From the Wire

Miss. Lawmakers Near End of Budget NegotiationsMississippi lawmakers say they're getting closer to agreeing on details of a budget for fiscal year 2014, which begins July 1.
Monitor: Juvenile Center Lacks PoliciesA court-appointed federal monitor said better communication is the best immediate step to take in getting the Forrest County Juvenile Detention Center into compliance with an agreed order from a U.S. District Court lawsuit.
Scientists Find New Gene Markers for Cancer RiskA huge international effort involving more than 100 institutions and genetic tests on 200,000 people has uncovered dozens of signposts in DNA that can help reveal further a person's risk for breast, ovarian or prostate cancer, scientists reported Wednesday.
Small Business Squabbles Over Paid Sick Time LawsTwo months after a severe flu season forced millions of workers to stay home, paid sick time is becoming an issue for many small business owners.
Gay Marriage at High Court: How a Case Can FizzleLate in the oral argument over same-sex marriage in California, Justice Anthony Kennedy made a startling comment, given the months of buildup and mountain of legal briefs that have descended on the justices.
GOP Moves to Catch Up with Democrats on TechnologyRepublicans are moving aggressively to repair their technological shortcomings from the 2012 election, opening a new tech race to counter a glaring weakness against President Barack Obama.
Budget Cuts Border Security, Immigrant DetentionMarco Antonio Durazo had been awaiting deportation from an Arizona detention center for six months when an officer came to get him from his cell.
Gun Control Backers Struggle to Win Moderate DemsIt would seem a lobbyist's dream: rounding up votes for a proposal backed by more than 8 in 10 people in polls.
Gov. Taps Anti-Abortion Activist for Health BoardMississippi Gov. Phil Bryant has nominated anti-abortion activist Terri Herring for a six-year term on the state Board of Health, a position that could give Herring influence over Health Department policies that affect the state's only abortion clinic.
Lawmakers Mull $100 Million in Bonds for NissanMississippi lawmakers are considering giving a development agency the capacity to use $100 million in bonds toward the construction of buildings for suppliers of Nissan Motor Co.'s Canton plant.
MDOC: Inmate Death at Rankin PrisonAn inmate has been found dead in his cell at a state prison in Rankin County.
Judge Agrees King Mentally DisabledA federal judge has ruled a Mississippi inmate is mentally disabled and is not to be executed.
Excerpts of Calif. Gay Marriage Case at High CourtExcerpts from the arguments before the Supreme Court on Tuesday about California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage, from a transcript released by the Supreme Court.
Housing, Manufacturing Give U.S. Economy LiftGains in housing and manufacturing propelled the U.S. economy over the winter, according to reports released Tuesday, and analysts say they point to the resilience of consumers and businesses as government spending cuts kick in.
Obama Gives Secret Service Its 1st Female DirectorPresident Barack Obama on Tuesday named veteran Secret Service agent Julia Pierson as the agency's first female director.