IRS may have targeted conservatives more broadly

While the developing scandal over the IRS’s targeting of conservatives has largely focused on its scrutiny of groups with words such as “tea party” or “patriot” in their names, new examples could point to a secret political vendetta within the government against conservatives.

PART TWO: VIETNAM

Lack of answers tests faith and mettle of families and searchers alike

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is Part Two of a three-part series on the search for Spooky 21, an AC-47 gunship that disappeared with its six-man crew while on a secret mission over Laos during the Vietnam War. Reporter Matthew Schofield, who covers defense issues, spent months looking into the story behind the missing plane. He spoke with family members and military officials, and studied records and official histories, as well as traveling to Laos to see how searches were conducted. Part One is running on online and in print on Sunday, May 26, in Issues & Ideas. Part Two and Part Three are running online: http://www.miamiherald.com/issues/

REMEMBERING VIETNAM

To absent comrades: Memorial Day memories

For veterans like Dalton Narine, who experienced unfathomable horrors in Vietnam, the war lives on in their nightmares.

A missing gunner plane and an enduring mystery

A six-hour Vietnam combat mission in 1965 tested the limits of forensic science, and the faith and patience of grieving sons, daughters, wives and parents of six lost airmen.

PART THREE: VIETNAM

After decades of searching, could a handful of debris provide the answer?

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is Part Three of a three-part series on the search for Spooky 21, an AC-47 gunship that disappeared with its six-man crew while on a secret mission over Laos during the Vietnam War. Reporter Matthew Schofield, who covers defense issues, spent months looking into the story behind the missing plane. He spoke with family members and military officials, and studied records and official histories, as well as traveling to Laos to see how searches were conducted. Part One is running on online and in print on Sunday, May 26, in Issues & Ideas. Part Two and Part Three are running online: http://www.miamiherald.com/issues/

First person

Bus rides and toboggan slides with mom

How did my mother raise eight of us on $105 a week? Liver sausage sandwiches and unselfish love.

Politifact Florida

An attack on Gov. Scott that doesn’t add up

Florida’s Democratic chairman attacked Gov. Scott over his teacher pay promise. Unfortunately, her math didn’t make sense.

The downloadable gun: next firearms frontier

While Americans argue over background checks and the like, tech changes could render firearm laws — and firearm manufacturers — irrelevant.

Miamians build a bakery for Haiti’s abandoned children

The kids have found a haven in Zanmi Beni Children’s Home (‘Blessed Friends’ in Creole).

To Our Readers

From the Editor: Legislative session’s over, but The Herald’s vigilance isn’t

More than 1,800 bills were filed during this year’s state legislative session, ranging from teacher pay raises to the contentious debate over Medicaid expansion.

Gay rights milestone

It’s Jason Collins’ story, but it’s our day

From one trailblazer to another, a salute to the NBA’s Jason Collins.

IMMIGRATION reform

An undocumented immigrant’s plea to pursue the American Dream

All Gaby Pacheco wants is a chance to pursue the American Dream. On Monday, she implored lawmakers to pass a bill to legalize millions of undocumented immigrants — including herself.

To Our Readers

Covering the Miami Heat courtside: Stay alert, don’t get flattened

Miami Herald Photographer Charlie Trainor was in his regular spot — right on the basketball court, in front of the most expensive seats in the house — lens trained on the first game of the inaugural “Three Kings” Miami Heat season.

Fathers and children

Miami dads find political voice in Tallahassee

A group of dads and traveled to Tallahassee to push for fatherhood issues.

MIAMI BEACH GAY PRIDE

The year of equality: South Florida LGBT activists, allies describe why they've got pride in 2013

South Florida’s large gay community is celebrating the fifth annual Miami Beach Gay Pride festival at what might be a pivot point in history.

Memorial Day

South Florida vets cope with wounds not always visible

Home from overseas wars, South Floridians cope with wounds that aren’t always visible

Does wanting to tax millionaires more help re-elect Obama?

The White House and congressional Democrats think they have the ideal issue to use against Republicans all year — that the GOP is eager to give tax breaks to the rich.

The war on terror

Why Obama hasn’t closed Guantánamo camps

The president is himself a prisoner, hemmed in by rules that make releasing captives nearly impossible.

CIA’s Bay of Pigs foreign policy laid bare

A recently released, and brutally honest, look at the run-up to the disastrous Bay of Pigs Operation focuses on the CIA’s prominent role.