AP - A group of Republican senators is questioning high salaries and expensive travel bills for executives at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, raising issues that could jeopardize millions in federal funding for the national charity.

Time.com - Caught short on civilian trials for terrorism suspects and closing GuantÁnamo, the Obama Administration is negotiating with GOP Senator Lindsey Graham. But it's not clear he can deliver

AP - Utah's House majority leader said late Thursday he paid a woman $150,000 to keep silent about going nude "hot-tubbing" with her when she was minor a quarter century ago.

AP - House Democrats on Thursday stopped a Republican bid to force an investigation of Democratic leaders aimed at determining whether they covered up sexual harassment allegations against ex-Rep. Eric Massa.

CQPolitics.com - Local Republicans in Pennsylvania's 12th district on Thursday evening picked businessman Tim Burns to be their nominee in the special election to replace the late Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.).

AP - Republicans in Pennsylvania have nominated a political newcomer to fill the congressional seat of the late Rep. John Murtha.

The Christian Science Monitor - Call it the great earmark race.

AP - House Democrats on Thursday stopped a Republican bid to force an investigation of Democratic leaders aimed at determining whether they covered up sexual harassment allegations against ex-Rep. Eric Massa.

Time.com - Caught short on civilian trials for terrorism suspects and closing GuantÁnamo, the Obama Administration is negotiating with GOP Senator Lindsey Graham. But it's not clear he can deliver

AP - A former spokesman for the U.S.-led military incursion in Iraq under President George W. Bush is likely to enter the Republican primary to challenge Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

McClatchy Newspapers - WASHINGTON — Long-awaited Senate legislation that would direct the broadest overhaul of financial regulation since the Great Depression will be introduced on Monday without any Republican support, despite weeks of bipartisan negotiations.

Reuters - Chances of a broad overhaul of U.S. financial regulation dimmed on Thursday after bipartisan Senate talks collapsed, jeopardizing a top Obama administration priority and boosting bank share prices.

AP - The Republican candidate running to replace Rep. Patrick Kennedy in Congress says he's getting help in his bid from several former GOP presidential candidates.

AP - In an election-year appeal to voters frustrated with Washington, House Republicans promised Thursday not to stuff any of this year's spending bills with pet projects for their districts.

The Christian Science Monitor - Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) of Virginia said Wednesday that gay state workers would be included under nondiscrimination laws – a dramatic U-turn to his previous position and that one that may offer a curt warning to Republicans to steer clear of the culture wars heading into the November election.

CQPolitics.com - House Republicans voted among themselves Thursday to forgo earmark requests for a year -- a move designed to trump a more limited curb on member-directed spending adopted by Democrats a day ago.

AP - Fed: Americans' net worth grows in Q4 to $54.2 trillion, third straight quarterly gain.

CQPolitics.com - While Senate Republicans boast top-flight female candidates in several marquee races, there appears to be a dearth of GOP women running in some of the most competitive House races across the country.

CQPolitics.com - Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.) has long epitomized a safely entrenched incumbent.

Reuters - A Republican senator who held up action earlier this month on a bill to renew jobless benefits faced more criticism on Wednesday for blocking approval of President Barack Obama's nominee to be U.S. ambassador to the World Trade Organization.