Rep. Rangel Broke Ethics Rules: The Washington Post reports that Rep. Charles Rangel broke congressional gift rules when he accepted trips to Caribbean conferences that were paid for by corporate interests. The House did not find that the New York Democrat knew about the corporate backing for his trips, they did determine that his staff knew, which makes him responsible. He was ordered to repay the costs of the trips.
Health Care Reform: President Barack Obama signaled yesterday that Democrats are prepared to move forward on health care reform without Republican support, The Associated Press reports. It's a gamble for Obama and his party, and its uncertain whether Democratic congressional leaders can move a bill forward without reaching across the aisle.
Calling Judges to the Stand: Prosecutors handling the case against Web radio talk show host Harold "Hal" Turner, who is charged with encouraging listeners to murder three federal appellate judges, plan to call those judges to the stand. Lynne Marek of the NLJ reports here that prosecutors, who work in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago, have won permission to have the three judges from the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago provide testimony.
Killer Whale to Be Spared: Sea World Orlando has decided that it will spare the orca whale who attacked and killed his trainer earlier this week. Despite calls to destroy the killer whale, named Tilikum, Sea World says it is an important part of the breeding program and a companion to the seven other whales there, MSNBC reports.
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