A federal judge yesterday barred the Bush administration from launching a crackdown Tuesday on U.S. employers who hire illegal immigrants while she considers a lawsuit by the AFL-CIO that charges that the plan will harm citizens and other legal workers.

White House press secretary Tony Snow announced his resignation yesterday, the latest in a series of departures that have reshaped the upper echelons of the administration with the addition of more low-profile replacements well versed in the ways of Washington.

COLUMBUS -- Gov. Ted Strickland is among three Ohio Democrats returning thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from a top Democratic fundraiser wanted as a fugitive in California. via Coshocton Tribune

RESIGNING: Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, will resign amid a furor over his arrest and guilty plea in a sex sting at an airport men's room, Republican officials said Friday.

IS HE GAY?: He says no and regrets his guilty plea of disorderly conduct. But few people came to his defense.

SUCCESSOR: Idaho Gov. C.L. 'Butch' Otter appeared to have settled on Lt. Gov. Jim Risch to replace Craig, according to several Republicans. GOP Rep. Mike Simpson also has been mentioned. Read more

AP - RESIGNING: Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, will resign amid a furor over his arrest and guilty plea in a sex sting at an airport men's room, Republican officials said Friday.

AP - An Iowa county judge's ruling knocking down the state's same-sex marriage ban stirred up the presidential race Friday as Republicans jostled to stake out a position with the state's conservative voters in mind.

AP - Democrats Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd and Joe Biden on Friday pledged not to campaign in states that hold early nominating contests in violation of party rules, drawing a sharp rebuke from Florida officials who are challenging the system.

Reuters - Three Democratic White House contenders promised on Friday they would not campaign in states that violate party rules by holding early nominating contests, siding with Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina in a growing dispute over the 2008 election calendar.

AP - Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, says "hatred" of his rival Hillary Rodham Clinton would motivate Republicans to vote against her in the general election.

CQPolitics.com - Republican Rep. Jerry Lewis of California — who chaired the powerful Appropriations Committee prior to the Democrats’ House takeover and now holds the position of ranking Republican — will seek re-election next year in his strongly Republican-leaning 41st District, ending speculation that ethics issues might prompt the 15-term lawmaker to retire.