WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A U.S. government watchdog found "serious deficiencies" in how the State Department awarded a contract job in Afghanistan, according to a letter from the organization to Secretary of State John Kerry released Thursday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- It's one of the hottest and most controversial issues in front of lawmakers this summer.

PHILADELPHIA (CNN) -- There is one thing to be said about Attorney General Eric Holder. He has a way with words that makes conservatives furious -- especially when he starts talking about race and the law.

With almost 20 million readers the National Newspaper Publishers Association has abundant power in numbers.  By linking one Black Newspaper to another, creating strong partnerships and promoting NNPA as a whole, we increase African American online power.

A natural gas platform exploded in the Gulf of Mexico late Tuesday. Officials from Houston-based Walter Oil & Gas Corp say no oil has leaked from the rig.

A Massachusetts State Police sergeant will be on desk duty pending the outcome of an internal investigation over his unauthorized release of photos showing the hunt and capture of one of the Boston bombing suspects.

Three women whose bodies were found wrapped in trash bags last weekend in East Cleveland have been identified. They are Angela Deskins, Shirellda Terry and Shetisha Sheeley.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The prospect of Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell resigning as he copes with a federal investigation into the nearly $150,000 worth of lavish gifts the Republican and his family received from a wealthy executive is unlikely, people close to the governor insist.

(CNN) -- Senate Majority PAC, an independent group that works to keep the Senate in Democrats' hands, launched another attack ad Tuesday against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, highlighting the Kentucky Republican as a "guardian of gridlock."

(CNN) -- San Diego Mayor Bob Filner's former spokeswoman sued him for sexual harassment Monday, calling Filner unfit "to hold any public office" and adding a new dimension to the scandal he faces.