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AP – Seizing on a political opportunity, President Barack Obama on Wednesday lashed out at Republicans as out of touch with the daily problems of Americans, hoping to sharpen the contrast with the opposition party as midterm elections loom and economic anxiety still runs high.

AP – Her confirmation all but assured, Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan neared the end of a final grueling day of Senate questioning Wednesday, fielding GOP challenges on abortion, gays in the military and other divisive issues while sidestepping Democrats’ invitations to blast conservative decisions by the court she’s hoping to join.

AP – Rough seas generated by Hurricane Alex pushed more oil from the massive spill onto Gulf Coast beaches Wednesday as cleanup vessels were sidelined by the faraway storm’s ripple effects.

AP – A sweeping overhaul of financial regulations aimed at preventing another economic crisis headed Wednesday for a final House vote after Democrats backed down on a $19 billion tax they had added on big banks and hedge funds.

AP – Preoccupied for months by the clerical sex abuse scandal, the pope on Wednesday shuffled the Vatican bureaucracy before heading off on vacation. His most significant appointment: the head of a new office designed to fight secularism in the West.

AP – Birdland residents are frustrated that they could once again be facing the specter of flooded homes, 17 years after discussions began on building a new levee to protect their small Des Moines’ neighborhood.

AP – Archeologists have uncovered a mass grave with the complete skeletons of 51 horses buried side-by-side, probably the long-forgotten equine victims of a 17th century battle over a strategic Dutch river.

AP – “The Twilight Saga” has rung up another record midnight hour.

AP – Three men face assault charges after they allegedly attacked an off-duty Harrisburg police officer in a dispute over dog waste. Police said brothers Matthew Stauffer, 33, and Daniel Stauffer, 31, attacked police Officer John Doll earlier this month.

AP – For the first time in eight years, Roger Federer won’t be striding onto Centre Court for the Wimbledon final.