Lois Lerner, the midlevel Internal Revenue Service official at the center of a controversy over treatment of small-government groups, Wednesday invoked her right not to testify after reading a statement denying that she had committed any Today 3:00 am The Chicago Board of Education voted Wednesday to close 50 schools and programs, an ambitious plan that has sparked protests and lawsuits and could help define – for better or worse – Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s term in office.Today 3:00 am WASHINGTON – Chuck Hagel has been sworn in as Secretary of Defense following a bitter nomination fight on Capitol Hill.
He took the oath of office at the Defense Department, which is facing deep budget cuts.
Hagel was expected to address civilian and uniformed employees at the department later in the day Wednesday.
