Los Angeles Times

Postal Service proposes increase in stamp prices (September 25, 2013)
Facing a “precarious financial condition,” the United States Postal Service proposed another round of rate increases to go into effect in January — its largest price hike since 2002.

Caroline Kennedy ‘humbled’ by nomination to be ambassador to Japan (September 19, 2013)
Recalling the efforts of her father to improve relations with Japan after World War II and his desire to be the first president to make a state visit there, Caroline Kennedy said Thursday there was no country where she would rather serve as ambassador.

Smithsonian Institution head will retire in 2014 (September 19, 2013)
G. Wayne Clough expanded accessibility at the institution that was beset by scandal.

Washington Navy Yard employees describe shooting rampage (September 16, 2013)
An ordinary morning at work turns into pandemonium when gunshots ring out, prompting terror and a long lockdown.

30-year White House peace vigil threatened (September 12, 2013)
For more than 30 years, Concepcion Picciotto has held vigil outside the White House, protesting nuclear weapons and calling for peace. But Thursday morning, it appeared that her decades-long protest was finally over.

Obama officials defend personal emails and aliases (September 10, 2013)
Obama administration officials testify that they weren’t trying to hide email communication, but followed standard practices or lacked training in keeping records.

‘Tobacco wars’ senators take aim at energy drinks (August 31, 2013)
Three Democratic senators who led the fight against tobacco companies aim to limit minors’ access to energy drinks.

IRS, Treasury will recognize same-sex marriage across state lines (August 29, 2013)
All legally wed couples may file taxes jointly no matter what state they live in, the agencies announce.

March anniversary a chance to honor civil rights pioneers (August 28, 2013)
For many people at the National Mall on Wednesday, it was an opportunity to honor family members who had fought in the civil rights movement.

Crowds gather for March on Washington 50th anniversary (August 28, 2013)
Fifty years after the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, thousands once again took to the streets of the nation’s capital to call for economic and racial equality.

Washington Monument wears its scaffolding well (August 27, 2013)
The Washington Monument is obscured during renovation, but many like its sleek, mechanical scaffolding — some would even like to make it permanent.

Historic parking garage tied to Watergate to be demolished (August 27, 2013)
The Virginia parking garage where Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward met his crucial Watergate source “Deep Throat” may soon be history.

Medal of Honor recipient urges support for PTSD (August 26, 2013)
Army Staff Sgt. Ty Carter, who fought valiantly in a nightmarish Afghanistan battle, lives with post-traumatic stress disorder and asks the public to understand the disorder and its effect on troops.

Washington marchers follow in Martin Luther King’s footsteps (August 24, 2013)
Fifty years after his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, tens of thousands commemorate the event with renewed calls for racial and economic equality.

Drones descend on Washington – just for show (August 14, 2013)
The Assn. for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International show includes exhibits on how drones can help with law enforcement, forest fires and much more. But promoters’ first goal is to ease public fears.

Wendy Davis for governor of Texas? Filibuster leader considers it (August 5, 2013)
Wendy Davis, who garnered national headlines in June for filibustering a controversial bill restricting abortion access, confirmed Monday that she was considering a bid for governor of Texas next year.

Making it easier for transgender people to get new birth certificates (August 5, 2013)
The District of Columbia Council passes the country’s most liberal policy for updating birth certificates, one that transgender activists hope will become a nationwide model.

FBI director Robert Mueller honored for 12 years of leadership (August 1, 2013)
Outgoing FBI director Robert Mueller began the job a week before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He prepares to step down from the position 12 years later in a world that has changed completely — and with it the agency, which Mueller is credited with guiding into the 21st century.

Sex-trafficking sting highlights vulnerability of foster children (July 29, 2013)
The FBI says 105 exploited teens are rescued in a national sex-trafficking sting. Officials say foster children are especially vulnerable.

Crews scrub Lincoln Memorial after vandalism; visitors express dismay (July 26, 2013)
The Lincoln Memorial, one of Washington’s most popular and iconic attractions, was temporarily closed Friday morning after a vandal threw green paint on the statue of Abraham Lincoln.

Guantanamo Bay prison’s future divides Senate panel (July 24, 2013)
At the first Senate panel hearing on Guantanamo Bay in years, senators show they remain divided on what to do with the prison and its inmates.

Court bars ‘Jerusalem, Israel’ as birthplace on American passports (July 23, 2013)
An appeals court declares unconstitutional a passport law that designates ‘Israel’ as the birthplace of Jerusalem-born Americans.

‘Corpse flower’ attracts thousands to Washington garden (July 22, 2013)
The towering titan arum bloom, which emits a powerful stench resembling rotten flesh, is a rare and crowd-pleasing event.

Protesters rally in Washington over Trayvon Martin case (July 20, 2013)
More than 500 people in the nation’s capital joined a wave of rallies in cities across the country protesting the acquittal of George Zimmerman one week ago in the killing of Trayvon Martin and calling for the U.S. Justice Department to file civil rights charges.

Eisenhower memorial moves forward despite family opposition (July 19, 2013)
The controversial design for a planned memorial to Dwight D. Eisenhower is moving ahead, despite continuing opposition from the Eisenhower family and threats from Congress to pull funding.

Former Voting Rights Act provision gets hearing in Senate (July 17, 2013)
A Senate Judiciary Committee hearing reveals a partisan split over how to respond to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling striking down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act.

Smithfield Foods CEO defends sale to Chinese company (July 10, 2013)
‘We will be the same old Smithfield, only better,’ Smithfield Chief Executive C. Larry Pope tells a Senate panel.

Protests prompt delay of Yosemite overhaul plan (July 9, 2013)
The National Park Service will take five more months to complete a river protection plan that would result in changes to popular tourist amenities.

U.S. adds 195,000 jobs in June (July 5, 2013)
As the economy strengthens, experts say the Fed is more likely to start easing its stimulus efforts.

With tears and cheers, new Americans take oath of citizenship (July 3, 2013)
Across the country, more than 7,800 new citizens will be naturalized at more than 100 ceremonies at unusual venues, from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Virginia to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.