Republicans lack a party line on economy

The Illinois governor offers a passionate defense before the state Senate, but lawmakers vote unanimously to oust the Democrat after a four-day impeachment trial. >>

The largely party-line vote foreshadows a bigger partisan struggle for overhauling the nation's healthcare system. >>

It's the highest in 30 years. Military officials say in a report that prevention efforts are inadequate. >>

Colleges in North Carolina issue suggestions for proper campus attire. As the now-president says: 'People might not want to see your underwear.' >>

Army Col. James L. Pohl rejects the president's request to stop proceedings at the military tribunal. He says the proposal is 'not reasonable.' >>

A report finds that executives approved $18.4 billion in bonuses last year. The president says that's 'the height of irresponsibility' when the companies are receiving bailouts. >>

It's Obama's final Cabinet post without a nominee. If the New Hampshire Republican had his post filled by a Democrat, it would help land the Democrats a filibuster-proof majority. >>

Emilio Gutierrez Soto had been held in a Texas facility for seven months. He fled Mexico because he said he feared for his life after writing critically of the military. >>

Her appointment has been in limbo since her confirmation hearing, in which Republican senators say she was evasive on key questions. >>

President Barack Obama signed an equal pay bill into law today, declaring that it's a family issue, not just a women's issue. >>

Senate Republicans, who acted like lions in challenging Eric Holder, turned into lambs Wednesday as they joined Democrats in recommending President Barack Obama's choice for attorney general. >>

Government figures show about 4.78 million people continue to claim unemployment insurance, the highest number in records going back to 1967. >>

It took three 911 calls over two days for authorities to retrieve the body in an abandoned warehouse. >>

Baroness Elaine Murphy decides to come clean on inventing 'cello scrotum,' which appeared in the British Medical Journal 34 years ago. >>

Storm-battered residents of several states hunkered down in frigid homes and shelters Thursday, expecting to spend at least a week without power and waiting in long lines to buy generators, firewood, groceries and bottled water. >>

The first lady, making her first public appearance since the inaugural, hosts a White House reception in honor of Ledbetter, who inspired a new law aimed at ensuring equal pay for women. >>

If one negative result was found, the batch should have been discarded, not retested, he says. >>

TEXAS >>

Lorraine Melgosa of Manzanola, Colo., volunteers her 19th century horse-drawn carriage for funerals of troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. She says it's the least she can do. >>

The all-too-familiar machinery of partisan politics surfaces over the House economic stimulus vote. >>

In a strictly party-line vote, lawmakers approve Obama's plan that expands jobless benefits, cuts taxes and spends on infrastructure, energy and education. >>

The president, meeting with corporate executives at the White House, says he wants to create 'an environment in which business can prosper.' >>

The gambling mecca's falling fortunes are straining the relationship between taxi drivers and the strip clubs that pay them to deliver customers. >>

After boycotting all week, the embattled Illinois governor will appear at the end of his impeachment trial. >>

The groundbreaking report also finds that donors have fewer kidney problems than the general populace, perhaps because of stepped-up screening procedures. >>

The state could get as much as $63 billion in federal funds, most of which will go for shovel-ready projects and tax cuts. >>

The discovery by federal officials that a Georgia plant had shipped contaminated supplies prompts calls for reforms, investigation. >>

The ubiquitous coffee chain plans to close 300 underperforming U.S. stores in addition to 600 closures already announced. >>

The former vice president presents new science to a Senate panel and pushes for an international climate pact by the end of this year in order to avert catastrophic global warming. >>

Officials warn that some of the hardest-hit areas might not have electricity restored until mid-February. The worst of the outages are in Kentucky, Arkansas and Ohio. >>

The postmaster general tells a congressional panel that the postal service faces a projected loss of $6 billion this fiscal year and needs to make cuts. Senators hearing his plea are not swayed. >>

After his daughters' school cancels classes following a storm, the president says the capital could use a little 'Chicago toughness.' >>

Army Secretary Pete Geren has ordered the recall of more than 16,000 sets of body armor after an audit concluded the vests' bullet-blocking plates had failed testing and might not provide soldiers with adequate protection. >>

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao brought cautious optimism to the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, predicting that his country will achieve its target of 8% economic growth this year despite the global financial meltdown. >>

A software executive has been sentenced to 10 days in jail for authorizing the slaughter of 32 of his neighbor's bison that wandered onto his Colorado ranch. >>

Researchers examining brains of six deceased former NFL players find similar degeneration. All suffered emotional problems after their playing days, often culminating in drug abuse or suicide. >>

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