Atlanta Mayoral Victory Appears to Go to Ex-Lawmaker 
ATLANTA — Kasim Reed, a former Georgia state senator, appeared headed for a narrow victory over City Councilwoman Mary Norwood in the Atlanta mayor’s race on Tuesday night, but the outcome remained too close for a clear winner to be declared.
With 98 percent of the precincts reporting, Mr. Reed was ahead by 620 votes out of 84,000 cast, giving him a margin of 50.4 percent. Provisional ballots were scheduled to be counted on Thursday.
A victory by Mr. Reed would squelch the hopes of Ms. Norwood to becoming this city’s first white mayor in 35 years.
Senators Pitch to Women and Elderly on Health Bill
WASHINGTON — In a day of desultory debate on sweeping health care legislation, senators appealed to two potent political constituencies on Tuesday, with Democrats seeking additional medical benefits for women and Republicans vowing to preserve and protect Medicare for older Americans.
The Democrats’ first amendment, offered by Senator Barbara A. Mikulski of Maryland, would require insurers to cover more screenings and preventive care for women, with no co-payments.
“Women often forgo those critical preventive screenings because they simply cannot afford it, or their insurance company won’t pay for it unless it is mandated by state law,” Ms. Mikulski said.
apnewsbreak: Gate crashers spur WH security change
WASHINGTON — The Secret Service will change some of its screening policies after an attention-hungry couple was able to crash the Obama administration's first state dinner.
A government official familiar with the plans says from now on, a staff member from the White House social office will work with the Secret Service at the gates where people check in to attend official events at the president's residence.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because there is an ongoing investigation into the Nov. 24 incident.
NY mob son Gotti eludes conviction for fourth time
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The trial of John "Junior" Gotti on murder and racketeering charges ended in a mistrial on Tuesday, allowing the prominent mob figure to elude conviction in his fourth racketeering trial in five years.
John A. Gotti, 45, the son of late notorious Gambino crime family boss John J. Gotti, was charged with ordering or taking part in the drug-related killings of two men in 1988 and 1991 and racketeering conspiracy that included murder, kidnapping, robbery, extortion and drug dealing.
U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel declared a mistrial after the jury said it was unable to reach a verdict on any of the charges.
DC Council takes first vote on same-sex marriage
WASHINGTON — In the first of two votes on allowing same-sex marriage in the nation's capital, the District of Columbia City Council has passed the bill 11 to 2.
The D.C. Council voted for the first time Tuesday. The bill has been expected to pass, as 10 of the 13 council members co-sponsored its introduction. A second, final vote is expected for later in the month, and D.C.'s mayor has promised to sign the bill.
Marriages would begin in the city as soon as the bill passes a period of Congressional review. Congress likely will not alter the law.
Tacoma Suspect Is Killed by Police Officer
SEATTLE — A man suspected of fatally shooting four uniformed police officers was shot and killed early Tuesday by a Seattle police officer who chanced upon him during a routine patrol.
The death of the suspect, Maurice Clemmons, 37, capped a huge manhunt that had fanned out through Seattle over the last two days as scores of police chased the trail of the suspect. Police officials said Mr. Clemmons had been carrying a gun that had belonged to one of the four officers, who were killed at a coffee shop near Tacoma Sunday morning.
In an interview, the city’s interim police chief, John Diaz, said a Seattle officer had been patrolling a working-class neighborhood in south Seattle around 2:45 a.m. when he came across an empty car on the street, its engine idling and its hood raised. The officer called in a report on the vehicle, which turned out to be stolen. He was sitting in his patrol cruiser, writing up paperwork, when he saw Mr. Clemmons approaching from behind.
Suspect in US police murders dea: police
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The man accused of shooting to death four police officers in Washington State has been killed after two days on the run, a police detective told CNN on Tuesday.
The suspect, Maurice Clemmons, was shot early on Tuesday morning by police in Seattle, Pierce County Sheriff's Department spokesman Ed Troyer told CNN.
"They came into contact with the suspect about an hour ago," Troyer said. "Shots were fired and the suspect was shot and killed."
Same-sex marriage debate reveals rift in African-American community
As they overwhelmingly approved a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in the District, council members on Tuesday sounded as if they were at a civil rights march right out of the 1960s.
"It is bringing truth to the words, 'All men are created equal,' " said David A. Catania (I-At Large).
"We're establishing equality under the law," said Phil Mendelson (D-At Large).
In and around Seattle, the manhunt continues
SEATTLE -- A man suspected in the slaying Sunday of four police officers at a Tacoma area coffee shop remained on the loose Monday. A SWAT team raided a house in Seattle in pursuit of the man, but in vain.
Hundreds of officers were deployed around Seattle for any sign of Maurice Clemmons. Authorities offered a $125,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
Police had been positioned overnight at a house where they thought Clemmons was holed up, and they spent hours trying to communicate with him, using loudspeakers and explosions and even sending a robot into the house.
Suspect in US police murders dead: police
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The man accused of shooting to death four police officers in Washington State has been killed after two days on the run, a police detective told CNN on Tuesday.
The suspect, Maurice Clemmons, was shot early on Tuesday morning by police in Seattle, Pierce County Sheriff's Department spokesman Ed Troyer told CNN.
"They came into contact with the suspect about an hour ago," Troyer said. "Shots were fired and the suspect was shot and killed."
