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10 years later, gay marriage tactics still in use 05/15/2014 05:04pm • DENISE LAVOIE AP Legal Affairs Writer BOSTON (AP) -- Supporters and activists routinely ask gay couples to meet with reluctant lawmakers to put a human face on same-sex marriage. They file lawsuits. They use unexpected allies -- in some cases, churches -- to spread their message.It's a strategy that APNewsBreak: Obama aide to oversee VA review 05/15/2014 02:00pm • JULIE PACE AP White House Correspondent WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is dispatching one of his closest White House advisers to oversee a review of the beleaguered Veterans Affairs Department as the agency grapples with allegations of treatment delays and preventable deaths at a Phoenix Secret lists, deaths: Claims roil Veterans Affairs 05/14/2014 09:44pm • BRIAN SKOLOFF Associated Press PHOENIX (AP) -- A team of federal investigators swept into Phoenix last month amid allegations of a disturbing cover-up at the veterans hospital.Their goal: to unravel the truth behind a secret waiting list supposedly maintained to hide lengthy delays for sick veterans Syrian official welcomes UN mediator's resignation 05/14/2014 04:02pm • ALBERT AJI Associated Press DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) -- A Syrian official on Wednesday welcomed the resignation of Lakhdar Brahimi as the joint United Nations-Arab League envoy for Syria, calling for the appointment of a "more objective" mediator.Fayez Sayegh, a member of parliament and a senior member Panel to study at Agent Orange residue exposure 05/14/2014 03:20pm • CHAD GARLAND Associated Press SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- The Veterans Affairs Department has long resisted disability claims from service members who said chemical residue left in Vietnam War-era planes that were used to spray defoliants over Southeast Asia caused them severe illnesses, including cancer.Th Fed govt failed to inspect higher risk oil wells 05/14/2014 11:44am • WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government has failed to inspect thousands of oil and gas wells it considers potentially high risks for water contamination and other environmental damage, congressional investigators say.The report, obtained by The Associated Press before its public release, highlights substa For hospice nurse, wife's death was one too many 05/14/2014 02:40am • MATT SEDENSKY Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Everywhere Jay Westbrook turns, behind the wheel of his black pickup, a memory flashes.In Van Nuys, it is the lifeless little girl he held at Valley Presbyterian Hospital after she was found in the bottom of a hot tub. Near Beverly Hills, it is the Obama presents top medal to Afghanistan veteran 05/14/2014 01:32am • WASHINGTON (AP) -- It could have been over for Kyle J. White just 30 seconds into the Taliban ambush, when a rocket-propelled grenade knocked him unconscious.But he came to and by the time the four-hour firefight in Afghanistan was over, White, reeling from concussions and shrapnel in his face, had Lax psychiatric care alleged at St. Louis VA 05/13/2014 07:16pm • ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The VA hospital in St. Louis is investigating claims by the former chief of psychiatry that veterans often wait a month or more for mental health treatment because psychiatrists and other staff members are so lax in their work.Dr. Jose Mathews claims in a federal whistleblower comp Talk of Hillary campaign forces out old issues 05/12/2014 03:36am • WASHINGTON (AP) -- For Hillary Rodham Clinton, the last few months might be comparable to a spring cleaning: An airing of her political past before she sets the course for her much speculated-about future.As the former secretary of state and first lady mulls a presidential campaign in 2016, reminder For Hillary Clinton, a re-airing of past episodes 05/12/2014 02:54am • KEN THOMAS Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) -- For Hillary Rodham Clinton, the last few months might be comparable to a spring cleaning: An airing of her political past before she sets the course for her much speculated-about future.As the former secretary of state and first lady mulls a presidentia For hospice nurse, wife's death was one too many 05/11/2014 12:02am • MATT SEDENSKY Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Jay Westbrook's cowboy boot is planted firmly on the gas pedal of his shiny black pickup. Everywhere he turns, a memory flashes.In Van Nuys, it is the lifeless little girl he held at Valley Presbyterian Hospital after she was found in the bottom of New boss picked for Phoenix VA Health Care System 05/10/2014 02:06pm • PHOENIX (AP) -- An interim director will take over the embattled Phoenix VA Health Care System on Monday, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced.Steve Young will oversee delivery of health care to an estimated 85,000 veterans and an operating budget of about $500 million.The move comes as the Sen. John McCain hears vets complaints over VA 05/10/2014 03:43am • TERRY TANG Associated Press PHOENIX (AP) -- Sen. John McCain listened to complaints from several veterans over the Veterans Affairs system, telling them that reported lapses in care in Phoenix are part of a nationwide problem that needs to be fixed."This is not a unique situation as far as Arizona i Phoenix vets relay anger with VA to Sen. McCain 05/10/2014 01:49am • TERRY TANG Associated Press PHOENIX (AP) -- Several veterans voiced their anger and frustration to Sen. John McCain on Friday over what they call a broken Veterans Affairs system as the Republican said that reported lapses in care in Phoenix are part of a nationwide problem that needs to be fixed."F