National News

Former spymaster Gates now looking more likely to accept longer stint as defense secretary What Robert Gates once called "inconceivable to me"—his remaining as defense secretary beyond Inauguration Day—is looking a bit more conceivable to the rest of Washington.

Investigation says Ohio agency director improperly checked records on Joe the Plumber An agency director improperly used state computers to find personal information on "Joe the Plumber," a government watchdog said in a report released Thursday.

Sen. Ted Stevens gives swan song Senate speech; Colleagues and aides give standing ovation "Uncle Ted" Stevens, an old-style Senate giant and the chamber's longest-serving Republican, delivered his swan song address and yielded the floor for the final time Thursday.

Congress rushes jobless-benefits extension to passage, keeping checks flowing through holidays Jarred by new jobless alarms, Congress hurriedly approved legislation Thursday to keep unemployment checks flowing through the December holidays and into the new year for a million or more laid-off

Congressional Democrats sidetrack vote on auto industry bailout, demand Big Three develop plan Democratic leaders in Congress sidetracked legislation to bail out the auto industry Thursday and demanded the Big Three develop a plan assuring the money would make them economically viable.

Los Angeles court grants Jennifer Garner, family, restraining order from alleged stalker Jennifer Garner has won a restraining order from a man she says has been stalking her for years.

Stocks reverse early losses on hopes for compromise on emergency loans for auto industry Hopes that lawmakers could extend relief to the troubled auto industry eased some of investors' worries about the economy Thursday but stocks were volatile as prospects for a deal remained murky.

Judge orders release of 5 terror suspects from Guantanamo; says 1 can be held without charges A federal judge has ordered the release of five Algerian terror suspects who have been held without charges almost seven years at Guantanamo Bay.

Browns quarterback Brady Quinn is expected to play Sunday despite broken finger Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn broke his right index finger in Monday night's win over Buffalo but will try to play Sunday against the Houston Texans.

Louisiana man says cell phone in his chest pocket saved him from .45-caliber bullet A man says his cell phone saved his life. A stray .45-caliber bullet hit R.J. Richard's chest while he was mowing the lawn—hitting so hard he thought it was a stone kicked out by his tractor.

Judge orders release of 5 terror suspects from Guantanamo; urges government not to appeal A federal judge on Thursday ordered the release of five Algerians held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the continued detention of a sixth in a major blow to the Bush administration's strategy to keep

Judge orders release of 5 terror suspects from Guantanamo; says 6th can be held without charges A federal judge on Thursday ordered the release of five Algerians held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the continued detention of a sixth in a major blow to the Bush administration's strategy to keep

Browns GM Savage sent message containing expletive in response to heckling e-mailer Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage sent an e-mail containing an expletive in response to a disparaging message he received from a fan during the team's Monday night game against Buffalo,

Octogenarian arrested for allegedly dealing prescription pain relievers from his Alaska home Law enforcement authorities arrested an 81-year-old man who illegally sold powerful prescription pain relievers.

Congress may delay bailout vote for automakers and require business plan Democratic leaders in Congress decided Thursday to delay a vote to bail out automakers until December, according to officials, and will first demand the Big 3 companies show how the funds would tra

Boss no more: George Steinbrenner hands control of Yankees to son Hal George Steinbrenner's 35-year reign as boss of the New York Yankees ended Thursday when he passed control of the New York Yankees to his youngest son, Hal.

MLB owners approve shift of control of Yankees from George Steinbrenner to son Hal Major League Baseball owners approved the shift of control of the New York Yankees from George Steinbrenner to his son, Hal, on Thursday.

Sen. Ted Stevens gives swansong Senate speech; Colleagues and aides give standing ovation Ted Stevens, an old-style Senate giant and the chamber's longest-serving member, delivered his swansong address and yielded the floor for the final time Thursday.