AP: First 10 States Granted Waivers From 'No Child Left Behind'
The administration announced last year that states can apply to be exempt from some No Child requirements. The first 10, AP says, are Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Tennessee. >>
Nation Headlines
Birthplace Of 'Robo-Signing' Eyes Deal Critically
On Thursday, the federal government reached a $26 billion deal with the nation's largest banks to compensate homeowners. In Florida, where a lawyer uncovered and named the rushed mortgage-approval process, some lawyers and homeowners say technical issues and trust battles remain for courts and the banks.
The GOP's 'Meh' Moment On Full Display At Conservative Confab
If the opening day of the American Conservative Union's annual star-studded CPAC convention is any indication, the Republican presidential hopefuls all have a lot of persuading to do.
At CPAC, Hard Lines On Race And Immigration Could Be Awkward
Three of the GOP candidates will address the largest annual gathering of conservatives on Friday. Conference panelists included a white nationalist and immigration opponents.
Why Estimating Delegate Counts Could Backfire
Uber-primary watcher Josh Putnam warns of extrapolating delegate counts from states that do not explicitly tie election results to the actual allocation of delegates.
The GOP Elixir: Candidates Campaign On Tax Cuts
All four of the remaining Republican presidential candidates have proposed cutting business and personal income taxes — the only difference is by how much.
Gay Marriage Opponents Take Battle To The Ballot
Washington may soon become the seventh state to legalize gay marriage. But first, it's likely to face a referendum challenge in November. Same-sex marriage will be on the ballot in a handful of states this year, and supporters have yet to win a statewide vote.
Bishops Stand Strong Against Birth Control Mandate
The White House and American Catholic bishops are at a stalemate over a rule requiring many religious organizations to provide insurance coverage for contraception. "If the argument is over religious liberty," says one scholar, "the bishops win. If the argument is over contraceptives, the administration wins."
The Mortgage Deal: A Reality Check
The $26 billion settlement reached by the federal government, most states and the nation's largest banks to compensate homeowners for abusive foreclosure practices is unlikely to end the housing crisis, analysts say. It could also lead to a new round of foreclosures, which would drive prices even lower.
Over Bowls Of Soup, Donors Find Recipe For Change
You don't have to have big bucks to join the latest trend in philanthropy. Soup groups around the country let diners pool their money to support deserving local initiatives. In Philadelphia, one dinner raised $225 for a teacher's class project.
Insider Trading Bills Take Aim At Congress
The House of Representatives approved a bill to limit the ability of members of Congress to gain financially from information they acquire because of their positions. The Senate passed its version last week, and most members agree the bill is necessary this election year.
'Occupy Boston' Holds On As Other Camps Close
It's been almost six months since the Occupy Wall Street movement started in New York City. In most cities, the encampments have been shut down and street protests have dwindled. But in Boston, the movement's organizers are trying out new tactics and strategies to keep their message alive.
States Hope For Relief With 'No Child' Waivers
Six months ago, President Obama directed his secretary of education to give waivers to states seeking much-needed relief from the federal education mandates prescribed under No Child Left Behind. On Thursday, they granted them to ten. But how much flexibility is the president really willing to give and what is he asking in return?
Gang Signs And A Sticker: Chicago Pulls Teen's Design
The city of Chicago is scrapping a teenager's winning design for a new city vehicle sticker. Some say the art contains symbols that resemble those of a notorious street gang.
Call It 'Gulf Of America,' Not Gulf Of Mexico, Lawmaker Says In Bit Of Satire
Democratic Rep. Stephen Holland has introduced a bill in the state House to change the name of the gulf. It's a satirical shot aimed at his Republican colleagues, he says. Stephen Colbert had the idea before him.
Occupy Wall Street: The Future And History, So Far
On September 17, 2011, hundreds of people gathered in Lower Manhattan to protest the growing wealth gap and Wall Street's involvement in the economic crisis. Five months later, most of the Occupy encampments across the country have been disbanded and the future of the movement remains uncertain.
Historian Seeks Artifacts From Lincoln's Last Days
In preparation for a book about Abraham Lincoln's life at the end of the Civil War, historian Noah Andre Trudeau is in search of witnesses. The last week of Lincoln's life in April 1865 is a largely unexamined period. Trudeau is seeking diary entries, letters or stories of people who encountered Lincoln at the time.
Conservatives Hope To Reach Hard-Pressed Youth
Young conservatives are bringing new energy to this year's Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) with a panel called, "Why Am I Living in My Parent's Basement?" Host Michel Martin talks with two young people attending, about how they hope to bring under-30 voters to their side of the aisle.
House Passes Bill That Would Ban Insider Trading By Lawmakers
The House on Thursday passed a bill that would ban congressional insider trading. With congressional approval at all-time lows, the bill was widely seen by lawmakers as a small step in restoring public confidence. But differences remain to be worked out with a Senate measure, passed last week.
Tammy McCann On 'Piano Jazz: Rising Stars'
McCann's extensive vocal background crosses genres, as she uses operatic melodies to scat.
Kris Bowers On 'Piano Jazz: Rising Stars'
From prepared piano to quiet ballads, the pianist keeps a wide sonic palette in orbit.
Julian Lage On 'Piano Jazz: Rising Stars'
Lage has soulful and serious conversations with his guitar, and with Piano Jazz host Jon Weber.
Taylor Eigsti On 'Piano Jazz: Rising Stars'
The young pianist inaugurates a new program highlighting the jazz legends of tomorrow.
Grace Kelly On 'Piano Jazz: Rising Stars'
The alto-saxophone phenom duets with host Jon Weber in "The Way You Look Tonight" and more.
Another Senate Campaign Could See SuperPAC Truce (Or Not)
Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, sent a letter to Rep. Denny Rehberg, the Republican who seeks to unseat him, requesting a truce on outside money funding negative ads for their campaigns, meaning superPACs.
Wisconsin Couple Marks 80 Years Of Marriage
Roy Fleming, 100, was 20 when he exchanged vows with his bride Dorothy, who was 15. The secret to their long marriage? Dorothy jokes that she's the boss.
After 3 Wins, Santorum Campaign Moves To Texas
One day after winning caucuses in Colorado and Minnesota, as well as a "beauty contest" primary in Missouri, GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum traveled to Texas for a series of campaign appearances. He met with evangelical pastors in the morning and members of the Tea Party in the afternoon.
States, Banks Negotiate Foreclosure Settlement
Assuming all goes as planned, at least 49 states will have signed on to a broad settlement between the banks and state attorneys general over robo-signing. Troubled homeowners may see some benefit, the banks will get some immunity provisions and the Obama administration is hoping to get some credit for negotiating the deal.
Romney Chips Way At Gingrich's Support In Georgia
One day after losing three contests to former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney traveled to Atlanta for a campaign event. Georgia holds its primary on March 6, which is Super Tuesday. And the state would seem to have built-in advantages for another of Romney's rivals. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is from Georgia.
House To Vote On Congressional Insider-Trading Ban
Lawmakers in the House are scheduled to vote Thursday on a bill cracking down on members of Congress who trade on insider information. In an election year, when Congress is having trouble reaching an agreement on much, the measure has enjoyed wide bi-partisan consensus. But that doesn't mean passage is assured.
Groupon Earnings Report Disappoints Investors
Groupon was expected to show a profit in its first earnings report since going public last fall. Instead, the company booked a net loss of about eight cents a share last quarter. But Groupon's revenues nearly tripled compared to a year earlier. Wall Street was still disappointed that growth-- especially of new customers-- wasn't stronger.
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