Hosting Stuff: Top Stories

Panel hits Rangel with 13 ethics charges (AP)

AP - House investigators accused veteran New York Rep. Charles Rangel of 13 violations of congressional ethics standards on Thursday, throwing a cloud over his four-decade political career and raising worries for fellow Democrats about the fall elections.

Ariz. files appeal as sheriff launches new sweep (AP)

AP - The showdown over Arizona's immigration law played out in court and on Phoenix's sun-splashed streets on Thursday, as the state sought to reinstate key parts of the measure and angry protesters chanted that they refused to "live in fear." Dozens were arrested.

House rejects bill to aid sick 9/11 responders (AP)

AP - A bill that would have provided up to $7.4 billion in aid to people sickened by World Trade Center dust fell short in the House on Thursday, raising the possibility that the bulk of compensation for the ill will come from a legal settlement hammered out in the federal courts.

As many as 6,600 Arlington graves mixed up (AP)

AP - Estimates of the number of graves that might be affected by mix-ups at Arlington National Cemetery grew from hundreds to as many as 6,600 on Thursday, as the cemetery's former superintendent blamed his staff and a lack of resources for the scandal that forced his ouster.

Less oil on surface means less work for fishermen (AP)

AP - Even when the oily sheen starts fading from the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, it manages to become bad news for fishermen.

Top Mexican drug lord killed in clash with army (AP)

AP - One of the top three leaders of Mexico's most powerful drug cartel died in a gunfight with soldiers Thursday, ending the long run of a mysterious capo considered a founder of the country's massive methamphetamine trade.

Ousted USDA employee Sherrod plans to sue blogger (AP)

AP - Ousted Agriculture Department employee Shirley Sherrod said Thursday she will sue a conservative blogger who posted a video edited in a way that made her appear racist.

Pentagon: Leak investigaton may go beyond military (AP)

AP - A criminal investigation into the leak of tens of thousands of secret Afghanistan war logs could go beyond the military, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday, and he did not rule out that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange could be a target.

Source: J-Lo close to deal for `American Idol' (AP)

AP - Ellen DeGeneres is dancing off "American Idol" after one season and Jennifer Lopez is poised to step in.

Oswalt traded to Phillies; Tejada, Cantu also move (AP)

AP - Roy Oswalt granted his own wish: He's now part of a pennant race. Miguel Tejada, Jorge Cantu and Matt Capps joined the mix, too.

Arizona appeals immigrant law ruling amid protests (Reuters)

Reuters - Arizona on Thursday appealed a judge's decision to block key parts of the state's crackdown on illegal immigrants and police in Phoenix arrested scores of activists protesting the remaining measures in the law.

Economic growth seen slower in Q2 on imports (Reuters)

Reuters - Economic growth likely slowed in the second quarter as a capital investment drive by businesses was sated by imports and consumer spending tapered off, a government report is expected to show on Friday.

BP lawsuits over oil spill take center stage (Reuters)

Reuters - More than 2,000 miles from the Gulf of Mexico shoreline, a panel of U.S. judges heard arguments from lawyers on Thursday on how piles of oil spill-related lawsuits against BP Plc should be merged.

WikiLeaks may have blood on its hands, U.S. says (Reuters)

Reuters - The whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks may have blood on its hands, the Pentagon said on Thursday, warning its unprecedented leak of secret U.S. military files could cost lives and damage trust of allies.

Mexican army kills kingpin in drug war coup (Reuters)

Reuters - Mexican soldiers killed drug boss Ignacio "Nacho" Coronel on Thursday, the first major triumph this year for President Felipe Calderon's war against drug cartels but one that is unlikely to end spiraling violence.

Four killed in Air Force plane crash in Alaska (Reuters)

Fed officials clash on need for more stimulus (Reuters)

U.S. closes consulate in Mexico's Ciudad Juarez (Reuters)

Leaked Afghan war files a 'dangerous' risk: Gates (AFP)

AFP - Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said leaked US documents on the Afghan war posed grave risks for Americans in battle and for US relationships in the region.

Several held in tense Arizona immigration protests (AFP)

AFP - Several hundred activists have marched through central Phoenix as a toned down new Arizona immigration law went into effect, sparking a tense standoff with riot police in which about two dozen people were arrested.