scandals

When it comes to politics, it used to be bad headlines could torpedo a public figure. But today politicians appear to be armored in Teflon— nothing sticks. So scandals are less likely to end a career. Why is that? That shift is the focus of "Scandal: Why Politicians Survive Controversy in a Partisan Era" by University of Houston political scientist Brandon Rottinghaus.

Madoff died Wednesday in a North Carolina federal prison, where he was serving a 150-year sentence. He defrauded thousands of investors out of tens of billions of dollars over nearly two decades.

The incident captured the attention of many as authorities sought to save the boy, thought to be stuck in an airborne weather balloon. Later, authorities called the situation a hoax.

Secret Service Director Joseph Clancy faced tough questions about a string of agency embarrassments before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security Tuesday.