A top House Republican charges that the IRS's improper use of tougher scrutiny of conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status seems part of a broader pattern of intimidation and cover-ups by the Obama administration.

Stocks are slightly higher in early trading on Wall Street, even as several big retailers slumped after reporting disappointing earnings.

President Barack Obama picked a senior White House budget official to become the acting head of the Internal Revenue Service on Thursday, the same day another top official announced plans to leave the agency amid the controversy over agents targeting tea party groups.

For employers that offer health insurance, free parking and even child or elder care referral services, offering coverage for funeral services just seems like an easy add-on.