Obama's plan for education reform: short on specifics, so far

President Obama will send a framework for K-12 education reform to Congress on Monday, citing concern about students' lagging performance relative to that in some other industrialized nations.

In energetic 'tea party,' is there room for social conservatives?

The 'tea party' movement coalesces around fiscal responsibility and limited federal government, not bans on abortion or gay marriage. It's an agenda that some say will attract more people to the Republican Party, though it may leave social conservatives wandering in the wilderness.

Will healthcare reform nix any Senate bipartisanship on other bills?

GOP senators who have been willing to work openly with Democrats say that the process for healthcare reform could end the prospects for bipartisanship elsewhere. Possibly at stake in the Senate: comprehensive immigration reform and financial regulation.

Chicago may suspend enforcement of its landscaping ordinance

Chicago's City Council considers suspending enforcement of the city's landscaping ordinance, as small-business owners complain that compliance is too expensive in a recession.

Hillary Clinton at UN: 'Women's progress is human progress'

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered those words at the UN Friday as she marked the 15th anniversary of her speech at the World Conference on Women in Beijing.

iPad pre-orders begin, along with e-book copyright questions

The Apple iPad went on sale Friday. Word that the device can read any page aloud – including e-books – has authors on alert.

Will House healthcare reform vote come next week?

Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the vote on the healthcare reform bill may come next week, but House Democrats are waiting for assurances about what the Senate will do afterward.

Lehman Bros. used accounting trick amid financial crisis – and earlier

Failed investment bank Lehman Bros. used an accounting trick at the end of each quarter to make its finances appear less shaky than they really were, says a report from an examiner.

'Jihad Jane' joins growing list of American terror suspects

Homegrown militants like Jihad Jane are joining the Islamist terror threat to the US. For some, it's as much about social distress as it is about radical ideology.

'Tea party'? 'Coffee party'? How about the Juicebox Party?

Beverage-based political movements are all the rage. 'Tea party' and 'coffee party' aside, here are some possible concoctions that could add to the national discourse.

New life for Pontiac Silverdome: First up, monster trucks

The Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan, sold in November for about one percent of its 1975 construction cost, will reopen its doors with a monster truck event and a soccer tournament in April.

Obama's Nobel Prize money: education groups to get most of it

Of the 10 charities receiving part of Obama's $1.4 million Nobel Prize award, six directly support higher education for student groups that are traditionally underserved.

Healthcare reform: Obama to stick close to home to await vote

President Obama postpones next week's trip to Guam, Indonesia, and Australia. He'll stay around to help push a healthcare reform bill to the finish line.

San Francisco's Newsom launches lieutenant governor bid

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom confirmed he's running for lieutenant governor of California, and enters the race as the Democratic frontrunner, political analysts say.

Want to save $50,000? Try a three-year college degree.

With costs soaring, some colleges offer students a way to graduate early with a three-year college degree. But critics say students lose out on gaining breadth of experience.

Ocean acidification: another path to EPA rules on carbon emissions?

In a legal settlement Thursday, the EPA agreed to help states test coastal waters for acidity, and to weigh whether to tighten rules on carbon emissions to address ocean acidification.

US passport: Your first one will now cost $135

As of Thursday, the State Department has increased fees for a US passport. The cost of a renewal jumps to $110.

Federal court approves 'under God' in Pledge of Allegiance

Atheist Michael Newdow challenged 'under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance and 'in God we trust' on US currency as unconstitutional endorsements of religion. But the Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals said the references to God are grounded in historical philosophy and politics.

Teens and drugs: After long decline, drug use climbs

Teens in high school used illegal drugs – alcohol, marijuana, and Ecstasy – at rising rates in 2009, a report shows. It's the first uptick in teen drug use since 1998.

Conan O'Brien tour coming, but will he return to TV?

The Conan O'Brien tour, 'Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television,' will hit 30 cities while the comedian is contractually bound to stay away from TV.