Doctors say US Senator Mark (R-IL) is doing "better than expected" after undergoing brain surgery related to a stroke he suffered over the weekend. Kirk's neurosurgeon, Dr. Richard Fessler, says Kirk even asked for his Blackberry yesterday, a sign he's clearly eager to get back to his work.

Kirk's breathing tube was removed and he is now breathing on his own. Dr. Fessler says Kirk is talking but his speech is slurred due to partial paralysis on the left side of his face. He also has very little movement in his left arm and leg.

Kirk recognizes his family members and is responding to basic questions and following commands. "The fact that he's doing all of these things this quickly... is a very good sign," said Dr. Fessler, a neurosurgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago who previously served on Kirk's health care policy committee.

Kirk's medical team says at this point they don't know what caused Kirk's stroke and may never know. Dr. Fessler says Sen. Kirk lived a healthy lifestyle and points out Kirk had to pass a Navy physical twice a year.

Responding to a question that Sen. Kirk suffered from migraines, Dr. Fessler said, "I can't imagine being a politician and not having migraines. I don't think this event had anything to do with either stress or his diet, it's just one of those unfortunate disasters that's happens." (read more)

CHICAGO, Illinois -- It was another ugly morning in court for Rod Blagojevich's defense team.

Less than a week after the convicted Illinois governor was sentenced to 14 years in prison, his legal team was back in front of a judge asking for a new hearing to determine whether a juror violated court rules.

Blago's lawyers argue the jury foreman (from the most recent trial) broke the rules by possessing a copy of her juror questionnaire and discussing it with a group of high school students recently.

Judge James Zagel quickly denied the defense's motion calling it "harebrained" and full of "inappropriate analogies." Judge Zagel pointed out the juror's actions took place after the trial ended and therefore the rules impacting jurors no longer apply. (read more)

A former fundraiser to President Barack Obama was sentenced to 10.5 years in federal prison today. Tony Rezko, 56, will end up spending only seven years behind bars because the judge gave him credit for time he's already served.

In 2008, Rezko was convicted of pay to play politics including fraud, bribery and extorting millions from businesses seeking contracts with the state of Illinois while Rod Blagojevich was Governor.

Rezko, a real estate developer, was a well known fundraiser in Illinois political circles. For years he donated money to Republicans and Democrats, including Barack Obama during his campaign for Illinois Senate and later for US Senate. Rezko and Obama first met in 1991 and later engaged in a small real estate deal when Obama bought his home in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. Obama later referred to the deal as a mistake.

Rezko's attorneys hoped the judge would sentence Rezko to the 3.5 years he's already served. Prosecutors say Rezko actually refused to cooperate with them after he was first arrested and charged.

"Rezko lied point-blank repeatedly over his first 19 interview sessions about his criminal involvement with Blagojevich," according to a court filing. (read more)

The decision from the U.S. State Department to delay the Keystone XL Pipeline project received loud applause throughout Nebraska Thursday.

Bold Nebraska, the largest pipeline opposition group, thanked President Obama for making the "right and tough decision for our land and water." Spokeswoman Jane

Kleeb said Thursday's announcement contradicts Nebraska lawmakers "who say it’s too late to put regulations in place" before another oil pipeline is built. 
Kleeb said she hopes the State Department's decision will help put pressure on the state Legislature to take action now.  

"It's really ironic that the folks in Washington, D.C., understand the gravity of the situation in Nebrask, even when some of our own state legislators don't seem to," added Nebraska landowner Randy Thompson, who became the face of the Bold Nebraska campaign.  "Our future generations will thank the president and hopefully will thank our state senators if they do the job they were elected to do for citizens not big corporations." (read more)

An off duty Secret Service agent was arrested for drunk driving early Saturday morning in Decorah, IA two days prior to President Barack Obama's visit there.

Decorah Police Chief Bill Nixon says Secret Service agent Daniel Valencia, 40, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. A copy of the criminal complaint with more details about Valencia's arrest was not available because a local attorney in Decorah, Karl Knudson, currently has possession of it. Knudson was not available for comment at his law office this afternoon.

Secret Service spokesman, George Ogilvee confirms Valencia is a special agent with the Secret Service and says the matter has been turned over to the agency's Office of Professional Responisiblity for an internal investigation. Ogilvee would not say if Daniel Valencia continued to work with the president's security team in Iowa after his arrest on Saturday, August 13. "We're not going to talk about where he is," Ogilvee said.

President Obama held a town hall meeting in Decorah, Iowa on Monday afternoon as part of his three day Midwestern bus tour.

Tim Pawlenty supporters are turning to Facebook to send a clear message to the candidate before tonight's Fox News, Washington Examiner, Iowa GOP Presidential debate in Ames, Iowa: Get tough.

Based on the thread of posts on Pawlenty's official campaign Facebook page, his most loyal fans are hoping for a much stronger, more confident performance out of the two term Minnesota Governor at tonight's debate.

Ross Lehr, wrote, "Good Luck!! Be strong, confident.... When the time comes don't back down from anyone or any question. You really have the message Tim.... but them are tough. Go get 'em tonight!" Pawlenty Facebook fan, Adam Cook, wrote, "keep up the good work Gov. We are all praying the polls turn around, there is plenty of time. Another supporter posted, "The debate in Ames tonight.... make a stand and let your voice be heard. Don't go quietly Tim. We Need You!!" (read more)

Tim Pawlenty will not have to stop airing his latest TV ad in Iowa, featuring video from arguably the most memorable moment during the 1980 Olympics- the USA men's hockey team defeating the Soviets.

The ad called, "The American Comeback" started airing Wednesday in Iowa. A day later reports surfaced saying ESPN and ABC were planning to send the Pawlenty campaign a cease and desist order to stop running the ad, arguing "it's a violation of our copyright and exclusive propriety rights."

The beginning of the ad cuts between Pawlenty speaking and video from the hockey game using the hockey announcer, Al Michael's voice saying the famous line, "Do you believe in miracles?"

The latest statement from ESPN indicated it has no intention of forcing Pawlenty's campaign to pull the ad.

"Neither ABC nor ESPN has asked the Pawlenty campaign to remove any footage from their video, although neither ABC nor ESPN licensed the video to them or authorized its use," the company said in a statement.

Pawlenty's spokesman, Alex Conant, says the campaign believes the footage complies with the "fair use" doctrine. (read more)

Family and close friends of former First Lady Betty Ford paid their final respects this afternoon at a funeral service in Ford's hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Ford, 93, who died last Friday, had a long history in Grand Rapids. She grew up here, met her husband, former President Gerald Ford here and got married here. Later today, she will be buried next to her husband on what would've been his 98th birthday.

Friday's funeral service in Grand Rapids took place at Grace Episcopal Church, the same church where Betty and Gerald Ford married in October 1948. The following month Gerald Ford was elected to his first term as a US Congressman from Michigan.

Those attending today's private service included the Ford family, many long time friends, former President Bill Clinton, former Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne Cheney and former First Lady Barbara Bush.   (read more)

The town hall event surrounding Tim Pawlenty's official jump into the 2012 GOP race for president did not happen in the former Minnesota governor's home state. Instead, the chosen backdrop for Pawlenty's announcement was the picturesque gold dome of the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines.

Iowa caucus-goers like it that way.

Roughly 100 people attended the outdoor town hall on top of the Iowa Historical Society, including Des Moines resident Don Conn, a Vietnam veteran, who heard Pawlenty speak today for the first time. Conn's impression of the former two term governor: "he seems very presidential... he has a down home feel, the type of person who could come to my house and sit down and talk to me," Conn said.

That description is exactly what political insiders say will help Pawlenty, who has a long way to go to become a household name. (read more)

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels was taken to an Indianapolis hospital after a door hit him in the head following his Friday afternoon workout. The injury required 16 stitches to his forehead.

The governor's office said the accident happened around 1:30pm when Gov. Daniels was standing near a door at the National Institute for Fitness and Sport in Indianapolis. The door swung open and hit the governor on the forehead.

Daniels was transported to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis by his security detail. After being treated, Daniels was released and is recovering at home.

Friday's accident marks the second time in three months Daniels has spent time in the hospital. Back in February, Daniels had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. Daniels had to keep his arm in a sling while his shoulder healed.

The much hyped Daniels has yet to make an announcement about whether he will jump in the GOP primary race for president. The governor's office says there are no changes to Daniels upcoming schedule. Daniels is expected to speak at an event in Washington, D.C. next week.