MIRIAM CAREY WASHINGTON (AP) - A Connecticut woman shot to death by police after she tried to drive through barricades outside the White House held the delusional belief that the president was communicating with her, a federal law enforcement official said Friday.
A National Park Service employee posts a sign reading "Because of the Federal Government SHUTDOWN All National Parks are Closed" on a barricade closing access to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) by David Espo and Donna CassataAssociated Press Writers WASHINGTON (AP) — First slowed, then stalled by political gridlock, the vast machinery of government clanged into partial shutdown mode on Tuesday and President Barack Obama warned the longer it goes "the more families will be hurt." Republicans said it was his fault, not theirs. Ominously, there were suggestions from leaders in both parties that the shutdown, heading for its second day, could last for weeks and grow to encompass a possible default by the Treasury if Congress fails to raise the nation's debt ceiling. "This is now all together," said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill..
President Barack Obama, stands with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and people who support the Affordable Care Act, his signature health care law, as he speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) by Josh LedermanAssociated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Hailing it as an "historic day," President Barack Obama pressed forward his flagship health care program Tuesday, inaugurating new insurance exchanges to expand access for those without coverage despite the shutdown taking hold across much of the government.
President Barack Obama smiles as audience member applaud while the president spoke about the Affordable Care Act, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013, at Prince George's Community College in Largo, Md. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) by Darlene SupervilleAssociated Press Writer LARGO, Maryland (AP) — With just five days to go before Americans can begin signing up for health care under his signature law, President Barack Obama on Thursday ridiculed Republican opponents for "crazy" doomsday predictions of the impact and forecast that even those who didn't vote for him are going to enroll.
President Barack Obama speaks about the Affordable Care Act, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013, at Prince George's Community College in Largo, Md. The president is promoting the benefits of his health care law before new insurance exchanges open for business next week. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) by Jim KuhnhennAssociated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — This time, President Barack Obama says, he's not budging. This is the confrontational Obama, the "Make my day" president, betting Republicans blink to avoid a government shutdown or a first-ever default of the nation's debts. It's a proposition not without risk and one with a history of last-minute accommodations on both sides. Brinkmanship between Obama and congressional Republicans has often stopped at the precipice's edge.
Newark Mayor and senate candidate Cory Booker answers a question in Newark, N.J., Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) by Katier ZezimaAssociated Press WriterNEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Twitter is U.S. Senate candidate Cory Booker's preferred method of communication. He's often seen at public events pecking away at his phone, sending his 1.4 million followers staccato updates, inspirational quotations, shoutouts to campaign volunteers and nerdy musings on "Star Trek." But his social media habit raised some eyebrows this week after the website Buzzfeed disclosed that he direct messaged with a stripper from Oregon.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius speaks during an event discussing the federal health care overhaul in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) by Ricardo Alonso-ZalvidarAssociated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — With new health insurance markets launching next week, the Obama administration is unveiling premiums and plan choices for 36 states where the federal government is taking the lead to cover uninsured residents. Before tax credits that work like an upfront discount for most consumers, sticker-price premiums for a mid-range benchmark plan will average $328 a month nationally for an individual, comparable to payments for a new car.
This April 30, 2013 file photo shows the short form for the new federal Affordable Care Act application in Washington. Getting covered through President Barack Obama’s health care law might feel like a combination of doing your taxes and making a big purchase that requires some research. You’ll need accurate income information for your household, plus some understanding of how health insurance works, so you can get the financial assistance you qualify for and pick a health plan that’s right for your needs. (AP Photo/J. David Ake) by Ricardo Alonso-ZaldivarAssociated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — You might be pleased with the low monthly premium for one of the new health insurance plans under President Barack Obama's overhaul, but the added expense of copayments and deductibles could burn a hole in your wallet.
In this Sept. 5, 2012 file photo, President Barack Obama, accompanied by former President Bill Clinton are seen at the Democratic National Convention in...
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama wave as they depart the stage after Obama addressed the 43rd annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Legislative Conference dinner in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013. The dinner is part of a four-day conference on public policy affecting Black communities in America and overseas. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)(AP Photo/Cliff Owen) by Byron Scott (NNPA)--If numbers make an event a success, then day two of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual convention was just that. The halls and conference rooms of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest Washington, D.C. were filled with attendees who sat in on policy sessions, made plans to attend a bevy of social functions, and networked with other convention-goers.
