Solicitor General Verrilli Jr. leaves

WASHINGTON (AP) – The top Justice Department official who defended the president’s health care law at the Supreme Court is leaving his job. President Barack Obama says in a statement that Solicitor General Donald Verrilli Jr. is ending his five-year tenure as the administration’s chief lawyer at the high court. Verrilli made the principal argument…

Long-term mortgage rates increase

WASHINGTON (AP) – Long-term U.S. mortgage rates rose this week for a third straight week yet remained near three-year lows as the home buying season progresses. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased to 3.66 percent from 3.64 percent last week. That is well below its level a year ago of…