as part of company health plans, according a new study. Published April 23, 2014

Supreme Court upholds Michigan affirmative action ban

The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a state electorate's right to ban the use of race in public university admissions, a decision that rekindles the debate over affirmative action in an election year and could clear the way for ballot initiatives across America. Published April 22, 2014

Sebelius not running for Senate, HHS confirms: Report

Despite rumors in Democratic circles, departing Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is not considering a Senate run out of Kansas, an agency spokesman told the Associated Press. Published April 18, 2014

Red fox makes a home for himself at the White House: Report

Watch out, Bo and Sunny, there's a new pet — well kind of — at the White House. Published April 18, 2014

7.5-magnitude earthquake shakes southern Mexico

An earthquake of an estimated 7.5 magnitude hit southern Mexico on Friday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Published April 18, 2014

Sen. Joe Manchin keeps his options open for 2016

Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia is keeping his political options open for 2016, even though his Senate term would not end for another two years, according to the Charleston Gazette. Published April 18, 2014

Many Americans would quickly face financial hardship after losing job, poll shows

Many Americans would quickly face financial hardship if they lost their job, a Gallup poll said. Published April 18, 2014

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford thanks supporters at re-election campaign bash

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford kicked off his re-election bid Thursday night by thanking his supporters for standing by him during the "rocky moments over the past year," the Toronto Star said. Published April 18, 2014

Publisher unveils Hillary Clinton’s new memoir — ‘Hard Choices’

Hillary Clinton's upcoming memoir about her time as secretary of state now has a title — "Hard Choices." Published April 18, 2014

Obama taunts GOP, takes nationally televised victory lap on Obamacare

President Obama openly rebuked Republicans for their continued assault on his health care law in a televised victory lap Thursday, pointing to new data that show 8 million Americans have selected a private health plan through online exchanges and that millions more will be covered by Medicaid or their parents' insurance because of his overhaul. Published April 17, 2014

Rep. Nita Lowey urges Kerry to protect Jewish people of Ukraine

Citing "highly alarming press reports" from eastern Ukraine, Rep. Nita Lowey asked Secretary of State John Kerry to protect Jewish citizens in Donestk who are reportedly being ordered to "register" with pro-Russian militants. Published April 17, 2014

Covered California reports more than 200K in overtime Obamacare sign-ups

Covered California said Thursday more than 200,000 consumers selected private health plans on its Obamacare exchange from April 1 to the April 15 deadline, bringing the total number of sign-ups on the state-run health exchange to nearly 1.4 million. Published April 17, 2014

Sarah Palin to campaign for Senate candidate Ben Sasse in Nebraska

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will rally this month with Ben Sasse in support of his bid to stave off GOP primary challenger Osborn next month and replace retiring Republican Sen. Mike Johanns next year, the Sasse campaign said Thursday. Published April 17, 2014

Putin: No plans to invade Alaska; too cold, he says

Russian President Vladimir Putin may be making inroads into eastern Ukraine, but he does not plan to replicate the incursion far to the east, in Alaska, because his country has enough cold land, according to mashable.com. Published April 17, 2014