COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- A monster winter storm bigger than some Midwest cities have seen in years slogged toward the nation's midsection Monday as the region geared up its defenses against a potentially deadly mix of sleet, snow and ice.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Republican lawmakers in nearly a dozen states are reaching into the dusty annals of American history to fight President Obama's health care overhaul.

A former Chicago police official is convicted of lying about the torture of suspects

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Cherokee Nation on Tuesday asked the tribe's highest court to restore a constitutional amendment approved by voters that would deny citizenship to non-Native American descendants of tribal members' former black slaves.

The discovery of two "drug catapults" in the Mexican state of Sonora marks the latest twist in the cat-and-mouse game traffickers play with authorities.

The economy gained strength at the end of last year as Americans spent at the fastest pace in four years and U.S. companies sold more overseas. The growth is boosting hopes for a stronger 2011. But it remains too weak to ease high unemployment.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate stood ready Thursday to reject an effort to restrict filibusters, those familiar blockades that sow gridlock and discord

SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Tens of thousands of Yemenis demanded the president step down in nationwide protests Thursday, taking inspiration from the popular revolt in Tunisia and vowing to continue until their U.S.-backed government falls.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government-appointed panel investigating the roots of the financial crisis says the meltdown occurred because government officials and Wall Street executives ignored warning signs and failed to manage risks.

NEW YORK (AP) -- A storm that had been predicted for days caught much of the East Coast off guard with its ferocity, tearing through with lightning, thunder and mounds of wet snow