Yahoo! News: U.S. News U.S. News Senior U.S. Catholic cites Obama "promises" on birth control (Reuters) Reuters - Timothy Dolan, a senior U.S. Roman Catholic leader, said on Thursday President Barack Obama "gave me promises" during a White House meeting in November as Dolan pressed the Church's criticism of a new Obama administration rule requiring health insurance plans to cover birth control. Gay marriage wins final legislative approval in Washington state (Reuters) Reuters - A bill to legalize gay marriage in Washington state won final legislative approval on Wednesday in a largely party-line vote that moved the state to the cusp of becoming the seventh in the nation to recognize same-sex nuptials. Obama grants 10 states leeway on U.S. education law (Reuters) Reuters - President Barack Obama said on Thursday he was granting 10 U.S. states exemptions from parts of the "No Child Left Behind" education law, a move that could prove popular in an election year with parents and teachers who have criticized the law. Santorum Stuns Romney with Tuesday Sweep, Steals Momentum in GOP Race (Time.com) Time.com - Rick Santorum's clean sweep of the three contests Tuesday night was a major triumph that revived lingering questions about Romney's appeal to the party's base Even Counterfeiters Are Trading Down These Days (Time.com) Time.com - Faux luxury goods have been a scourge of high-end manufacturers for years Fraught relationship preceded lacrosse player's death (Reuters) Reuters - Prosecutors in the trial of a former University of Virginia lacrosse player accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend said on Wednesday her death was the drunken culmination of a deteriorating relationship. Doctors telling more adults: Get out and exercise (AP) AP - More and more U.S. adults are being told by their doctor to get out and exercise, according to government survey released Thursday. White House to promote more positive jobs outlook (AP) AP - The White House is lauding a rosier election-year economic forecast, predicting the economy could add two million jobs this year. But the upbeat projection is based partly on the shaky premise that Congress will sign off on President Barack Obama's jobs agenda. Group wants Supreme Court to save war memorial (AP) AP - Supporters of a war memorial cross deemed unconstitutional last year by a federal court plan to ask the Supreme Court to reverse the decision, amid a growing fight nationwide over the use of religious symbols to honor fallen troops. NRC set to approve Georgia nuclear reactors (AP) AP - The nation's first new nuclear power plant in a generation is expected to win approval Thursday as federal regulators consider whether to grant a license for two new reactors in Georgia. LA school in sex abuse scandal reopens (AP) AP - Children returned Thursday to an elementary school where the entire staff was replaced after the arrests of two former teachers on charges of committing lewd acts with students in class. Audit clears State Department in Keystone review (AP) AP - The State Department's internal watchdog has cleared the agency of any impropriety in its review of a permit for a controversial pipeline that that would carry Canadian oil across the continental United States. Feds require consumer-friendly health plan briefs (AP) AP - The Obama administration says health plans must start providing more consumer-friendly summaries of coverage and costs so people will know what protection they have. British man wanted in '93 heist nabbed in Missouri (AP) AP - A British security van driver suspected making off with 1 million pounds in a brazen 1993 heist was arrested in rural Missouri, where he had apparently been working for a cable company under a different name. LA abuse charges prompt awkward talks for parents (AP) AP - Sinister allegations of abuse by at least two teachers in a Los Angeles school have forced awkward discussions as parents warn youngsters that people they trust — pastors, teachers, even relatives — might do things that could hurt them. 10 states get education waiver (AP) AP - President Barack Obama on Thursday will free 10 states from the strict and sweeping requirements of the No Child Left Behind education law in exchange for promises to improve the way schools teach and evaluate students. Dwindling time, rising tension make Iran top fear (AP) AP - The prospect of conflict with Iran has eclipsed Afghanistan as the key national security issue with head-spinning speed. After years of bad blood and an international impasse over Iran's disputed nuclear program, why does the threat of war seem so suddenly upon us? Sources: Pentagon rules shift on women in combat (AP) AP - The Pentagon is unveiling plans Thursday to allow women to serve in thousands of military jobs closer to the front lines, reflecting the realities of the last decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Quarterly loss hits $3.3B at Postal Service (AP) AP - The U.S. Postal Service said Thursday that its quarterly loss widened to $3.3 billion amid declining mail volume and mounting costs for future retiree health benefits as it struggles to stave off bankruptcy. House passes insider trading bill (AP) AP - The House passed a bill banning Congress and executive branch officials from insider trading, but brushed aside a provision aimed at reining in those who pry financial information from Congress and sell it to investment firms.