Most Popular Top Stories

1Ronald Reagan

Obama Job Approval Down to 49%

The latest Gallup Daily tracking results show 49% of Americans approving of the job Barack Obama is doing as president, putting him below the majority approval level for the first time in his presidency.

2US House of Representatives

Jesse Jackson Says Black Men 'Can't Vote Against Healthcare', Media Mostly Mum

If a prominent white man said all white men in Congress should vote for or against a pending piece of legislation, what do you think the media firestorm would be like? As you ponder, consider that Jesse Jackson on Wednesday told a reception held by the Congressional Black Caucus, " You can't vote against healthcare and call yourself a black man ." ...

3George Voinovich

Historic health care bill clears Senate hurdle

There was not a vote to spare. The 60-39 vote cleared the way for a bruising, full-scale debate beginning after Thanksgiving on the legislation, which is designed to extend coverage to roughly 31 million who lack it, crack down on insurance company practices that deny or dilute benefits and curtail the growth of spending on medical care nationally.

4Gay/Lesbian

Texas kid beaten with metal pole, entirely preventable

Few hate crimes are specifically preventable. It is not often that the intended violence is known in advance and reported to authorities. Which makes the case of Jayron Martin so frustrating and infuriating.

5Ferrara, Italy

Dr. Paolo Zamboni at his research lab at the University of Ferrara

Dr. Paolo Zamboniis seen at his research lab at the University of Ferrara. W5 investigates intriguing new theory about MS A group of doctors in Italy is investigating a fascinating new treatment for multiple sclerosis, based on a theory that, if proven true, could radically alter the lives of patients.

6Offbeat

Woman Loses Disability Insurance Over Facebook Photos

We've discussed how using Facebook and other social networking sites can get you fired, or even keep you from getting a job. In this case, a Canadian woman lost her disability insurance payment because of Facebook photos.

7US Army

Defense Attorney: Hasan Is Paralyzed From the Chest Down

Wants Military Justice System to Move More Slowly, Says Accused Fort Hood Shooter is in Severe Pain. Major Nidal Hasan, charged with killing 13 in the Fort Hood shooting spree, is paralyzed from the chest down and is not a flight risk, said his defense attorney after a hearing before a military magistrate in Hasan's hospital room Saturday. The accused Fort Hood shooter had his first court hearing in the intensive care unit of a San Antonio hospital at 1 p.m. His status has now been changed from pre-trial restriction to pre-trial confinement, meaning that he will be confined until his court martial. The military magistrate ruled that Hasan will stay at Brooke Army Medical Center for now, but the military has the option of moving him to another medical facility or to jail. According to defense attorney John Galligan, Hasan is paralyzed from the chest down, is incontinent and "in severe pain."

8Opinion

Obama inspires; Palin connects

There are two great political speakers in the America today. Sarah Palin is the other one. Barack Obama's speaking skills are his signature talent. He's a platform performer, a speechmaker in the great tradition, a kind of teleprompter Cicero. The campaign to become President owed more to Mr. Obama's oratorical mastery than to any other element. His speech on race in America, necessitated by revelations of the ugly thoughts and sentiments of his hometown preacher, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, was the most important event of his campaign. If it had failed, his candidacy would have been doomed. Under pressure – the great test of the real speechmaker – he delivered. The other great speech of the U.S. campaign season was Sarah Palin's on receiving the vice-presidential slot on the McCain ticket. This was a speech delivered under even greater pressures than that of Mr. Obama. John McCain's choice of Ms. Palin had been early and widely criticized, and in some quarters ferociously reviled. She had never really been under the national spotlight before. The entire media were focused on her with an intensity almost unseen in the annals of vice-presidential politics. If she'd been just “okay,” or messed up, John McCain's campaign was over. It was the highest of high-stakes gambles.

9US Politics

Sarah Palin "Just Plain Nutz" On Sale

Bookshop Santa Cruz on Pacific Avenue is offering an essential item as a companion to the new Sarah Palin book Going Rogue.

10Kansas City, MO

Woman Arrested After Cutting Line Claims Racism

Share + Nov 19, 2009 2:40 pm US/Central ST. LOUIS 1 of 1 A Missouri woman was arrested after a line-cutting altercation at a Wal-Mart in 2007.