Reid predicting victory for Obama judge choice...NJ gov. battles state fiscal problems

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WASHINGTON (AP) — One of President Barack Obama's most contentious picks for a federal judgeship faces a crucial procedural vote today in the Senate, where Majority Leader Harry Reid is predicting victory. David Barron is a former administration official who wrote secret documents justifying the use of drones to kill an American overseas. The administration yesterday released a censored version of one memo arguing the pro-drone position.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A bill headed for a House vote today seeks to partially address allegations of treatment delays and preventable deaths in VA hospitals. The bill would give Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki more authority to fire or demote senior executives as pressure builds on Capitol Hill to overhaul the beleaguered agency. Some 26 facilities are under investigation.

NEW YORK (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has another fight on his hands that could have a negative effect as he considers whether to run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. Besides the already well-known traffic scandal, New Jersey is facing a worsening fiscal outlook and a gaping budget deficit. Christie blames Democrats who control the state Legislature.

TOKYO (AP) — Japan has taken an early step in the effort to conquer the growing amount of contaminated water it's storing at its crippled Fukushima power plant. Groundwater from the least contaminated areas of the facility is being released into the ocean so it does not run into contaminated areas and create more toxic water amid storage space limitations. The system had been delayed due to a series of problems.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (AP) — Militant positions in a northwestern tribal region of Pakistan near the Afghan border have been pounded by Pakistani military jet fighters and helicopter gunships. Officials say nearly 30 militants have been killed in the attacks in lawless North Waziristan. Some local residents say civilians were also killed.