LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Voters in Los Angeles went to the polls on Tuesday to choose a new mayor from two Democratic contenders and former city council allies as the long race, characterized by negative campaign ads, came to an end.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As they joined Republicans on Tuesday in bashing the Internal Revenue Service for targeting conservative groups that sought tax-exempt status, Senate Democrats had another target: the regulations that require the tax agency to weigh the political activity of such groups.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Amid expressions of horror, grief and resolve over the devastating tornado that smashed into suburban Oklahoma City, many lawmakers expressed relief on Tuesday that they took action in January to bulk up the FEMA disaster relief fund.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Senate panel voted on Tuesday to make it easier for U.S. companies to hire foreign workers as part of a broad immigration bill being debated in Congress.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lois Lerner, an Internal Revenue Service official who revealed that the agency was giving extra scrutiny to conservative groups, will assert her constitutional right not to answer questions from a congressional committee on Wednesday, her lawyer said in a letter obtained by Reuters.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama believes firmly in freedom of the press and does not want journalists to be prosecuted for doing their jobs, the White House said on Tuesday, responding to criticism about his administration's investigations of leaks to reporters.

He says he wants the Gang of Eight's immigration bill to proceed to the floor.

The Weekly Standard editor says Rubio should step away from the "big government bill."

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top Internal Revenue Service officials told Congress on Tuesday they were unaware of the agency's targeting of conservative groups for extra tax scrutiny until recently and did not deliberately mislead lawmakers last year when they did not reveal the practice.

The Minority Whip predicts "overwhelming support" for funding to move quickly on Oklahoma.

Smith says Republicans are reaching for scandal by focusing on the attack instead of other issues.

The microblogging company has received a patent for a "pull down to refresh" feature, which it says it will use only if sued by another company. Originally posted at News - Internet & Media