NEW ORLEANS — BP's massive oil spill became the largest ever in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday based on the highest of the federal government's estimates, an ominous record that underscores the oil giant's dire need to halt the gusher.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — A Harvard scholar and the police sergeant who arrested him last July after a confrontation outside his home both missed opportunities to "ratchet down" the situation and end things more calmly, according to a review of the case released Wednesday.

ATLANTA (AP) -- A rift in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's board of directors was caused by manipulative workers and board members at the civil rights organization, the group's compliance officer testified Monday.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Elena Kagan declined an invitation to criticize the current Supreme Court on Wednesday, testifying at the third day of confirmation hearings, "I'm sure everyone up there is acting in good faith."

WASHINGTON — Top Democratic House and Senate negotiators who worked out a deal on a sweeping overhaul of financial regulations regrouped Tuesday to eliminate a $19 billion fee on banks that had threatened to derail the legislation.

GRAND ISLE, La. — The crashing waves and gusting winds churned up by Tropical Storm Alex put the Gulf oil spill largely in Mother Nature's hands Tuesday. Regardless of whether the storm makes things worse or better, it has turned many people fighting the spill into spectators.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court has rejected appeals by the Obama administration and the nation's largest tobacco companies to get involved in a legal fight about the dangers of cigarette smoking that has stretched more than 10 years.

WASHINGTON (AP) — As Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan undergoes questioning before senators this week, some of the hearing may sound like it's in a foreign language. But don't adjust the TV or look for subtitles.
For The Skanner News video click here

MEXICO CITY — Gunmen assassinated the front-running candidate for governor of a Mexican border state Monday in what President Felipe Calderon called an attempt by drug gangs to sway local and state elections this weekend.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The person who gets picked to fill the seat vacated by the death of Democratic U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd won't have to face an election until 2012, a key decision for Democrats nationally trying to hold onto a slim majority in Congress after this November's elections.