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WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says it disagrees with today's Supreme Court decision on recess appointments, but it will honor that ruling. The court sided with Senate Republicans in a battle with President Barack Obama, saying that a president can't make temporary "recess appointments" to top government posts if the Senate isn't actually in recess. Obama has argued that the Senate was on an extended holiday break when he made appointments to the National Labor Relations Board -- and that it was holding brief "pro forma" sessions every three days just to keep him from filling those posts.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — President Barack Obama says policies to help the middle class are fully achievable if the country can get Washington to work for average citizens. Speaking at a town hall meeting in Minneapolis, Obama said there's a need for better childcare policies, paid family leave, a higher minimum wage, and equal pay for men and women. Obama has been spending part of the day with a working mother to highlight Americans still struggling through the economic recovery.
NEW YORK (AP) — A disappointing report on Americans' spending last month has left stocks moderately lower. The government reported today that consumer spending inched up by two-tenths of one percent last month. That's half the increase that economists had predicted. The major stock indexes this afternoon came back from their lows of earlier in the day, but the Dow still lost 21 points. The Nasdaq composite was down less than a point, and the S&P slipped two points.
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) — A battle in southern Afghanistan is shaping up as a major test of the government's ability to maintain security in volatile areas after foreign combat troops leave. Officials say the death toll from a week of fighting between Afghan forces and hundreds of Taliban militants has risen past 100. The U.N. is calling on all parties to protect civilians who are increasingly being caught in the crossfire.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A jury in Los Angeles is considering the negligence lawsuit filed against the Los Angeles Dodgers and the team's former owner, Frank McCourt, by a man who was left with brain damage after being beaten at the ballpark's parking lot on Opening Day of 2011. A lawyer for Bryan Stow is asking for $37 million in actual damages, and he's suggesting it should be doubled for pain and suffering. Defense lawyers say there should be no finding of liability, and no damages.
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