For the first time since the 1988 primary between George Bush Sr. and Bob Dole, the GOP primary in Illinois matters. And while 54 of the state's 69 delegates are at stake, GOP candidates will be fighting for much more than delegates today.

Little commentary is needed on the uncomfortably high prices we’ve been paying at the pump the past several weeks. When it comes to filling up, anything above $4 a gallon seems rather indulgent. So what factors have contributed to this current spike in gas prices?

Today’s cartoon speaks to California’s challenge with balancing the budget, despite Gov. Brown tax plan - The Bakersfield Californian  

With the Puerto Rico primary behind them, GOP candidates embark on a final campaign blitz across the state of Illinois. With Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum making their final attempts at appealing to the Land of Lincoln voters, both argue that a victory in the state could seal the GOP nomination.

Determining how the U.S. economy is doing now and its outlook for the future is challenging enough without throwing politics into the mix. Keeping in mind the upcoming presidential election, most Republican and/or right wing sources say we’re going to hell in a handbasket; while most Democratic/left wing sources crow that everything’s coming up roses.