MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Thousands of Wisconsin state workers were bracing for layoff notices Friday as Republican Gov. Scott Walker and absent Democrats remained in a standoff over a budget balancing bill that would also strip public workers of their collective bargaining rights.

WASHINGTON – Republicans won an early round Wednesday in their fight to shrink the government

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a grieving father's pain over mocking protests at his Marine son's funeral must yield to First Amendment protections for free speech.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The number of people requesting unemployment benefits last week plunged to a nearly three-year low, bolstering the likelihood that companies will increase the pace of hiring this year.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon are meeting amid heightened tensions over violence at their shared border

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- The U.S. Air Force says two of its airmen have been killed and two wounded in a shooting outside Frankfurt airport.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate on Wednesday sent President Barack Obama a Republican-drafted bill to trim $4 billion from the budget

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the First Amendment protects fundamentalist church members who mount anti-gay protests outside military funerals, despite the pain they cause grieving families.

PLACERVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A Northern California couple charged with kidnapping Jaycee Dugard and holding her captive for 18 years have given full confessions to authorities, a defense lawyer said Monday.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress Tuesday that a prolonged rise in oil prices would pose a danger to the economy