The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

Friday, March 22, 2013  Senate leader Reid says Democrats' gun bill will seek expanded background checks for buyers

Tuesday, March 12, 2013  Senate panel ready to OK Dems' bill on gun background checks, fate in full Senate less sure

Wednesday, January 30, 2013  Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords spoke haltingly, a result of the wounds suffered when she was shot in the head in an attempted assassination two years ago that left six others dead.

Wednesday, February 09, 2011  House rejects bill to extend Patriot Act surveillance provisions put in place after Sept. 11

Tuesday, January 25, 2011  Regional Round-Up is the place to click for interesting news and lifestyle stories across the area.

Wednesday, August 04, 2010  A parade of GOP senators took to the Senate floor to outline the case against Kagan even as it became clear that President Barack Obama's nominee had drawn a majority for confirmation.

Tuesday, August 03, 2010  A vote is expected before the end of the week to confirm President Barack Obama's nominee. Kagan is in line to succeed retired Justice John Paul Stevens and become the fourth woman to sit on the court.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010  UPDATED 4:05 p.m. CDT. Just one Republican joined Democrats to approve Kagan's nomination and send it to the full Senate, where she's expected to win confirmation within weeks.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010  Elena Kagan completed grueling Senate questioning Wednesday, unscathed by Republican challenges on abortion, gays in the military and gun rights

Tuesday, June 29, 2010  Senate Republicans and Solicitor General Elena Kagan are facing off over whether her objection to the military's ban on openly gay soldiers and her decision to restrict recruiters at Harvard Law School disqualify her from serving on the Supreme Court.

Monday, June 28, 2010  Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan pledged at her Senate confirmation hearing Monday to show the "evenhandedness and impartiality" the Constitution demands if she is confirmed.

Monday, June 28, 2010  Kagan's chances are bright as she heads into a marathon week of high-pressure vetting before the Judiciary panel, pressing to portray herself as a mainstream, impartial addition to the court.

Friday, April 16, 2010  California law professor Goodwin Liu will be a test case of President Barack Obama's ability to win confirmation for a liberal appeals court nominee.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010  Women seeking abortions in Missouri would have to receive information about the fetus and wait 24 hours for the procedure under a bill in the state Senate.

Thursday, December 10, 2009  A bill to protect reporters' confidential sources in federal court has cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee.