Senate clears way for confirmation of Hagel

National

Search for Hoffa mystery endures for decades

Jimmy Hoffa’s disappearance almost 40 years ago has been the stuff of urban legend, prompting numerous theories about what happened to the former Teamsters leader.Today 3:22 am

Baked Alaska: Unusual heat wave hits the 49th state

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A heat wave hitting Alaska may not rival the blazing heat of Phoenix or Las Vegas, but to residents of the 49th state, the days of hot weather feel like a stifling oven – or a tropical paradise.Today 3:15 am

Teacher training gets poor marks

The vast majority of the 1,430 education programs that prepare the nation’s K-12 teachers are mediocre, according to a first-ever rating that immediately touched off a firestorm.Today 3:00 am

WASHINGTON – The Senate has voted to move forward on the nomination of Chuck Hagel for defense secretary, clearing the way for confirmation of President Obama’s choice.

The vote was 71-27 on Tuesday to end the GOP filibuster.

The Senate could vote later Tuesday to confirm Hagel, who has the necessary votes for approval. Hagel would succeed Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who is stepping down after four years as CIA director and Pentagon chief.

Republicans had opposed Hagel, a former Republican senator from Nebraska and Vietnam combat veteran. They cast him as out of the mainstream, questioned his support for Israel and suggested he was too willing to compromise with Iran.