Edward Lee Pitts | Republicans hope that a young group of popular Hispanic conservatives, such as Ted Cruz of Texas, will help the party win over Hispanic voters in November. Keen on stopping them, Democrats look to make immigration reform a higher priority

and other news briefs

Jamie Dean | Scandal amid a close contest in North Carolina could foretell swing state headaches for Democrats and Obama heading toward a September convention in the Tar Heel State

Hannah Overton's supporters are hopeful that just-concluded hearings will lead to her exoneration

Newt Gingrich finally announces his withdrawal from the GOP presidential race