Supreme Court to tackle cigarette, drug issues

In their new term beginning Monday, the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court will be asked to decide how much authority state courts should have in granting big damage awards against the makers of prescription drugs and cigarettes.

Registration gains favor Democrats

As the deadline for voter registration arrives today in many states, Sen. Barack Obama's campaign could benefit from newcomers to the rolls in key states in numbers that outweigh Republican gains.

Justices begin session with smoking suit

The Supreme Court opened its new term Monday suggesting it would side with tobacco companies in their fight to block lawsuits over deceptive marketing of "light" cigarettes.

Great pumpkin is 1,900 pounds (and growing)

Steve Connolly hopes his ‘Beast from the East' will smash the current world record of 1,689 pounds. The problem is getting it to the weighing: "Lifting it at this time of the year is a tough thing. I'll have a fork truck come in."

Crisis aside, many face other economic woes

The crisis on Wall Street is drawing attention away from the financial problems many Americans were already facing because of the weak economy.

House panel decries Lehman bonuses

Days from becoming the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history, Lehman Brothers steered millions to departing executives, Congress was told Monday.

8 die in bus rollover; driver DUI?

A bus driver with a history of motor vehicle offenses and substance abuse was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence  Monday after his casino-bound  bus ran into a ditch, killing eight.

Former Goldman exec to run rescue

The administration has selected a former Goldman Sachs executive to be the interim head of its $700 billion rescue effort for financial institutions.

McCain accuses Obama of lying

Republican John McCain on Monday called Democratic rival Barack Obama a liar as he leveled his harshest criticism yet, and said the campaign boils down to one question: Who is Obama really?